Send us a message
The Team
Robert Mantella
Chairman & CEOCraig Hippern
President & CFOSylvia Mantella
Vice President of Marketing, Sponsorship and PhilanthropyFranco Bilotta, P.ENG.
General Manager, Acquisitions & OperationsJulie Norman Fadel
Internal Operations ManagerConrad Mantella
Project ManagerKai Silver
Executive Assistant to Vice President Marketing, Sponsorship and PhilanthropyBryn Poling
Field Project ManagerAdil Shareef
Manager - PropertiesJohn Ebach
Director of LeasingRobin Axon
General Partner, MVPDuncan Hill
General Partner, MVP
Robert Mantella
Chairman & CEO
Robert Mantella
Chairman & CEO
Robert Mantella’s first role at Mantella Corporation was to assist his father and President of the company at the time, Paul Mantella, and act as the liaison between the firm and the changing real estate environment. It was 1993 and the real estate market was very different from where it was when Robert’s grandfather started the business almost 50 years earlier. The dynamic between commercial real estate agents and landlords was changing and the emergence of Real Estate Investment Trusts allowed just about anyone to invest in real estate assets with real estate managers handling the investments. The business model used by traditional developers was quickly becoming obsolete and Robert began looking for ways to diversify Mantella and position it well for future growth. Realizing early on that his trusted relationships with banks and Industrial Commercial and Investment agents were critical to Mantella’s success, Robert started making changes within the company’s portfolio of assets.
Read MoreIn 2008, Robert sold a selected group of buildings and used the funds to start Mantella Venture Partners, in collaboration with Basecamp Labs. Robert, along with advisors Robin Axon and Duncan Hill, invests up to $500,000 in market altering startups in the mobile and Internet software sectors. Part of Robert’s decision to move into tech startups has to do with his fascination watching his three teenaged kids expertly use technology everyday and his amazement at how much their lives revolve around their mobile devices and social networks. Within its first year alone, Mantella Venture Partners’ invested in 60 incredible entrepreneurs, including an exit to Google for $25 Million. Robert is passionate about working with startups in the technology industry and helping develop these exciting, innovative companies into success stories in their own right. In 2007, Robert married his life partner, Sylvia, and together they raise three children: Conrad, Sarah and Nicky. Another of Robert’s passions is his collection of fossils and dinosaur remains, including replica skulls of ancient man and the real bones of life forms that walked the earth hundreds of millions of years ago. They remind him daily, he says, of how change and evolution are the keys to growth – and how, over time, it is the best who survive and succeed.
Craig Hippern
President & CFO
Craig Hippern
President & CFO
Craig Hippern has 30 years of real estate, venture capital, private equity, and hedge fund experience, having invested capital in diversified portfolios throughout North America, the UK, Europe, and Asia. During his career, Craig has an impressive record of achievements in the development of all real estate asset classes including industrial, commercial, retail, and residential. He is currently leading Mantella through an exceptional period of growth and executing on a comprehensive strategic vision.
Prior to Mantella Corporation, Craig held several leadership positions including as the CFO of a real estate development company that successfully developed, amongst other projects, a 2,300-acre master-planned community; as CFO & COO of a Toronto-based venture capital firm focusing on mental health & wellness; and as the CFO of a Bermuda-based event-driven hedge fund. He was also the capital markets lead on a $5 billion debt financing, which was the single largest infrastructure financing deal in Canadian history.
Craig has a CPA, CA, a U.S. CPA(IL) and has earned a B. Comm (Co-op) Honours degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland. He believes in giving back to the community, having served as CFO or Trustee of several charitable Foundations.
Sylvia Mantella
Vice President of Marketing, Sponsorship and Philanthropy
Sylvia Mantella
Vice President of Marketing, Sponsorship and Philanthropy
Sylvia Mantella is the Vice President of Marketing, Sponsorship and Philanthropy at Mantella Corporation,
Sylvia began her role in 2008 at Mantella Corporation as Director of Marketing and Branding
Sylvia has over 20 years experience in developing successful marketing and brand strategies. Since 2008 Sylvia has launched Mantella Corporation to a position as a significant contributor and highly respected national brand through sustainable and selective marketing approach and action , establishing partnerships and collaborations with extraordinary organizations who are making an important impact on our country.
In July 2023, Sylvia Mantella and Elana Rabinovitch of the prestigious Giller Foundation together established The Giller Mantella scholarship. The scholarship for Black, Indigenous, and racialized students across Canada graduating high school and interested in continuing education in creative writing in literature. The scholarship will award $10,000 to three deserving recipients each year to further their education.
