Beyond Green Labels: From Building Certification to Long-Term Value

Sigrid is the Chief Executive Officer of Asia Pacific Real Assets Association (APREA). Based in Singapore, she is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, initiatives and operations of the association across Asia Pacific. Under her leadership, APREA repositioned to an industry trade group focusing on real estate and infrastructure.

Sigrid joined APREA’s executive team in January 2019.

Prior to APREA, she served as Managing Director of Asia Pacific Research and Advisory Services of Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) from 2010 through 2018, where she was responsible for research, thought leadership, strategy formulation and client management.  Before relocating to Singapore, she was based in Washington, D.C. and led C&W’s U.S. research group in the Mid-Atlantic region, overseeing all aspects of market research activities in the Washington, DC; Virginia; Suburban Maryland, Baltimore; and Philadelphia areas. Prior to joining C&W, Sigrid served as a Senior Economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR). In that position, she developed NAR’s office, warehouse, retail, multi-family housing, and international research programs.

A recognized expert in global economic, public policy and real estate issues, Sigrid is a frequent speaker at industry events.  Her commentary on commercial and residential real estate markets is also regularly featured in a wide array of global publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Bloomberg, New York Times and Reuters. Additionally, she has made several television appearances on financial networks and radio such as CNBC, Bloomberg, CNN, National Public Radio and Channel News Asia.

Sigrid holds a Master of Business Administration from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management and a Master’s degree in Economics from Pennsylvania State University. She is a member of several civic groups including the Rotary Club of Raffles City in Singapore, where she has served in various leadership positions, and serves in the Executive Committee of the Crohn’s & Colitis Society of Singapore.

Benjamin L. Shinewald is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada (BOMA Canada). Under Benjamin’s leadership, the organization’s flagship program, BOMA BEST, has grown dramatically, with 4,300+ buildings certified under the Sustainable and/or Smart Buildings programs.  BOMA BEST provides the world’s leading operational certification for the commercial real estate industry across both sustainable and smart-buildings verticals.  Beyond setting the industry standard with over 1B square feet of certified space, BOMA BEST also provides ongoing, cost-effective pathways for operational improvement over time.  BOMA Canada is also a worldwide leader in producing thought leadership, advocating for the industry and driving partnerships of all manner, as well as hosting BOMEX, Canada’s leading property management conference and much more.

Prior to joining BOMA Canada in 2012, Benjamin served as the CEO of Canadian Jewish Congress.  Earlier, he worked in the Privy Council Office and practiced law at Torys LLP. Benjamin previously served as a Law Clerk to the Chief Justice of Israel, worked at the Canadian Mission to the OECD in Paris and worked for the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club.  He lives with his family in Toronto and is active in the community in his spare time.   

Joanna Sugunathazan is an accomplished sustainability professional with over five years of experience driving ESG initiatives in the commercial real estate sector. As the Program Manager at BOMA BEST, she has played a pivotal role in expanding the reach and impact of the BOMA BEST building certification program across the United States and international markets. Joanna holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Environment and Business, as well as a Master of Climate Change from the University of Waterloo. She is deeply committed to advancing climate adaptation, resilience, and equity within the built environment, and is passionate about harnessing the potential of the real estate industry to address climate change.

Joanna Sugunathazan is an accomplished sustainability professional with over five years of experience driving ESG initiatives in the commercial real estate sector. As the Program Manager at BOMA BEST, she has played a pivotal role in expanding the reach and impact of the BOMA BEST building certification program across the United States and international markets. Joanna holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Environment and Business, as well as a Master of Climate Change from the University of Waterloo. She is deeply committed to advancing climate adaptation, resilience, and equity within the built environment, and is passionate about harnessing the potential of the real estate industry to address climate change.

Dominic Lau (B.Sc., B.Com.) is currently the Executive Director of BOMA China, responsible for overall planning and development of programs for members in China. He is also the Chair of BOMA International Council.

Since graduation in 1979 with double degree in Science and Finance, he was the Chief Financial Officer of a publicly traded full service Canadian commercial real estate development company in 1980s. He was the founder and CEO of a digital media company in 1990s, and focused his effort in training and development for the commercial real estate industry. With over 40+ years of commercial real estate experience, he is dedicated to bringing international asset management best practices to China since 2009.

An advocate for ESG, Nisha Agrawal is QuadReal’s VP, Sustainability, joining the company in 2017.  Her expertise includes promoting green building certifications across the Canadian portfolio and supporting development of environmental, social and governance practices at QuadReal properties internationally. Nisha brings 15+ years of experience in the commercial real estate industry, beginning her career in Finance at Bentall Kennedy (now BGO).  She then moved into Sustainability and for the past 10 years has been developing programs to effectively streamline and integrate sustainability initiatives with operations.  Nisha is inspired by the progress companies have made to improve tenant health and well being, reduce resource depletion and carbon emissions, and innovate to create solutions in building operations.

Nisha holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of BC and is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of BC.  She is on the Board of Directors at the Canadian Green Building Council and also part of the ESG Committee at the European Association for Investors in Non-Listed Real Estate Vehicles (INREV).