Meet the Team
Carola Alder
Managing Partner &
Senior Development Manager
Carola coordinates all CityState's resources and directs the efforts of our Planners and Technologists to advance our clients' priorities. As Senior Development Manager, she leads clients through complex land use and subdivision processes. Bringing passion to planning, she presents complex development applications to Councils across BC.
As a member of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee, Carola is dedicating her time and contributing new ideas to help build better communities.
Gaetan Royer
Founding Partner
CityState's Founding Partner, Gaetan Royer, is the former Chief Planner for Metro Vancouver and Port Moody City Manager for an 11-year term. He continues to be involved in a large number of award-winning urban developments. A published author of research papers, Gaetan is a frequent commentator on urban affairs on CBC.
Gaetan holds a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning, Bachelors in Architecture, and he is a Military Engineer.
Aidan Shirley
Partner &
Development Manager
Aidan leads CityState's Sunshine Coast projects as an experienced Development Manager. His experience navigating municipal relationships, along with analytical research skills, helps clients realize their property's potential.
Aidan also serves as CityState's Chief Administrative Officer, overseeing and tracking the company's rapid growth.
He holds a BA in Applied Geography, is an Associate at Vancouver-based public policy think tank Columbia Institute, and previously served on the City of Vancouver's Renters Advisory Committee.
David Johnson
Development Manager
David is an accomplished urban planner with over 20 years of experience in the public sector. As CityState’s municipal liaison, he has built a strong foundation of knowledge and expertise in the field. David's wealth of experience enables him to bring creative and innovative solutions to complex development issues. He possesses a deep understanding of municipal processes and regulations, allowing him to navigate through challenges with ease.
David's true passion lies in creating walkable communities that promote connectivity and enhance the quality of life for residents. His dedication to sustainable urban planning and his ability to balance the needs of various stakeholders make him a valuable asset to any project. With David's leadership, communities can thrive and flourish, creating spaces that are not only visually appealing but also functional and inclusive.
Danson Fong
Senior Design Technologist
Danson has been involved in the architecture and design industry since the early 2000s. As a passionate designer, he has led designs on single-family and multi-family homes and and has contributed to commercial and industrial projects within the Lower Mainland.
His previous experience as a Civil Engineer and IT developer provides him a solid technical background, which complements his creative abilities. Danson has an eye for detail and believes that efficient and value-driven designs evolve from a collaborative effort.
Yuliya Vityuk
Development Design Technologist
Yuliya is a passionate professional with success bringing together the perfect mix of form and function, while designing to the client's standards and budget. She has over 100 projects in her portfolio ranging from single- and multi-family to commercial and industrial, several of which have been recognized at the Homebuilders Association's Ovation Awards.
As a past member of HAVAN, Yuliya took part in numerous professional
development initiatives related to construction science and interior design, where she got her start in design.
Dee Tran
Development Design Technologist
Dee is a skilled Design Technologist with 5 years of professional experience in design, preparation and production of conceptual and design development drawings with 3D presentation skills. Dee uses architectural visualization skills with the advance architectural and imaging software applications to breath life into design.
.jpg)
Ciara Zuniga
Office Manager
Ciara is a dedicated and skilled Office Manager with a passion for organizational excellence and efficiency. With three years of experience working as an Executive Assistant, Ciara has honed her abilities to handle a wide range of tasks with precision and professionalism.
Ciara's journey in the professional world began with her academic pursuits, where she gained a strong foundation in legal principles and administrative procedures. This education equipped her with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the corporate environment.