Avison Young hires Brandy Burdeniuk as North American ESG lead
Avison Young, a commercial real estate services firm, has hired Brandy Burdeniuk as director of environment, social, and governance (ESG) for North America.
In the newly created role, Burdeniuk will ensure leading ESG practices are embedded in the firm’s internal operations and client consulting offerings. The Toronto-based director will be responsible for identifying innovative projects and partnerships, designing go-to-market strategies for AY’s sustainability service offerings, and helping clients future-proof businesses in the areas of sustainability and wellbeing.
Burdeniuk will also ensure the company’s North American metrics align with global frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), and the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
Burdeniuk brings nearly 20 years of real estate strategy and public policy experience. She has extensive experience leading sustainability-focused initiatives across Canada, including creating business cases for green building and LEED projects and developing and delivering related educational offerings.
Burdeniuk joins AY from Canada Green Buildings Council, where she spent three years as chief customer officer of the non-profit organization’s certification arm and developed strategic partnerships with industry and government.
Before that, Burdeniuk spent 11 years as a principal at EcoAmmo, an Edmonton-based project management firm focusing on high-performance buildings she co-founded in 2006.
She has a bachelor’s degree in industrial design from the University of Alberta and a certification in LEED AP building design and construction.
“Brandy will lead the delivery of our global mandate to North America, where clients increasingly expect ESG to factor into all real estate and investment counsel,” said Jon Gibson, who was named global director of ESG at Avison Young last year. “There is no one better suited for this role; Brandy brings incredible passion, unmatched energy, and deep experience to this space.”
Burdeniuk added, “As a firm with ESG baked into its purpose – creating real economic, social and environmental value – Avison Young is serious about aligning market and stakeholder needs with sustainability practices, which is why I couldn’t be happier to join.”
The Toronto-headquartered firm earlier this year welcomed Arlene Dedier as Canadian practice leader of project management services and Marie-France Benoit as director of insights for the Canadian market.
