AIC 101: Introduction to the Valuation Profession

Nicholas Ruta, P.App., AACI, works for the City of Winnipeg in the mass appraisal field specializing in municipal assessment and taxation. As the Manager of Assessment, Nicholas oversees the development, maintenance, and support of all property values in the City, and ensures that proper valuation procedures and standards are adhered to within provincial and municipal legislative framework. Nicholas is currently co-chair of the Appraisal Institute of Canada Admissions and Accreditations Committee, and has served on many other committees both provincially and nationally.

Joanne has worked within the appraisal field since graduating from Memorial University with a joint Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts in 2004. Prior to joining the City of St. John's as the Manager of Assessment she worked as a fee appraiser with Altus Group. During her time at Altus she completed large consulting assignments in British Columbia and Alberta as well as throughout Newfoundland and central Labrador. Joanne also worked for a period of time in Toronto, Ontario working on analysis of large office towers and complexes. She gained valuable experience by valuing a wide range of commercial properties including multi-residential, residential condominium, general commercial, remote fishing lodges, airport facilities, golf course communities and ski hill developments. In her role as Manager of Assessment with the City of St. John's she provides leadership and manages the operation of the City of St. John's Assessment Division. Joanne and her team are responsible for ensuring a fair and accurate assessment valuations of real property within the City of St. John's to provide a basis for property taxation for municipal operating purposes.

Katie joined the Canada Revenue Agency's Real Estate Appraisal program in April 2023. Before joining the agency, Katie was a Senior Assessor with the City of St. John's (2021-23) and an Associate Director with Altus Group (2011-2021). She received her AACI designation in 2014 and completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Memorial University in 2013. Katie is a Past President of the AIC-NL and current Director and Treasurer with the provincial association. She is also a member of the Admissions and Accreditation Committee with the national association (AIC).

Thomas started in the family business working for his father Terry in 1996 and assumed leadership of the company when Terry semi-retired in 2007. In 2017, Thomas also became a Managing Partner of Verra Group Valuations. With more than 28 years in the valuation profession, Thomas specialized in residential, multi-family, commercial and industrial properties.

In 2023 Thomas retired from Fox Appraisals & Verra Group looking for new opportunities. In 2024 began a Federal Government career with Canada Revenue Agency as an appraiser.

Thomas achieved his AACI in 2006 and has a wealth of volunteer experience in his profession and with the Institute. In June 2015 Thomas was elected as Vice President of Appraisal Institute of Canada and served as the national President 2019 and 2020 (AIC). As well as serving on AIC’s Board of Directors, has Chaired National Communications, National Admissions & Accreditation and National Professional Practice Committees. At the provincial level he has been Provincial President for two terms. He chaired Saskatchewan’s Professional Development Committee as well as their Marketing Committee.

Mike Schulkowsky is the Director, Appraisal Review, a created role within the AIC responsible for enhancing the quality Candidate Members’ work products.

Mike began his career in assessment appraisal and received his provincial license in 2002, his AACI designation in 2006, an international assessment designation (CAE) in 2007 and a Masters of Business Administration in 2008. Over the last 20 years, he has gained a wide range of work and volunteer experience for various not for profit, assessment, and appraisal organizations including serving as the Chair of AIC’s Investigating Sub-Committee and as Professional Practice Advocate. Originally from Saskatchewan, Mike works across borders and across organizations to create and improve best practices including CUSPAP. He is passionate about professional growth and continues to coach Candidate Members to achieve their personal, educational and designation goals.

Kate Dunsworth Casey, P.App, CRA is the owner of Maison Property Appraisals Inc, a residential real estate appraisal company she founded in 2018 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is a graduate of McGill University and began her career in the Financial Services Industry before deciding to change careers and study at the University of British Columbia to become a Certified Residential Appraiser. Since achieving her designation, Kate has mentored several AIC candidates and is the incoming president of the board for the NS Association of Real Estate Appraisers and will be the first CRA to hold this position in Nova Scotia. Kate also serves on the National Admissions and Accreditation Committee for AIC and has recently begun contributing and advising on course content for UBC. In addition to her career as a real estate appraiser, Kate is very active in the life of her community and is an executive member of the Spryfield Business Commission and has served on multiple not-for-profit boards over the years. Kate loves strong coffee, cold beer, snuggling up with a good book and cooking for her family.

Rebecca gets curious about everything! With a background in the non-profit sector and entrepreneurship, she has actively contributed to the development and implementation of national and provincial competency and ethics standards, helping professionals meet, embody, and raise these benchmarks. Originally from British Columbia, she is grateful to live in Ottawa on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg people.

Across her career Rebecca has collaborated on national training programs, workshops, and events for career development professionals, facilitating initiatives across Canada, including Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. As a passionate advocate for accessibility, equity, transparency, and inclusion, she takes a person-centred approach to her work and shared professional goals. Outside of work, Rebecca maintains an art practice, and square dances, across the world.

With more than 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector and membership-based associations, Ms. Dewar brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the AIC. Previously, Ms. Dewar has held executive positions at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Canadian Nurses Association, and the Canadian Red Cross. In this time, she has been responsible for leading the development and implementation of strategic plans, building strategic partnerships, developing new programs, modernizing enterprise applications, leading branding exercises, and advocating for impactful change.

Ms. Dewar also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Innovation Leadership from the University of Fredericton, as well as a Project Management Professional (PMP) Designation. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated passion for driving positive change and continuously improving processes to serve clients and members better. Above all, she believes in the power of innovation, the importance of strategy, and value of effective, efficient member support.