Beedie

Based in our Calgary office, Katie Wootton thrives in her role as Assistant Development Manager, where she collaborates across multiple departments and teams, bringing both versatility and energy to every project.   Whether she’s working on design and development planning one day, or partnering with construction teams the next, she’s always ready to tackle new challenges. Her ability to work in diverse areas of the business, including development, design, construction, sales, and communications, has greatly contributed to her professional and personal growth.   Inspired by the opportunity to collaborate with innovative professionals from various backgrounds, she strives for excellence in all aspects of her work. As part of the Beedie team, she helps foster a culture of continuous learning, improvement, and shared success.   We asked Katie for her advice on how to break into the industry, and here's what she had to say:   "The best way for women to start a career in construction or development is to get involved early. University programs specific to construction, architecture, or engineering provide a strong foundation, but internships offer the hands-on experience that can truly set you apart. Job shadowing is also a valuable way to gain real-world insights into different roles and understand how the industry operates. That said, it's never too late to transition into construction or development.   Additionally, finding a mentor who has experience in the field is invaluable for guidance and support. Networking through industry events or joining groups like NAIOP and CREW can also help build relationships and open doors for professional growth."

Women in Construction Week is an important time to highlight not only powerful women in the industry but also fulfilling career paths built from the ground up. From Development Coordinator to Director, Industrial Development, Jen Clow has cultivated a truly inspiring career at Beedie. With a passion for industrial development that stems from her love of learning about different businesses and their unique needs, she finds great fulfillment in helping our clients grow and supporting their organizational needs. Jen highly values the mentorship she received earlier in her career–something she’s found invaluable that she credits for helping to guide her through the complexities of the construction and development industry. As a big proponent of sharing experience through mentorship and industry groups, we asked Jen what associations she’s a part of and would recommend to women starting in development: "I started volunteering with CREW Vancouver in 2024 with the Events committee. It’s been great connecting with women in the industry and supporting CREW. I highly recommend any women in the industry get involved with an organization such as CREW or NAIOP to meet a network of other amazing women in the industry.”

Women in Construction Week Continues! Meet Kristin Forsyth, our talented Project Coordinator who joined Beedie in November 2024. Since starting her career in construction in 2020, Kristin has been an integral part of several industrial builds, gaining valuable experience along the way.   Growing up in Toronto, she witnessed the city’s rapidly changing landscape and construction and development consistently coming up in conversation. With her interest sparked, she dove into the world of construction with a particular focus on industrial builds.   Kristin finds great joy in seeing projects transform from 2D drawings to tangible structures. Actively involved from the tender phase to project closeout, her role is both challenging and rewarding, strengthened by growing relationships with team members, tradespeople, and stakeholders.   When asked for a piece of advice for women wanting to start or advance their careers in construction, she shared the following    "For women looking to start a career in construction, my advice is simple: just go for it! The construction and development industry offers a multitude of avenues, and you will find your fit along the way.   For those seeking growth and advancement, I recommend the following:   𝐁𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 & 𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 - The construction industry is vast, and no two projects are the same. Embrace new scopes of work and enjoy the learning process, including the dos and don'ts that come with each experience.   𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 & 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬 - Building relationships on-site and through various organizations and events can significantly benefit your career. Make an effort to get yourself out there and connect with others—you never know which contacts might be valuable in the future.   Additionally, believing in your company's values will create a solid foundation for you as a representative when networking. Consider how you fit within the company and how the company fits you.   Lastly, I would emphasize the importance of speaking up. Your opinions and contributions matter and your voice can make a significant impact in the industry.”

With over 14 years of experience in the industry, Jenn Tomney plays a pivotal role in our construction and development projects, currently working as an Assistant Manager of Project Accounting. Beginning her career in accounts payable, she knew right away that the construction industry was her true calling, finding her passion in project accounting and never looking back. Jenn has played a key role in many of our large, high-profile projects. It’s been rewarding to see her grow in her career, expanding her knowledge and experience while mentoring her team and helping them succeed. She recently shared her thoughts on what our #BuiltForGood ethos means for her: "For me, working at Beedie is more than just a job. It’s a career built on purpose. It’s being a part of an organization that empowers its employees to give back and create a meaningful impact in our communities."

As an Estimator at Beedie since 2023, Nicole Chen has a keen focus on providing expert construction budgets, collaborating with development, site operations, and project management to bring our developments to life. Beginning her construction journey in civil engineering, the ability to see a project come together always resonated with her. Early in her career, she realized that she found the hands-on nature of construction rewarding, being directly involved in every detail, coordinating, and planning. Valuing teamwork and the collaborative nature of the Beedie team, she finds a strong sense of motivation in seeing how everyone is aligned and committed to delivering successful projects. We asked Nicole what she finds empowering about her career. This is what she shared: "The people in the industry empower me all the time. I’m constantly inspired by the people I work with—they’re not only experts in their fields but are also incredibly generous with their knowledge and experience. Their willingness to help and mentor each other in this industry is something that keeps me engaged and motivated to grow."

