Chris Jarvie, RPP MCIP is the Director of Development Services for the City of Coquitlam, one of the fastest growing cities in BC, with over 20 years of experience in development review and approvals. Having worked for three diverse municipalities, he has gained significant experience working in large and small municipalities by developing small-scale infill housing, transit-oriented high-density mixed use projects, master planned communities, and greenfield development while simultaneously managing political, environmental and rural challenges.

Nicole Jerick brings a diverse communications background to Talk Shop, having supported a variety of clients, both large and small, find their voice and share their stories. Well-versed in corporate communications, media relations, thought leadership, and profile building, Nicole oversees Talk Shop’s Real Estate division, supporting a growing team and a portfolio of clients, including Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, Adera, MOSAIC, Westbank, Low Tide Properties, Mission Group, and more. Understanding the intricacies needed to launch a project and generate leads, Nicole knows how to cut through the clutter and generate brand-propelling media coverage.

With experience reporting for television and online news publications, Victoria brings more than ten years of experience in media and communications to the Talk Shop’s team. Victoria also works as a lecturer at UBC’s Sauder School of Business, teaching in both the undergraduate and MBA programs. Having delivered media training sessions to Tsleil-Waututh Nation, the University of British Columbia, Destination BC, SAP, PayByPhone, Herschel Supply Co., and countless others, Victoria knows how to support leaders in delivering clear messaging and navigating tough questions.

Kelly Lin is a partner at Terra Housing, one of the oldest and largest social purpose real estate developers and consutlants in Western Canada. She is also the Executive Director of Tofino Housing Corporation, a municipal owned housing authority at Tofino, BC. Kelly brings over 20 years’ experience in both public and private community development sectors as a former architect, private developer and now dedicated social purpose developer and consultant. She has demonstrated passion to provide fair opportunities and real economic solutions in the provision of community housing. Kelly leads diversified project teams to find successful solutions for complex housing, corporate and master planning community development challenges. She has been involved with the development of thousands of housing units, community spaces, hospitals, commercial buildings and has worked with a variety of organizations, including private, non profit, indigenous and other governments.
Kelly holds a double master's degree from New York University: a Master in Real Estate Finance and Investment and Master in Business Administration as well as a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture. She is currently certified as a Technician Aboriginal Economic Developer (TAED) from the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officer (Cando).

Kelly volunteers on the board of the Women of Urban Development Institute (UDI), Association of Neighbourhood Houses BC, Charlford House Society for Women, and is a long time volunteer with Vancouver Adaptive SnowSports Society as a ski instructor teaching people with disabilities.

Andrew Merrill, RPP MCIP is the General Manager of Planning and Development for the City of Coquitlam. Originally from the East Coast, he has a Masters in Planning with a concentration in Urban Design from UBC. Andrew has over 20 years of experience in community planning, development approvals, public engagement, facilitating housing affordability, and urban design. His current work involves leading a team of 135 guiding transit-oriented development and infill housing for one of the fastest growing cities in BC.

In his role as president, Gary drives the firm’s growth and guides major client projects as strategic lead. With over twenty years of planning-related experience, he has spearheaded some of the country's most significant projects throughout Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, the Sea to Sky corridor, Alberta and Ontario. His expertise includes strategic guidance, policy planning, public consultation and entitlement negotiation. Often recognized as the man behind the Lower Mainland's most complex projects, Gary was listed as a “change-maker and power player shaping our world” in Vancouver Magazine’s 2022 Power 50 List. Gary sits on the board of the Urban Development Institute Membership Committee, both in Vancouver and the Capitol Regional District, and is an annual instructor for the UDI School of Development. He is also passionate about his community, and has been part of several charitable boards including the Vancouver Canucks Alumni Foundation, Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, LiveBIG Society, and PacWest Academy Soccer. Gary also has a family non-profit group that works on several community initiatives annually. Gary holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Design (Planning) from the University of Calgary and a B.A. in Geography from Simon Fraser University, and is a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Michael is in the business of planning, designing, and building great communities that inspire and add value in every dimension of community life. He brings over 35 years of experience from across North America and around the World in areas of public and private sector design, development and finance. He is President of MVH Urban Planning & Design Inc. and Adjunct Professor at Simon Fraser University and Vancouver Island University. MVH continues to win numerous provincial and national awards for innovative cutting-edge development planning and design. Michael was made a fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners in 2016 for his distinguished career and contributions to the professional.