The people behind the platform.

Sanders Lee

Founder and Executive Chairman, Hopewell

Over more than thirty years, Sanders grew Hopewell into a group of platform companies across residential and commercial development, property management, logistics and venture capital. Named to Canada's Top 40 Under 40 in 1999, he backs founders in healthcare, renewable energy, education, logistics and proptech. In 2021 he committed $10 million to establish the Hopewell M.I.N.D. Prize at the University of Calgary, up to $1 million a year for neuroscience research. The group has spent eight consecutive years in the Platinum Club of Canada's Best Managed Companies.

George Fortin

Managing Director

At PSP Investments from 2015 to 2019, George directed the $825 million acquisition of the Downsview lands in Toronto and helped structure the company created to manage them, led the $1.65 billion refinancing of the Wharf district in Washington, DC, and built the fund's proptech strategy. On the Wharf he led the adoption of low-carbon concrete, bringing engineers and supplier to a method later delivered at six times the volume across the river. He has since kept a smart-building portfolio of more than 40 buildings running through a court-supervised restructuring. MBA, Rotman.

Jason Kraatz

CEO, Hopewell Residential

Jason works across the group's full range of activity, from residential and commercial development to property management, logistics and venture capital, alongside the founders and shareholding families.

Mike joined Hopewell as corporate counsel for commercial real estate before moving to Hopewell Capital in 2014. He leads legal oversight and corporate structuring across the group's entities, and represents its shareholders.

Sammi oversees day-to-day operations, finance, accounting and tax across the Hopewell group. She was previously Senior Manager in Private Company Services at PwC, specialising in Canadian tax planning and compliance.

Nic manages corporate real estate assets, venture capital and private equity investments, and financial analysis. Previously vice-president of finance at a land development company, he holds CPA, MBA and MMIE designations.

Jill Dysievick

Controller

As Corporate Controller, Jill manages accounting, finance and tax across the group, after the same role at Hopewell Residential. A CPA since 2009 from Lakehead University, she began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers.