Symposium Ottawa: May 28, 2024

Brandon Reay is the current Manager of Policy and External Relations at the Ottawa Real Estate Board, where he champions pro-housing initiatives designed to benefit a broad spectrum of stakeholders in Canada’s real estate market. With a robust background as a REALTOR® and consultant for small-scale developers and real estate investors, Brandon brings a rich blend of firsthand experience and strategic insight to his role. His efforts are focused on fostering policies that enhance housing supply and accessibility, reflecting his deep commitment to both the industry and community welfare.

Brandon will be addressing the pressing issue of the housing supply crisis, offering a unique perspective shaped by years of active involvement in the real estate sector. Known for his authentic and down-to-earth speaking style, he engages directly with audiences, making complex issues relatable and understandable. His transition from real estate sales to policy advocacy underscores his comprehensive understanding of the market’s dynamics from multiple angles.

Tanya Woods, Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs & Policy Counsel, Questrade Financial Group

Tanya Woods leads Government and Regulatory Affairs at Questrade Financial Group, a successful private Canadian company with $45B+ AUA and a portfolio of leading companies offering innovative financial, home, lending, and insurance services online to help clients become more financially successful. She is a dynamic and specialized technology, regulatory, and trade lawyer, former trade negotiator, and technology policy expert who advises governments and companies on issues such as intellectual property, open finance, emerging technologies and digital trade.  She has served in advisory, board and C-suite legal and executive roles for over 20 years, successfully advancing the commercial and regulatory agendas of technology companies, including Microsoft, Nintendo, Interac, and BCE Inc. Woods also launched and led Canada’s first blockchain and digital assets trade association, was General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for the listing of Canada’s first digital asset miner on NASDAQ, advised on the development of the first global charity-led algorithmic (AI) literacy program, and sat on the Board of Canada’s first publicly traded 4D “metaverse” studio. Tanya’s leadership and contributions have been published and recognized as leader in technology and global impact by the Government of Canada, IT World, the Obama Foundation, Toastmasters International, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, amongst others.  Woods studied law at the London School of Economics, American University, and Ottawa University and received her ICD.D from Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto.

Greg Casey

Regional Risk Manager, Sagen

16 years working for General Electric Canada as a Credit Manager for businesses as varied as Lighting to Aircraft Engines working on projects from turbines for the Yangzi River Dams in China to plastic car parts in Windsor. Since 2004 with Sagen Canada in the roles of Leader of our Audit Team, Head of our Special Investigation and now as Regional Risk Manager.

Shubha Dasgupta

Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder & Director

Shubha Dasgupta is the CEO and Co-Founder of Toronto-based Pineapple, a leading mortgage industry disruptor. Since joining the mortgage industry in 2008, Shubha has focused on leveraging technology while prioritizing customer experience to transform the sector. His unique vision and expertise have been instrumental in building and growing Pineapple, which boasts over 700 brokers in its network today.

Under Shubha’s leadership, Pineapple has developed a world-class, data-driven Enterprise Management platform that offers a personalized experience for clients, making it the first full-circle mortgage process for agents. His deep understanding of business and industry trends, combined with his ability to drive best-in-class customer experience and profitability, has allowed him to infuse vision and purpose in his professional endeavors throughout his career.

An award-winning executive and seasoned industry expert, Shubha has been recognized among the top executives in the mortgage industry. He was included in the ‘2020 and 2022 Mortgage Global 100’ for inciting positive change and growth in the field. Additionally, he has been featured in the annual Canadian Mortgage Professional’s Hot List for five consecutive years since 2018. In 2021, he was appointed President of the Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association (CMBA) Ontario Board of Directors, following a second year on the Board.

