Katerina Karasyova, Moderator
Strategic Accounts Director and Head of Partnerships 
Freespace

Blending strategic insight with operational precision, Katerina Karasyova, FMP, SFP, brings over 15 years of experience helping organizations reimagine the workplace as a catalyst for business transformation. Her work sits at the intersection of real estate, technology, and human experience, enabling smarter, more agile environments that support both business performance and evolving employee needs.

As Account Director and Head of Partnerships at Freespace, Katerina partners with global organizations to unlock the full potential of hybrid work through data-driven portfolio and workplace strategies. Her focus is on helping leaders make informed, future-ready real estate decisions while ensuring workplace solutions remain deeply aligned with how people actually work.

Earlier in her career, Katerina led major corporate real estate and facilities management programs for Mastercard at Cushman & Wakefield, overseeing complex office buildouts, relocations, and integrations across North America. She has worked closely with executive teams to integrate newly acquired offices into enterprise operating models, with a strong emphasis on employee experience, change management, design standards, process mapping, continuity of service, and BAU strategic planning. Known for bringing clarity to complexity, she thrives in environments that require both big-picture strategy and disciplined execution.

A passionate advocate for the FM profession, Katerina has spent over 10 years actively volunteering with IFMA. She is a Past President of IFMA’s Greater Toronto & South Central Ontario Chapter, an IFMA Forty Under 40 honoree, and was recognized as an IFMA Top Global FM Influencer in 2025. She continues to lead with a strong commitment to elevating the FM community locally and globally, while championing workplace strategies that drive resilience, experience, and long-term business impact.

Sophia Padalino, Co-Moderator
Student & Project Director, AFM Society
Conestoga College

Sophia Padalino is pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Technology in Architecture, Project and Facility Management (APFM) at Conestoga College. As a course representative and active member of the APFM student community, she works to connect her peers with industry opportunities, events, and resources that support their growth and understanding of the field.

Through her involvement, Sophia strives to bridge the gap between students and professionals by encouraging early engagement in the facility management industry and fostering meaningful conversations with industry leaders.

Drawing from a program that blends architecture, business, engineering, and project and facility management, Sophia is passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and the future of the built environment. She is committed to creating opportunities for students to learn directly from professionals and to see how their education translates into real-world impact.

Alicia Mitchell, Panelist
Senior Facilities Manager
Cushman Wakefield

Alicia Mitchell is a proud Torontonian with over a decade of experience in operations and facilities management. She began her career in her early 20s as a residential leasing agent, where she discovered a passion for the operational side of property and facilities management. This interest led her to transition into Facility Management, where she spent several years with JLL supporting one of the firm's largest client accounts and gaining valuable experience managing complex operations within large corporate environments.

Committed to continuous professional development, Alicia pursued further education through night school while working full time, completing a credential program to deepen her industry knowledge and strengthen her expertise. Most recently, she stepped into a senior leadership role with Cushman & Wakefield, where she leads teams and drives operational excellence.

Outside of work, Alicia is a lifelong cat lover who volunteers with local rescue organizations and enjoys spending time outdoors — hiking, exploring, and recharging in nature.

Kathy Paul, Panelist
AVP, Head of Global Workplace Strategy & Design, 
Manulife

Kathy Paul is a senior workplace executive with a proven track record leading global workplace strategy, design, and transformation. She currently serves as Head of Global Workplace Strategy & Design at Manulife, where she shapes the organization’s long‑term workplace vision and drives initiatives that support modern, flexible ways of working across a global portfolio.

Kathy’s career spans the service‑provider, consulting, and end‑user environments, giving her a rare, well‑rounded perspective on how organizations function and evolve. Her leadership roles include Vice President, Workplace Solutions at BGIS, where she directed major enterprise accounts and oversaw integrated workplace and portfolio programs, and Canadian Managing Director at MovePlan, advising clients on workplace transformation, change management, and strategic planning.

Kathy holds a Master of Science in Facilities Management and a Diploma in Interior Design, grounding her leadership in both evidence‑based strategy and design fundamentals.

Across her career, Kathy has successfully navigated significant transitions—advancing through the service‑provider sector, stepping into consulting leadership, and ultimately moving into executive decision‑making within a global enterprise. This journey has shaped her understanding of how professionals can position themselves for promotion, shift across industries, or redefine their role to accelerate their career.

In this leadership series, Kathy brings practical insights on leveraging diverse experiences, building credibility in new environments, and making purposeful career moves. Her ability to bridge the worlds of service providers and end users offers clear, actionable guidance for anyone looking to grow, pivot, or lead at the next level.

Vasil Dimitriadis, Panelist
Senior Human Resources Business Partner
JLL 

Vasil joined JLL in 2019 and has led the HR function on both the Canada Post and Royal Bank of Canada accounts throughout his tenure. Vasil’s role has been both strategic and hands-on, providing full-cycle HR support as well as business leadership. Embedded in the Senior Leadership Team, Vasil has worked closely with his stakeholders to ensure the connection between the business and HR is streamlined, efficient, and consistently yields positive results.

Vasil currently sits on the Canada Post account and is responsible for key initiatives such as development and execution of strategy, policy and practice, compensation planning, training and development, talent and performance management, and provides guidance and expert advice on legislative compliance, labor/employee relations, and is a natural and proven relationship builder.

Before JLL, Vasil worked for five years as HR Lead for a property management firm in Ontario, where he solidified his experience and passion for HR in real estate.

Marcia O'Connor, Panelist
Principal
AMFM Consulting Group

Marcia O’Connor is a passionate, strategic, and community-driven leader, mentor, and educator with over 20 years of progressive experience in corporate real estate, asset management, and facilities management. Known for her contagious energy and people-centred leadership, she has become a national voice for elevating the profession through strategic advisory work, adult education, and sector-wide collaboration.

Her career spans the nonprofit, private, and public sectors—including retail, healthcare, government, commercial real estate, education, and national multisite operations. Marcia brings clarity, structure, and practical solutions to complex organizational challenges, from day-to-day operations to C-Suite strategic alignment. Her balanced, pragmatic approach ensures organizations can navigate competing priorities with confidence and purpose.

A lifelong educator, Marcia pioneered the first FM Certificate Program at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies—now recognized internationally—and received the Achievement of Excellence Teacher’s Award (2025). She was also honoured with IFMA Greater Toronto & South Central Ontario Chapter’s FM of the Year Award (2025). Her commitment to mentoring and career development has guided countless professionals in building confidence, advancing their careers, and strengthening the future talent pipeline of the industry.

Her dedication to the sector is further reflected in her extensive volunteer leadership across major associations, including CONNEX (formerly PRSM): Canadian Advisory Council, IFMA Greater Toronto & South Central Ontario Chapter: Chair – Education and Membership, AMP (Association of Maintenance Professionals): Leader, Canada Chapter, Industry Associations: delivering seminars and education for BOMA, IHM, IFMA, Building Show, WIRAM, CONNEX, and publicsector networks.