Michelle Sotomayor

Michelle Sotomayor manages a portfolio of high-impact real estate developments and has been instrumental in delivering over 3 million square feet of industrial, commercial, and mixed-use projects across Metro Vancouver. Serving as Senior Vice President, Development and a key member of the Executive Team at Conwest Developments, she oversees multidisciplinary teams across Development, Approvals, Construction, and Customer Care from initial acquisition through final delivery. Over her 18-year career in real estate—including more than 12 years with Conwest—Michelle has established a reputation for navigating complex municipal approvals, environmental remediation, and strategic market positioning with exceptional commercial clarity.

Michelle played a central role in the development, marketing, and sales execution for Ironworks, North America's first intensified industrial development. The project demonstrated how limited industrial land can be utilized more efficiently to meet evolving market demands, earning prestigious global recognition, including both the ULI Americas Award for Excellence and the ULI Global Award for Excellence. In addition to her executive duties at Conwest, she serves as the Licensed Managing Broker for Conwest Sales & Marketing Ltd., combining hands-on operational leadership with deep market expertise. She also contributes technical insight to provincial policy discussions and environmental initiatives as an active member of the Urban Development Institute's Contaminated Sites Committee.

Grounded in a servant leadership philosophy, Michelle empowers her teams by balancing high operational standards with dedicated mentorship, autonomy, and support. She has implemented internal processes that strengthen cross-functional alignment and consistency across major project phases, while encouraging a culture of critical thinking and accountability. A passionate advocate for developing the next generation of commercial real estate talent, Michelle founded the Conwest x UBC Mentorship Program to connect emerging professionals with meaningful industry exposure. She also serves on the UBC Sauder Real Estate Club Advisory Board, guest lectures at the Sauder School of Business, mentors through the ULI Etkin Scholars Mentorship Program, sits on the Women of ULI Committee, and actively contributes to CREW. Through her strategic leadership, project execution, and industry volunteerism, Michelle continues to shape the future of industrial development across Canada.