2025 ONPHA Conference

115 – Made in Housing: Building Economic and Social Sustainability in Community Housing

Mayor Olivia Chow

Mayor of Toronto

Olivia Chow has served the people of Toronto for over three decades. Born in Hong Kong in 1957, she immigrated to Toronto with her parents at the age of 13. An apartment in the St. James Town neighbourhood was the launchpad for her remarkable personal journey as a community organizer,… Read More

Hon. Rob Flack

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Rob is a lifelong businessman who was appointed to the role of Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing in March of 2025. He previously served as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, as well as Associate Minister of Housing. Prior to entering politics, he enjoyed a fulfilling career as CEO… Read More

Sean Baird

President & CEO, Toronto Community Housing

As President and CEO of Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) – Canada’s largest social housing provider – Sean Baird leads the stewardship of 43,000 affordable homes for nearly 100,000 residents living across Toronto. At a time when the city is facing an unprecedented housing crisis, Sean guides TCHC’s evolving role: preserving… Read More

Presenting:

223 – Ethical Capital: Raise Money and Grow Local Impact

Mike Bulthuis

Executive Director, Ottawa Community Land Trust

Mike Bulthuis is the Executive Director of the Ottawa Community Land Trust. He has worked at the intersections of policy, research and community mobilization for over 20 years, joining the Ottawa Community Land Trust in late 2022. He has worked in policy development with the federal public service on issues… Read More

Presenting:

223 – Ethical Capital: Raise Money and Grow Local Impact

Laura Penney

Director of Tenant and Community Engagement, Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation

Laura is the Director of Tenant and Community Engagement at Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation, with ten years of experience in community development. Her background includes roles in non-profit sectors focused on environmental education, young engagement, and community gardening. Laura holds a BA in International Development and is passionate about building… Read More

Presenting:

223 – Ethical Capital: Raise Money and Grow Local Impact

Ryan Collins-Swartz

Co-Executive Director, Tapestry

Ryan is dedicated to building inclusive financial systems that engage the transformative power of community. As the Co-Executive Director of Tapestry, he supports organizations across Canada to raise impact investment using an innovative tool called community bonds. His professional journey has focused on the intersections between real estate, community economic… Read More

Presenting:

123 – Design Matters: Elevating Affordable Housing through Innovation

Sony Rai

Principal, SvN Architects + Planners

With over 20 years of architectural experience, Sony leads SvN’s affordable housing portfolio, guiding projects that evolve from housing into complete communities. Through SvN’s integrated Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Planning practice, his work delivers dignified homes that provide lasting benefits to residents and neighborhoods. Sony is committed to meaningful community… Read More

Presenting:

111 – OUR Framework in Action: Community-Driven Urban Indigenous Housing Policy

1:30 PM - 2:45 PM

Peggy Rice

Senior Housing Policy Analyst, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services

Peggy Rice, Senior Housing Policy Analyst, joined the OAHS team in 2018. She is a proud Anishinaabe Kwe recently elected to Council for Michipicoten First Nation; a signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty. Peggy’s formal education includes an MBA, an Honours BA, and Aboriginal Economic Development Technician Certification.  Peggy’s bundle… Read More

Presenting:

112 – Modernizing Rent and Lease Services: A Tenant-First, Tech-Smart Approach

Greg Finnamore

Chief Financial Officer, Ottawa Community Housing

Greg Finnamore serves as Chief Financial Officer at Ottawa Community Housing Corporation, overseeing all Finance, Treasury, Sourcing, Payments Processing, Risk Management and Legal functions. Chartered Professional Accountant with over 30 years of experience in financial services, capital markets, consulting, and the public sector, Greg is recognized as a strategic leader… Read More

Aneeta Kang

Senior Manager, Quality Standardization and Assurance, Ottawa Community Housing Corporation

Aneeta Kang is the Senior Manager of Quality Standardization and Assurance at Ottawa Community Housing Corporation (OCHC), where she leads OCH Elevate- the organization’s innovative Continuous Improvement program. She is driving a tenant-first, data-driven culture of quality by embedding Lean practices, building staff expertise, and leading projects that modernize how… Read More

Presenting:

222 – Right Care, Right Time, Right Place: Embedding Wellness into Community Housing

Kathy Peters

Executive Director, Burlington Ontario Health Team

Kathy Peters, BSc.Bio., BSc.OT., MBA, is an experienced executive leader who is passionate about the intersectionality of health, housing and wellness. She challenges the status quo of siloed systems and delivers impactful change through re-design at the local integrated care level in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Kathy is an experienced conference… Read More

Presenting:

222 – Right Care, Right Time, Right Place: Embedding Wellness into Community Housing

Dr. Reham Abdelhalim

Manager, Population Health and Evaluation, Burlington Ontario Health Team

Dr. Reham Abdelhalim is an accomplished researcher, evaluator, and health system planner & strategist, currently serving as Manager of Population Health and Evaluation for the Burlington Ontario Health Team. Reham’s dedication to improving healthcare systems led her to pursue a PHD in evaluation of complex health interventions from Institute of… Read More

