About Cornerstone

We are a team of highly experienced project management and construction professionals committed to delivering best-in-class projects that exceed expectations. Our clients are retailers, business and institutional leaders, landlords, owners, and developers, all who entrust us with the complex planning and delivery of their projects, from strategy and pre-construction through final closeout. 


Cornerstone offers a wide range of services over the entire course of project development and implementation, from end-to-end solutions to very defined scopes of work. Learn more about our services here:

We are passionate about our work and humbled by the fact that 80% of our business is from returning clients. For us, it’s all about the people: our clients, our partners, our communities, and our team. Learn about our history and mission here

Our Roots


Jim Christian founded Cornerstone Building & Property Services in 2009 just outside of Toronto, Canada, with a commitment to developing a people-centric construction company. His mission, “to create a better journey for clients, staff, project partners and the world,” is the driving force behind everything we do. 


In 2011, Jim’s clients asked for his help across the border for a retail program in the US, which quickly expanded into other clients with projects in major metropolitan areas such as New York, Boston, DC, South Florida, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Seattle, and Vancouver. Our US leadership is located just outside of Boston, MA, supporting our team of project managers based across the country, ready to travel wherever our clients need us. 


Today, with a team of 30 professionals across the US and Canada, we continue to be a people-first organization – with collaboration, communication, and support of our clients and each other at the center of everything we do. 


​“I knew if this business was built on solid values, delivered exceptional service and held itself to high standards, it would be successful. I believe in the philosophy that you want to have a customer for life. Everything we do is to help people on their journeys whatever they might be. We are there every step of the way.” Read more about Cornerstone’s values here

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Leadership

Jim Christian

Founder & CEO


Jim started Cornerstone in 2009, having worked as a leader within the construction industry for over 30 years. He is responsible for the overall management of the company, with a focus on strategy, account leadership, growth, and operations. 


As CEO, Jim plays an active role in the management of the team and regularly engages with clients. It is not uncommon for Jim to visit job sites and attend client meetings to ensure expectations are exceeded. He is passionate about ensuring our team members are proactive Project Managers, not “Project Witnesses” - impacting projects with positive actions that affect schedule, cost and quality.

Nick Naccarato

Partner and Director of Business Development


Nick Joined Cornerstone in 2018, and has over 13 years of experience in the commercial and residential construction sectors. His broad expertise includes corporate office fit-outs, retail stores, industrial renovations, multifamily capital projects, and government sector contracts. Nick is well versed in all versions of CCDC contracts, as well as extensive knowledge of pre-construction phases including building code compliance, zoning regulations, committee of adjustment applications, site-plan approval, and permitting.


Nick’s focus is on business development and overall company growth and achievement. His long-standing relationships with architects, engineers, and landlords continue to cement Cornerstone as a trusted construction partner. In 2023, Nick become an equity partner at Cornerstone. 

Kate Greding

Director of Support Services


Kate joined Cornerstone Building and Property Services in 2017 as the Operations Manager focused on the US Market, and is based outside of Boston, MA. In 2020 Kate became the Director of support Services for both Canada and the US. 


Kate came to Cornerstone with a strong retail background and over 10 years of industry experience after working in retail Construction Management. She has deep expertise in retail operations and communications, bringing together project partners across all levels and functions for a wide range of project types from small scale brand conversions to complex remodels. Kate’s focus at Cornerstone is empowering the Project Management Team while developing and implementing internal policies, procedures and deliverables to support Cornerstone’s clients. 


Kate holds a BS in Business Management from Stonehill College in Easton, MA.


Stephen Scott

Director of Operations


Stephen has played an integral role in Cornerstone’s project development efforts for over 10 years. Having served as a Project Manager and Project Director, he has recently added the responsibility of Director of Operations, overseeing Cornerstone’s delivery of services from coast to coast.


With over 20 years in construction and the last 16 in Restaurant/Retail Project Management and General Contracting, Stephen’s deep expertise is applicable across all sectors of the industry. In addition, he has worked with clients on both the OPM and GC side of retail and restaurant projects. From pre-construction Site selection, Work Letter review, Design and Tender, through Construction, Turnover and Close-out, Stephen’s experience brings great value to our clients’ projects.



Stephen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management from the University of Royal Roads.

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Our People

Our team members are road warriors, spread across the US and Canada, ready to support our clients’ needs. We come with deep project development, construction management, and implementation experience across multiple sectors, handling scopes ranging from minor retrofits to gut renovations and ground-up construction. 


We differentiate ourselves from the competition by being highly proactive on behalf of our clients, and pride ourselves on being engaged Project Managers - not project witnesses. We are nimble and adaptable, striving to integrate with each of our client’s unique business processes and culture. 

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Our Values

Our Core Values drive us and are expressed daily in the culture of the company and in the character of our employees who have made their careers at Cornerstone.
Our mission statement, “
to create a better journey for clients, staff, project partners and the world” is the driving force behind everything we do".

EXTREME BOLDNESS

We think big! We speak up and challenge the status quo tenaciously.

 

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

We never settle for what we have done before. We are always striving to go above and beyond what is asked by creating new benchmarks.

