Great ideas come from everywhere in our company. We are experienced professionals, well versed in many sectors of the real estate and development industry. We approach our work with curiosity and determination, using what we learn to challenge and create sustainable projects, communities and assets. At Maclab Development Group, we focus on building a dynamic team comprised of the best talent and leadership. We empower our team to build fulfilling and meaningful careers while remaining unwavering in our commitments to our stakeholders, tenants, and to each other.
Marc de La Bruyère
Principal & Managing Director
Marc is the Principal and Managing Director of Maclab Development Group. His principal areas of expertise are in property development, investment, and board governance.
Following an early career as a management consultant, Marc joined Maclab in 1991. Since then he led the company’s return to the development businesses and the diversification into counter-cyclical investments.
With deep connections to Alberta, he is passionate about building the community; he is a proud supporter of the Youth Orchestra of Northern Alberta, the Loran Scholarships, the Citadel Theatre, the University of Alberta, the Women’s Emergency Accommodation Centre and several other Albertan and Canadian institutions.
Marc was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. He holds a B.A. from Williams College in Massachusetts and an MBA from INSEAD in France.
He is married to Stacy Schiff, a biographer and historian. They have three children.
Bill Blais
President & CEO
Bill Blais is the President and CEO of Maclab Development Group, an Edmonton based real estate company. His 26 year career has always focused on real estate development, including mixed use multi family development, land development, office conversion, and hotel development. Recently, at Maclab Development Group, the focus includes the following:
o Development of Laurent and Eleanor, a two-tower project located adjacent to the University of Alberta campus and with connectivity to the bus transit centre and LRT. Laurent provides 493 student housing beds in a mix of Studio, 2-bedroom and 4-bedroom units. After much study and time analyzing student housing projects this development put students mental, physical, and emotional well-being at the forefront with thoughtful design. This design includes, natural light, operable windows, in suite air conditioning, amenity and study areas including a fitness facility, secure bike storage, study rooms, common areas and a rooftop lounge. Fully furnished suites with ample storage space have been designed in this project. A management team and platform has been developed to operate, maintain, and lease this asset with the intention of rolling this platform out to several new student housing projects. Eleanor provides 260 rental units in a mix of 1- and 2-bedroom units and 12, 3-bedroom townhomes. As a typical apartment building, this project will provide housing for both students and young professionals.
o Design and development of the Parks project located on 108th Street and Jasper Avenue. This project is nearing the completion of phase one, a 366-unit tower that will ultimately be a 1,000-unit development. Located on Capital Boulevard, the project will serve both Norquest and MacEwan students along with professionals in the government district. The project is being developed next to the City of Edmonton’s new Urban Warehouse Park. Upon completion, the Parks will provide access to Edmonton’s Corona LRT station.
o Acquisition of Mill Woods Town Centre, a 56-acre enclosed mall that under Maclab will become Edmonton’s largest private redevelopment, creating a mixed use, transit-oriented development. This project will see over 6,000 housing units developed with active main floor frontages of both townhouses and retail.
o Management and oversight of the Maclab Development Group rental portfolio throughout Western Canada including Sir John Franklin and Cornerstone apartments. Sir John Franklin is located next to the University of Alberta and provides 120 rental units that cater significantly to the student population.
o Cornerstone is 120 rental units on the Simon Fraser Campus at Burnaby. Working with SFU’s trust UniverCity, Maclab acquired this asset near the end of development and has operated the property since acquisition. While the property is available to the market, given the location on campus the asset is leased entirely to students. Cornerstone is a TOD development, located next to SFU’s bus transit centre.
Bill is an active volunteer with UDI sitting on their Nodes and Corridors committee and with NAIOP on their Multifamily committee. Bill is a previous board member of the Fort Edmonton Management Company, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Canadian Home Builders Association Edmonton and is a Past Chair of the Board of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, prior member of the Alberta School of Business Alumni Association.
Bruce Bentley
Chair of the Board of Directors
Bruce Bentley is Chair of the Board of Directors of Maclab Development Group. Prior to his appointment as board chair in January 2017 he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Maclab Enterprises. He has an extensive knowledge base related to real estate operations and financial management; a background obtained in both public and private company environments.
