Marlin Spring was founded in 2013 and is led by CEO Benjamin Bakst and CFO Elliot Kazarnovsky.
2 Seasoned Industry Professionals
With the focus on our team and its growth, Marlin Spring has evolved into a vibrant, award-winning company that is a recognized industry leader in the Real Estate sector.
Focused on success, high principles and integrity, our dynamic team brings a unique energy to the industry. Our success is a result of our committed team members and the nurturing of long-term valued relationships with our partners and investors.
Benjamin Bakst
LinkedIn Profile
CEO and Co-Founder
Prior to co-founding Marlin Spring, Mr. Bakst was Executive Vice President for ten years of Lanterra Developments, one of the largest condominium development firms in the Greater Toronto Area. With a strong focus on the construction of high-rise development projects, Mr. Bakst was involved in leading the property management and finance divisions and has played a leading role in the high-rise construction division at Lanterra. Mr. Bakst received his CPA designation in the state of New Jersey in 2005 and is a member of YPO. 
Elliot Kazarnovsky
CFO and Co-Founder
Prior to co-founding Marlin Spring, Mr. Kazarnovsky was Chief Financial Analyst of Lanterra Developments. His responsibilities during his tenure included projecting the economic feasibility of all projects as well as the maintenance of the financial requirements. Mr. Kazarnovsky holds a degree in finance and graduated with distinction in 2004. 
Ashi Mathur
LinkedIn Profile
President
Prior to joining Marlin Spring, Mr. Mathur spent over 25 years in Investment and Corporate Banking as well as Public Accounting. Most recently, he was Deputy Head of Investment Banking and Head of North American Real Estate at BMO Capital Markets. He also founded and was the CEO of the BMO Capital Markets Real Estate Private Equity Fund and served as Chair of BMO Capital Markets Merchant Bank. During his career, he successfully completed over $100 Billion of M&A advisory and capital raising transactions in both the private and public markets. Prior to joining BMO, he spent four years at N.M. Rothschilds & Sons and three years at Ernst & Young where he qualified as a CPA, CA in 1994. He received his Bachelor and Masters degrees from the University of Waterloo. He remains engaged with the University by appearing as a Guest Lecturer and serving on the School of Accounting and Finance’s Advisory Board.
Corporate Leadership Team
Jennifer Grandy
S.V.P. Corporate, Financial Operations
Hammad Ahmar
V.P., Strategic Operations
Douglas Chen
V.P., Legal
Morgan Coe
Chief Human Resources Officer
Rivki Mandelbaum
Director, Corporate Strategy & Communication
Development Leadership Team
Pedro Lopes
Sr. V.P., Land Development & Acquisitions
John Josephson
V.P., Land Development & Acquisitions
Erin Millar
V.P., Sales and Marketing
Jason Neely
V.P., Finance and Development
James Lynde
V.P., Asset Management
Christopher Bessey
Director, Mid & High Rise Construction
Joe Guido
V.P., Construction
Saad Masri
Director, Mid & High Rise Construction
Andrea Oppedisano
Director, Land Development
Denise Stewart
Director, Customer Experience
Tom Tsaktsiris
Director, Design & Product Development
Leslie Dragani
Décor Manager
Mike Petricca
General Construction Superintendent
US Realty Leadership Team
Avi Jakobowitch
President, US Multi-Family
Laura Grisolia
Director, Finance, US Multi-Family
Dallas Rose
Director, Acquisitions, US Multi-Family
Spring Living Retirement Communities Leadership Team
Lois Cormack
Chief Executive Officer
Jim Brown
V.P., Operations
Amal Alarakhia
Director, Sales & Marketing
Sebastian T. Johny
Director, Wellness
Melissa Motton
Director, People
Greyspring Apartments Leadership Team
Karl Brady
President
Sarah Ward
Director, Acquisitions