The firm always has had a bit of a rebellious streak…

This month, the Gilligan Sheppard team gathered for lunch to celebrate a remarkable milestone: Tanya’s 30 years with the firm. As speeches were shared and memories recounted, it became clear that three decades at one company is more than just a career achievement — it’s a testament to loyalty, adaptability, and the kind of workplace culture that makes people want to stay.

Tanya has been a cornerstone of Gilligan Sheppard since 1995. From her early days navigating paper journals and shared computers to her current role managing complex property syndications and serving as the firm’s institutional memory, she’s been there through every transformation, every challenge, and every triumph. Her clients trust her implicitly, her colleagues turn to her instinctively, and Bruce — well, after 30 years together, they’re “like an old married couple.”

Here, in her own words, Tanya reflects on the journey, the changes, and what’s made it all worthwhile.

Wow… 30 years!

It feels like just yesterday I was celebrating 25 years (between lockdowns) — and wondering how on earth that happened so fast. Now here we are, at 30.

I still remember my interview back in 1995 with Greg Rathbun (previous partner at GS). I’d come up from Matamata for the day after working in Morrinsville for a couple of years. During my interview, Greg had painted this picture of Bruce — the laid-back legend in jandals and Stubbie shorts. So naturally, I walk into Bruce’s office expecting casual… and there he is, in a full suit. One of the few times I’ve ever seen him in one. I left thinking I didn’t want the job, yet here I am 30 years later.

The biggest transformation over the years? Technology — hands down. When I started, we had paper journals, two computers to share and a printer room. Now we’ve got cloud storage, video calls, and AI that can write your emails. I’ve gone from dial-up to Wi-Fi, floppy disks to flash drives, and from asking “Where’s the paper file?” to “Who deleted the shared folder?”

Gilligan Sheppard has evolved right alongside it. The firm has always had a bit of a rebellious streak — challenging norms, embracing risk, and occasionally getting stung by bees (yes, that actually happened). Over the years, we’ve welcomed partners Richard Ashby, Yi Ping Ge, and Joshna Mistry, who have each brought their own flair, strengths, and a healthy dose of office antics.

We’ve gone from outsourcing to India 20 years ago (with a two-person team) to originating private equity deals, from paper-based chaos to digital strategy, and from a small team to a firm that’s known for its diversity, innovation, and outright refusal to be boring.

And through it all, we’ve remained in the Smith & Caughey building on the 4th floor, with a brief detour to the 6th during renovations. We’ve gone from being in a building with a bustling department store to one with blacked-out windows… which is a little sad.

But above all, what’s made the journey truly special is the people. I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible individuals and making lifelong friends along the way. The laughs, the support, the shared chaos, these are the things that stick with you.

And through all the years, all the changes, and all the “Wait, we’re doing what now?” moments — the one person who’s seen it all with me is Bruce. From jandals to suits and everything in between, it’s been quite the ride.

It’s been an incredible journey full of growth, change, and ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Author: Tanya Canty

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Bruce’s Perspective: 30 Years of Partnership

When I asked Bruce to reflect on Tanya’s three decades at Gilligan Sheppard, his response was characteristically succinct: “It’s been a long time.”

And it has. Thirty years. Half of Tanya’s life. A third of Bruce’s. “We are like an old married couple,” he mused.

When pressed about what he values most about working with Tanya over these decades, Bruce didn’t hesitate: “Consistency, application, determination, and the ability to challenge.”

It’s that last one — the ability to challenge — that perhaps best captures Tanya’s role at the firm. Bruce describes her ‘camp mother approach’ with a grin: “Stop, you can’t do that. Go back to your desk.” It’s a refrain that’s echoed through the office more times than anyone can count, keeping the team grounded and on track through three decades of growth and change.

But it’s with clients where Tanya truly shines. “She remains connected to them, she understands what’s happening in their life, she cares about it, and she will actually provide challenge and advice at the right moments,” Bruce explains. Some of her longest-serving clients have been with the firm since 1985 — predating even Tanya’s own tenure. For 30 years, she’s been their trusted advisor, and they still defer to her on most things.

Why? “She’s consistent, she’s available, she’s responsive generally. But the fundamental underlying factor is she cares. She cares about them.”

Beyond client relationships, Tanya has become something else entirely: “the repository of institutional knowledge,” as Bruce puts it. She knows where everything is, how everything works, and yes — where the bodies are buried. When Bruce isn’t around, she’s the person everyone turns to. For property syndications, complex paperwork, or just navigating the accumulated wisdom of 30 years at Gilligan Sheppard, Tanya is the go-to.

When I asked about memorable stories from three decades together, Bruce paused. “There’s so many, none stand out on their own. It’s a continuum.” And perhaps that’s the point. Thirty years isn’t made up of a handful of dramatic moments — it’s built on consistency, care, and showing up day after day.

Though Bruce did add with a knowing smile: “What happens on conference stays on conference.”

Author: Bruce Sheppard

Here’s to the next chapter, Tanya. And to Bruce — your partner in this very long, very successful ‘marriage.’