This panel brings together key players from across the waterfront to capture the past, present, and future of Toronto's waterfront. Panelists will dive into how the waterfront's economic, tourism, social, environmental, and urban elements come together to create a vibrant, dynamic, and transformative economic district.
Opening Remarks: Tim Kocur, Executive Director, Waterfront BIA
Tim Kocur joined the Waterfront BIA in 2018 as Executive Director and initiated a successful boundary expansion to include the fastest growing neighbourhood in North America – the waterfront east of Yonge Street. The BIA has developed economic impact studies and joint advocacy statements in support of the Waterfront East LRT. The ‘Waterfront ReConnect’ vision for safer, improved north-south connections to the water has resulted in pilots and new public realm planning for the Gardiner Corridor. They are also a leader in supporting events and activations including the Waterfront Festival, an artist-in-residence tr38.
Moderator: Mary W. Rowe, President & CEO, Canadian Urban Institute
Mary W. Rowe is a leading urban advocate and civil society trailblazer who has worked in cities and with communities across Canada and the United States. Mary was President of the Canadian platform Ideas That Matter, a convening and publishing program based on the work of renowned urbanist Jane Jacobs, when a mid-career fellowship with the US-based blue moon fund led her to New Orleans. There she worked with national philanthropy, governments and community activists to support rebuilding through micro-investments in neighbourhood projects for seven years in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Prior to joining CUI as President and Chief Executive Officer, Mary lived in New York City and served as Executive Vice President of the Municipal Art Society (MASNYC), one of America’s oldest civic advocacy organizations focused on the built environment.
Panellists:
George Zegarac, President & CEO, Waterfront Toronto
George Zegarac is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Waterfront Toronto. He joined the Corporation in 2019 following a distinguished 33-year career in the Ontario Public Service in addition to a short period with the Federal Government at the beginning of his career.
During his time with the provincial government, George served in eleven different portfolios including, Ministries of Infrastructure, Environment, Health and Education. He was a Deputy Minister for 11 years in five different portfolios. While he was the Deputy Minister for Ontario’s Ministry of Infrastructure, he helped negotiate the tri-government funding agreement to support Waterfront Toronto’s Port Lands Flood Protection Project. George led the development of the Provincial 10-year infrastructure plan and managed one of the largest real estate portfolios in the nation.
RJ Steenstra, President & CEO, Ports Toronto
Roelof-Jan (RJ) Steenstra joined PortsToronto in September 2022. Previously President and CEO of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority in Alberta, Mr. Steenstra is an accomplished executive leader who is recognized for driving businesses forward in challenging economic conditions by making smart and dynamic decisions and leveraging revenue diversification and lean principles to propel organizational refocus and change. His passion for airports is evident and he is recognized for developing innovative and fiscally-grounded solutions – without losing sight of the passenger and employee experience. This passion and approach will be applied to all of PortsToronto’s businesses including Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, the marine Port of Toronto, Outer Harbour Marina, and other properties and holdings within the organization’s portfolio.
Marah Braye, CEO, Harbourfront Centre
Marah Braye is the CEO of Harbourfront Centre, a leading international centre for contemporary arts, culture and ideas operating a 10-acre campus on Toronto’s central waterfront. Harbourfront Centre provides year-round programming 52 weeks a year, seven days a week, and supports a wide range of artists and communities. The centre champions contemporary Canadian artists throughout their careers, presenting them alongside international artists, and fostering national and international artistic exchange between disciplines and cultures. Each year, Harbourfront Centre presents more than 4000 events, 70 per cent of which are free.