Leadership

David Burnside, A.T. CEC PMP, is the Founding Partner, Chief Executive Officer, and Creative Director of Live Well Development Group, leading the vision, strategy, and execution of the platform’s integrated approach to community development. David also serves as Chief Development & Investment Officer for the Peach Hills Master Planned Community Development.

As architect of Live Well’s ecosystem model, he aligns ESG infrastructure, sustainable utilities, Indigenous partnerships, and multi-asset development into a unified system that drives both financial performance and lasting social impact. Where conventional models may view these elements as cost drivers, David structures them as force multipliers, enhancing returns, unlocking new revenue streams, and strengthening long-term project performance.

David is recognized for his ability to conceive, structure, finance, and execute complex developments from inception through long-term operation and institutional ownership. His experience spans financial modelling, capital formation, construction delivery, operational framework design, and asset management, enabling the creation of resilient, scalable platforms designed to attract institutional capital, support REIT conversion, and generate enduring value for stakeholders.

As Creative Director, he ensures every development is grounded in a clear thematic vision where design, experience, and functionality are fully integrated.

Jade Ansell plays a central role in connecting the people, partnerships, and organizations that make up the Live Well ecosystem. Working across investors, Indigenous partners, consultants, operators, government stakeholders, and project teams, he helps ensure alignment and communication is maintained throughout the development process.

Known for his ability to build trust and foster meaningful relationships, Jade helps translate vision into action by bringing together diverse stakeholders around a shared objective. His collaborative approach creates momentum, strengthens partnerships, and helps projects advance with clarity, efficiency, and purpose.

Within Live Well, Jade is responsible for partnership integration and stakeholder coordination, helping ensure that opportunities, resources, and relationships are effectively aligned to support successful project delivery and long-term value creation.

Ward Brown is a creative visionary with more than 30 years of experience in real estate development and management.

At the helm of The Evocative Group since 2012, he has built one of the most globally respected teams in wellness real estate development, united by a shared belief that the spaces we create can transform the way people live, feel, and thrive.

Throughout his career, Ward has been instrumental in conceiving numerous master-planned communities, hotels, and condominium projects across the Americas, totaling more than 2,500 doors and over US$500 million in real estate value. Since 2001, one of his primary focuses has been the acquisition, sale, and development of resort and recreational properties.

Ward has an innate sense of how a project should look and feel and employs this exceptional talent in a collaborative effort to identify the essential elements required to successfully program a property and optimize its development potential. Drawing from a fusion of Asian design principles, respect for Indigenous traditions, and nature-based wellness, Ward develops with intention, always anchoring his projects in authenticity and purpose. His colleagues describe him as tenacious, visionary, and grounded, someone who brings creative solutions, a practical mindset, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Tom Jackson, C.C LL.D. is a nationally respected Canadian leader, member of One Arrow First Nation near Batoche, Saskatchewan, and recipient of numerous distinguished honours, including the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, an Honorary Doctor of Law, and is one of the rarefied living recipients of the Companion of the Order of Canada. His credibility and diverse influence extends from Indigenous communities coast to coast to all levels of government, business, and philanthropic sectors across Canada.

He provides senior counsel on growth strategy, stakeholder alignment, and high-level relationship development, helping create pathways rooted in trust, partnership, and nation-building impact. A key focus of Tom's involvement is advancing respectful, high-value Indigenous partnerships that create lasting economic opportunity, participation, and shared success.

Throughout his career, Tom has championed the creation of stronger, smarter, and more inclusive communities through innovation, modern methods of construction, and development approaches that improve affordability and accessibility. His advocacy extends across Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities alike, supporting housing and community-building solutions that create lasting opportunities, strengthen local economies, and enhance quality of life for future generations.

Tom's involvement reflects Live Well's commitment to leadership, integrity, reconciliation, and building communities through partnership, respect, and forward-thinking vision.

Michael Birch is the former Grand Chief of Anisininew Okimawin and Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Birch Carbon Program. A highly respected Indigenous leader, he has dedicated his career to advancing opportunities that support Indigenous self-determination, economic prosperity, and long-term community benefit.

Michael plays an instrumental role in bringing together Indigenous Nations, government, industry, and investment partners to create meaningful relationships that evolve into lasting partnerships. His leadership helps foster alignment, trust, and shared purpose, ensuring Indigenous communities are positioned as active participants in the development and stewardship of projects.

A visionary leader, Michael is helping shape a new era of Indigenous economic participation across Canada. Through his work coast-to-coast, he continues to advance initiatives that create opportunity, strengthen communities, and build enduring value for current and future generations.

Matt Vickers, CET, LL.D., is an Indigenous business leader with more than four decades of experience advancing First Nations economic development, governance and strategic partnerships across Canada. With ancestry rooted in the Tsimshian, Heiltsuk and Haida Nations of British Columbia’s Northwest Coast, he is a Certified Engineering Technologist and holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws in recognition of his contributions to Indigenous economic development, governance and community leadership.

During his tenure at MNP LLP, Matt helped establish the firm’s Indigenous consulting practice in British Columbia and expand its Indigenous Services presence nationally. His work encompassed business development, strategic mergers and economic development models that distinguish political governance from business operations.

Matt also brings more than two decades of business relationship development in China, engaging with government leaders, major private companies and investment groups. Through the Canada China Business Council and international business delegations, he has built connections across the energy, battery storage, manufacturing and investment sectors.

At Live Well, Matt leads the organisation’s Fulbright relationship, connecting its Indigenous artisan and entrepreneur exchange with First Nations partners. He also manages Live Well’s relationships with Canada’s major banks and Indigenous financial institutions.

Robert is a Partner in Optimum Project Leaders. He leads construction strategy and project delivery, ensuring quality execution, accountability, and operational excellence throughout the development process.

Responsible for maintaining the integrated master program schedule, coordinating interdependencies across development divisions, monitoring performance, delivery & risk, and providing consultative reporting to the Executive Team.

Steve is a Partner in Optimum Project Leaders. He leads infrastructure planning and execution, ensuring critical systems are delivered efficiently and aligned with long-term community objectives.

Supports project delivery, internal reporting, external submissions, and strategic project coordination.

An-Su joined Live Well from Stantec, where she was a key contributor to business development, project management, and submissions to government and agencies such as CMHC.

Leads regional development initiatives throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, advancing strategic projects, fostering municipal relationships, and supporting long-term growth opportunities across the portfolio.

Provides project coordination, document control, and delivery support, helping ensure consistency and efficiency across active developments.