Bruce has a strong belief in community involvement and currently chairs the board of directors of the Edmonton 2001 Athletics Legacy Foundation and is the Treasurer of the Board of Governors of the Citadel Theatre. He has been actively involved with the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, the University of Alberta, the Fort Edmonton Management Company, the Edmonton Elks Football Club, the Canadian Football League and the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. He sat on the Edmonton Committee to End Homelessness and the Edmonton Homeless Commission.
Bruce is a graduate of the University of Alberta’s School of Business and has pursued life-long learning including executive education at Stanford University and through the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Bruce and his wife Carol enjoy travelling the world and playing golf whenever possible. They have two adult sons, Cale, a chartered professional accountant, who lives with his wife Orsi in Switzerland, and Jase, a commercial airline pilot, who along with his wife Brittany, is based in Edmonton.
Michael Kwan
Chief Financial Officer
Michael Kwan is our Vice President, Finance, bringing extensive private company consulting experience to Maclab Development Group. He leads the company’s finance team, managing financial planning and analysis, corporate finance, financial reporting and taxation. Michael works with Maclab Development Group’s partners to build lasting relationships across business, finance and industry.
Prior to joining Maclab Development Group, Michael was a Senior Manager at Deloitte, a leading professional services firm worldwide, where he led income tax projects for private companies, including developing estate plans, managing corporate restructuring and general corporate tax consulting.
Born and raised in Edmonton, Michael has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta and received his Chartered Accountant designation in 2012. He is a huge hockey fan, and when he can find the time, he is either on the ice or in the stands at Rogers Place.
Toni Bos
Executive Assistant to Managing Director & Office Manager
Toni is the Executive Assistant to our Managing Director and she keeps the office running like a well-oiled machine as the Office Manager. Throughout her career, she has worked in a variety of customer service, and administration roles, bringing with her a considerable amount of knowledge and experience. She is passionate about building relationships and is always willing to lend a helping hand.
When not at work, she enjoys traveling, playing golf, riding her motorbike (GSXR 600), fostering dogs with GEARS (Greater Edmonton Area Rescue Society), and spending time with friends and family! Her proudest accomplishment to date is being the general contractor of leveling her house to the foundation and rebuilding it, 10-months from start to finish, while working full-time.
Life’s too short, live life to it’s fullest!
Kimberly Ayers
Executive Assistant to Chair of the Board of Directors
Kimberly Ayers is the Executive Assistant to the Chair of Maclab Properties Group and Maclab Development Group. She brings extensive experience in a broad range of roles including executive and board support, communications, policy, and labour relations.
Kimberly holds a Bachelor of Education degree with a minor in Education Psychology from the University of Alberta. She is actively involved in community volunteering while supporting her children’s sports activities and education. Kimberly is also an executive member of ASBA Zone 2/3.
She has a love for all things outdoors and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Lauren Henderson
Senior Director of Operations
As the Senior Director of Operations, Lauren oversees the development planning, asset management, commercial property management, marketing, and office management at Maclab. Lauren evaluates the performance of existing properties and reviews potential acquisition opportunities. In addition, Lauren leads the development planning of future projects, and works with the development team to ensure projects are delivered in a timely matter and operate in alignment with their business plans.
Some of the projects Lauren is involved in includes:
o The development of Laurent Student Housing and Eleanor valued at 260M. This project brings 1000 beds to the Garneau neighborhood and provides both purpose built student housing as well as market rental.
o The Parks development. Phase 1 of the Parks project is valued at 175M and will deliver 363 units to downtown Edmonton. The total project expects to deliver 1000 units.
o The Millwoods Town Centre development. With the vision of creating a transit oriented hub, Millwoods Town Centre aims to deliver up to 10,000 units. Lauren is currently involved with the rezoning and design of phase 1.
Lauren also helped establish and develop Maclab’s commercial property management program. In 2019 Lauren completed her Bachelor of Commerce with distinction (Accounting and Finance) from the University of Alberta. She later received her CPA designation in 2022.
Lauren is actively involved in the real estate community. She is a member of the Edmonton CREW, and is a co-chair on the Future Leaders Committee.
Outside of work, Lauren competes in the National Ringette League, playing for the Edmonton WAM! When not working, she can be found training, practicing on the ice, or traveling.
Paul Biagi
Vice President Land Development
As our Vice President Land Development, Paul brings his passion to developing communities through work ethic, leadership and creativity. Born and raised in Edmonton, Paul has been actively involved in the land development industry for over 20 years; overseeing all aspects of a new community development from construction to sales, while working closely with our planners, engineers, builders, contractors and residents. He is committed to building communities that last for generations.
