Kalen

City-builder by week and urban farmer by weekend. All about creating places with people & growing great stuff. CEO at @bildedmonton. RTs ≠ endorsements

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

We wrapped up our regional tour of meetings with mayors and municipal administrations with a productive stop at @StrathcoCounty.

Our CEO, @KalenAnderson , was joined by Rohit’s Chris Dulaba and our Manager of Metro Strategy, Josh Culling, to meet with Rod Frank, CAO Stacy Fedechko, and Deputy CAO Kevin Cole. Together, the group discussed how stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors can help welcome growth, attract investment, and support families and newcomers choosing to call the region home.

The conversation was insightful and forward-looking, highlighting how strategic infrastructure investments can help unlock economic activity, community building, and new housing development. There was also meaningful discussion around the policies, approvals, and processes that need to evolve to ensure municipalities remain competitive from both a business and investment attraction perspective.

We greatly appreciated the opportunity to exchange ideas on the future of the built environment, development, and construction — and the innovative thinking that will be required as communities across the region continue to grow, municipality by municipality, and together as a region.

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

We’re pleased to announce that Stephen Raitz, RPP, MCIP, JD, is joining BILD Edmonton Metro as our new Vice President, Policy & Advocacy.

Stephen brings a strong combination of legal, planning, and advocacy experience across both the public and private sectors. Most recently, he practiced as a Lawyer with Brownlee LLP, working across their municipal law department.

His experience also includes seven years on different City of Edmonton commissions and appeal boards along with planning roles across the region at the City of Edmonton, City of Beaumont, and Municipal Planning Services. Through this work, he has contributed to planning policy, governance, and public decision-making across the region.

A lifelong resident of the Edmonton region, Stephen is deeply connected to the communities we serve and brings a strong commitment to thoughtful, effective city-building.

In this role, Stephen will advance BILD’s strategic priorities by shaping policy positions, mobilizing member expertise, and strengthening relationships with municipal partners — delivering focused, outcome-driven advocacy.

Starting June 1, he will begin a listening and engagement period with members, committees, and stakeholders across the region. Early priorities include advancing development opportunities south of 41 Avenue, shaping regional budget advocacy strategies, advancing regulatory and permitting improvements to enable efficient investment opportunities, and activating members across greenfield, infill, and downtown development.

Please join us in welcoming Stephen to the team.

[Kalen @KalenAnderson]

Great day! I got to oversee the 2nd AGM of @bildedmonton since its inception in 2024 and our community of building & development industry pros were able to hear directly from Minister of Municipal Affairs @DanWilliamsAB and enjoy a great convo with @BILDAlberta’s @scottfash

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

Please join us in welcoming our brand new Project Manager of Technical Research Initiatives, Aster Aytenfisu!

Aster is a Professional Engineer and PMP-certified project manager with more than 13 years of experience delivering infrastructure projects, technical analysis, and strategic initiatives. Her experience combines technical depth with a practical understanding of how policy influences infrastructure outcomes. In this role specifically, she will be leading high-impact research that defines how public policy affects the building and development industry.

Outside of work, Aster is pursuing her MBA with a focus on sustainable innovation, and is passionate about advancing practical solutions that support resilient communities and long-term growth!

Reach out to Aster at [email protected].

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

Please join us in welcoming our new Admin & Finance Assistant, Amber Madarash, to the team!

Amber is an administrative professional with more than two decades of experience supporting organizations in the real estate and marketing sectors. She enjoys working behind the scenes to keep everything on track and thrives on checking items off her to-do list. Having spent much of her career in the real estate industry, Amber brings valuable experience and a unique industry knowledge to her role.

In her spare time, you can find Amber reading and dreaming up stories she hopes to one day put on paper, perhaps when her kids are older.

Reach out to her at [email protected]!

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

Today, our team got together to ring in BILD Edmonton Metro’s two-year anniversary! We celebrated with two of our favourite things — ice cream (where we got to make our own at Made by Marcus), and spending time with each other.

Thank you to our incredible Board, members, and staff who make BILD what it is. Two years down and many, many more to go 🎉

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

The wind was no match for our first Dirt to Door Field Trip: Foundations of Land Development, moderated by Chris Nicholas of NAC Management. Chris curated an engaging tour featuring insights from Kairi Pawlina of CIMA+ / B&A, Michael Shankowsky of WSP, Nathan Barr of GS Construction, Crystal Pihowich of WCL, Reed Thacker of ATCO, and Matthew Lecky of San Rufo Homes.

Together, the panel guided attendees through a behind-the-scenes look at how vibrant communities are built from the ground up. This immersive experience explored every essential phase of land development — from strategic planning and zoning to housing diversity, streetscapes, parks, and critical infrastructure. Participants gained firsthand insight into how thoughtful planning, collaboration, and community-focused design come together to create thriving neighbourhoods.