Read MoreSylvia serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Foundation for AIDS research since 2017- present
Additionally serves on 5 Canadian Advisory Boards and committees in the philanthropy arena supporting organizations from hospitals and cancer research to funding initiatives and investing in communities to create positive impact and equity in the lives of children, youth and woman in Canada.
In 2021 Sylvia received the extraordinary honour of being recognized by VOGUE 100 during International Women’s Month for her life long dedication for animal advocacy supporting the right for all animals to leave without fear or abuse exploitation or extinction.
2019-2020 Sylvia was recognized with the CANFAR Philanthropist of the Year Award
Sylvia received the President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Canadian HIV and AIDS research.
Since 2022- present serves on the advisory committee
The Woman Empowerment Awards created to recognize and celebrate the diverse achievements of women in Canadian business, leadership, community service, and lifetime achievements.
In 2019-2020 Sylvia was recognized by ICRF – Israel Cancer Research Fund and received the 2020 Women of Action Inspirational Award.
2018- present Patron Council the Prince’s trust of Canada
A national charity for Canadas sustainable future, the organization helps equity deserving youth, and veterans secure a meaningful employment through training and mentorship.
For decades Sylvia has advocated for and continues to devote her life to the protection of animals and wildlife and to the preservation and conservation of endangered species through their nonprofit licensed private Animal Sanctuary, home to over 200 animals located in Florida founded by herself and her husband Robert in 2010.
Franco Bilotta, P.ENG.
General Manager, Acquisitions & Operations
Franco Bilotta, P.ENG.
General Manager, Acquisitions & Operations
Although his formal education is in mechanical engineering, Franco’s experience has granted him extensive knowledge of real estate management including building systems, maintenance, construction and real estate valuation. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, at the University of Toronto, he worked for a Code consulting company and later as a facility engineer. It was during this time that he became captivated with real estate and real estate management. After obtaining his Bachelor of Applied Science, Franco worked for internationally known companies with various asset classes and took on responsibilities that extended nationally. Throughout his career he has been involved with asset management, property management, maintenance, and construction and led a successful track record with SNC-Lavalin, GWL Realty Advisors, and Oxford Properties Group. He has had an active role in acquisitions, dispositions, and management of various asset classes that include commercial, industrial, retail and multi-residential properties.
Julie Norman Fadel
Internal Operations Manager
Julie Norman Fadel
Internal Operations Manager
An accomplished professional, with diverse experience, Julie has provided reliable ongoing support to high-powered executives. She has skillfully served clients, business partners, and other employees with duties across the spectrum of administration and office management. With an education in administration, and building environmental systems, Julie thrives on challenges, and is committed to efficiently supporting a work environment that is always evolving. A career that has included working in both government, and private sector settings, Julie is lauded for exceptional rapport building skills and the ability to solve problems. Continually coordinating with multiple parties, Julie is able to move projects forward successfully, and in a timely manner. Outside of her corporate role, she enjoys spending time with her family, staying involved in her community through local charities and events, and getting in as much yoga time as possible, when time permits.
Conrad Mantella
Project Manager
Conrad Mantella
Project Manager
Conrad Mantella is the Project Manager for Mantella Corporation and worked in the field as a junior since 2012 and took a full time project management position in early 2016. When it came time for post-secondary education in 2013, Conrad studied Psychology at Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo. Seeing the bustling development in Waterloo prompted him moving back to Toronto to pursue a career in External Operations . Conrad manages a team in Field Operations driven projects for Mantella Corporation. Conrad sits in the committee for City Mogals, a local Toronto based fundraising initiative creating opportunities to better the lives of struggling youths through existing Arts programs such as U for Change.
Kai Silver
Executive Assistant to Vice President Marketing, Sponsorship and Philanthropy
Kai Silver
Executive Assistant to Vice President Marketing, Sponsorship and Philanthropy
Kai Silver is the Executive Assistant to Vice President Marketing, Sponsorship and Philanthropy, Sylvia Mantella, at Mantella Corporation. After graduating from the prestigious Central Saint Martins in London England, Kai applied her production and styling expertise on projects with London Fashion Week, Net-A-Porter, Disney, The British Fashion Awards, The X Factor, The Elton John Aid’s Foundation and many more. Kai’s international experience and eccentric style, along with a passion for philanthropy and fashion, has made her an integral member of the branding team at Mantella Corporation.
Bryn Poling
Field Project Manager
Bryn Poling
Field Project Manager
Bryn Poling is the Field Project Manager at Mantella Corporation since 2020.
He has had a passion for building and renovating from a young age, having spent time with his father, watching him build furniture in the workshop of the family home.
