Citizen Directors Bios
Payman Berjis
Currently is the Director of Acquisitions at Allied Properties REIT. Throughout his career Payman has been committed to developing and operating educational, institutional and office facilities, including having experience in delivering facilities to support educational organizations such as Sheridan College and the University of Toronto. As a former instructor at college and university he understands the unique needs of educational facilities and the importance of providing a healthy physical environment for learning and teaching.
His professional experience includes:
- Senior Manager, Real Estate Advisory, PwC
- Engagement Manager, Arup
- Project Manager, Infrastructure Ontario
- Co-founder, Laureleaf LTD, Toronto
- Project Co-ordinator, Walsh Construction, Toronto District School Board
He holds a Masters in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto, is a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario and has a NAIOP Certificate of Advance Study in commercial real estate development.
Igor Dragovic
Igor is the Development Manager with Republic Developments, a Toronto based city builder focused on creating transformative communities that enrich the lives of those who live, work, and play within them. He is also a lecturer in the geography department at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).
His professional experience includes:
- 11 years of real estate development, land use planning, and entitlements experience in both the private and public sector
- 4 years as a Senior Planner, City of Toronto
- 3 years as a Senior Associate, Ministry of Municipal Affairs
He holds both a BA in Geographic Analysis and a Masters in Spatial Analysis, from Ryerson University/TMU.
John Filion
John is a former City of Toronto councillor and has had an accomplished public service career spanning 40 years. He has dedicated himself to good governance and working collaboratively with diverse community stakeholders in the public interest.
His professional experience is lengthy and include these highlights:
- Vice-Chair, City of Toronto Audit Committee
- Member, City of Toronto Government Management & Licensing Committee
- Director, Toronto Parking Authority
- Member, North York City Council
- Trustee, North York Board of Education
- Member, Metro Toronto School Board
He holds a BA from York University and an ICD.D, Director’s Education Program from the University of Toronto.
Aleem Punja
A proficient and accomplished executive leader with over nineteen years of experience in public service, including 11 years providing strategic direction and leading large-scale transformation projects focusing on outcomes, integrating equity, diversity, and inclusion into governance strategy. He is currently the National Operating Officer with the Aga Khan Council of Canada.
His professional experience includes:
- Chief Operating Officer, York Region Children’s Aid
- Senior Manager, Reconciliation and Indigenous Services, Ontario Assoc. of Children’s aid Societies
- Sessional Professor, Centennial College
- Interim Trustee, Ward 17, Toronto District School Board (Aug.- Dec. 2022)
Aleem holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Queens University, an Executive Leadership Development Certificate from York University, a BA (Honours) from the School of Disability Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University and a Child and Youth Work Advanced Diploma from Centennial College.