Who We Are

As National Head of CMLS Advisory, Pierre Bergevin is focused on the expansion and scope of services offered to our clients. Mr. Bergevin brings over 30 years of experience in real estate advisory across all aspects of the business both in domestic and international markets. After a decade of production at a global real estate brokerage, Mr. Bergevin moved into leadership and developed numerous business lines prior to serving as Canadian CEO.

Prior to joining CMLS in 2020, Mr. Bergevin held a key leadership position at a global real estate investment bank, focused on institutional coverage. Mr. Bergevin split his time between New York and Toronto while supporting the growth and development of other international markets. Pierre holds a BSc from The University of Western and Honours in Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business. Pierre is a former member of the Board of the YMCA of Greater Toronto and is a former Board Member of REALPAC.

As Vice President, Angelo Lamanna is focused on real estate transactions, infrastructure, renewable energy, debt and equity advisory, M&A and is involved with the evaluation, negotiation, and structuring of acquisitions and investment opportunities including specialty assets such as data center and data infrastructure. Mr. Lamanna brings over 25 years of progressive experience in emerging markets.

Prior to joining CMLS in 2021, Mr. Lamanna held various key leadership positions, including most recently at a leading global real estate investment bank, focused on real estate. Mr. Lamanna attended Rotmans School of Management.

As Vice President, Stephen Doxey is responsible for the national origination and execution of our advisory mandates across the spectrum of opportunities. Stephen brings 13 years of experience across real estate advisory and investment, where he has focused on alternative assets and Seniors Housing, serving as both a principal and an advisor.

Prior to joining CMLS in 2023, Mr. Doxey held a senior role with a Toronto-based real estate merchant bank. Before that, he worked with a seniors housing investment platform, where he focused on investments, business development, and asset management of a +$3B seniors housing portfolio. Early in his career, Stephen spent time working with other Senior Partners within CMLS National Advisory at a global real estate investment bank. Stephen holds a Masters of Financial Economics from the University of Toronto and Rotman School of Management.

As Vice President, Underwriting, Tony Sandhu is responsible for the execution, underwriting, and due diligence of Investment Sales mandates. He has over 30 years of experience in Commercial Real Estate.

Prior to joining CMLS in 2021, Tony worked for 18 years at a Global Asset Management Company in their investment banking division. Over the years Tony completed the underwriting on the Bay Adelaide Centre, Queens Quay, Deerfoot Meadows, Morgan Crossing, CN Central Station, and a historical landmark in Toronto the Flatiron Building. He works in all asset classes - retail, office, industrial and multi-family. Tony is a licensed Real Estate Salesperson in the province of Ontario.

As Associate Vice President, Jonathan is involved in all aspects of identification, evaluation, and execution of advisory services for the group. His primary focus is on real estate transactions, debt and equity advisory, private placement, and fund raising across all asset classes.

Prior to joining CMLS in 2022, Jonathan held various progressive positions in the capital advisory arm of a major global real estate services firm where he was responsible for structuring acquisition and investment opportunities, underwriting, due diligence, negotiation, as well as providing debt and equity solutions to investor and developer groups. He is a graduate of Queen’s University and The University of Glasgow.

As Associate Director, Elena Van is responsible for managing operations, increasing efficiencies, and strategizing process improvements. Ms. Van is involved in idea generation for our clients and front-to-end deal execution across all capital advisory services. Elena brings over 8 years of relevant experience in commercial real estate and client relationship management.

Prior to joining the National Advisory group in May 2021, Elena held several senior roles within the Commercial Credit Risk Management division of CMLS Financial, where she oversaw the underwriting of commercial mortgages across various programs and asset classes. Prior to joining CMLS in 2017, Ms. Van held roles in commercial real estate research and valuation. With a Finance major and Marketing minor, Elena holds a BComm from the Ted Rogers School of Management.

As an Associate Vice President, Braden Franklin is focused on the execution, evaluation, structuring, negotiation, and strategy generation for all capital advisory services provided by the group. This includes but is not limited to, Equity and Debt advisory, M&A, and Investment Sales. Using his 6 years of industry experience, and a client-focused approach, Mr. Franklin enjoys delivering creative integrated real asset solutions for clients across North America.

