Meet Our Dedicated Team

Samuel Karamanis, CPA, Mfin, is a Managing Director and co-founder of Bluevale Capital Group, where he leads financial and operational strategy in support of the firm’s mission to expand housing in underserved markets. With a strong background in real estate corporate finance and analytics, Samuel applies a disciplined, analytical approach to Bluevale’s growth objectives. He holds a CPA designation and a Master’s in Finance from Queen’s University. Furthermore, Samuel is also a co-founder of "Hands Up Toronto," a charity focused on alleviating food insecurity in the Greater Toronto Area.

Jefferson Huang is a Managing Director and co-founder at Bluevale Capital Group, where he leads strategic vision and operations with a focus on affordable housing and sustainable development. With over a decade of experience in real estate, Jefferson combines deep industry expertise with a solutions-driven approach. He holds a Bachelor’s in Management from Western University, a Master’s in Management Analytics from Queen’s University, and is currently pursuing his Executive MBA at Yale University.

Pavel Abdur-Rahman serves as Managing Director and co-founder of Bluevale Capital Group, overseeing strategic initiatives in housing and urban economic development. With over 15 years of leadership experience at IBM Canada’s AI & Data consulting division, Pavel offers a refined expertise in data-driven strategy and impactful development. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto and a Master’s from Queen’s University, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration at Harvard University.

Ben Reich is the Vice President of Finance at Bluevale Capital Group, where he drives the financial strategy and operations for the firm, supporting its growth and investment initiatives. With over 10 years of experience in both public practice within Big 4 and the real estate industry, Ben brings a wealth of expertise in financial planning and analysis (FP&A), fund modeling, project modeling, and capital planning. Prior to joining Bluevale, Ben held senior finance positions at Kroman Capital Advisory, Starlight Investments, Dream Unlimited, and Deloitte LLP. Ben is a Chartered Accountant (CA) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction from the University of Alberta. His diverse experience and strategic insight make him a key contributor to Bluevale's mission of transforming real estate assets and creating value. Outside of the office, he enjoys skiing, cycling, and traveling.

Scott Chen is the Director of Investments at Bluevale Capital Group, leading the U.S. investments team while overseeing the Canadian investment team. He previously worked in Private Equity at H.I.G. Capital and Investment Banking at Evercore. Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics-Statistics from Columbia University. In his spare time, he enjoys cycling to stay active and helping grow his music lounge in New York City (a conversion from a vacant restaurant!).

Edward Zhang is a Toronto-based real estate professional with six years of experience in developing multi-family housing projects. Driven by a mission to create accessible housing solutions for Canadians, Edward combines a passion for innovative design with expertise in building optimization to deliver high-quality, efficient developments. His commitment to addressing housing needs has positioned him as a forward-thinking leader in the industry, focused on creating sustainable and inclusive communities.

Terry Chen is a Director at Bluevale Capital Group, where he leads leasing and tenant experience initiatives. He is responsible for overseeing tenant relationships, optimizing leasing strategies, and ensuring a positive tenant experience across Bluevale's properties. Prior to joining Bluevale, Terry served as Head of Product and Pricing for Mobile Devices at Samsung Electronics, and as Director of Mobile Device Strategy and Pricing at Bell, where he honed his expertise in product strategy and pricing. Terry holds a degree in Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University. In his free time, he enjoys exploring Toronto’s dining scene and engaging in outdoor activities.

Chrissy Martel is the Director, Stakeholder Relations at Bluevale Capital Group, where she leads the firm's investor relations, fundraising, and communications initiatives. With a decade of experience in investor relations at various real estate investment firms, she brings expertise in financial reporting, investor communications, and fundraising. Prior to joining Bluevale, Chrissy served as Director of Investor Relations at Lexington Partners LLC, working with high net-worth investors and institutional investors. Prior to Lexington Partners, she was the Director of Investor Relations at a US-based real estate private equity firm with approximately $3B in AUM. Chrissy holds a Bachelor’s degree from Endicott College and is currently pursuing her Executive MBA at the Yale School of Management. She holds FINRA Series 22 and Series 63 licenses. Outside the office, she enjoys tennis, golf, yoga, and traveling.

