Our People
We believe that our success is the product of the diverse ideas, experiences, and personalities that our employees bring to IO. Learn more about some of our employees, their roles, and the career paths that led them to IO.
Shubhangini Setia, Director, Corporate Reporting
How did you get your start at IO? I joined IO as an operational reporting analyst with the Corporate Reporting group.
How long have you worked at IO? I have been with IO for almost two years.
What does your job entail? As a Director with the Corporate Reporting team, I manage the organization's key reporting requirements, including dashboard development, operational reporting, and performance reporting. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience to have worked alongside such great colleagues and leaders.
What do you like most about your role? I enjoy collaborating with teams across IO to develop reporting solutions that drive business decisions and empower teams with insights.
What sets IO apart from other organizations? Apart from the impactful work we do here at IO, one of the best things about IO is its culture. IO empowers its employees to succeed, and people’s input is really valued.
What is your career background? Prior to joining IO, I worked in Consulting for 5 years.
Christine Tekker, Senior Vice President, Loans
How did you get your start at IO? Infrastructure Ontario was already on my radar given my previous role with an institutional investor where we purchased IO-procured PPP bonds, plus IO is well know in infrastructure finance. So, when the role was brought to my attention, I applied!
How long have you worked at IO? I started my role at IO in late 2021. One of my first impressions was how much my new colleagues valued IO’s impact on communities across Ontario.
What does your job entail? My job is to create a culture on the team where we can achieve more together, than apart and have some fun in the process! Our team provides 30-year term loans, for infrastructure purposes to communities and eligible organizations across Ontario. We might finance something as small as a town’s request for financing of a plow truck, or the construction of a long-term care home, arena complex, or affordable housing building.
What do you like most about your role? I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of my job. Our team is problem-solving every day to deliver financing solutions and financial insights into policies that will have an impact on communities for generations. Recently, the rising interest rate environment has required a lot of problem-solving! Now my family gets to listen to me point out projects that the IO lending team has financed when we drive throughout Ontario.
What sets IO apart from other organizations? IO’s culture is what I believe sets us apart from other organizations. Collaboration and working together as a team, is something that is really valued here, which helps create a positive work environment and fosters excellent working relationships.
What is your career background? I have been fortunate to have so many exceptional roles working in global financial institutions based both in Canada and in the UK. Over the past 25 years, I have worked in corporate banking, syndications, private/public fixed income, credit derivatives/products, project financing and risk management. I have continued to teach (part time) a 2nd year MBA course called “International Credit: Markets and Metrics” at the Schulich School of Business to share my knowledge and hopefully ignite interest in careers in loan/debt financing. Academically, I have an MBA, LLM and ICD.D designation.
Amanda Spakowski, Manager, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
How did you get your start at IO? My partner forwarded me the LinkedIn posting for the Manager of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion position and I was immediately drawn to the language of the job description. For an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion role, the job description reflected up-to-date inclusive language and realistic goals for the role, that I interpreted as a commitment to a long-term successful program. I also loved that there was an EDI team that I’d be joining and that this wasn’t a sole position with no team to build on. All of these indicated to me that IO was taking EDI very seriously and I wanted to be a part of that.
How long have you worked at IO? I joined May 2022.
What does your job entail? As the Manager of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion I work with several departments within IO to review, improve and create integrated programming and resources, that better reflect inclusion and create belonging for IO employees and partners.
What do you like most about your role? I love that everyone I’ve worked with so far is excited and ready to make strides within EDI. I find the hardest part of EDI work in general, is convincing people that it’s important to do. Once everyone is excited and on-board the changes are much easier to make, and people feel the impact immediately, even if there’s still room for improvement. It’s very gratifying and greatly contributes to my own sense of value and belonging on the team as well.
What sets IO apart from other organizations? I feel a great sense of trust from our CEO and senior management in the work that we do. There is an understanding that there is need for improvement, a humility in accepting this as a truth and an eagerness to be better. The messaging I hear from our leaders is “how best can we do this” when I bring an idea forward. The support is very liberating.
