James Robinson, Executive Director

For over 12 years, James Robinson has been improving the vitality and competitiveness of downtown Toronto. He was previously Streetscape Co-ordinator of the Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area.

In 2000, James was hired to form the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area. He has since served as Executive Director overseeing key strategic areas of clean streets, safe streets, streetscape improvements, research & information, marketing, association management, and advocacy.

James graduated from the University of Alberta in Edmonton with a Bachelors Degree specializing in political science. He is committed to continuing education through coursework in urban planning, project management, association management, and leadership development.

James is a member of several associations including the Canadian Urban Institute, Ontario Business Improvement Area Association, Toronto Board of Trade, the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas, and the Association of Town Centre Managers (UK). In September 2008, he was elected to a three-year term of the International Downtown Association, headquartered in Washington, DC and he currently serves as Treasurer.

James encourages the public to experience the revitalization that is happening in the Downtown Yonge area and take advantage of the excellent business, shopping, and entertainment that the district offers.

Evan Weinberg, Streetscape Inspector

Currently completing a Masters degree in Urban Planning, Evan Weinberg is a welcome addition to the Downtown Yonge Team in his current role as Streetscape Inspector. Bringing with him a passion for cities and a vast skill set in design and urban management, Evan has been a capable problem solver, always striving to improve conditions in the public realm. 

Implementing new technology to map assets in the Downtown Yonge area, Evan is equipped and better able to identify areas of importance, concern or opportunity. Integrating this system between Downtown Yonge and its Service Providers ensures that issues are resolved quickly and effectively creating a better experiences for all people in the Downtown Yonge area.

Evan also holds a B.A from the University of British Columbia.

Victoria Drysdale, Office Administrator

Victoria brings a wealth of skills from a wide range of career experiences to the Downtown Yonge BIA. From working with emotionally disturbed and autistic children, to freelance journalism, to office administration, Victoria will use her talents of efficiency, organization and friendliness to serve members and newcomers to the DYBIA. Victoria has a B.Sc. in Psychology from U of T and a certificate in Magazine Journalism from Ryerson. A lifelong Torontonian, Victoria is excited to be participating in the continued revitalization of the downtown core.

Randy Sidhu, Operations Manager

Randy comes to Downtown Yonge with experience in operations within the property management sector, both as a third party and as a landlord. He brings an understanding of the needs of both property owners and commercial tenants. With a business education from both Sheridan and Georgian college, Randy plans on continuing to complete an Executive MBA on a part-time basis.

As a new member of the Downtown Yonge team, Randy will oversee and ensure that Downtown Yonge continues to remain a safe, clean and comfortable environment for residents, workers, visitors, property owners and business tenants. He will oversee the B.I.A.’s infrastructure and streetscape maintenance. Randy will continue to develop strong relationships with the City of Toronto, utilities and agencies, as well as creating constructive partnerships with all parties that directly influence the district—thereby contributing to the success of the area.

Joe MacDonald, Partnerships and Public Affairs Manager

As Partnership & Public Affairs Manager, Joe brings a broad skill set including advocacy, government and stakeholder relations, media relations and issue management to the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area.

Joe has spent most of the past thirty years involved in government and public affairs at all three levels of government. He was a senior advisor to two provincial cabinet ministers before beginning work in the private sector as a public affairs consultant.

In the private sector Joe was Principal of the Turner-Meadows Group and Senior Partner with FPR Corporate Communications & Public Affairs Ltd. As a public affairs specialist, Joe developed advocacy programs and provided clients with strategic and public affairs counsel, relationship management as well as special event and communications management. In 2002, Joe co-founded The MacDonald Group Inc. (TMG), offering specialized grassroots advocacy support to corporations and associations.

Since 1998 Joe has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Public Affairs Association of Canada, (PAAC), serving as President from 2001 to 2003 and again in 2008.

Joe is a graduate of the University of Waterloo (Hon. B.A., M.A.), and a former doctoral candidate (ABD) at York University.

Monica Kocsmaros, Marketing Manager

Monica has over eight years of experience in a variety of communication facets. Her previous positions range from marketing for a Fortune Brands Company to publicity & promotions for a leading motion picture distributor. Monica graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Radio & Television. Monica also sits on the Industry Relations Committee of Tourism Toronto.

Her strong background in marketing and promotions coupled with her love of downtown Toronto lends to her passion and commitment to the Downtown Yonge B.I.A. Monica is striving to see the Downtown Yonge core be taken to unprecedented levels of shopping, business and entertainment with the implementation of a dynamic marketing plan. She is excited to be part of this evolution and the active B.I.A. team.

Susan Williston, Project Manager, Williston Consulting

Sue Kilbride, Bookkeeper, Consultant

Pauline Larsen, Research & Strategy Consultant

Pauline Larsen is an urban economist and writer who was based in Johannesburg, South Africa for 15 years before relocating to Toronto. She still writes extensively about urban and real estate issues, both for South African and North American publications, as well as doing freelance work for the Downtown Yonge BIA on strategic issues and research projects. She serves as vice-chair on the communications committee of Toronto Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) and is a professional member of the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC). As part of her commitment to community involvement in the city, she volunteers as a supportive mentor with the Scarborough Womens' Centre.

Wendy Sue Lyttle, Association Administrator, Consultant

Wendy Sue has served in the not-for-profit sector for over 18 years. After an initial corporate sales & marketing career, Wendy moved into the non-profit sector having been enticed by sitting on many volunteer committees. She held staff positions with the Canadian Professional Sales Association (30,000 members) as Director Member Benefits then moved into a Director of Sales position and with the Canadian Society of Association Executives (2500 members) as Director Membership & Professional Development.

In 2004, Wendy opened her consulting business – LAL Association Members Services Ltd. Her strategies for raising retention levels and member growth for her various clients plus implementing effective affinity and sponsorship programs have her working with both provincial and national associations in meeting the needs of competitive market conditions facing volunteer associations today.

Wendy holds a Certificate from the Centre for Strategic Management in partnership with the University of San Diego in “Reinventing Strategic Planning to Deliver Customer Value”, along with two other designations – Certified Association Executive – CAE and Certified Sales Professional CPSA. She has a BA in Business from Ryerson University.