[Kalen @KalenAnderson]

Excellent afternoon on a dirt-to-door tour with @bildedmonton. It’s great to learn about the detailed technical details of what it takes to bring a neighbourhood together - from below ground up - directly from experts in the field. #yeg

[Dan Williams @DanWilliamsAB]

Earlier this year, nearly 12,000 Alberta Public Service employees returned to in-person work. The evidence is clear: downtown recovery accelerates when workers are present. Daytime population drives foot traffic, retail sales, office absorption, and perceptions of safety, all of which strengthen Edmonton as a city and a place to live, work and raise a family.

I am proud to stand alongside Edmonton's business community in this call to action. A coordinated effort between our two orders of government would mark a genuine turning point for Alberta's capital city.

See the joint letter below:
https://t.co/BtbayWfkBf

[Kalen @KalenAnderson]

Awesome afternoon!

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

We toured with @uytaelee of About Here to explore how infill policy is translating into real housing outcomes across the Edmonton Metro Region.

From Midtown’s gentle-density housing and housing diversity in Blatchford, to StreetSide’s innovative infill projects and Autograph’s purpose-built rentals, the day showcased how builders are expanding housing choice through thoughtful design, walkability, and missing-middle housing.

Across every stop, developers spoke candidly about the challenges of infill — and why they’re still committed to building better communities throughout Edmonton and the region.

The tour wrapped up with a debrief at BILD Edmonton Metro on how policy, design, and industry collaboration are shaping a more livable future.

[Kalen @KalenAnderson]

Great to be in attendance at the media launch of the @NAIT Advanced Skills Centre construction funding announcement from @YourAlberta this morning on behalf of @bildedmonton and with @BILDAlberta’s Leah and Laara

[CHBA National @CHBANational]

During the Canadian Renovators’ Council (CRC) meeting, Kalen Anderson (@bildedmonton), Scott Fash (@BILDAlberta), Mark Cooper (Shakespeare Homes and Renovations), and Steve Barkhouse (@AmstedDB) participated in a panel discussion surrounding secondary suites and ADUs and opportunities for renovators.

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

To Mattamy Homes’ Health & Safety Specialist, Sam Domes, safety is the most important part of any construction or work site. It’s the foundation that every task, decision, and interaction should be built on.

Construction is constantly changing, and we’re now putting a greater emphasis on public protection, communication, and minimizing disruption.

Our industry and association play an important role when it comes to improving safety and construction practices, through strengthening standards, sharing knowledge, and adapting to new challenges as they arise.

But, the work isn’t done. How do we adopt safety and make people care about it? By embedding it into everyday habits, leading by example, and making it a shared responsibility across every level of the job site.

New workers on a site are the most likely to get hurt. In fact, construction is one of Alberta’s most hazardous industries, accounting for 12% of the province’s workplace injuries, and about a third of all fatalities. The only way to change this is by providing the training, resources, and education to help them succeed.

The role of current construction workers, labourers, tradespeople, and supervisors are not just to get the work done safely, but to act as a role model for the next generation. Failure is natural, but unsafe practices aren’t.

We have to continuously raise the bar so that this industry isn’t seen as a dangerous career, but as a profession that people are proud to be part of.

This week is BILD Edmonton Metro’s first ever Construction Safety Week, and it’s not just a celebration of the great work we’ve done; it’s a chance to raise awareness and reinforce our commitment to safety each and every day — because, after all, Safety Sam wants you to return home safely!

#ConstructionSafetyWeek #BILDEdmontonMetro

[Kalen @KalenAnderson]

And…. We are officially off the shelf!! Time to start hardening off the tomatoes and brassicas in the backyard under real sunlight. #yeggarden

[Kalen @KalenAnderson]

It’s on. #yeggarden 2026 is underway

[Kalen @KalenAnderson]

Some big progress here #yeggarden

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

The early bird gets the infill word.

Thanks @CBCEdmonton for having our CEO, @KalenAnderson, and our Infill Committee Chair, Sydney Bond, as they shared their insights and perspectives on infill in Edmonton — where its policy directions took root, where it’s happening and where it’s going, and what policy, programs, and initiatives are needed to keep the conversation going in a positive, productive way.

They also shared details on the Infill Priority Actions Plan — why it was created, the 22 actions, and its anticipated impact. Our plan here: https://t.co/ZBKvd5K6Er

[Kalen @KalenAnderson]

I always appreciate the opportunity to speak about the good work that our @bildedmonton members do to raise the bar on development & building practices and signal our industry’s intent to keep making the city better #yeginfill #yegcc

Via @JThompsonCTV

https://t.co/Jiy5w2WGIh

[Kalen @KalenAnderson]

This afternoon was our last meeting for the 2025/2026 @bildedmonton Board of Directors. This was especially impactful because it was our first official cohort of Board Directors since our inaugural AGM in March 2025. #leadership

[Kalen @KalenAnderson]

Signs of spring in Edmonton backyard!

[Edmonton Sun @Edmontonsun]

BILD pushes for streamlined infill process, design standards https://t.co/7c9qEmBYXL