What is your career background? I ran a business in Toronto for 10 years as an Owner/Founder of a Doula business. In addition to doing the work itself, I did all of the marketing, operations, admin, etc. Birth culture is very white-centric, heteronormative and feminized, and if you didn’t fit into that default, you were likely to have difficultly finding resources and people who truly knew how to support and respect your family. Sometimes this even impacted access to health care itself. It was here that I developed a strong interest in EDI work and sought out opportunities to develop my skill in EDI programming. For the last few years, I held various HR and management related positions and ran an EDI consultancy in my own time. I mostly worked with fertility clinics across Canada on improving their Gender and Sexually Diverse inclusion but also brought EDI into talent acquisition, pharmaceutical sales, post secondary education spaces and retail.
Sap Chakraborty, Project Manager, Public Works, Project Delivery
How did you get your start at IO? Prior to starting my journey at IO almost a year ago, I managed an interesting and diverse portfolio of capital and ministry funded projects located across Ontario with a project management service provider. Over time, I had terrific and memorable conversations with members of the IO team and those profound interactions left an indelible mark that made me aspire to be a part of IO.
How long have you worked at IO? Coming close to one year.
What does your job entail? No two days are the same in this fast paced and high energy domain of managing hospital redevelopment P3 projects. The goal is to align, strategize and advise in a collaborative environment while being fair and reasonable with all of our partners in every interaction to collectively help them cross the finish line to total construction completion.
What do you like most about your role? I’m a big believer in building goodwill through gradual and committed action. It’s a pleasure to be part of a culture where the team communication dynamic promotes good ideas through continuous improvement along with supportive colleagues. Additionally, at the end of the day knowing we worked as one united team and did an honest day’s work helping bring the vision of, state-of-the-art hospital space for public use to fruition.
What sets IO apart from other organizations? At IO, the successful transformation of Ontario’s public sector assets to serve all Ontarians with best in class infrastructure, starts with an engaged, empowered, inclusive and community orientated team.
What is your career background? My professional experience spreads across different industries, ranging from megaprojects with one of the largest oil and gas companies in Canada, to projects for provincial infrastructure, telecom and nuclear industry. I completed both Mechanical engineering and MBA from University of Toronto (Rotman).
Brittany Newlove, Administrative Assistant for Project Controls
How did you get your start at IO? I joined IO in February 2020 as Administrative Assistant for Project Controls & Program Management. I also assisted the Procurement team from November 2020-April 2021. Currently, I am the Administrative Assistant for Project Controls & Program Management.
How long have you worked at IO? I have worked at IO for 2 and a half years, time has flown by!
What does your job entail? As an Administrative Assistant, I provide key administrative support to both the senior management of my department and the entire team. This includes calendar management, scheduling, onboarding, communications etc. I also foster positive relationships with my team and the rest of IO.
What do you like most about your role? My favourite part of my job is my team. Every day I feel lucky to work with such a kind, caring and fun group of professionals.
What sets IO apart from other organizations? IO actually practices what they preach in terms of work-life balance, using time off, and growing and developing their people. By supporting their employee’s professional development, they allow everyone to learn and advance in their careers.
What is your career background? I have a BFA in Photography Studies and throughout my education worked in an administrative role in the public sector. After graduating I began my professional career working in Infrastructure in the private sector.
Sam Chopra, Business Process Advisor
How did you get your start at IO? I joined IO In December, 2019 in the Analytics team and later moved to the IT Data Architecture team as a Business Process Advisor. I was referred to IO by a friend that already worked here.
What does your job entail? My job involves working closely with cross functional business teams to understand their data requirements, ensure compliance of data governance, and help ease the data access and management process for them.
What do you like most about your role? I get to learn new things everyday. As part of my job, I have been given opportunities to work on high impact projects which have really helped me enhance my knowledge base and hone my technical and project management skills.
