Lesley Chesterman graduated from Montreal's Institut de tourisme et d'hôtellerie du Québec. After her studies, she worked as a pastry chef, honing her skills in Quebec and France. From 1998 to 2018, she served as restaurant critic for The Montreal Gazette while contributing to numerous local and international publications. For over 10 years, she has also been a regular columnist on several radio shows for for Radio-Canada. She has authored several award-winning cookbooks, including Chez Lesley, Un Weekend Chez Lesley, En Accord, Make Every Dish Delicious and her latest, A Montreal Cook. Today, she continues sharing her expertise as chair of the Eastern Canada jury for The World's 50 Best Restaurants and writer of the Lick My Plate Newsletter on Substack. In 2024, Chesterman was made a Commander of the Order of Montreal.

Erin Best is a Calgary-based Associate Broker and serves as the Director of Agent Development at KIC Realty. With more than a decade in residential sales, marketing, and brokerage leadership, she builds the systems that help agents perform at a higher level. Erin designs education platforms, leadership programs, and performance frameworks that drive confidence, professionalism, and measurable results where KIC operates. Her perspective is national and execution-focused - adn thoughtfully grounded in what actually works inside modern brokerages. Originally from Cape Breton and now rooted in Alberta, Erin is committed to raising industry standards and developing strong leaders, particularly women stepping into influential roles. Her mandate is clear: make it meaningful, make it matter and bring others with you.

David was born and raised in Winnipeg and has been actively selling real estate there for over 15 years. Alongside Tom Blumberg, they have grown Monopoly Realty into a unique full service boutique brokerage with a particular focus on luxury real estate. Over the years they have developed a reputation for locating hard to find product as well as sourcing the right buyers for the purchase of larger properties. David has used his passion for networking and meeting new people as the perfect real estate matchmaking tool. In his spare time, David loves spending time at the lake with his wife Sarah and their two girls. He is also very active in the community and has served on many boards and committees including the Executive of the Asper Jewish Community Campus, BGC Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art as well as co-chairing a large committee at the Manitoba Real Estate Association.

Shaun Cathcart is CREA’s Senior Economist and Director of Housing Data and Market Analysis. He manages the team that produces CREA’s national resale housing database and the MLS® Home Price Index. The team also provides housing market intelligence and analytical materials to boards, associations, members, media, government, and other real estate industry stakeholders.

Informed by his decade and a half as a Realtor, Greg's work with ReallyTrusted was inspired by a desire to make it easier for real estate professionals to comply with their regulatory obligations. That vision led to the creation of ReallyTrusted, which provides real estate and mortgage brokerages with turnkey FINTRAC compliance solutions. Greg also hosts the Know Your Compliance podcast, where he shares insights on navigating compliance in the real estate industry. When he's not working to simplify compliance, he’s a proud father of four girls and grateful for the love and patience of his incredibly understanding wife.

After serving eight years as Director of Communications, Linda Kristal shifted her focus to Federal Affairs and more in her role as CREA’s Vice-President, Advocacy. Linda’s career in Ottawa began on Parliament Hill working for an MP, Ministers and the Prime Minister over almost a decade as a political staffer. During that time she got to see the ins-and-outs of life on the Hill and a bird’s eye view into policy making. Linda is a devoted fan of winter and can usually be found outside from December to March.

Mark Maclean is Vice President of Foreign Investments at Montréal International, where he leads initiatives to attract global investment and top talent to Greater Montréal. Since 2018, he has driven more than 250 projects totaling over $8 billion, advising major firms like Microsoft, Google, and Morgan Stanley, as well as a range of startups. His role spans key regions and sectors, including artificial intelligence, life sciences, aerospace, and clean tech. Mark also represents Québec on the Great Lakes Economic Development Council, strengthening cross-border business ties. Previously, he held a senior role at EY, advising tech companies on innovation-focused tax incentives. A proud Montrealer, he holds degrees from Concordia and McGill (MBA), is fully bilingual, and is committed to advancing the city’s global competitiveness.

Born and raised in Greater Vancouver, Kevin recognizes what a great place this is. His passion for real estate and the real estate industry permeates throughout all his day to day activities. As Owner/Managing Broker with Dexter, Kevin works with the team of REALTORS® at Dexter to provide first class, professional service. Kevin is involved with BCREA developing standard forms and at the Real Estate Board on the Arbitration Committee. Professionalism is extremely important in Real Estate, and Kevin works hard to ensure that is provided to his clients. With one son and a love of the outdoors, Kevin enjoys getting out cycling.

For more than two decades, Lindsey Smith has obsessed over better ways to build, grow, and operate businesses. After running a successful real estate team and consulting company, Lindsey joined CIR REALTY in 2008 and is now CEO and co-owner. If Lindsey is not in the office, he is likely on the golf course, studying business books, getting some exercise or hanging out with his wife and son. CIR REALTY is the #1 producing independent real estate brokerage in Alberta, Canada, with over 900 Realtors and staff. CIR's driving purpose is simple: We Make Real Estate Easy. By offering Realtors more support and giving them the best exposure opportunities for their clients' homes, CIR Realtors outperform and are positioned to live better lives. Real estate is hyperlocal, and we are proud of our local roots. CIR REALTY has now expanded to markets across Alberta and British Columbia. With our affiliations with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and Luxury Portfolio International, we offer worldwide exposure and relocation services. We are Local. We are Global.

Paul Boomsma is President and CEO of LeadingRE, working closely with the Board of Directors and leadership team to deliver programs that support the success of our members. He created the highly-successful Luxury Portfolio International® program, previously serving as its president. Paul began his career marketing luxury office towers and later joined a top residential real estate firm, before becoming the National Marketing Director for a major franchise. He is a frequent industry speaker on topics that include consumer trends, global business practices, and innovation in real estate. Among his distinctions, has been named to RISMedia’s Newsmakers Hall of Fame, the Swanepoel Power 200, and Inman’s Most Influential.

Born in the USA, but of Congolese origins, Billy’s life and aspiration continues to be marked by his relentless pursuit for meaning in his professional and personal life. At the age of 17 years old, he fled the Democratic Republic of The Congo (DRC) due to the civil unrest and begin his life anew in the US. Billy began his career in Real Estate as a newly licensed with a local real estate firm in Northern Virginia shortly after completing his MBA at the College of William & Mary, and eventually managed the firm’s lead generation department, and later its development and growth in some of its key markets. He now serves as Vice President of Global Business Development for Leading Real Estate Companies of the World ® focusing on Network growth in select global markets, and membership engagement in Africa, Canada, and parts of the European Union. Billy is married to Karen (a real estate attorney), and resides in Lovettsville, VA with their two sons.

As Vice President, Global Communications for Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, Robin LaSure oversees the company’s public relations and leads select strategic marketing initiatives, including industry relations and global communications. Working closely with LeadingRE’s global team serving member firms in 70+ countries, she is experienced in marketing to a diverse international audience. Named a 2026 Inman Marketing All Star, she has been with LeadingRE (and its legacy networks) for 30+ years, working in various roles relating to marketing, public relations, events, and vendor relations.