(Connect is spotlighting the inaugural winners of the Canadian Women in Real Estate Awards. In this article, we profile Jessica Toppazzini, managing director of Avison Young’s Vancouver office.)

In April of 2023, Jessica Toppazzini made history as she became the first woman appointed as managing director of an Avison Young office in Canada.

As a result of Michael Keenan’s retirement, she took the helm in Vancouver, where she strives to foster a culture of mentorship and professional development. In addition to being managing director, she is a principal of the global full-service commercial real estate firm. Avison Young principals comprise the company’s ownership group and steer the firm’s strategic direction across all markets.

Toppazzini was promoted to managing director after leading the Vancouver office’s valuation and advisory services team.

Toppazzini moved to Avison Young in January 2022 following seven years with Vancouver-based Garnett Wilson Realty Advisors. In 2021, she won the Appraisal Institute of Canada’s Top Appraiser Under 40 Award.

She is active with the institute as well as the Vancouver chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women as it strives to advise and advance women across the industry and bring new female talent into it.

Toppazzini also serves on the board of the B.C. Expropriation Association,  a non-profit volunteer-based association of professionals who are engaged in the field of expropriation. She leads The membership comprises lawyers, real estate appraisers, property negotiators, planners, business valuators and others.