What is your career background? Academically, I have an MBA in Finance and completed programs in Six Sigma Black Belt from American Society of Quality, Process Improvement from Harvard Business Publishing and Project Management Professional (PMP) from Project Management Institute, Pennsylvania. Professionally, I have worked in the telecom, technology, and financial sectors as process and project management specialist.
What sets IO apart from other organizations? IO helps people tap their innermost potential. It enables them to venture into new areas of learning and empowers them to succeed as our ultimate goal is to work as one team.
Ankita Rao, CFA, Director, Commercial Advisory & Strategy
How did you get your start at IO? Getting my start at IO was in probably one of the least expected and most traditional ways – I noticed an online job posting and applied for it. I had heard about the organization years prior from an ex-colleague and something about it always stuck as an organization I would like to consider working for one day.
What does your job entail? I am responsible for leading engagements with our Ministry clients on what assets the Crown should be investing in and how, considering value for money, public good and industry expertise.
What do you like most about your role? Be the change you wish to see in the world – a quote that has stuck with me since childhood, and something I have adopted as my personal mission. Innovation and making real policy impact is in the DNA on which commercial advisory & strategy is created, aligning perfectly with my personal mission.
What is your career background? After graduating with a joint honours in economics and Finance, with a French Minor, I began my career as a strategy and operations management consultant for around 7 years (working across three cities in Canada, the US and UK). This followed with three years in international development and social impact (living in Benin for over a year and working full-time in French, leading the access to finance strategy for a USDA funded program and running a million-dollar innovation fund, followed by working back home in Canada to setup and run a public health accelerator by providing pro bono capacity building supports and grant funding to social purpose organizations).
What sets IO apart from other organizations? IO is that bridge between the public and private sectors that aims to tie the threads and facilitate seamless conversations between the two sides, which is the only way to create sustainable impact.
Vin Tirvassen, Quantity Surveyor, Project Controls
How did you get your start at IO? I joined IO in January 2017 after spending most of my career in a consultancy environment. I felt the time was right to take on a new challenge and join a larger organization. Luck was on my side because IO was looking to hire a Quantity Surveyor at that time. I was determined to be the successful candidate for the role, and thankfully it worked out for me.
What does your job entail? My role as a Quantity Surveyor involves reviewing and managing construction costs for all infrastructure projects that IO oversees. From assessing feasibility to setting total project costs in the pre-transaction phases, and monitoring cost evolution during the transaction phases, quantity surveying is a key part in financial decision making for any construction project.
What do you like most about your job? IO is the hub for all infrastructure projects happening in the province. So, for me, it’s the exposure to a multitude of projects and the ability to influence major decisions that I really love about my job. Also, something that really stands out for me is the team dynamics. It’s quite unique in terms of trust and support.
What is your career background? In 2013, I received my Bachelors in Construction Science and Management from George Brown. I moved to Edmonton to kickstart my career at Hanscomb, a cost consultancy firm. After relocating to Toronto in 2015, I continued working at the same firm up until joining IO.
Anthony Mastroianni, Senior Advisor, Commercial Projects
How did you get your start at IO? I first heard about IO from a colleague of mine. It was hearing first-hand the positive experience he had working at the company that went a long way for me. I began actively looking for openings at IO and came across the Senior Advisor role. It aligned well with my skills and was on a project I was passionate about.
What does your job entail? My job involves the day-to-day, as well as long-term project management and planning of the Accelerated High-Speed Internet program. It’s an exciting project that will improve and expand broadband access across Ontario. I work on resource planning, scheduling, budgeting, and reporting on the components that will allow this project to come to life.
What do you like most about your job? I am proud and fulfilled by the impact my role has on the organization, however, it’s the people I work with that have made all the difference for me at IO. They are an intelligent, motivated, and determined group, that allow me to express my ideas and grow as a professional. I consider them as mentors and friends.
What is your career background? I come from a financial planning and analysis background in the retail industry, and most recently worked in Commercial Banking, after completing my MBA.
