Profile
“Every step taken in shaping Equiton has been infused with the experiences and insights gathered throughout my career. Seeing our vision come to life fills me with immense pride”
Helen Hurlbut
Equiton
Christina Iacoucci firmly believes that real estate is about people and relationships. Building and maintaining genuine relationships has been the cornerstone of her industry success.
As head of Canada and Canadian CIO at BGO, she leads the firm’s fully integrated Canadian real estate investment management, development, and services business. She is a member of BGO’s Global Management Committee, chairs BGO’s Canadian Investment Committees, and is a voting member of the Independent Investment Committee. BGO is one of the largest real estate managers in Canada, with $28 billion of assets under management across 64 million square feet (as of Q3 2023).
With over 30 years of commercial real estate experience specializing in portfolio management, investments, asset management, development, and valuation, she is a major proponent behind BGO’s sustainable investing and innovation initiatives.
“2023 was a challenging year, navigating dynamic and shifting market landscapes,” Iacoucci remarks. “It required deep experience, resiliency, collaboration, innovation, and a willingness to adapt. BGO’s long and extensive experience in Canada and our global platform provided us with invaluable insight that enabled us to make decisions with conviction.”
BPM recognized Iacoucci as one of its inaugural Elite Women of 2024, a testament to her sustained positive influence and impact within the industry and broader community.
The dynamic leader cites her curiosity as a driver of innovation and ability to evolve and adapt in an ever-changing industry.
“It may seem simple, but I ask the question, ‘But why’?” she explains. “I ask that question to challenge the status quo. After all, if we try to use yesterday’s solutions to solve tomorrow’s problems, where will that leave us?”
Living by the motto of curiosity, humility, and kindness, she strives to learn new things daily and prioritizes continuous improvement to stay at the forefront of her field. She focuses on what matters most, while caring enough to be direct and honest.
To give back and share the lessons learned over her successful career journey, Iacoucci aims to contribute to a future where mentorship is a focal point, and leaders at all levels acknowledge and carry out their responsibility to encourage and uplift the next generation.
She takes pride in creating an environment where individuals can bring their authentic selves to work, promoting a culture that values inclusivity and authenticity.
“I aspire to leave a lasting impact on the industry’s future by fostering a paradigm shift where diverse perspectives become the norm at all organizations,” she states. “I envision an industry that recognizes that real estate is fundamentally about people; understanding what people need and want is crucial for creating assets that will be sustainable for the long term. Embracing a variety of voices is the key to achieving this understanding.”
Her passion for the real estate industry is evident in her active involvement in several associations, including as a board member of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) Greater Toronto Chapter, where she also served as president in 2023.
Shaping future leaders through mentorship is also paramount for her, as she generously donates her time and expertise as a mentor with NAIOP, provides career development within BGO’s in-house mentorship program, and previously served as a real estate mentor for the Rotman School of Management’s Master's Program at the University of Toronto.
1 York Street, Suite 1100, Toronto, ON, M5J 0B6
416 986 9027
media@bgo.com
linkedin.com/in/christina-iacoucci
bgo.com
Christina Iacoucci
Head of Canada and Canadian Chief Investment Officer
BGO
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“We continually invest efforts in fostering and nurturing a culture that promotes collaboration and teamwork as we continue to evolve and expand”
Helen Hurlbut
Equiton
1998–2015
2015–2018
2018–2019
2019–present
2021–present
1998–2010: Technology Consultant, Business Systems Consultant and Business Systems Analysis Practice Manager
2010–2013: Director, PMO, Project Management and Business Systems Analysis
2013–2015: Associate Vice-President, Group Benefits Application Services
1998–
2015
2015–2017: Assistant Vice-President, Project Management Office, Client Solutions
2017–2018: Assistant Vice-President, Client Experience and Product Development, Client Solutions
2015–
2018
Assistant Vice President, Digital Solutions, Group Benefits
2018–
2019
2019–2021: Vice-President, Market Development, Group Benefits
2019–present: Board Member, Chair of the Client Services Committee Retraite Québec
2019–
present
2021–present: Senior Vice President, Group Benefits at Sun Life
2023–present: Member QIS (https://qisante.ca/)
2021–
present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
Kuhn says, “I would say my career has been one of more of chance and opportunities than a set plan. And it’s interesting how one decision has a ripple effect on putting you on a different path than maybe where you thought you would be.”
He highlights his spell at Endurance as his biggest professional achievement to date.
“It took some time, but we took them from really being viewed as a reinsurance company to being viewed as a global insurance company.”
It’s this type of innovative attitude that is powering Westfield Specialty forward so successfully.
Kuhn explains, “Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio.”
Part of this has seen the firm acquire the existing Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200 in February 2023. It is also Kuhn’s ingenuity that has allowed Westfield Specialty to outperform expectations in challenging market conditions.
“I would say it’s been the understanding that there is a limited window of time. We're in this unique market, we need to be fast and decisive to take advantage of market opportunities before the market begins to move away,” he comments. “Additionally, I'd like to say we move with a lot of speed, but we do it in a thoughtful and methodical approach, not just to be the first.”
“In terms of leadership, I like to think I’m recognized for being assertive yet supportive – a blend of high expectations and drive while understanding the crucial elements that contribute to people’s success,” she reflects.
Scaling Equiton up to a team of 185 employees and counting has presented some of her most significant challenges. Recognizing the need for robust teams to support and sustain this expansion, she and partner Roque have prioritized the creation of strong leadership structures.
“Maintaining this growth while preserving a cohesive and collaborative company culture remains paramount,” adds Hurlbut. “We continually invest efforts in fostering and nurturing a culture that promotes collaboration and teamwork as we continue to evolve and expand.”
Reflecting on the legacy she’d like to leave, Hurlbut notes she aspires to establish a thriving company that allows all individuals to build successful careers.
“I aim to provide opportunities to excel, enabling team members to carve their mark on the industry as they advance and grow professionally,” she says. “I hope to also leave behind a legacy of empowerment and progression for women in our industry.”
That dedication to mentorship, particularly for women and marginalized groups, is evident through her roles at the Women Presidents Organization and within Equiton, where she champions diverse talent and fosters an inclusive environment.
Her commitment extends to community support, exemplified by Equion’s charitable endeavours, reflecting her ethos of giving back and making a meaningful impact.
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Kuhn joined Westfield Specialty in the firm’s first year (2021) and has established the company’s presence in the specialty market. By the end of 2023, the firm is expected to surpass $1.3 billion in GWP after writing $300 million in 2021.
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