CNAMer: Fall 2020 Issue

Quarterly Newsletter from the Canadian Network of Asset Managers

As 2020 comes to a close, I reflect on how resilient we have been both as an asset management community and as an association. While the world has been turned upside down, colleagues from across the country have stepped up to ensure that key infrastructure assets and projects continue to operate and move forward, while contributing to CNAM’s mission and the value we bring to our members. I truly believe there is light at the end of the tunnel and am excited to continue this journey ahead.

This past year we not only pivoted to a successful Virtual Conference in May, but have already starting planning for an even better Virtual Conference in 2021. We’ve had the opportunity to connect and learn from colleagues during the 8 webinars CNAM hosted last year as well as the Virtual Networking Sessions we had over the summer, and already have a lineup of great content and networking opportunities for CNAM members ahead for 2021. There was well over 200 downloads of the Asset Management 101 Booklet, and we’re excited to launch our updated AM 101 and new AM 102 Courses next year. Our New Professionals Network continues to connect students and new asset management practitioners through events and webinars, and the CNAM Membership Committee is exploring new ways to engage the next generation of asset managers in the coming year.

I’d like to acknowledge the Board of Directors, our Executive Director and staff, as well as our Program Managers, who have been flexible, patient and resilient over the past year, as we’ve been focusing on financial sustainability through the pandemic. Our outlook is bright for the coming year and I look forward to building on the success of our programs and services, both in Canada and abroad, in 2021.

CNAM has also been focused on developing the tools that will help our members succeed and build up asset management capacity in their organizations. We were pleased to launch the Asset Management Competency Framework this year, and hope that you participate in our upcoming workshops to learn more about how to implement them in your organization. We’re still collecting responses on the Asset Management Capacity Needs Survey, which will help inform the Competency Framework and CNAM’s future offerings.

Finally, the Tereo Awards are back and will be presented at the 2021 Virtual Conference. I look forward to celebrating our successes from this year and the hard work we’ve done in spite of the challenges we’ve faced. The work that asset managers do to serve their communities each and every day is truly remarkable. As we look ahead to 2021, I am confident that better days are ahead. Let’s continue to be kind and patient with each other, and leverage the strength of our community to forge a better “Road Ahead”.

Matt Dawe
CNAM Chair

Member Profile – Leanne Brannigan

Organization: Region of Peel

Current Position: Manager, Corporate Asset Management

How long have you been in this position? Three (3) years

How did you get into the Asset Management Industry? I found Asset Management in 2007 when I was a Senior Procurement Analyst and undertook Peel’s first Consultant call for asset management services. A short time later there was an internal posting for a Project Manager… I applied and got the job… and the rest is history! I found my jam!

What projects are you working on? We are working on a Corporate wide Enterprise Asset Management System Implementation involving new system procurement, definition of best in class business processes spanning all assets and services, an organizational data gap analysis and an asset management maturity assessment project of all of our program and service areas to help them establish a road map to target maturity. This is all while continuing the administration and expansion of Peel’s unique Corporate Asset Management Strategy incorporating Council endorsed levels of service, lifecycles and risk to set organizational priorities and inform the evidence based decision making that supports a ‘Community for Life’ at Peel.

Do you have a specific project that was particularly rewarding or challenging? Can you provide a quick overview? What was/is the most rewarding aspect of the project? What I enjoy about asset management that there are ALWAYS exciting and engaging new things to work on. If I was to chose one project, it was the integration of Peel’s arm’s length social housing corporation into Peel’s AM Strategy to enable their long term risk and prioritization. They are the highest needs portfolio of infrastructure and were enable to give them support in identifying and supporting their significant short and long term needs to support one of Peel’s most vulnerable populations. It was also the opportunity to work with a new group of service providers and develop the process for reporting to multiple approving executive boards.

What advice would you provide to someone who is just starting out in Asset Management? Educate and integrate yourself; within your organization and the industry. The greatest skills an asset manager can have, that can be learned, include change management, engagement and facilitation. You are not trying to recreate the wheel; instead, pull the knowledge from the experts you have all around your organization. They are already managing their assets… and are a wealth of knowledge. The second thing… is do not wait for everything to be perfect, it never will be, and things are always changing. Start where you can… and keep going… you are never done!

When you consider the future of Asset Management, where do you see it evolving? Although we have been “managing assets” since ancient times, Asset Management as a profession is still in its infancy. I see the maturity and professional recognition of asset management as a profession growing and developing. I also see more standards and expectations being defined around asset management, and the need for us as practicing professionals to keep striving to improve and sharing amongst each other to ensure we can support public sector organizations with meeting the growing requirements.

What do you value most of your CNAM membership? Education opportunities, industry involvement, and most importantly, the opportunity to network and connect with other practitioners across the country. No matter what AM problem you have… someone has figured it out… and the connections allow you to open up the conversations and continue your continuous improvement journey!