New board appointments bring seasoned leadership in law and finance, fueling Urban Initiatives’ momentum in sustainable community growth and development.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kitchener, ON – December 1, 2025 – Urban Initiatives, a Waterloo Region-based policy and development advisory firm, has appointed Stephen Waqué, LLB, AACI (Hon.) and Michael Misener to its Board of Directors, further strengthening the company’s leadership for its next phase of growth. They join current board members Paul Puopolo, David Butler and Larry Kotseff, expanding the board’s depth of expertise. With these appointments, Urban Initiatives adds extensive experience in land use law and development finance to support its strategic vision for sustainable, transit-oriented community development.
Stephen Waqué is a renowned land acquisition and land use planning lawyer with 46 years of experience. A leader in expropriation law, he co-authored the definitive Canadian textbook New Law of Expropriation and has published over 70 articles on land use policy and municipal planning. Mr. Waqué is respected as a strategic thinker and advisor, having counseled municipalities, developers, and public agencies on complex planning challenges. He also serves as President of a charitable foundation supporting single mothers, reflecting his commitment to community well-being.
Michael Misener is the Managing Director of MCAP’s Development Finance Group, Toronto, bringing over 25 years of national lending experience in residential and commercial real estate. He has held executive roles including CEO, COO, and CIO at leading financial institutions, driving investment and lending strategies across Canada. Mr. Misener holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA-CA). He is also a licensed mortgage broker in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and New Brunswick. Active in his community, Mr. Misener has been a board member of Safe Families Canada since its inception and serves on the advisory board of the Commercial Real Estate Lenders Association (CRELA), underscoring his dedication to family support and industry leadership.
“Stephen and Michael are visionary leaders who bring exceptional expertise to our board,” said Joseph Puopolo, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Polocorp. “Their combined insight in legal strategy and development finance will be invaluable as Urban Initiatives accelerates its mission to drive sustainable, transit-oriented community growth.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Stephen and Michael, whose values and vision align perfectly with Urban Initiatives’ mission,” said Matthew Warzecha, Managing Director of Urban Initiatives. “Stephen’s deep understanding of land policy and Michael’s financial acumen complement our focus on community-building. They share our commitment to regional growth, transit innovation, and housing solutions, and their guidance will be instrumental as we scale our impact in the coming years.”
Urban Initiatives continues to reinforce its focus on regional development, transit innovation, and housing policy leadership in Waterloo Region and beyond. By expanding its board with seasoned professionals, the firm is well-positioned to navigate the complexities of growth in the region’s urban and housing landscape. The enhanced leadership team will guide Urban Initiatives as it advances forward-thinking projects and advocates for sustainable, community-centric development.
About Urban Initiatives
Urban Initiatives is a Waterloo-based planning and development consultancy with more than 40 years of experience guiding landowners, municipalities, and developers from evaluation and approvals through to master planning and policy innovation. The firm blends technical expertise with a people-first approach to shape resilient, livable communities across Ontario.
Media Contact
Brendan Waller, Marketing Manager, Polocorp / Urban Initiatives
brendan@polocorpinc.com
519-745-3249, ext. 213
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