Mark Baliwalla is an (Investments) Associate at Bluevale Capital Group, focusing on analyzing potential acquisitions, coordinating financing and overseeing project execution. He also oversees many of the firm's operations and strategic initiatives. Mark previously gained experience as an Investment Analyst through internships at Anson Funds and CCC Investment Banking, where he developed strong analytical skills. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University, majoring in Finance with a minor in Economics.

Conor Stairs, CPA, CA joined Bluevale in 2024. Conor is involved in the financial reporting, financial analysis and treasury functions across the business. Prior to Bluevale Conor worked at Slate Asset Management, La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, and on contract in Sydney, Australia for a multinational payment processor. Conor is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Carleton University.

Chris Yan is a Senior Accountant at Bluevale Capital Group, specializing in monthly and quarterly financial reporting, day-to-day treasury management, and low- to mid-level accounting review and supervision. He holds a Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies in Accounting from Western University, where he graduated with honors. Chris is also a CPA candidate and has completed two busy audit seasons at Deloitte. He is eager to become a successful CPA with a strong background in real estate private equity. Outside of work, Chris enjoys running, weightlifting, singing, and playing the guitar. As a sub-three-hour marathon runner, he strives to improve his personal best in future marathons while bringing energy and dedication to the workplace.

Krisula Dais is an Accounting Professional with over six years of experience in commercial real estate, previously progressing from Junior Accountant to Team Lead at Colliers International. She has demonstrated strong leadership, analytical expertise, and a track record of process improvements. Krisula has also worked in SOX compliance and financial reporting and is known for her attention to detail and ability to drive efficiency. She recently completed her CPA designation. Outside of work, Krisula enjoys walking her dachshund Cleo, reading, surfing and wine.

Adlene D'Souza is a Junior Accountant at Bluevale Capital Group, focusing on accounts payable and financial data analysis. She previously gained experience as a Client Service Professional at H&R Block Canada, where she provided personalized support and facilitated the tax preparation process. Adlene holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with honours in Accounting from Trent University and a Diploma in Business Administration from the College of the North Atlantic in Qatar. She is dedicated to leveraging her strong analytical skills to drive business success and is working towards her CPA designation.

Kiarash Mirzaei is a Senior Analyst, Investments at Bluevale Capital Group, where he supports the firm’s acquisitions, underwriting, and business development efforts. He brings a multidisciplinary background in real estate investments, asset management, financial modeling, and hands-on construction and renovation experience. Prior to joining Bluevale, Kiarash worked at QuadReal Property Group and earned his HBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active through fitness and sports, playing volleyball, and exploring new cities.

Olivia Topp is an Origination and Acquisitions Analyst at Bluevale Capital Group, focusing on sourcing and underwriting real estate acquisitions. She previously gained experience as a Market Data Coordinator Intern at Colliers, where she conducted information searches and assisted with survey calling and database updates. Olivia graduated from Ivey Business School, Western University, with a Honours Business Administration (HBA) degree. She was recognized with a Western Scholarship of Distinction for her grade average and made the Dean’s Honour List. In her free time, Olivia enjoys playing the drums.

Since joining Bluevale Capital in May 2024, Teagan Karn has been a key player in the company’s leasing operations, specializing in tenant screening, and approval processes across multiple properties. With a strong focus on filling buildings with quality tenants, Teagan has successfully leased out various buildings and continues to drive occupancy across various Bluevale properties. In their role, Teagan is responsible for identifying and attracting potential tenants, conducting thorough tenant screenings, and making informed decisions on tenant approvals and declines. Their attention to detail and commitment to maintaining a high standard of tenants ensures smooth leasing processes and helps contribute to Bluevale Capital’s overall success in property management.

Santiago Rioja is a Development and Engineering Associate at Bluevale Capital Group. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta. With over 10 years of experience in the automotive industry, primarily as a Program Manager, Santiago possesses extensive project management expertise that can be leveraged to enhance operational efficiency. He has a strong interpersonal attitude, enabling him to build effective relationships with customers, contractors, and consultants, contributing to the firm's business objectives. In his spare time, he closely follows Formula 1 racing.

Beverley Chu is a Business Operations Associate at Bluevale Capital Group, spearheading all back-office operations, human resources & general office administration. She has a diverse background of experience having worked in recruitment, advertising, retail management, hospitality, as a pastry chef & part-time DJ. Beverley holds a Bachelor of Design from the Ontario College Art & Design, and a Life Coach Certification from The Centre for Applied Neuroscience.