The Team

As a Torontonian, born and raised, sales professional and trained craftsman Ian Busher brings a broad understanding of the ins and outs of Toronto living, along with a deep passion for art, design, and construction, to the work of buying and selling homes with Fox Marin Associates.

Ian excels in situations where he can put his multi-faceted background to the test: After brief stints at OCAD, in advertising, and in audio engineering, he worked for three years to become a ministry-licensed Red Seal carpenter, which solidified his expertise in all types of home-building and carpentry: from structural framing to installing doors, windows and trim, to the finer art of furniture and cabinet making. For many years before turning his skills to the Toronto real estate market he owned and ran his own contracting company and worked to renovate and update some truly remarkable older homes and condos in Toronto’s Rosedale, Forest Hill, and Leaside neighbourhoods.

In early 2014 Ian shifted focus from the applied work of home construction to dedicate his attention to the work of buying and selling properties. In this expanded role, he loves to educate home-buyers and sellers on the unique features of each property – those special touches that can turn a house into a home, and a home into a show-stopping retreat. He takes pride in his ability to assess the quality and condition of a property. This, in tandem with his talent for speaking to the feasibility and cost of potential renovations, and his eye for the aesthetic details, make him a powerful partner for anyone looking to buy or sell a home in the Toronto area.

Ian lives in the Cedarvale neighbourhood with his wife, and they can often be found walking the local parks and ravine trails with their two dogs. In his spare time (of which there is little), he also continues to work on his visual arts practice, play guitar, and brainstorm ideas with friends and past clients who are thinking of renovating!

From the moment that urban enthusiast Jessica Elizabeth Spillas first learned about Fox Marin’s passionate approach to buying, selling and investing in Toronto Real Estate, she was hooked. As the Team’s dedicated Home Buyer Specialist, Jessica has developed a broad base of experience, encompassing a wide range of property types and neighbourhoods both in and outside of the downtown core.

Known for her unparalleled professionalism, integrity and customer service, Jessica is an over-achiever with a keen ability to listen and genuinely understand client needs. Dedicating herself fully to the cause, Jessica will over-communicate with her clients and take the time to develop a strategic plan that will allow her clients to achieve their goals while benefiting over the long term.

At her core, trust, education and client satisfaction are Jessica’s utmost priority when working with buyers and sellers alike. Honest at all times, Jessica believes that being an objective third party to help clients rise above a challenging market is the best approach to deliver expert consultation and exceptional results.

Never afraid to admit if she does not have the answer to something, Jessica will seek out information while using her resourcefulness to empower her clients with the most accurate and comprehensive data so they can make an informed decision.

Initially starting her Real Estate career as the firm’s multi-talented Business Development Manager – working behind the scenes on the entire Team’s negotiations, marketing initiatives and data analysis, it is through this wealth of first-hand experience that now allows Jessica to help her own clients navigate through the nuances of Toronto’s real estate market with confidence and context.

Get to know Jessica better, and you’ll learn that her passionate, “go-getter” attitude doesn’t apply just to her work. Indeed, it shines through everything she does: from her studies in Journalism and Communications or her tenure with a leading Architectural and Development firm located in Toronto’s downtown core, and back down to the travel bug that has led her to explore some of the most vibrant & diverse cities in the world.

When she is not building listing presentations, developing pricing analysis’, or keeping clients updated on the latest industry trends, you can find Jessica in the kitchen – creating her own recipes and mastering Pinterest finds; or, exploring the City of Toronto that she calls home with her partner David and their furbaby Bowman – a Shiba Inu rescue pup who they love more than anything.

Meet Reuben Labovitz, a seasoned professional and trusted advisor at Fox Marin with a passion for creativity and a talent for making his clients’ real estate dreams a reality. With years of experience in the industry, Reuben’s unique skill set sets him apart from his peers. He has an uncanny ability to spot promising investment opportunities and negotiate the best deals for his clients, all while finding “needle in a haystack” properties that others may have overlooked.

Reuben’s commitment to providing exceptional service is second to none. He takes the time to understand his client’s needs and preferences and works tirelessly to ensure they are thoroughly delighted. His friendly and personable nature puts clients at ease, and his dedication to building long-lasting relationships goes beyond the transaction.

As a valuable member of the Fox Marin team, Reuben plays a critical role in helping the brokerage achieve its goals. His professionalism, work ethic, and attention to detail are highly praised by his colleagues, making him a trusted source of guidance and support for those he works with.

In addition to his impressive career in real estate, Reuben is an award-winning cellist who has performed in countless concerts across Ontario, Quebec, and the United States. His natural creative outlook and unwavering discipline honed from his musical background seamlessly translate into his work as a real estate Broker. Every interaction he has with clients showcases his exceptional skills, ensuring they receive a level of care and attention that is second to none. Overall, Reuben Labovitz is a consummate professional and a valuable asset to Fox Marin Associates.

Doris transitioned into real estate after a six-year tenure in Asset Management, where she first specialized in Mutual Funds and then took on Private Equity and Hedge Fund investments while supporting Investment Managers across Canadian and United States markets. Throughout her career, she exhibited exceptional proficiency in navigating client issues and fostering positive experiences—a hallmark of the high-value service she now provides to her real estate clients.

