President & CEO, Nizar J. Somji

Nizar J. Somji is a skillful entrepreneur, corporate executive and board director. A visionary leader, his ability to identify and capitalize on emerging trends led to the success of two enterprises. Nizar has a proven track record of growing businesses (both locally and internationally) based on prudent fiscal management for sustained growth and profitability.

He has first hand experience with the entire life cycle of a business: concept & formation, growth, exchange listing and sale. He is also well versed in the numerous aspects of taking a company through its complete life cycle: acquisitions and the due diligence process, financing, cash flow management, management and board transitions and strategy development and execution.

Alim Somji, General Manager

As General Manager, Alim wears many hats, including liaising with bankers, contributing to and executing on strategic management decisions, managing due diligence for Jaffer Developments, managing the real estate business and acting as broker, and opportunity identification and lead generation.

Alim holds a Honours Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.

Alim is passionate about deal making, thrives of the excitement of building a team and taking on new challenges, and enjoys running, soccer and the Discovery Channel.

Team member since: 2007

Salima Mawani, Corporate Controller & General Manager, Hospitality

Salima oversees all of the Jaffer Group’s financial functions (budgeting, planning, analysis & reporting) and also oversees the management of Hospitality Group assets.

She is a passionate volunteer in her free time and currently is a director of Focus Humanitarian Assistance Canada, an organization providing emergency relief in the developing world. Salima has also held various community organization board positions over the past 14 years.

Team member since: 2005

 

 

Joanna Gietz, Marketing Manager

Joanna is responsible for the Jaffer Group’s marketing strategies, including corporate branding, social media, advertising and promotion and development launches.

Joanna has five years of applied marketing experience in a business-to-business environment and recently graduated with a Bachelor of Management, Marketing Major from the University of Lethbridge.

Joanna’s infectious enthusiasm about her work also extends to her personal passions: The Food Network and numerous sports and extra curricular activities.

Team member since: 2011

Greg Stumph, Legal Assistant & Office Administrator

As a recent graduate from the University of Alberta’s Bachelor of Commerce program with a Marketing Major, Greg provides legal assistance to Jaffer’s Corporate Counsel and co-ordinates various office administrative activities. Greg is a flexible, quick learner with the ability to administer each project efficiently and effectively.

He is passionate about playing several sports including hockey, golf and soccer. He also loves travelling to foreign countries (which so far include Europe and Australia) and learning about new cultures.

Team member since: 2011

Winston Tuttle

Winston handles the Jaffer Group’s mergers and acquisitions, contract negotiations, commercial real estate, corporate governance and risk management. Prior to joining Jaffer, he operated a general law practice advising clients on business, administrative and real estate law and estate planning and related litigation, including commercial disputes, employment claims, creditor remedies, insurance disputes and general civil litigation.

Winston is the Treasurer of the Canadian Bar Association Young Lawyers section and an active volunteer with Edmonton Community Legal Centre and l’Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Alberta, where he gives seminars on various law-related subjects to members of the Canadian Armed Forces based at Edmonton Garrison.

Winston spends time outside of work refereeing minor hockey and umpiring baseball for the North-Central Alberta Baseball League and is a big fan of the Buffalo Sabres and the Toronto Bluejays. In 2011, Winston spent majority of the year living in Iceland, where he refereed hockey and learned to speak Icelandic.

Team member since: 2012

Rafiq Raghavji, Senior Project Manager

Rafiq oversees Jaffer construction and development projects. He has managed the building of 113 duplexes, the B&G Manor condo project and is currently managing renovations to the Jaffer Building.

Rafiq has a Management Development Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering. He was formerly a Sales Manager/Assistant Market Manager with 7 Eleven. In these roles, he opened over 60 stores in Northern Alberta and managed over 900 employees.

Team member since: 2006

Alykhan Ladha, Project Manager

Alykhan manages construction and development projects and is currently working on Copper Creek and the renovation of the Jaffer Building.

He grew up in construction (his dad was in the industry) and loves being part of the process of turning nothing into something special.

