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!).

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.

Ariel Gold is a public sector leader and strategist with over 15 years of experience driving innovation and large-scale systems change at the intersection of government, technology, and business. She has held senior roles at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Department of Transportation, where she led modernization initiatives, innovation programs, and national policy councils. Recognized for her ability to build coalitions and deliver results in complex environments, Ariel brings a proven track record of advancing impactful solutions across sectors.

Shay Prajapat is a finance professional with progressive leadership experience in accounting and financial management. He most recently served as Chief Financial Officer at Dispersa, where he led financial strategy and operations after previously working as the company’s Financial Manager. Earlier in his career, Shay held analyst roles with Planned, Pharmascience, and LXRandCo, gaining expertise in corporate finance, accounting, and strategic analysis. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from Concordia University and has built his career in Montreal, Quebec, with a focus on driving financial performance and organizational growth.

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.

Erika brings over 20 years of experience in multi-residential housing, operations, and capital planning. As Director of Asset Management, she oversees portfolio performance while enhancing tenant experience and satisfaction through strategic planning, operational excellence, and long-term asset optimization. Erika works closely with internal teams and stakeholders to ensure communities are well-managed, safe, and positioned for sustainable growth.

Eugene brings over 15 years of management experience across hospitality and operations, holding leadership roles with Residence Inn by Marriott, Hampton Inn by Hilton, and Vinoteca. His expertise spans team leadership, customer service, and operational strategy, equipping him to strengthen property management services, enhance tenant experiences, and drive organizational success.

Ryan Toth is the Finance & Accounting Manager at Bluevale, bringing diverse experience across FP&A, investor relations, financial reporting, and project management. He oversees financial operations and supports the firm’s growth across its cross-border real estate portfolio. Ryan previously held senior finance roles at GS Power Partners and DoubleVerify, specializing in budgeting, forecasting, and executive reporting, and also contributed to IEEE in financial reporting and compliance. A graduate of Fordham University with a Bachelor of Business in Public Accounting, Ryan is known for delivering insights that drive stronger decision-making, streamlined processes, and improved financial performance.

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.

Ryan brings extensive experience in real estate development and operations to his role as Senior Associate on the Development Team. He has managed over 100 Airbnb properties, driving business growth and client relationships, while also opening and overseeing 12 retail stores. Ryan played a key role in the first office-to-residential conversion in London, Ontario, and has since led the development of more than 600 apartment units through large-scale conversion projects. In addition to his Canadian work, he also oversees development initiatives in the United States, bringing a cross-border perspective to innovative, sustainable projects that add value to both communities and investors.

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.

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.

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.

Alexa supports public policy initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and community outreach efforts across our U.S. portfolio. She brings experience across government, law, and finance, having begun her career as a legislative intern at the Connecticut General Assembly and later working on local political campaigns and in client-focused roles within legal and financial services. Alexa is passionate about public policy, effective communication, and building strong relationships with community and public-sector partners.

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.

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.

Spencer is a Senior Financial Analyst and Chartered Professional Accountant with experience at one of Canada’s largest accounting firms, MNP LLP. He brings strong expertise in financial analysis and advisory, including international experience through a secondment with an MNP affiliate in Melbourne, Australia. Spencer supports data-driven decision-making with a global perspective and a detail-oriented approach.

As an Asset Management Analyst, Bryan supports the team in optimizing portfolio performance and executing strategic initiatives across the firm’s real estate assets. A graduate of Queen’s University, Bryan has successfully completed CFA Level I and brings strong analytical and financial modeling skills to his role. His work focuses on market research, valuation, and performance analysis to drive data-driven investment decisions.

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.

Urbi Urjani graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from Toronto Metropolitan University. She brings experience working with startups and in FP&A at Equitable Bank, where she developed strong analytical and financial management skills. With a passion for marketing and real estate, Urbi directly supports the asset management team by driving strategic initiatives, building brand presence, and contributing to the growth and performance of the firm’s real estate portfolio.

Kanon Lenz recently graduated with a Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies (BMOS) with a specialization in Finance from Western University. With a background shaped by time spent across Asia, Latin America, and North America, Kanon brings a global perspective and multilingual skills, including Spanish and Mandarin, to facilitate collaboration between suppliers, contractors, and on-site teams. He is dedicated to applying his financial training and international experience to advance Bluevale’s development projects and broader real estate initiatives.

With experience in both residential and commercial property management and administration, Tanish supports Bluevale’s property operations by helping ensure smooth, efficient portfolio management. She contributes to streamlined processes and supports the implementation of Yardi across the portfolio.