Shubha is also a philanthropic leader who actively engages with various non-profit organizations in the Toronto community. He currently serves on the board of Melanoma Canada and has been a devoted advocate in the fight against cancer since 2010. In 2017, he co-founded CMI Cancer Fighters, a group of Canadian mortgage industry professionals dedicated to fighting cancer. He also serves on the corporate cabinet for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Shubha is a highly sought-after public speaker and media expert who frequently speaks on a range of topics, including finance, self-improvement, and philanthropy. His reputation as a thought leader in the mortgage industry and his commitment to customer experience and philanthropy make him a valuable leader and subject matter expert.

Ho Yan Wong is a CMHC Account Manager with 5 Years of Lending Experience within Financial Institutions. Graduated from York University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 2017, he continues his passion for learning by working towards his CFA® Designation. He joined CMHC in 2019 and continues to educate Industry Professionals and Canadians on Mortgage Loan Insurance, Housing Affordability and Financial Literacy.

Eric Poblete is a sales professional with over 30+ years experience working with all vertical markets. In the last 11 years Eric has worked with Equifax Canada with a focus on the mortgage, rental and housing industries. As the Equifax ambassador for the mortgage broker market, he has provided extensive support and education to all the varied stakeholders including brokers, lenders, underwriters, real estate agents, and insurers helping them to understand credit, compliance, financial trends and fraud directly and indirectly related to the mortgage market.

Jelena Pejic is the Senior Manager of Licensing Compliance at FSRA. She manages a team of FSRA licensing specialists who review licensing applications for intermediaries in the insurance and mortgage sectors. She has worked closely on the development, consultation, and implementation of the new licensing classes for mortgage agents and brokers that will come into effect on April 1, 2023. 

Jelena has worked at FSRA (previously FSCO) since 2016 in various roles in enforcement, compliance, licensing and complaints review.  Prior to her roles at FSRA, Jelena worked in fraud risk management at a large Canadian bank. Jelena holds a BA in Business Economics from York University.  In her free time, she enjoys travelling, swimming, skiing, and spending time with family and friends outdoors.

Derrick Leue

President & CEO, PROLINK

Derrick Leue is the President and CEO of PROLINK—Canada’s Insurance Connection, an independent insurance brokerage established in 1982. PROLINK offers tailor-made risk management and insurance solutions to Professional Associations and Affinity Groups, Canadian enterprises, small businesses, and individuals. Derrick is a registered insurance broker with an Honors degree in commerce from McMaster University and has been with PROLINK for 17 years. He has presented to thousands of professionals in various industries on risk management and is very happy to have the opportunity to speak with IDC members today.  

Jennie Hodgson is Senior Manager of Mortgage Broker Conduct within FSRA’s Market Conduct division. Jennie and her team of Senior Compliance Officers conduct examinations (aka “compliance audits”) of mortgage brokerages. In line with the Mortgage Brokering Sector 2022-23 Supervision Plan, the team focuses on private mortgage transactions. 

Jennie started her mortgage industry career in 2001 in the mortgage servicing division of a big-5 bank, then gained experience with roles at a commercial lender, as an education consultant, and leading the education department at a national association; she began her role at FSRA in 2019. With a BA in Adult Education from Brock University, Jennie is passionate about education and draws on these skills for her work in promoting regulatory compliance.

Geoff Rabideau

Geoff Rabideau, Principal Lawyer and Owner of Rabideau Law and Custom Closing is known as a mover and shaker in the real estate industry. Having been a practising lawyer for over 14 years, his innovative ideas and technological thinking has positioned him in the top 20, in terms of volume, of all real estate lawyers in Canada. He believes the client experience is of the utmost importance and strives to find convenient and effective ways to ensure quality legal services are provided, while simultaneously surpassing client expectations. With an understanding that client satisfaction needs to be achieved at every level, Geoff seizes every opportunity to educate real estate professionals to better serve not only their clients, but the real estate industry as a whole. Geoff often presents at CMBA as a guest speaker, his presentations are educational and engaging, and is the author of the chapter on real estate law in CMBA’s Mortgage Agent Course.

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