ABOUT US
Who We Are
Elevate Planning & Project Management is a dynamic and forward-thinking team that specializes in urban planning and project management for residential, mixed-use and non-residential development. We excel in providing comprehensive services, including land use planning analysis, appearing before Council and Committees, appeals, zoning by-law interpretation, stakeholder involvement, and project management. We are committed to finding creative solutions to complex problems and assisting our clients in navigating the development approval process. Our passion lies in commitment and desire to see a project vision become a reality.
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PARTNER
Craig graduated in 1988 with a Master of Arts (M.A) in Architecture and Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and on graduation received the faculty’s Alumni Award. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Geography) from the University of Toronto (1985). Craig has over 35 years of professional land use and development planning experience in both Canada and the United States including a decade consulting with IBI Group and Hemson and then founding Hunter & Associates in 1999 and growing that business through various affiliations over 25 years. He is a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP), the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), and is a Registered Professional Planner (RPP).
Craig’s focus on building strong relationships with his peers and the community are at the core of what he does, and his personable and hard-working nature have been the key to his success. With extensive knowledge of planning policy and practice and direction in Toronto and the region, Craig is inspired to build our new business with a team of professionals whom he has known and worked closely with for decades.
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PARTNER
Benjamin graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from Toronto Metropolitan University (Formerly Ryerson University) in Toronto. Benjamin has over 15 years of professional land use and development planning experience. At the start of his career, Ben worked with Craig and Dave at Armstrong Hunter & Associates and, over the past decade, progressed into a senior planner role with Craig at Hunter & Associates Ltd. Ben has diverse experience in providing sound planning strategies and recommendations based on diligent research, analysis and evaluation, and is committed to fostering positive relationships with other professionals in the field.
Ben is a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP), the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), and is a Registered Professional Planner (RPP).
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PARTNER
David brings over 30 years of project management and consulting experience in a broad range of real estate development, and urban planning disciplines to the Elevate team. He began his career with Hemson Consulting Ltd. in 1989 while a student at Toronto Metropolitan University (Formerly Ryerson University) where he obtained his Bachelor of Applied Arts in Geography in 1991. In his 17 years with Hemson he developed experience in a number of practice areas including demographic and economic forecasting, market analysis, economic impact assessments and feasibility studies. In 2006 David joined Armstrong Hunter & Associates, where he developed an in-depth background in development planning for residential, commercial and industrial projects across the GTA and southern Ontario. David became Partner and Co-owner of Somerville Construction, Consulting & Project Management in December 2016 where he continued to grow his consulting practice. David remains co-owner of Somerville Construction with his wife Alexia and is excited about the merger of his consulting practice with Craig and Ben under the Elevate banner.
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SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Diana graduated in 2004 with a Master of Environmental Studies with a specialization in Urban Studies from York University. Diana has 20 years of experience in the field of land use and development planning. She is a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP), the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), and is a Registered Professional Planner (RPP). Diana has worked with and collaborated with Craig, Ben and Dave during her career with Hunter & Associates.
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PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR
Jenna graduated in 2015 from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree and certificate in Business Studies. Jenna has over 10 years of experience in Project Coordination, Account Management, Administration and Business Management. Jenna assists the Elevate team with the day-to-day operations, from proposal and consultant coordination, to project schedules and budgets. Prior to her current role, Jenna took her passion for organization across various industries, from information technology, catering, marketing and direct sales. With a family history in urban planning and development, Jenna is inspired by the need to create smart and sustainable communities in Toronto and the region.