Company: PBA Group of Companies
Company Description: PBA Group of Companies is a dynamic real estate company with a full spectrum of offerings across land development, investments, property developments and management. The company has a rich history in Calgary by building possibility and community for over 58 years. Guided by its core values, PBA knows that investing in its community builds capacity for local businesses.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Female Executive of the Year – Business Services –11 to 2,500 Employees
 Nomination Title: Patricia Phillips
- Outline the nominee's achievements since July 1 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 249 words used.
Patricia Phillips is one of the most accomplished women in the Canadian commercial real estate industry. Her vast expertise and extensive experience in the field has allowed her to carve out her position as a reputable figure and influential voice in the market.
One of PBA’s most iconic developments under Patricia’s helm is The Dorian Hotel. Inspired by Oscar Wilde, The Dorian is the first hotel built in Calgary’s downtown core in over a decade. With Calgary’s recent ranking by the Economist Intelligence Unit as the world’s third most liveable city and its economic shift from the oil industry to a burgeoning tech hub, Patricia saw an opportunity to play a pivotal role in changing the city’s narrative and elevating its downtown district by providing a boutique luxury hotel that was reflective of a world-class city. The Dorian has brought in guests from around the globe, received prominent media coverage and was highly praised by Calgary’s mayor, city officials and key opinion leaders within the travel and hospitality industry.
Patricia is leading another notable development, The Canadian Centre – a project that showcases PBA’s values of sustainability and community and highlights PBA’s innovative and strategic thinking. By leveraging an existing office building and converting it into extended stay units, PBA is actively diverting a large amount of waste from the landfill, and where possible, striving to reuse and recycle materials and create energy efficient solutions. The Canadian Centre will create a stronger community by establishing a lively hospitality hub.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 241 words used.
As a Calgary-based real estate company, PBA faced extraordinary difficulties as the city coined the “energy capital of Canada” experienced an economic crisis as climate change and the global push to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions threatened its dominant sector. As a result, a recession gripped the city causing investments to dwindle, companies to relocate their headquarters and vacancy rates to soar. While the onset of the recession expedited issues already facing the real estate industry, Patricia saw the other side of the coin, signalling an opportunity to rethink how PBA operates to position itself as a true economic driver.
Leaning into her core values of collaboration, empathy and community, Patricia helped infuse confidence and optimism back into the local economy and encouraged others to invest in Calgary by leading by example to illustrate a promising path forward. By building a luxury boutique hotel, The Dorian in Calgary’s near-desolate downtown core, the development serves as a catalyst in helping Calgary attract new audiences, tourists and visitors, bolster its reputation as an attractive international destination, infuse energy back into a once high-traffic area and aid in shaping the city’s cultural renaissance.
The significant local, national and international earned media coverage The Dorian received from prominent media outlets is a key indicator of success both for PBA in serving as an economic driver and for Patricia in solidifying her role as a thought leader and prominent figure in the Canadian real estate industry.
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2021 of the nominated woman, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the spaces below:
- Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 199 words used.
Patricia Phillips is a visionary real estate executive known for her exceptional skills in business development, strategic direction and growth, asset and property management. With vast experience, deep industry knowledge and an agile mindset, she has thrived as the Chief Executive Officer at PBA Group of Companies.
Since becoming CEO at PBA in 2005, Patricia has transformed the company by expanding its operations to include a full spectrum of offerings across land development, investments, property developments and management. Her innate values-driven approach to business, advocacy for diversity in the industry and passion for purposeful partnerships has resulted in her impressively closing over $1.5 billion in transactions.
Patricia has won numerous awards in real estate, including the Maple Leaf ICSC Award for the development of the Strathcona Square Shopping Centre. Patricia is heavily involved in the community serving on the Board of Governors for The Glenbow Museum and as Chair of headversity and acting as a mentor for Women in Tourism and Hospitality.
Before joining PBA, Patricia founded and was CEO of three successful private oil and gas companies. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Mount Holyoke College and an MBA from the University of Texas.
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominee's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
The Dorian Hotel is a significant achievement for PBA, the city of Calgary and Patricia for many reasons. The property is Calgary’s only female-developed and owned hotel. With only two per cent of hotels owned and operated by women worldwide, this is an impressive accomplishment and demonstrates Patricia’s role as a change agent in propelling the industry forward.
Throughout the process, Patricia worked with local businesses to highlight the best Calgary has to offer – locally sourcing everything, wherever possible. Making sure that local businesses succeed alongside PBA is a central component of the company’s business strategy, and by large, Patricia’s vision. By showcasing the best of Calgary, Patricia is helping to grow and solidify the city’s reputation as an international destination with something unique to offer.
With Patricia’s collaborative leadership, community-centric mindset and future-focused vision, The Dorian quickly became an economic engine for Calgary. Beyond putting a spotlight on Calgary’s local businesses and entrepreneurs, the property provided a $110 million boost to Calgary’s economy, adding $57.5 million in construction value and creating 150 jobs. Since opening, The Dorian has experienced strong demand and traffic – and was even named on Forbes’ list as one of the hottest new hotel openings in the world.
For the Canadian Centre, PBA is the first developer to partner with The City of Calgary on its expanded Downtown Development Incentive Program, designed to support the revitalization of Calgary’s downtown core by converting underused office space into residential units, cultural spaces and hospitality options.
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