Oxford Properties Group’s property accounting VP Kim Lanthier just assumed her duties as Toronto CREW’s new president. Here's what you can expect from the travel-loving Coldplay fan.
We spoke to Kim at Oxford’s Royal Bank Plaza global HQ. With Toronto CREW’s membership having peaked just shy of 250 people last year—62 new recruits in 2014 alone—Kim, who’s been with the organization for over four years, says her focus will be to make certain that members are maximizing their experience. “I’ve found the most value I’ve gotten out of CREW is being part of the committees,” she says. “So I want to ensure that people are getting involved, making the right connections, and coming out to events.”
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Here’s Kim with CREW’s Leanne Fasciano (McLean & Kerr LLP), past-president Tara Piurko (McCarthy Tétrault LLP) and Sharon Addison (McLean & Kerr LLP). While the association is updating its strategic plan, Kim doesn’t anticipate things changing dramatically. “The (current plan) resonates with our members.” This fall she’ll oversee the launch of a leadership development program for CREW’s midlevel members. “We do a lot for younger women in the industry in terms of mentoring,” she says, “but not so much for the more seasoned ones. So we’re excited about this.”
Before Oxford, Kim, a CA, worked as VP finance for publisher John Wiley & Sons, followed by a decade-long run with business info provider Dun & Bradstreet (including a two-year stint in the UK). “Until Oxford I hadn’t been in a purely real estate-focused role.” As head of the firm's 63-person property accounting team, she supports the real estate management arm running the Canadian assets Oxford owns and manages. Kim recently tackled the buy-back of Target's leases, “figuring out who owes who what” after the retailer announced it was closing its Canadian stores.
What you should know about Kim Lanthier
Photo: Kim with her daughter Danielle on a 2012 trip to Kenya, where the family worked with charity Me to We to build a classroom for a girl’s school.
Born: Windsor; grew up in Oakville.
Education: B.Com, Queen's University; trained CA.
What she’s reading: Recent books consumed by this avid-reading GO train commuter include Wally Lamb’s I Know This Much Is True, Abraham Verghese’s Cutting for Stone and Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner.
What she’s listening to: Coldplay, Keane, Snow Patrol
Travel spots: “I love to travel,” says Kim, noting that while living in the UK her family ventured all across Europe. Costa Rica is a favourite destination.
Hobbies: Squash, tennis and skiing (the fam just got back from Whistler).
What keeps her up at night: "Nothing. I sleep really well.”
Good advice: Never go to bed angry. “It does work,” she says, “given that my husband, John, and I are coming up to our 30th wedding anniversary.”
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