Outside of work, he is a sports enthusiast and particularly enjoys playing hockey.

Team member since: 2010

Dean Lieu, Assistant Site Superintendent

Dean manages construction and helps with development projects. He is currently working on the renovation of the Yellowhead Inn.

Dean has an Accounting and Finance Diploma from Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

Dean’s passion is to have a strong and efficient team and strive for excellence. He loves spending time with his family and close friends. He also likes going for dinner and movies.

Team member since: 2011

Alnoor Saleh, Assistant Site Superintendent

Alnoor is currently assisting with the reconstruction projects at the Yellowhead Inn and Coliseum Inn. He has a General BSc. from the University of Alberta and a NAIT diploma. His past projects include managing small businesses and working with Architects and tradespeople while overseeing other construction projects.

Alnoor is passionate and enthusiastic and always looks for efficiencies. He is a long distance runner and boot-camp enthusiast who runs a few half marathons each year and is a regular in the Banff Jasper Relay.

Team member since: 2011

Salima Mawani, Corporate Controller & General Manager, Hospitality

Salima oversees all of the Jaffer Group’s financial functions (budgeting, planning, analysis & reporting) and also oversees the management of Hospitality Group assets.

She is a passionate volunteer in her free time and currently is a director of Focus Humanitarian Assistance Canada, an organization providing emergency relief in the developing world. Salima has also held various community organization board positions over the past 14 years.

Team member since: 2005

 

 

Khurram Hudda, Manager Corporate Accounting & Reporting

Khurram oversees all aspects of the Jaffer Group’s accounting and reporting, including consolidation, project budgeting and forecasting, management reports, internal controls and cash flow analysis.

He is currently completing his International Accounting designation through the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Khurram is a results oriented management professional with a reputation for responding to operational and financial challenges with confidence, determination and focus.

 

Team member since: 2008

 

Nancy Liu, Junior Accountant

Nancy supports the accounting team in all aspects of the finance function and is eager to go the extra mile for the Jaffer Group. She has a Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting from the University of Alberta and is a CGA candidate.

Nancy loves painting and playing the piano, travelling and movie watching marathons.

Team member since: 2011

Alim Somji, Broker

Alim manages and is a broker for the Real Estate division of Jaffer. He holds a Honours Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.

Alim is passionate about deal making, thrives of the excitement of building a team and taking on new challenges, and enjoys running, soccer and the Discovery Channel.

Team member since: 2007

 

 

Nizar Somji, Associate

Jan Musani, Property Manager

Jan is Quality Service Manager for the Jaffer Group, ensuring Jaffer projects and properties are managed with the passion for performance that is characteristic of Jaffer group operations.

Prior to joining Jaffer, Jan worked in a variety of roles at the Elves Special Needs School for multiply handicapped children. She has travelled nationally and internationally as a consultant for Flag House, providing Sensory Integration training and seminars.

Jan is also Chair of the Edmonton Celebrate Canada Committee and board member of various volunteer organizations. Her dedication to community service and volunteerism has been formally recognized with a number of awards, including: the Wild Rose Foundations “Stars of the Millennium Volunteer Award”, the “Queen’s Jubilee Medal of Honour” and the “Alberta Centennial Award”.

Team member since: 2005

Jackie Stewart, Sales Associate

Jackie has been a licensed Realtor in Edmonton & area since 2004, specializing in residential real estate and new development sales. Her passion for Real Estate and client care is evident in all she does. You will find her at our show suite at Barth & Gosset Manor in Stony Plain.

Outside of work, Jackie spends her free time with family and friends; golfing, camping and cheering on her 2 talented teenage boys.

Team member since: 2011

 

Matthew Donkey, Property Maintenance Manager

Matthew uses his diverse background in HVAC, plumping, electrical, carpentry education and tickets related to the trades safety industry to address and troubleshoot property maintenance.

Matthew enjoys boxing, various forms of art (oil, acrylics, soapstone carving and beadwork) and is passionate about traditional song and dance as well as community engagement with youth.

Team member since: 2011