Meet the Team
Carola Alder
Managing Partner &
Senior Development Manager
Carola coordinates all CityState's resources and directs the efforts of our planners and technicians to advance priorities of clients. As a Planner, she helps clients through complex rezoning and subdivision processes. Bringing passion to planning, she presents complex development applications to Councils in the Lower Mainland.
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 joined CityState with a passion for innovative planning and a desire to help build better communities. His experience with municipal relationships, research, and analysis contributes to creating Comprehensive Site Analyses and development pro forma, and helps clients realize their property's potential.
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
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Danson Fong
Senior Design Technologist
Yuliya Vityuk
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.
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.
Dee Tran
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.
Ricardo Mondragon-Guerra
Design Technologist
Ricardo joined CityState after 10 years' experience running his own Architectural practice in Mexico. His portfolio includes residential and commercial buildings, hotels, and a university campus.
Ricardo lives with his family in Gibsons, where he sits on the Town's Advisory Design Panel, and leads several of CityState's Sunshine Coast projects. He holds a Bachelors in Architecture and Diplomas in Business Management and Real Estate.
Mathew Dodds
Development Planner
Mathew is an Urban Planning student entering the final year of his Masters degree at Dalhousie University. He graduated from Simon Fraser University, where he studied Geography, GIS, and Urban Studies. Mathew's graduate research is in digital planning engagement and participatory design—exploring how diverse cities can best capture public opinion. Mathew's professional background is in tech. and he loves to approach complex planning problems using technology and GIS.
Sara Nikouparast
Office Administrator
Sara's passion for planning and design binds CityState's team and keeps our team running smoothly and efficiently.
Sara has a Bachelors degree in Economics, a Masters degree in Regional and Urban Planning, and a Certificate in Interior Design from BCIT. She has authored a Tourism Rehabilitation Plan and published several planning articles.
Sara leverages her strong research and design background to contribute to CityState's planning and interior design projects.
Maria Phillips
Bookkeeper
Maria has many years of experience in Office Administration and Bookkeeping, with proven organizational skills and thorough knowledge of corporate policies and procedures. Excellent communication and people skills with extensive strategic planning capabilities.