Spotlight Development is ramping up its game with expanded executive talent and a pivotal new focus on affordable Indigenous housing.
Today, the demand for new housing is massive. GTA-based Spotlight is charging forward, fueled by new leadership — and a bold commitment to affordable housing development.
Founded in 2010 by Sherry Larjani, Spotlight remains female-led and diverse in its real estate expertise, spanning mixed-use, co-op, multi-residential rentals, and condos.
Spotlight is bringing in three senior leaders with over 85 years of combined experience in real estate and community outreach: Chief Operating Officer, Chief Investment Officer, and Community Outreach Liaison. These appointments are set to strengthen the company from the inside, propelling its premium return multi-residential housing developments to new heights.
Even more exciting, Spotlight is partnering with Énska Advisors — Canada's first Indigenous real estate advisory — to launch a groundbreaking affordable Indigenous housing initiative under The Inclusive project series.
Here's a look at the new faces shaping Spotlight's future:
David Hanick, COO
- New Role: As Spotlight's new Chief Operating Officer, David Hanick will lead daily operations, prioritizing the acceleration of the firm's affordable housing projects. More broadly, he will work on crafting the firm’s business plan within the landscape of today’s high mortgage rates. Hanick will oversee operations and report to President and Founder Sherry Larjani.
- Background: Hanick recently completed a 12-year tenure with Starlight Investments, where he was Chief Legal Officer and a member of the Investment Committee. As a founding leader at Starlight, he participated in its growth from $2 billion to $28 billion under management. Preceding that, Hanick was a corporate partner at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. Additionally, he's a member of the Law Society of Ontario, and holds a joint Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business and a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School.
Andrew Garrett, CIO
- New Role: As Spotlight's new Chief Investment Officer, Andrew Garrett will take the company's impact investments to the next level, with a keen focus on the affordable housing communities within The Inclusive concept series. Garrett will play a pivotal role in advancing these communities, maximizing both social and financial returns for investors. He will leverage private market funds, community bonds, and local financial institutions’ investment in housing projects to ensure long-term sustainability and stakeholder engagement. Garrett will start with the team in October.
- Background: Garrett brings over 20 years of executive experience in the commercial real estate industry, where he led strategy, origination, leasing, and portfolio management for Ontario’s largest pensions. He is currently a Board Trustee at the University of Guelph and has previously served on the non-partisan Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force.
Mark Saunders, Community Outreach Liaison
- New Role: As Spotlight’s new Community Outreach Liaison, Mark Saunders will expand and enhance various community engagement initiatives, with a special focus on progressing The Inclusive initiative. In large part, Saunders will serve as a conduit for communities when it comes to new affordable housing. He started with the team last September.
- Background: Outside of running for mayor in Toronto in 2023, Saunders has a history of vested public service, including a 38-year career with the Toronto Police Service — for five years of which he served as Chief of Police. During his time with the Police Service, Saunders addressed public safety issues on local, provincial, national, and global levels. He was also recognized in the Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for Outstanding Community Contributions.
Partnership With Énska Advisors
- Partnership: Spotlight has engaged Énska Advisors as Impact Manager for The Inclusive series of projects. Énska’s President & CEO, Tim Coldwell, will serve as Impact Advisor for Spotlight, particularly as it pertains to The Inclusive series. Coldwell and the Énska team will ensure the projects meet the highest standards of inclusivity and sustainability. This will aid in recognizing the critical importance of Indigenous voices in the housing development process.
- Background: Coldwell is a respected leader in the real estate sector and has also been named a Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year, one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40®, and an alumnus of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference. In addition, Coldwell has been recognized as one of Construction’s Most Influential People.
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Visit Spotlight at www.spotlightdevelopment.com
This article was produced in partnership with STOREYS Custom Studio.
