Windmill Development Shifts Leadership to Scale $5B Green Housing Plan

TORONTO and OTTAWA, ON – April 22, 2026 – Windmill Development Group, a developer known for its deep commitment to environmental and social sustainability, is reconfiguring its executive team to spearhead a new era of growth. The strategic shift places a new CEO at the helm and adds a key partner, positioning the company to scale its ambitious $5 billion portfolio aimed at addressing Ontario's dual crises of housing affordability and climate change.

Founder Jonathan Westeinde is transitioning from the CEO position to become Executive Chair of the Board, a role where he will focus on strategic direction and cultivating partnerships with capital sources aligned with the company's vision. Taking his place as CEO is long-time executive Jeremy Reeds, who previously served as President. The leadership expansion is rounded out by the appointment of Adam Molson, a veteran of sustainable development from The Daniels Corporation, who joins as Partner, Development.

This leadership evolution comes as Windmill prepares to bring a pipeline of more than 2,200 residential units across Ontario to a shovel-ready state by the end of 2026, signaling a significant acceleration of its impact-driven mission.

A New Guard for Green Growth

The executive shuffle is designed to leverage specialized expertise to drive the company's next phase. As Executive Chair, Westeinde will concentrate on the big picture, strengthening governance and building the financial alliances necessary to fund large-scale, sustainable communities. "There is no sustainability without affordability," Westeinde stated in the announcement, emphasizing his focus on building long-term partnerships.

As the new CEO, Jeremy Reeds assumes full operational authority. His promotion is a nod to his proven financial acumen and operational leadership, which have been instrumental in the company's success. Reeds has been a key figure in managing The One Planet Living Real Estate Fund, an impact investment vehicle co-managed with Epic Investments that is fueling a significant pipeline of sustainable communities in Canada. His deep familiarity with both the financial and operational mechanics of the company's unique model makes him a natural fit to guide its expansion.

"I'm looking forward to building on our momentum and continuing to deliver disciplined, impact-driven growth," Reeds commented.

The most significant new addition is Adam Molson. His 16-year tenure at The Daniels Corporation saw him rise to Vice President, Rental Communities and Sustainability, where he became a leading voice in decarbonization and accessible living. Molson led pioneering projects that set new industry benchmarks for the use of geothermal systems, all-electric buildings, and rooftop solar installations. His expertise in delivering complex, sustainable high-rise communities is seen as a critical asset for Windmill.

"I've long admired Windmill's approach to development," Molson said. "As developers, our job is to solve problems and uplift people. It's not products that we're building -- it's homes."

The 'One Planet Living' Blueprint

Central to Windmill's identity is its unwavering adherence to the 'One Planet Living' (OPL) framework, a holistic sustainability model developed by the UK-based organization Bioregional. Unlike standard green building certifications that often focus narrowly on energy or materials, OPL is built on ten comprehensive principles that encompass everything from health and happiness to equity, local economy, and zero-carbon energy. This framework moves beyond merely reducing environmental harm, pushing for a net-positive impact on both people and the planet.

Windmill's commitment was formally recognized in 2024 when it became the first North American company to be named a One Planet Living Global Leader. This is the highest level of distinction awarded by Bioregional, signifying that a company has deeply embedded the OPL principles into its corporate culture and has a credible action plan to achieve systemic change. It validates the developer's two-decade history of pursuing the highest levels of environmental certification for its communities.

From Blueprint to Buildings: Tackling Ontario's Housing Crisis

Windmill's strategic pivot is not happening in a vacuum. It is a direct response to Ontario's severe housing shortage, where experts estimate 1.5 million new homes are needed over the next decade to restore affordability. The company's projects serve as tangible case studies for how to build high-quality, sustainable housing that is also accessible.

Two current projects exemplify this approach. Kennedy Green, located at 2444 Eglinton in Scarborough, is set to become Canada's largest co-operative housing development in over 30 years. As the first private-led rezoning of a City of Toronto Housing Now site, the project will deliver 919 homes, with the first phase of 612 units split evenly between affordable and market-rate co-op homes. Supported by nearly $290 million from the federal government and over $35 million from the city, the project was fast-tracked through zoning in just 69 days, demonstrating a new potential for public-private collaboration. It is being built to high environmental standards, including the use of a geothermal energy system.

Meanwhile, Hälsa at 230 Royal York in Toronto's Mimico neighborhood is breaking new ground as the city's tallest mass-timber residential building. The use of prefabricated Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) drastically reduces the project's upfront embodied carbon footprint. The development is designed to be a net-zero community, meeting LEED Platinum and Toronto Green Standard V4 Tier 2 requirements, all while operating under the One Planet Living framework.

The Business of Better Building

With a $5 billion portfolio, Windmill is proving that its sustainability-first model is not just an ethical choice but a powerful business strategy. Westeinde’s new role focusing on capital partnerships underscores a key reality: there is a growing pool of investors actively seeking opportunities that deliver strong financial returns alongside measurable environmental and social governance (ESG) benefits.

The successful establishment of the $66 million One Planet Living Real Estate Fund with Epic Investments is a prime example. This fund is already backing ten active projects, demonstrating a replicable model for financing this new breed of development. By proving that building sustainable, affordable communities can be profitable, Windmill is creating a blueprint that could influence the broader real estate market.

The refined leadership structure, with Reeds managing operations and Molson driving development innovation, allows Westeinde to focus on scaling this financial model. This positions Windmill to not only execute its current pipeline but also to seize new opportunities, cementing its role as a key player in shaping a more sustainable and equitable urban future for Ontario.