Cass McFadden is the Vice President and Global Head of Sustainability at Cortland, where she leads ESG initiatives across the firm’s global (US and UK) portfolio. With extensive experience in sustainable development and environmental stewardship, Cass focuses on creating innovative, scalable strategies that align with her firm’s commitment to responsible growth and long-term value. Her work in ESG leadership has helped shape Cortland’s sustainability vision, enhancing operational efficiency while meeting the evolving standards in multifamily housing. Prior to joining Cortland, Cass served as the Vice President of Sustainability for Bozzuto, led energy management for public REIT AvalonBay, and worked in the energy industry as a regulatory professional.
Bay is an executive coach for driven leaders who appear to have it all together — yet quietly crave more impact, passion, and purpose, while feeling both overwhelmed and underwhelmed at the same time.
She brings a potent mix of radical honesty, strategic insight, and refreshing possibility to clients who want to light themselves up without burning out. Her work helps leaders balance ambition with grace, desire with presence, and bring more humanity (and fun) into their leadership. It’s almost like magic.
Bay’s background spans the performing arts, anthropology, writing, and an MBA in service management. She’s trained extensively in ontological leadership and brings thousands of coaching hours — along with a vibrant professional history that includes roles with the RCMP, Canadian Armed Forces, and BC Public Service.
She lives in Victoria, BC, in a cozy Tudor house with her husband and business partner, Adam, and their Boston Terriers, Grimby and Pongo.