Jim, a seasoned architect and partner, brings a wealth of strategic insight to the table. His tenure as DIALOG Chair from 2015 to 2022 was marked by a steadfast commitment to bolstering a purpose-driven practice anchored in great design.
For Jim, success is defined by forging strategic partnerships with clients to tackle complex projects. In doing so, design solutions emerge that enhance the built environment and make meaningful contributions to the communities they serve.
Under Jim’s leadership as Chair, DIALOG’s diverse and collaborative culture thrived, earning the prestigious recognition as one of Deloitte’s Best Managed Companies consecutively from 2017 to 2022 with a Gold Standard designation. Further organizational leadership was realized by introducing a revamped governance model to steward DIALOG’s long-term interests and well-being.
His unwavering dedication to DIALOG’s purpose led to the practice’s successful B Corp certification in 2023 and the implementation of a revised Partnership Agreement reflecting the partners’ purpose-driven agenda. These initiatives underscore the practice’s commitment to operating as a force for good, prioritizing social and environmental responsibility alongside financial success.
Jim’s commitment to mentorship is exemplified through his role in developing the Build DIALOG program, which has nurtured emerging leaders and fostered a culture of continuous innovation within the practice.
Recognizing the pivotal role of design in creating a positive, forward-looking impact on society and the environment, Jim is a spirited advocate of our interdisciplinary ethos and believes that the design profession must embrace change, welcome diverse perspectives, and be inclusive in its approach.
Following his stint as DIALOG’s Chair, Jim has returned to practice as an architect where he is focused on strengthening key and strategic client relationships and building on his already distinguished track record of delivering institutional, commercial and mixed-use projects.
What’s your favourite DIALOG initiative?
One thing we do that’s especially important is our carbon action plan. It’s not just the work that we do but the way that we operate that shows our commitment to the environment. Our Carbon Offset Initiative in partnership with Community Forest International (CFI), is a great example of this. We manage our carbon output in a sustainable way by working with CFI to measure our carbon impact, reduce it to the greatest extent possible, and offset our footprint by purchasing tracts of forest in Canada.
What conversation topic could you never resist?
How do we make decisions based on long-term thinking? I think this topic is even more important now, given how quickly the world is changing.
Do you have a passion project outside of work?
My tree farm near Kingston, ON. When I got married 25 years ago, my wife and I bought a piece of barren land and started planting trees. We loved seeing them grow over the years, so much so that we just kept on planting more trees!
The wellbeing of our communities is inextricably linked to the wellbeing of the environment. We can't have healthy communities without a healthy planet.
Bachelor of Architecture
Carleton University
Executive Program
Graduate School of Business, Stanford University
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