As a husband and father of three beautiful girls, Paul strives to develop neighbourhoods that provides its residents with a sense of belonging, security, and safety. To give back, Paul volunteers his time to coach community sports and sits on the City of Leduc’s UDI committee.
Janelle Brenner
Director of Marketing and Communications
Janelle is responsible for providing direction, guidance, and leadership for marketing and communication initiatives within our organization. She leads a dynamic team in developing and implementing innovative marketing and sales strategies with respect to new developments, acquisitions, commercial assets, and residential communities.
She manages our corporate marketing platforms, leads strategic communications including media relations, ESG strategy, and public engagement while collaborating closely with key stakeholders, business networks, and our team to ensure alignment with overall business goals and objectives. From conceptualization to execution, she has successfully led multifaceted marketing campaigns and strategies that have elevated brand visibility, generated leads, and accelerated sales and leasing. Her comprehensive understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and content marketing has enabled her to develop targeted strategies that drive results and achieve sales targets.
Outside of work, she enjoys golfing, traveling, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Joshua Cura
Marketing Coordinator
Joshua is the Marketing Coordinator for Maclab Development Group. With a degree in Design and Business Marketing, Joshua blends creativity with strategic vision to drive impactful marketing campaigns and elevate brand presence. With 7 years of experience in the marketing and design field, Joshua has successfully managed a wide range of projects, from developing branded collateral to creating engaging digital content. Their expertise spans graphic design, product management, content creation, social media strategy, digital ads management, ensuring that each campaign is well-rounded and designed to maximize engagement.
As a collaborative team member, Joshua works closely with the Director of Marketing & Communications, the Vice President Land Development, and external partners to produce compelling marketing assets that reflect the distinct qualities of each property and neighbourhood. Through their combination of design expertise and marketing acumen, Joshua helps real estate professionals and firms connect with prospective buyers, tenants, and investors, fostering growth and brand loyalty in a competitive market.
Outside of work, he likes to go bouldering, play racquet sports, cook, and spending time with his loved ones!
Jamey Singh
Vertical Development Manager
An Honor’s graduate of NAIT’s B.C.E.T. program in 1980, and winner of the ASET Technologist of the Year award in 2013, Jamey brings over 43 years of construction experience spanning across Canada. In the past six years, Jamey has played a key role in the successful delivery of The Glenora, Grande Prairie Hospital, Stanton Territorial Hospital, Building BG at ICE District and South Valley line LRT.
Currently, Jamey is Manager of Construction for Maclab Development Group on two major high-rise residential projects in Edmonton. The Garneau project is a twin tower student residence and market tower valued at $260M, and the Parks is a market rental tower valued at $175M. It is his leadership, approachable demeanor, and ability to make sound decisions based on his team’s collaboration that distinguishes Jamey. Very much respected, he also returns that respect – often becoming a mentor to those who collaborate with him on a project. As an ASET member, he is dedicated to advocating for his profession, and providing the next generation of construction professionals with opportunities to ensure they are technically prepared. Jamey’s passion is playing an active role in driving consistency in operational excellence and practices in all projects he is involved with.
RESIDENTIAL & STUDENT HOUSING PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Jamey’s vast residential project experience spanning over his career includes several types of housing projects. From several custom-built homes, duplexes, and wood-framed apartment buildings in Edmonton. Multi-Storey projects such as Tegler Terrace, River Cree Marriott Hotel, Humber College Student Residence, University of Alberta International House, The Oliver, Raymond Block, The MacLaren, The Glenora, Citizen, The Switch, The Laurent, Eleanor, The Parks, and currently rezoning phase 1 of Millwoods Town Centre which encompasses two residential market towers.
NAIT RELATED PROJECTS
Jamey has worked on two of NAIT’s most recent projects as the COO for Clark Builders including the Feltham Centre (CAT) being one of the largest buildings on the NAIT Campus. The Productivity and Innovation Centre (PIC) is the other building which is a 170,000 SF applied research and teaching facility that houses advanced manufacturing and testing labs.
Jamey continues to promote NAIT and credits his NAIT education as the foundation for his successful career. In 2015, Jamey became the Chair of NAIT’s BTCM Program Advisory Committee. Jamey is currently in his tenth year leading the Committee and continues to support the program from the industry perspective. Maclab Development Group has been an Industry Sponsor for the 4th year NAIT BTCM Capstone Teams for the past three years.