Nataleigh Gooden, Project Manager, Project Delivery
How did you get your start at IO? Before joining IO, I was working as a Project Manager at a major downtown hospital overseeing their P3 redevelopment. It was through my role there that I first heard about IO. After a brief stint in the private sector consulting on hospital redevelopment projects, I decided to make the change to IO for the opportunity to work on a variety of large-scale healthcare projects.
What does your job entail? As a Project Manager on the Project Delivery Healthcare Team, I work on a number of exciting but very different projects, including the CAMH Phase 1D Redevelopment. My day-to-day involves working with various groups of internal and external stakeholders - architects, engineers, doctors, nurses, housekeeping, and administrative staff - to strategize, and develop innovative solutions to delivering healthcare projects. Each day is unique in its challenges but always rewarding.
What do you like most about your job? Not only do I get to work on projects that directly benefit communities, but I can also see first-hand projects transform before my eyes, it’s incredibly satisfying. I feel a great sense of pride knowing that my work contributes to greater access to healthcare for all communities, which has been especially fulfilling during COVID.
What is your career background? I began my career as an administrative Ward Clerk in an Emergency Department. There I saw first-hand the intricacies of hospital operations. I gained a new-found respect for the complexity of the healthcare system and ways in which redevelopment could shape the outcome of patients care. In essence, this helped shape the way I manage projects today.
This led to my career in the redevelopment of hospital P3’s. Using my background in the clinical setting enabled me to identify project needs from a different perspective. It also provided me the knowledge to engage all stakeholders, not just the doctors and nurses.
Khushbu Chokshi, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Talent Acquisition and Development
How did you get your start at IO? It was through my work with a temp agency back in 2019 that I was able to land a short-term contract as a Talent Acquisition Coordinator. I feel fortunate not only to have been hired on fulltime since then, but also to have been given the opportunity to advance my career and move into the Talent Acquisition Specialist role.
What does your job entail? I lead the full talent acquisition cycle to attract, engage and retain top talent, providing the best-in-class experience to both candidates and hiring managers.
What do you like most about your job? Apart from the meaningful work that we do at IO, it’s the strong interpersonal relationships I have built over the years that keeps me here. I can always count on my team to have my back! Beyond that, we have a supportive culture that encourages growth and development.
What is your career background? Prior to IO, I was working in the private sector, focused on campus recruitment in the education and restaurant industries.
Brian Lo, Manager, Data Architecture, Information Technology
How long have you worked at IO? I joined IO in 2016 as a database analyst. I have been fortunate to grow my career at IO since, first as a Senior Database Analyst, then moving to my current role as Manager of Data Architecture. I am someone that likes to be challenged and I appreciate the organization’s efforts to help employees grow in their careers. I have benefited first-hand from the many training opportunities offered that helped me get to the role I am in today.
What does your job entail? I currently manage a team of individuals with diverse professional backgrounds, including data analysis, business process, data integration, and business intelligence solution development. I often serve as the first point-of-contact on data issues and the implementation of new data solutions. I provide guidance on workload, technical advice to the team, and report on progress to senior management.
What do you like most about your job? My job is full of new challenges, daily. I explore multiple functional data sets and gather data to address business needs. I find it very meaningful to contribute facts-based decision making that impacts residents of Ontario.
What is your career background? Before joining IO, I worked across multiple industries in the private sector with a focus on data warehousing and business intelligence solutions.
Tia Hopkinson, Executive Assistant, Procurement and Program Management
How did you get your start at IO? Before joining IO, I was working in real estate and constantly on the road. My work-life balance was missing and it was time for a change. An acquaintance of mine was working at IO and recommended I apply. It offered the growth opportunities and work-life balance I was looking for.
How long have you worked at IO? I started in 2016 with the Legal department and later moved to the Procurement team as a Senior Administrative Assistant. Most recently, I moved into an Executive Assistant role. I have been at IO for almost six years now and what keeps me here is the great people, diversity, and work-life balance.