Bryn graduated from George Brown College with a diploma in the Building Renovation Technician Program and came to Mantella Corporation with over two decades of construction and building renovation experience. Prior to joining Mantella Corporation he was a successful business owner, involved in custom build projects and buying and renovating properties. Bryn has experience in almost every facet of construction and is a natural team leader who brings knowledge and problem-solving skills to the forefront
Adil Shareef
Manager - Properties
Adil Shareef
Manager - Properties
Adil is a Certified Commercial Property Inspector from CCPIA and Certified Real Estate Professional from ICSC with over 15+ years of success establishing, optimizing, and steering processes to maximize ROI and operational efficiency for commercial properties across all asset classes with a forte in Industrial and Retail.
He has advanced expertise in developing, operating, and managing commercial properties and has extensive skills in all aspects of property management. He has a proven track record of being engaging and collaborative, building and strengthening professional relationships across all organizational levels to drive cohesive, strategic operations and business Objectives.
Adil has managed commercial real estate portfolios of over two million square feet across eastern Canada, worked with clients from large institutional organizations to family-owned businesses and managed tenants ranging from Federal and class A covenants to medium/ small local businesses.
Read MoreTo Mantella Corporation, Adil brings a well-rounded group of skills, including tenant relations, property inspections, lease enforcement, capital project management, budgeting, day-to-day operations, and contractor management. Along with his team, he is responsible for delivering and managing first-class property management across the portfolio.
With a career spanning over three Countries and his experience working in a global culture, he is a champion of diversity and inclusion.
He is an active member of BOMA Toronto and ICSC -He loves Spending time with his family and kids and is always up for outdoor activities.
John Ebach
Director of Leasing
John Ebach
Director of Leasing
John Ebach brings almost 20 years of experience in varied real estate roles to his role as Director of Leasing at Mantella Corporation. During his career, he has had the opportunity to work not only in leasing, but in information technology and property management, as well, providing him with a well-rounded knowledge of the real estate industry.
Prior to joining Mantella Corporation, John served as the Director of Leasing for Epic Investment Services where he was responsible for leasing of office and industrial properties throughout the Greater Toronto Area and Southwestern Ontario, working with several institutional and high net worth clients. John began his career at Dream Office and Dream Industrial REIT where he held roles in leasing, property management and information technology over a span of more than 10 years.
John attended Ryerson University where he studied a Bachelor of Commerce and holds a Computer System Technician diploma from George Brown College.
Robin Axon
General Partner, MVP
Robin Axon
General Partner, MVP
Robin is a General Partner at Mantella Venture Partners. Robin was previously a partner at Ventures West where he was a part of the IT and communications team with a focus on wireless technology investments. Prior to joining Ventures West, Robin was at MD Robotics (formerly Spar Aerospace) and the Canadian Space Agency where he helped to prepare the Canadarm2 for installation onto the International Space Station. Robin has served on the boards of a number of technology companies including: Ritual, CrowdCare, Unata, ChatKit, PushLife (acq Google ’11), Brave Commerce (acq Rogers ’12), QuickPlay Media (acq Madison Dearborn ’12), RapidMind (acq Intel ’09), AudienceView, Fortiva (acq Proofpoint ’08), Chantry Networks (acq Siemens ’04), Belair Networks and Instrumar. Robin is a founder of CVCA´s Young Venture Capitalists (YVC) Committee. Robin holds a B.A.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Toronto and a MBA from Queen´s University.
Duncan Hill
General Partner, MVP
Duncan Hill
General Partner, MVP
Duncan is a general partner at Mantella Venture Partners. Duncan previously served as an Entrepreneur in Residence at Ventures West, executive director at Chango (acq Rubicon Project ’15), executive director at SurfEasy (acq Opera ’15), executive director at RapidMind (acq Intel ’09), executive Investor at Pushlife (acq Google ’11), executive director at Brave Commerce (acq. Rogers Media ’12), and the advisory board of Opalis (acq Microsoft ’09). Duncan currently serves on the board of CrowdCare and is an investor and advisor at Ritual, Joist, Flixel, Unata, ChatKit and PebblePost. Prior to his move into hands-on venture investing, Duncan was the Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Think Dynamics, a developer of data center automation software, which was acquired by IBM in May 2003. Think Dynamics became an integral part of IBM’s Tivoli portfolio and Blue Cloud initiative. Duncan served as an IBM executive until June 2005 guiding market and technology strategy for Tivoli’s on demand automation software portfolio. Prior to founding Think Dynamics, Duncan established a data centre consulting practice that delivered enterprise systems architecture and management services to customers that included Virgin, Norwich Union, one2one, Millipore, ADP and Teleglobe in the UK, USA and Canada.