Prior to joining CMLS in 2021, Mr. Franklin held analyst, associate, management, and senior management positions within a major Canadian Financial institution’s front office real estate group. He was directly responsible for the growth and management of a large loan portfolio made up of facilities secured by assets across the Real Estate spectrum. Majoring in Finance, Braden holds a BBA with Distinction from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and is a CFA Charter holder.

As Senior Associate, Jason Tao is responsible for developing financial models, providing complex data analysis, and supporting the evolution and growth of the National Advisory as a whole. Mr. Tao brings over 10 years of real estate experience with a focus in financial modeling and analysis in the hospitality industry for both domestic and international markets.

Prior to joining CMLS in 2021, Mr. Tao was the Director of Finance at a full-service golf resort. Mr. Tao has also served as a financial consultant and has worked for a global private equity firm focused on hospitality and leisure development around the world. Mr. Tao holds a BMath from the University of Waterloo and an Advanced Diploma with Honours in Business Administration from George Brown College.

As an Associate, Sebastian Gaina strives to create focused strategies and unique asset advisory solutions that integrate the assets, capital structures, and evolving market requirements in order to deliver results. Mr. Gaina leverages over 10 years of diverse real estate and development experience with expertise in strategic planning and market positioning, site selection, due diligence, market research, technical specifications, and financial analysis. Sebastian's experience ranges across all industry sectors with a primary focus on technology real restate, specifically data center, blockchain, emerging tech, and alternative energy opportunities.

Prior to joining CMLS, Mr. Gaina worked in real estate development and project management managing deals and projects totaling over two million square feet in a wide array of industries - specifically institutional, healthcare, office, and industrial. Mr. Gaina attended Ryerson University, is a licensed real estate agent, and holds PMP and LEED Green Associate designations.

As an Associate, Derek Chow is focused on strategies and unique asset advisory solutions that integrate capital structures, and evolving market requirements. Mr. Chow is involved in the evaluation, structuring, execution, and strategy generation for capital advisory services provided by the group. Mr. Chow brings over 5 years of relevant commercial real estate financing and client relationship management experience.

Prior to joining the National Advisory group in July 2023, Mr. Chow held several roles within the Commercial Credit Risk Management, Capital Markets, and Investor Relations divisions at CMLS Financial where he was involved in the underwriting of various asset classes across Canada and management of external institutional investors. Mr. Chow is a graduate from UBC Sauder School of Business where he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance.

As an Analyst, Haley Canvin is involved in all aspects of capital advisory covering all asset classes in commercial real estate. Haley provides support for the acquisition and sale process of real estate for investment properties including, due diligence, financial modeling and analysis. Prior to joining CMLS, Haley worked in capital markets at one of the Canadian Banks. Haley is a recent graduate from Dalhousie University where she obtained a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance.

As an Analyst, Connor is involved in all aspects of capital advisory covering all asset classes in commercial real estate. Connor provides underwriting, market research and due diligence support.

Prior to joining the National Advisory group, Connor worked in various rotating programs within commercial and residential real estate divisions of CMLS. Mr. Hayek is a recent graduate from UBC Sauder School of Business where he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Real Estate.

As Chair of the CMLS Advisory Committee, Brydon Cruise is focused on providing guidance and participating in setting the strategic direction of the Advisory Committee. Mr. Cruise brings over 30 years of global real estate experience concentrating on acquisitions, mergers, and corporate finance in both North America and Europe.

Mr. Cruise was the President of a global real estate investment bank from 2005-2016. Prior to that Brydon was a Managing Director at a global investment bank in the commercial mortgage-backed securities business and developed a mortgage trading platform for the bank. His experience also includes working on the principal side as a Managing Partner for two prominent US-based real estate finance investment companies.

Brydon and his family are committed to philanthropic activities through the charity they’ve built, Kindred Foundation. Kindred Foundation’s vision is to boldly advance treatment and cures for childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancers, and fund high-impact programs for youth mental and physical health, providing reliable support to community programs. Brydon was the Vice-Chair of the Board for YMCA Greater Toronto Area for 6 years, Chair of The Toronto Real Estate Ride for JDRF for 5 years and has been a Board Member and Top Fundraiser for Coast to Coast - Tour for Kids for the past 9 years.