What does your job entail? As an Executive Assistant, I build meaningful relationships and bring enhanced value to my team. I consider myself a lifeline to my division. I love everything about my job: the scheduling, the planning, and the communication with the team. I have been blessed to work with many incredible people over the years.
What is your career background? My academic background is in economics. In addition, I have a professional background in real estate, property management, and event planning.
Candy Yang, Project Manager, Asset and Contract Management
How long have you worked at IO? I joined IO back in April 2020 where I started off as a Portfolio Real Estate Manager. I provided oversight functions to ensure an integrated governance and quality system for outsourced contracts. I also managed the performance management framework and executed contract management initiatives. Just recently I moved to another team within our Asset and Contract Management group as Project Manager.
What does your job entail? Not only does my role offer me the opportunity to interact with and learn from subject matter experts within the Real Estate team and throughout IO, but I also frequently collaborate with external service providers. My colleagues are receptive to new ideas, so I am able to draw from my experiences to drive continuous improvement.
What is your career background? I started off with a general contractor and moved into facility management with a focus on contract and project management. I am grateful for all the experiences that helped me grow and develop professionally.
Salman Haider, Senior Project Coordinator, Project Delivery
How long have you worked at IO? I joined IO in late 2019 and in that short time I have had the opportunity to work on three unique healthcare projects, as well as participate in a few procurements and initiatives.
What does your job entail? As part of the Project Delivery Healthcare Team, I collaborate with our hospital partners to take their functional programs to an output specification, on through to the procurement and construction phases. This involves working closely with IO’s shared services, consultants, ministry counterparts, municipalities, and many other stakeholders such as First Nations and departments of the federal government.
What do you like most about your job? I’m grateful to be working with a very collaborative and supportive team on important health care infrastructure projects in Ontario. It is very rewarding to see and hear the impact these projects have on the ground and in communities across Ontario.
What is your career background? My academic background is in Mechanical Engineering, which I studied at Queen’s University. During my studies, I co-founded a fuel-efficient vehicle design team and landed a year-long co-op placement on the Providence Care Hospital redevelopment project. After graduation, I worked for a general contractor on the project management side collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, consultants, and subtrades on a mixed-use high-rise development with a heritage facade. I’m thankful to have had these invaluable experiences that helped prepare me for my current role at IO.
Jessica Foster, Legal Counsel, Legal Services
What does your job entail? I joined IO almost two years ago. As Legal Counsel, I primarily advise on public-private partnership (P3) projects in active procurement and support projects in the construction and operational teams, as required. This involves working extensively with IO’s Project Delivery staff, other IO shared services, project co-sponsors and our private sector consortia counterparts to ensure that each party is taking on an acceptable and optimized level of risk.
What do you like most about your job? Each day, I’m able to use my legal and strategic skills on infrastructure projects that will benefit Ontario communities long after I’m around and I get to do this alongside a group of incredibly smart and encouraging colleagues. I couldn't ask for more in a job.
What is your career background? I’ve had a winding career path – after starting my career in private practice, I went on to work in legal publishing, program development and insurance. All the people I’ve met and organizations I’ve worked for have played a unique role in my professional development. I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to combine the skills and knowledge I’ve acquired along the way in my role as legal counsel at IO.
Aneesh Joshi, Senior Advisor, Commercial Projects
How did you get your start at IO? It was through my network that I found out about IO. I joined a year and a half ago as a Data Analyst and after helping on a project with Commercial Projects I joined its team full-time as a Senior Advisor.
What does your job entail? As part of the Commercial Projects team, I work with stakeholder ministries in building strategies to modernize how Ontarians can access services. I am also constantly collaborating with teams across the agency, including the Procurement, Legal, and Finance teams. Every day is different!
What do you like most about your job? I work with a fun, supportive team on very high-impact work. The ability to affect real world outcomes that impact real Ontarians with the work that’s being done day in and day out, makes for a very fulfilling role.