People Who Perform - The Real Estate Careers Podcast
The real estate industry plays a major role in Canada's economy and offers some of the most interesting and rewarding careers paths available. Each episode, we bring you conversations from business leaders and up and coming stars in the real estate industry in Canada. Our guests share their unique career journeys, passions and advice on what it takes to be successful in this industry. If you’re passionate about real estate and want to learn more about what it takes to be successful, then this podcast is for you!
People Who Perform - The Real Estate Careers Podcast
Marlee Kohn: Leading the Charge on ESG in Real Estate
In this episode, host James Ashley welcomes Marlee Kohn, Vice President of ESG at Starlight Investments.
Marlee has spent over 14 years at the intersection of real estate and sustainability, building a career focused on driving meaningful change in how the industry approaches environmental, social, and governance priorities. From her early work at Oxford Properties to her current leadership role at Starlight, she's tackled some of the sector's most pressing challenges—from climate action and energy efficiency to resident engagement and social impact. Recognized as a Clean50 Emerging Leader, Marlee brings both deep technical expertise and a genuine commitment to creating impact that matters.
In this conversation, we explore what it takes to move ESG from buzzword to real action in the real estate sector, and what's standing in the way.
Key topics include:
- Social impact and resident engagement – What meaningful community engagement actually looks like and where the industry is falling short.
- Net-zero commitments – The biggest opportunities and challenges in accelerating progress, from low-carbon retrofits to financing models.
- Resilience and future-proofing – How owners should be thinking about climate and market risks, and what lessons Canadian real estate can learn from other sectors.
- Bill C-59 and disclosure requirements – How new transparency rules are reshaping the conversation around greenwashing and what it means for smaller operators.
- Getting buy-in from the top – Strategies for building trust with investors and senior leaders to advance ESG initiatives.
- Marlee's career journey – What first drew her to sustainability in real estate, the defining moments that shaped her path, and the toughest challenges she's overcome.
- Advice for leaders and emerging talent – Where overwhelmed executives should start, how to balance short-term pressures with long-term goals, and what the next generation needs to know about making their mark.
Tune in to hear Marlee's perspective on navigating the ESG landscape, building momentum for change, and what it takes to lead with purpose in an industry that's finally starting to take sustainability seriously.