Growing up watching her parents and grandparents build houses and sell real estate in the Lower Mainland, Vanessa Ceolin, our Property Management Administrator, always had a keen interest in the development process. Going from picking out her bedroom paint colours as a kid to assisting in managing multi-thousand SF industrial buildings within our Beedie portfolio, it’s not only been deeply ingrained in her from a young age, but Vanessa has built a full circle career where she has been a part of it all. Connecting with some strong mentors at Beedie, she believes mentorship is an important part of any career, no matter how intimidating it may feel to reach out and form those relationships. When asked about her favourite part of what she does at Beedie and what makes her feel empowered in her work, Vanessa shared this with us: "My favorite part of working at Beedie is the comprehensive service we provide—not just in the quality of our buildings and customer service, but in how we engage with our tenants. Every day, I have the chance to support tenants in managing their buildings and even volunteer alongside them. It’s especially rewarding to work with organizations like the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and be part of the meaningful difference they make in our community."

It’s Women in Construction Week! Over the coming days, we are excited to spotlight some of the incredibly talented women who work at Beedie, sharing their incredible skills, industry experience, personal insights, and the way they champion other women in the industry. To kick off the week, we’re excited to introduce Laurie Svensson, Senior Accountant for both our Construction and Development teams. Laurie began her accounting career at Beedie in 2001, initially supporting our Construction team as a one-woman operation. Over the years, she expanded her expertise into Land Development and beyond, while also playing a key role in shaping the talented team of ten Project Accountants we have today. Passionate about the development and construction process and how raw land is transformed into state-of-the-art industrial buildings through the ‘puzzle-piece’ like process of a tilt-panel installation, Laurie has been an integral part of so many of our projects ranging from 40,000 SF spaces to modern, cutting-edge facilities spanning over 500,000 SF in size. She shared the following with us when asked about the best way for someone to start a career in construction: "There are many pathways into the construction industry in British Columbia. The British Columbia Institute of Technology offers a variety of excellent programs in trades and technical training, providing a strong foundation for success and empowering individuals to thrive in one of the most dynamic industries in the province. I personally entered the field with a background in Property Management, demonstrating that there are multiple avenues to build a successful career in construction and development.”

We had a fantastic turnout for our exclusive industrial and resimercial tours last week, where we showcased two of our state-of-the-art condo developments in Markham, Ontario. Local brokers had the opportunity to join our Beedie, Cushman & Wakefield, and Colliers teams in exploring these cutting-edge spaces followed by lunch and networking. On the tour, we visited our fully move-in ready Citi Block, with 4 remaining units starting from 15,230 SF, along with Maverick Business Centre which is scheduled for completion in Q1/Q2 2025, and currently offering ownership opportunities starting at 8,442 SF. Thank you to everyone who joined us last week to learn more about how we’re supporting the growing business needs in the Markham area. To learn more about these developments and how they’re shaping the future of this prime location, as well as our limited-time incentives and pricing, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/gyQMVnhf

Construction is now officially complete at 7915 130th Street in Surrey’s coveted Newton industrial node, with only 2 of our industry-leading warehouse units remaining. These move-in ready units start at 9,849 SF, complete with dock and grade loading, 32’ ceiling clearance, concrete mezzanines (with custom office build-outs available), and more. Located in one of Metro Vancouver’s most sought-after industrial areas, these remaining units will not last long. Providing buyers with seamless access to Highway 99, 91, and the Fraser Highway, cross-boarding distribution past the US border and travel to and from Deltaport, YVR International Airport, and Downtown Vancouver are made quick and efficient. Secure your legacy at 7915 130th Street. Contact our Avison Young listing team to learn more: https://bit.ly/7915beedie

Roofing installation is now complete at Pioneer Sunset, with painting underway on this industry-leading warehousing development in Las Vegas. Now is the perfect time to grow your company at Pioneer Sunset, with limited-time presale pricing of $305 PSF available on our two limited released units. Secure your premium warehouse space today, with close proximity to the Las Vegas Strip, Harry Reid International Airport, and an abundance of nearby amenities. These state-of-the-art units include dock and grade loading, 28’ ceiling clearance, concrete mezzanines for office build-outs, and tilt-up concrete construction, ranging from 8,876 SF up to 117,212 SF. Pioneer the future of your business with Beedie. Explore unit specifications and contact our CBRE listing team today: https://lnkd.in/g7vKQb5h