Doris’ love of martial arts has forged her discipline and resilience, qualities that resonate in her approach to real estate. Doris credits much of her success in life to the lessons she learned from years of dedicated training in Shotokan Karate. Holding a second-degree black belt, she embodies the values of self-discipline, dedication, and perseverance.

Her journey in karate taught her that consistent effort and unwavering commitment are the keys to achieving any goal. Doris lives by two guiding principles instilled in her by her karate training: “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail” and “Is it black belt excellence?” These mantras serve as constant reminders of the significance of meticulous preparation and always striving to do her best in every task she undertakes. Doris approaches each challenge with unwavering dedication, knowing that it is through hard work, determination, and mutual respect that lasting success is achieved. There are no shortcuts in “Black Belt Excellence.”

As an avid traveller with a penchant for discovering new encounters and cultures, Doris understands the importance of finding the perfect place to call home. Having explored destinations spanning from the historical landscapes of Greece to the vibrant streets of Malaysia and Thailand, she brings a global perspective to her real estate endeavours.

For Doris, it’s not just about transactions—it’s about laying the foundation for a fulfilling lifestyle. She believes in guiding her clientele towards properties that align with their unique visions and aspirations, whether finding a dream home or making strategic investment decisions.

When not immersed in the world of real estate, Doris finds joy in sharing moments with loved ones and indulging in her passion for cooking. She’s been the secret sauce behind her partner’s sauce business and Malaysian food pop-ups, bringing markets to life with flair. Her genuine warmth and dedication to building meaningful connections make her a great agent and a trusted partner in the journey toward finding high-quality acquisitions.

Natural competitor and perpetually on-the-go Jerome Werniuk believes that a diverse skill set and drive for continuous self-discovery and growth is the key to a fulfilling life. Jerome channelled his competitive instincts from an early age into athletics and played NCAA Division I baseball at St. John’s University in New York. Though he found success in baseball, competing for Team Canada and being drafted by the Texas Rangers, Jerome ultimately realized his skills as a natural leader and teammate could be better honed in the business world.

After earning his undergraduate degree and working and living in New York, Jerome returned to his native Toronto to pursue a career in real estate. He joined one of Toronto’s most successful commercial real estate teams that focused primarily on office leasing in the downtown core and periphery. In his 2.5 years on the team, Jerome helped negotiate $125M in lease value annually, representing landlord clients including Allied Properties, Slate, Kingsett Capital, Dream, Greybook, Hullmark, Lifetime Developments, and Cresford as well as notable tenant clients such as Shopify for their post-IPO expansion.

In 2017, eager to work at the exciting intersection of real estate and technology, Jerome was a founding team member at venture-backed proptech company Naborly, launching its sales arm and eventually relocating to San Francisco to continue the company’s growth. Naborly’s software products were designed to assist residential landlords, property managers, and agents with the rental application and screening process, and in the 3.5 years Jerome worked there, it became the largest tenant screening company in Canada.

Jerome has lived and worked in many exciting neighbourhoods and real estate markets across Toronto, New York, and San Francisco. Now representing residential clients in the city that has always been his true home, Jerome is excited to channel his unique knowledge base in real estate and technology to help his clients achieve their desired results. Having negotiated transactions with Fortune 500 companies, Canada’s largest commercial real estate firms, and individual landlords, Jerome brings a breadth of negotiating experience to the table and understands how to achieve a client’s goals in complicated scenarios. And even more than athletics and business, Jerome has always had a passion for people. His natural energy and curiosity allow him to quickly get to the heart of what clients truly need and to adopt their interests as his own.

Jerome lives in the Roncesvalles-High Park area with his partner Sarah and their two babies – one human (Elliott), one dog (Nakita). He continues to scratch his inner athlete and ‘can’t-sit-still’ itch by cycling, playing hockey on Toronto’s many outdoor rinks, and being hurt year after year by the Maple Leafs.

Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Emma Mcconville had already built a strong reputation for client management and service before she relocated to Toronto in 2016. It only took her about a month to fall in love with her new city’s vibrant and ever-changing neighbourhoods—particularly Little Italy, where she now resides.

As Fox Marin Associates’ General Manager, Emma is in charge of all of the moving parts of the dynamic residential real estate sales and marketing firm. This means you’re just as likely to see her quarterbacking client meetings in their Midtown office as seeking out artwork and interior design elements on Queen West to help stage stylish properties across the downtown core.

While Emma settles into her new home-away-from-home, she continues to take advantage of all that the city has to offer. As a former ballerina and dance teacher, she’s keen to take in as many theatre performances as possible. She has also tapped into Toronto’s rich food and mixology culture, and loves to try out new restaurants in her off-time!

Coming from a strong Real Estate Office background Olivia knew Fox Marin was the place to settle in and hone her skills. Starting as a real estate receptionist over 15 years ago and working her way through roles as deal secretary, executive assistant, office manager, and client care coordinator she knows the in’s and out’s of how to help tenured real estate agents perform at their very best!

When Fox Marin opened their position for Listing Coordinator Olivia jumped at the chance to join the team! Ensuring clients experience a smooth transition from Listing to Sold to Closed Olivia continues to work hard to achieve the perfect client experience.

When Olivia is not coordinating listings you can find her experiencing the great outdoors! Growing her garden, taking her dogs out on a new adventure, spending the day hiking or out on the water.