Jeff King
Senior Project Manager
Jeff is the Senior Project Manager of our vertical development portfolio and brings over 19 years of construction and development experience to our team. Prior to joining Maclab Development Group, Jeff worked in both commercial and residential sectors contributing to several notable projects in Edmonton and surrounding markets.
Jeff attended the University of Alberta where he earned a Bachelor’s degree with a major in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. After graduating from the U of A, he returned to school at Santa Barbara City College where he earned an Associate’s Degree in both real estate and finance before returning to Edmonton and beginning his career in the development and construction field. Jeff prides himself on having a comprehensive and holistic approach to project management, along with being process driven, detail oriented and working collaboratively within any sized team.
Currently, Jeff is working on the Garneau project, which is a twin tower student residence and market tower valued at $260M, and the Parks, which is a market rental tower valued at $175 Million. Jeff is also working on the zoning and site development of the Mill Woods phase 1 site redevelopment.
Past residential work includes the successful delivery of over 1,200 residential units in the Edmonton market, ranging from high-end single-family customs homes to 8-unit row housing units to 160+ unit, wood framed apartment buildings.
Past commercial experience includes the successful delivery of the Royal Alberta Museum, City of Spruce Grove Public Works Facility, The Premium Outlet Collection Edmonton International Airport, EPCOR South Service Center Renovations, ONPA Architects Head Office Renovations, National tenant anchored power centers, and various other new construction builds.
Christy Tubi
Project Manager
Christy is a dedicated Project Manager responsible for managing projects within our vertical development portfolio, bringing a wealth of experience in commercial and residential real estate development spanning over 11 years. Her journey in the construction and development industry is marked by a strong foundation in civil engineering, coupled with a strategic approach to project management.
Christy holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Windsor and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). She is currently pursuing her MBA from the University of Fredericton, further enhancing her expertise in business and management.
Currently, Christy is working on the Parks development project which is a $175 Million market rental tower. Christy is also working on the Mill Woods Town Center development project. With a unique blend of technical expertise, creative flair, and a passion for continuous learning, Christy is thrilled to be a valuable part of the Maclab team.
Outside the office, Christy enjoys cooking and travelling. Family time is her treasured sanctuary, and she enjoys the simple pleasures of sharing moments with loved ones.
Ghany Zayoud
Project Manager
A licensed Professional Engineer, P.Eng, with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists in Alberta, Ghany combines technical expertise with a strategic approach to project management. Holding both a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and a Master’s degree in Engineering Management, and being a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Ghany has developed a strong foundation in engineering principles, complemented by extensive experience in project management.
With over 17 years in the development and construction industry, Ghany is highly experienced in managing diverse projects, including wood frame and concrete mixed use residential buildings, commercial spaces, and university laboratory fit-outs. Ghany has worked both with contractors and as an owner’s representative, gaining a well-rounded perspective that allows for effective project management from multiple angles, ensuring optimal outcomes for all stakeholders involved. Additionally, Ghany has international project experience, having worked on projects overseas, further broadening their expertise in managing complex, cross-cultural projects.
Outside of work, Ghany enjoys swimming and walking outdoors, finding balance and inspiration in these activities.
Jessie Bone
Project Administrator
Jessie joined Maclab Development Group as the Project Administrator for the Vertical Team in 2024. Jessie is responsible for supporting the Vertical Team through the planning, development, construction, and post-completion process.
Jessie has twenty years of experience working as an Administrative Professional. During that time, she has gained expertise in coordinating and supporting teams managing multi-family residences and projects.
Jessie’s passion for organization has helped her become successful in her everyday working life.
Outside of the office, Jessie enjoys scrapbooking, decorating her home for each season, and spending time with family and friends.
Candace Smashnuk
Commercial Property Manager
Candace is a dedicated commercial property manager at MDG, focused on optimizing operations and enhancing tenant experiences across a diverse portfolio of properties. She excels at building strong relationships with tenants, ensuring smooth operations, and maintaining high standards of service. Candace’s proactive approach to communication and customer service makes her a trusted point of contact for tenants and stakeholders alike.
Beyond managing day-to-day operations, Candace is involved in strategic planning to enhance property value and ensure long-term competitiveness. She is passionate about fostering a sense of community within her properties, organizing events that promote networking and collaboration among tenants.
