Known for her energy and people-first approach, June brings a strong sense of connection to everything she does. Whether she’s solving problems on-site or building relationships through BYP, she leans into every opportunity to learn and grow.
June Ducharme | Commercial Property Manager, Colliers
How did you get started in property management and what does your portfolio look like?
It’s kind of a funny story. I came from a customer service background, and I saw an ad on Kijiji for a leasing role with a property management company.
During the interview, they mentioned there was also an Assistant Property Manager position open. I ended up being offered both and had to choose, so I went with the Assistant Property Manager role.
Not even a year later, I was promoted to Property Manager and stepped into managing two 12-storey residential buildings— an experience that was a great learning curve for me. That opportunity proved to be a pivotal moment, reinforcing my passion for property management. From there, I took on a variety of roles across different companies, gaining valuable exposure and broadening my experience along the way.
Eventually, I found my way into commercial real estate, where I’ve been able to apply that experience in a space I genuinely enjoy. Today, I manage a portfolio that includes five office buildings, two industrial properties, and two shopping centres, supported by a team consisting of an administrator and two building operators. I work closely with my clients and tenants, and I focus on making sure they receive strong service and feel well supported.
“There are always going to be changes and challenges, whether it’s within your company, your portfolio, or the industry itself. If you let negativity take over, it affects your mindset and can also impact your team, so staying positive and having faith that things will work out makes a big difference.”
— June Ducharme, Commercial Property Manager, Colliers
What drew you to the commercial side of real estate?
I like dealing with professionals and interacting with different people every day. In residential, you’re often dealing with the same tenants, but in commercial, there’s always something new.
You’re not just working with tenants, but also their clients, customers, and different stakeholders, so there’s more variety in who you interact with.
I’m a people person, so I enjoy talking, learning from others, and sharing experiences. That’s also what drew me to BOMA and BYP. It gives me the chance to connect with others in the industry, hear different perspectives, and learn from their experiences as well.
What surprised you most when you first started?
What surprised me most was the scale. You’re managing larger budgets, more complex projects, and there’s a lot more that goes into planning and decision-making. There’s also a stronger financial component, where you’re working closely with clients on budgets, expenses, and capital planning.
Even now, things like sustainability initiatives and building upgrades can still surprise me in terms of how much planning, cost, and coordination is involved behind the scenes.
How do you handle difficult tenant situations or conflicts?
The best way is to address it in person.
Usually, instead of going back and forth over emails or phone calls, I’ll go down and meet with the tenant. I like to have that one-on-one conversation and go over things together. It shows that you care and that you’re taking the time to understand what’s actually going on.
I also like to see things with my own eyes. Someone can explain a situation one way, but when you’re there in person, it can be completely different.
For example, there were differing updates between the tenant and the operations regarding the status of a repair. I visited the site to align everyone on what was actually completed and what still needed attention.
What’s one quality that has made the biggest difference in your career so far, and something you wish you knew earlier?
Staying positive and knowing that mistakes happen. There are always going to be changes and challenges, whether it’s within your company, your portfolio, or the industry itself. If you let negativity take over, it affects your mindset and can also impact your team, so staying positive and having faith that things will work out makes a big difference.
At the same time, you have to remind yourself that you’re human and that you’re going to make mistakes. There are times where you might miss something small or feel like you should have caught something earlier, and it’s easy to be hard on yourself. I still do that sometimes. But over time, you realize those moments are part of the learning process, and that’s how you improve.
How did you get involved in BYP?
I was actually introduced to it by someone on my team who encouraged me to join for the networking and exposure.
They thought it would be a good opportunity for me to connect with others in the industry and gain more experience, and I’m really glad I took that advice.
It’s been a great experience and a fun way to meet people, learn from others, and build relationships.
What has been the most valuable part of being involved in BYP?
Connecting with other young professionals. Sometimes in this industry, you’re working
with people who have a lot more experience, and it can feel a bit isolating.
Being part of BYP reminds you that you’re not alone and that others are going through similar experiences.
It also gives you a space to talk openly, share challenges, and learn from each other. That support system has been really valuable for me.
What makes someone memorable in this industry, and how do you bring that into your own networking approach at events?
Their personality. You remember the people who are genuine, approachable, and bring good energy. Those are the people you naturally gravitate toward and want to continue talking to. When someone is confident enough to be themselves, it really stands out and leaves a lasting impression.
That’s something I try to bring into my own approach at events. If I see someone who looks a bit quieter, I’ll go up to them and start a conversation. I like to keep things light and even a bit goofy sometimes, just to help people relax.
I find that when you bring that kind of energy, people let their guard down and the conversation flows more naturally. It doesn’t always have to be serious or focused on work. Sometimes it’s just about making people feel comfortable and creating a genuine connection.
What would you say to someone who’s hesitant to get involved in BYP?
I think they would miss out on gaining relationships with other individuals in the industry. It opens up more doors. If you’re putting yourself out there and interacting with people, opportunities can come from that.
Even just talking to someone, you might know someone down the line, and that can lead to something else. Everybody in this industry talks to each other, so you become recognized.
If you’re not involved, you’re not really exposed to new opportunities.