SmartStop’s Bliss Edwards Recognized as National Winner in the 2025 Canadian Women in Real Estate Awards
SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (NYSE: SMA), a fully integrated and internally managed real estate investment trust, has announced an important milestone for the organization: Bliss Edwards, the company’s Executive Vice President and Head of Canada, has been named a national winner in the 2025 Canadian Women in Real Estate Awards. Presented by Connect CRE Canada, the award recognizes exceptional leadership and meaningful achievements by women across the commercial real estate industry. Edwards’ selection as a national honoree highlights her profound influence on SmartStop’s growth, her leadership within the sector, and her contributions to the advancement of women in real estate.
A Leader Shaping SmartStop’s Canadian Strategy
Since joining SmartStop in 2019, Edwards has served as a driving force in expanding the company’s presence across key Canadian markets. In her role, she oversees SmartStop’s acquisition and development initiatives, a portfolio that includes evaluating potential properties, assessing new opportunities in emerging markets, and leading development strategies that strengthen the company’s footprint.
Under her direction, SmartStop’s Canadian operations have undergone significant transformation. One of the most notable accomplishments during her tenure is the fourfold increase in the company’s net rentable square-foot development pipeline. This dramatic growth reflects not only a surge in acquisitions and development projects but also SmartStop’s strategic alignment with rising demand for modern, secure storage solutions in Canadian metropolitan regions.
Through Edwards’ leadership, SmartStop has evolved from a strong industry participant into a top-ten self-storage operator in North America, a top-five operator in Canada, and the leading storage operator in the Greater Toronto Area based on net rentable square footage. Her disciplined approach and commitment to long-term growth have helped the company strengthen its operations, elevate its market position, and set new benchmarks in the self-storage sector.
Driving Excellence in a Growing Industry
The real estate landscape—particularly within the storage sector—is undergoing rapid evolution. Urban densification, consumer mobility, and the growth of small businesses have all contributed to rising demand for accessible storage facilities. SmartStop’s success in navigating this expanding market is due in large part to Edwards’ ability to anticipate market needs and execute with precision.
Her oversight includes strategic site evaluation, risk assessment, planning, and coordination with local development teams. Edwards’ approach is characterized not only by data-driven decision-making but by the ability to cultivate strong partnerships with stakeholders across the real estate ecosystem. These capabilities have empowered SmartStop to confidently expand its portfolio in some of Canada’s most competitive and fast-growing urban centers.
Recognition Through the Canadian Women in Real Estate Awards
The Canadian Women in Real Estate Awards, hosted by Connect CRE Canada, were established to honor women who demonstrate excellence, innovation, and leadership within the commercial real estate industry. Awardees are selected from across the country and represent a wide range of disciplines—including development, investment, operations, architecture, project management, finance, and asset management.
Being named a national winner is a distinguished honor. It reflects not only Edwards’ substantive professional achievements but also her impact as a mentor and role model. She is recognized for her strategic vision, her hands-on execution in property acquisitions and development, and her commitment to supporting the next generation of real estate professionals.
In an industry where women remain underrepresented in senior leadership roles, Edwards’ recognition signifies meaningful progress and reinforces the importance of representation at the executive level. Her leadership illustrates how diverse perspectives strengthen an organization’s ability to innovate and succeed.
SmartStop Leadership Congratulates a Transformative Executive
H. Michael Schwartz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SmartStop, expressed pride in Edwards’ recognition, noting the significant contributions she has made to the company’s growth trajectory.
“On behalf of SmartStop, I congratulate Bliss on this well-deserved recognition,” Schwartz said. “Her leadership has been instrumental to our Canadian growth strategy, including the substantial expansion of our development pipeline and our position as a leading operator in key markets.”
Schwartz further emphasized that Edwards’ accomplishments are the result of her strategic thinking, her operational discipline, and her unwavering dedication to excellence. Her ability to foster talent and mentor emerging leaders within SmartStop has also strengthened the company’s internal culture and supported a pipeline of future industry leaders.
“Bliss brings strategic vision, operational discipline, and a commitment to developing talent across the organization,” Schwartz added. “This national award underscores the meaningful impact she has had on SmartStop and on the broader real estate community.”
A Milestone for SmartStop and for Women in Real Estate
Edwards’ national award shines a spotlight not only on her accomplishments but also on SmartStop’s continued efforts to champion leadership, innovation, and diversity. As the company expands its presence across North America, her achievements help reinforce SmartStop’s reputation as a forward-thinking, growth-oriented organization.
Her recognition signals a broader trend within the commercial real estate industry: a recognition of the critical role women leaders play in shaping the future of real estate development, operations, and investment strategy. Edwards’ work in advancing SmartStop’s ambitions demonstrates how strong leadership at the regional level can drive measurable results on an international scale.
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