Outside of work, Candace enjoys traveling and spending quality time with family and friends, maintaining a healthy work-life balance while staying committed to her role in driving growth and creating vibrant, successful commercial spaces.
Alizeh Raza
Property Accountant
Alizeh joined Maclab Development Group as Property Accountant in 2023. Her responsibilities include full cycle accounting for the commercial retail portfolio, cashflow reporting and taxation compliance. As a property accountant, Alizeh understands the importance of accurate financial reporting and is committed to ensuring that the financial reports are timely, reliable, and compliant with relevant regulations.
She is part qualified Chartered Certified Accountant who is currently working towards obtaining her CPA designation. She has completed her ACCA (UK) certification, gaining expertise in financial reporting, taxation, and management accounting.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Alizeh has a passion for playing badminton and traveling. She enjoys staying active and maintaining a healthy, fun lifestyle.
Darlington Mandondo
Controller
Darlington joined Maclab in July 2022 as Controller in the Finance department after starting off his career with Deloitte, and then working as a Controller in the construction industry in the Northwest Territories. He grew up in Zimbabwe and moved to Canada in 2012 to pursue post-secondary studies. He currently holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the Memorial University of Newfoundland and a CPA designation. Darlington is currently pursuing an MBA online with the University of Fredericton with an anticipated graduation of summer 2023.
He will oversee the financial reporting, tax compliance, internal controls, and coordination of the day-to-day activities of the Finance team. In his spare time, Darlington enjoys all the sports – in particular, playing soccer and basketball or watching the NBA and the English Premier League.
Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship – Denzel Washington
Kathryn Rebibes
Treasury & Project Accountant
Kathryn believes that “You never stop learning because life never stops teaching.”
She joined Maclab Development Group in 2014. Her role involves cash flow management, short term money market and processing accounts payable and receivables. She provides support for the whole finance team with special projects and year end accounting.
She studied at NAIT and holds a diploma in Business Administration-Accounting.
Outside of work, she loves cooking, traveling and spending quality time with her family.
Marilyn Tran
Senior Accountant
Marilyn joined Maclab Development Group as a Senior Accountant in 2021. Her role involves reviewing monthly and year end accounting data in compiling of financial statements and tax returns. She works with the corporate finance team to support the function of accurate and timely financial reporting and ensuring accounting best practices.
Marilyn has a Bachelor of Commerce - After Degree from the University of Alberta and received her CPA designation in 2018.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
Gurmeet Mahal
Corporate Accountant
Gurmeet joined Maclab Development Group in 2014 as a corporate accountant. Her role involves preparing monthly and year end accounting files, financial statements and tax returns. She maintains and prepares accurate financial records and provides senior management, auditors and shareholders with pertinent financial information.
Born and raised in Edmonton, Gurmeet has a Bachelor of Management degree from Concordia University of Edmonton and received her CPA designation in 2014.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Derek Hansen
Corporate Accountant
Derek joined Maclab Development Group as a Corporate Accountant in 2021. He assists in providing management with accurate and timely accounting information. His role involves preparing financial reporting, management reporting and tax returns.
Derek has a Bachelor of Commerce – Major in Accounting from MacEwan University.
Outside of work, he enjoys running, gaming, and reading.
Gurmen Aujla
Real Estate and Investments Analyst
As our Real Estate and Investments Analyst, Gurmen is responsible for updating and maintaining cash flow models. He analyzes changes in cash flow, coordinates loan draws for development projects, and assists management in updating our budget.
In 2021, Gurmen completed his Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance, at the University of Alberta. He joined our team in 2022 and is currently working towards his CFA designation.
In his free time, Gurmen enjoys playing soccer and golf, watching sports, and spending time with family and friends.
Kanchan Soni
Accounts Payable Administrator
Kanchan has joined Maclab as an Accounts Payable Administrator in October 2023. She is a committed person with over 7+ years of experience into Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable. She has accomplished multiple recognitions throughout her career. Her main at responsibility at Maclab includes receiving, verifying, and processing invoices, maintain vendor accounts, processing payments and posting payable activity.
Kanchan has a Bachelor of Commerce degree with major in accounting and finance from India. She is looking forward to pursuing her designation. Kanchan believes in teamwork, very passionate to learn new things and work in a challenging environment.
In free time and outside work Kanchan enjoy watching movies, spending time with friends and family, cooking, travelling and like to play cards.