Who We Are

Having a penchant for business his whole life, Josh joined the Gemstone team in 2012 in a leadership role after a successful business career. Today he oversees Business Development and Operations. Is that too much business? We don’t think so. Josh’s expertise and charismatic leadership has helped secure Gemstone’s position as Ottawa’s primary luxury builder. When he’s not developing the city’s most creative luxury spaces, he sits on the boards of Ezer Mizion Canada and the Ottawa Jewish Community School.

Gemstone’s founder has over 40 years of business experience in the Ottawa area. An active member in the community, Neil sits on numerous boards and takes pride in the city he calls home. His passion is our guiding force, and continually drives Gemstone’s position as the most innovative luxury builder and developer in the nation’s capital.

Adam joined the Zaret family enterprise in 2019. Having previously spent 10 years working in both principal and advisory roles for such companies as Broccolini Construction and Ernst & Young Corporate Finance, he brings extensive transaction experience across a spectrum of asset classes. Adam is responsible for the sourcing and execution of investment opportunities for Gemstone. Outside of Gemstone, Adam can be found two-planking the ski slopes and cross-country trails or riding his bike in an effort to triage his 3rd passion, cooking and eating. He is a deeply committed community volunteer currently devoting time to the Emerging Generation Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and some of its marquee fundraising events.

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With over twenty years experience, an undergraduate and master’s degree in accounting, and a Chartered Accountant designation, Rolanda has the education, training, and experience to handle all financial aspects Gemstone’s business. With her experience as a real estate and property management operations executive, Rolanda knows how to bridge the world of finance, the customer, and operations to result in business success.

Outside of Gemstone, Rolanda is the mother of two teenagers and can be found exploring all the wonderful things that Ottawa has to offer!

20 years of industry experience and a passion for building beautiful, luxury spaces inspires Jim on the daily. As the Construction Manager, his expertise goes a long way in keeping our customers satisfied and our teams motivated. With Jim’s love for his work and building a luxury finished product, he is a great addition to the Gemstone team.

As an Ottawa native, Keith began his career in property management over 12 years ago. He prides himself in building and leading dynamic teams, and has a deep passion for this ever-evolving industry. Keith loves a challenge, and enjoys how no day is the same as the next. Building solid relationships with clients and vendors, we are proud to have Keith as the face of our Property Management team. In his spare time, Keith is a foodie with an interest in the local craft beer community. He also enjoys travel, and spending time with family & friends.

A former teacher, Sarah holds two degrees; a Bachelor of Arts in History from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa. After three years of teaching, Sarah changed career paths and landed at Gemstone, where the team relies on her to keep it all together. From learning about construction processes to managing social media, Sarah wears many hats in a day.

Quality craftsmanship, passion, and attention to detail. These aren’t just buzzwords; they’re qualities that ignited Greg’s career from sweeping job sites to managing them in less than 10 years. With 15 years of experience in construction, Greg’s hands-on approach as a foreman is appreciated by clients and colleagues alike.

Originally from Ottawa, Shawn’s origin story starts in the restaurant industry where he worked as a chef, but always had a passion for building and craftsmanship. His love for problem solving, design and woodworking led him to change careers and graduate with honours from the 2 year Advanced Housing and Construction Carpentry Program at Algonquin College. Construction combines his many skills and passions, as well as the opportunity to work with clients and a great team of professionals.