 

RELENTLESS EFFICIENCY

We plan ahead looking for obstacles so we can crush them before they become a road block. We know planning is a key to success – Fail to plan is planning to fail!

THOUGHTFUL COMPASSION

We strive to live by the golden rule to treat others the way we would want to be treated.

 

INFECTIOUS INSPIRATION

By enjoying our work and having a positive proactive attitude we create an atmosphere that encourages everyone.

 

EAT FROGS FOR BREAKFAST

We take care of the tough stuff. No sweeping things under the carpet!

EXTREME BOLDNESS

We think big! We speak up and challenge the status quo tenaciously.

 

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

We never settle for what we have done before. We are always striving to go above and beyond what is asked by creating new benchmarks.

 

RELENTLESS EFFICIENCY

We plan ahead looking for obstacles so we can crush them before they become a road block. We know planning is a key to success – Fail to plan is planning to fail!

THOUGHTFUL COMPASSION

We strive to live by the golden rule to treat others the way we would want to be treated.

 

INFECTIOUS INSPIRATION

By enjoying our work and having a positive proactive attitude we create an atmosphere that encourages everyone.

 

EAT FROGS FOR BREAKFAST

We take care of the tough stuff. No sweeping things under the carpet!

Creating a Better Journey for the World

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Cornerstone’s mission of creating a better journey is reflected in our community engagement and our sense of purpose in the world we touch. Here are just a few examples of how we give back, helping in our modest way to build a better world: 

Regeneration Charity Golf Tournament


Cornerstone had the privilege of participating in a charity Golf Tournament in support of Regeneration Outreach Community.


The Cornerstone team believes that it has a responsibility to help others. We continue to devote our energy, time and resources in initiatives and activities that are designed to build up our society. Creating a better journey for the world!

Freeze it Forward


Freeze it Forward is an initiative established by Cornerstone’s David Keogh to support local restaurants and the Guelph Food Bank

100% of funds raised by either charitable donation or odd jobs David does for people in his condo building are used to purchase fresh meals from local restaurants. They are then frozen and picked up for delivery to the Guelph Food Bank. This is a Win, Win, Win idea with 631 meals donated to date and counting! Cornerstone is proud to support our employees’ ideas, and great charities such as Freeze it Forward.


Ride for Refuge


Pictured is the Cornerstone Rocks Team that participated in the Ride For Refuge.

Cornerstone matched all pledges resulting in a $2,000 donation to Ride for Refuge in support of the Journey Neighbourhood Centre. The Journey Neighbourhood Centre is committed to bringing hope and transformation to a neighbourhood in Brampton called the Ardglen/Orenda communities, walking alongside children, youth and families as they take positive steps in their lives. Their mission is realized through providing: Relevant Programs, Helping Transforming Properties and Advocating For Resident. Learn more by clicking www.thejourneyneighbourhoodcentre.ca.

Celebrity Clowns & National Service Dogs


Jim Christian with Celebrity Clown Stan Loree.

Since 2009 Cornerstone has support this amazing initiative for 10 years resulting in a donation that would of trained one service dog. The Brampton Kiwanis Celebrity Clowns presented their contributions to the National Service Dogs – a service that helps to enrich the quality of life for those with special needs, like children with Autism.

Christians Against Poverty


Jim and Sherry Christian with Christian’s Against Poverty Founder John Kirkby

CAP opened their Canadian office in March 2013 in response to numerous Canadian church leaders who had seen the need for debt counselling in their cities. Since launching, they have partnered with over 90 churches to bring their financial education, debt counselling and assisting with job placements to local communities. As Founder and International Director of CAP, John Kirkby speaks and works across the world to challenge people to reach out to the poor. Jim Christian believes that this is one of the first organizations that actually helps to break the cycle of poverty for families.


Wild Hogs Charity Dinner


Cornerstone Team enjoying the 70’s themed Disco Fever Night


In 2016, a “bunch” of motorcycle riding (not so) bad guys got together to continue the work of Deeds and Dreams. That work included hosting an annual dinner to raise some funds to help seriously, and sadly often terminally ill kids and their families, with the objective of providing quick and creative solutions where there was simply nowhere else to turn. This opportunity allows us to round up some friends and associates who want to give back to the community in a direct way, but without getting trapped up in the costly and cumbersome machinery that traditional charities often labour under.



Helping To Provide A Better Christmas For Five Families


Gifts in staging area for the over 70 families served this year.


Through the Caring & Sharing Program, the North Bramalea United Church community has brought Christmas to many families in need. The program started with six families and has grown to currently supporting 70 families. Cornerstone supports this initiative annually out of a desire to bring hope to families that need it during the Christmas season. Each year a dedicated team of volunteers call the families and determine their needs and wishes for a Happy Holiday season. Donations of cash or cheques to the church are turned into abundant blessings…….and used to spread the true spirit of Christmas to those who need it the most.

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We are a collaborative, engaged, talented and entrepreneurial group of professionals from very diverse backgrounds, on a joint mission to build great projects and great client relationships. 

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