Presenting:

221 – Faith-Based Pathways to Developing Affordable Housing

Sally Ledger

Interim CEO, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services

Sally Ledger, interim CEO, re-joined OAHS in 2018, as Senior Advisor supporting various departments and initiatives. Sally is a proud Woodlands Métis, who originates from Jellicoe, ON, and currently resides in Thunder Bay, ON. She was Executive Director of the Dryden Native Friendship Centre for 9 years and was ONWA… Read More

Adam Sweedland

Chief Executive Officer, CityHousing Hamilton Corporation

Adam Sweedland is the Chief Executive Officer of CityHousing Hamilton (CHH), leading efforts to provide safe, affordable homes and services to more than 13,000 tenants. Since joining CHH in 2022, he has led CHH’s new and ambitious 20-year development strategy and action plan, focused on revitalizing communities and expanding housing… Read More

Myra Pennington

COO, Affordable360

Myra Pennington is the Chief Operating Officer of Affordable360, a federally funded CMHC initiative that accelerates affordable housing development through training, advisory services, and innovative technology tools. She leads projects with non-profits, municipalities, and faith-based organizations to unlock scalable solutions for housing. With a background in Community Design, Sustainability, and… Read More

Presenting:

214 – Building More, Building Smarter: Unlocking Scalable Housing Solutions

Nicholas Gefucia

Senior Vice President, EllisDon Community Builders

Nick is a lawyer and Senior Vice President, Affordable Housing with EllisDon Capital where he provides leadership to EllisDon’s dedicated national affordable housing development team – EllisDon Community Builders. Beginning his career in corporate and commercial law, he gained expertise in project finance, public infrastructure procurement, and multi-jurisdictional lending. Read More

Presenting:

214 – Building More, Building Smarter: Unlocking Scalable Housing Solutions

Emmy Kelly

Chief Executive Officer, Blue Door

Emmy Kelly is Chief Executive Officer at Blue Door, where she has led the rapid expansion of housing and support services for individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. With over 20 years of experience in poverty alleviation and nonprofit leadership in Canada and abroad, Emmy is known for turning bold ideas… Read More

Presenting:

112 – Modernizing Rent and Lease Services: A Tenant-First, Tech-Smart Approach

Michelle Parisien

Director, Tenant Experience Operations, Ottawa Community Housing Corporation

Michelle Parisien is the Director of Tenant Experience Operations at Ottawa Community Housing Corporation (OCHC), where she is redefining what tenant-centered housing services look like. She has led the transformation of Rent and Lease Services from a traditional administrative function into an innovative, tenant-first model that sets new benchmarks in… Read More

Presenting:

221 – Faith-Based Pathways to Developing Affordable Housing

Jenn St Louis

Project Director, City of Toronto

Jenn has over two decades of experience in the non-profit housing sector in positions ranging from front-line Community Support Worker to Manager of Member Services and Education at ONPHA. Jenn has been with the City of Toronto for 11 years, supporting the City’s transitional work on Toronto Community Housing Corporation. Read More

Mike Wood Daly

Director of Research, Relèven

Dr. Mike Wood Daly serves as Research Director for Relèven, a charitable foundation dedicated to helping religious congregations reimagine and repurpose under-used properties as community hubs and affordable housing. Based in Toronto, Mike draws on over 35 years of experience in pastoral ministry, community development, teaching, and research. With a… Read More

Presenting:

Plenary 3 – Resilience by design: Moving forward with bold housing solutions

Keith Hambly

Chief Executive Officer, Fred Victor

Keith Hambly is the Chief Executive Officer of Fred Victor, one of Toronto’s largest multi-service organizations dedicated to ending homelessness and helping people rebuild their lives. Since stepping into the role in 2020 — after beginning his career at Fred Victor in 1995 — Keith has led the organization through… Read More

Presenting:

Plenary 1 – What can we do with $38 billion? Leveraging strengths for systems change

Heather McDonald

President & CEO, United Way Greater Toronto

Heather McDonald became President and CEO of United Way Greater Toronto in 2025, bringing over 25 years of leadership in social services. Formerly CEO of LOFT Community Services, she led major growth, mergers, and real estate expansion. Heather began her career in frontline service and holds an MSW and ICD.D… Read More

Presenting:

Plenary 1 – What can we do with $38 billion? Leveraging strengths for systems change

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Jamie McGarvey

Mayor of the Town of Parry Sound, Chair of the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities

Jamie has been involved in municipal politics for the past 40 years. Currently he is The Mayor of the Town of Parry Sound, Chair of the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities, AMO Board Member and Past President, President of Parry Sound Non Profit Housing, Board Member of Parry Sound District Social… Read More

Presenting:

Plenary 2 – Housing as health: Building endurance through cross-sector collaboration

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Deb Galet

President & CEO, Baycrest Hospital and Long Term Care

Deb Galet is the President and CEO of Baycrest Hospital and Long Term Care Home. Deb is a lifelong learner with a passion for innovative initiatives in healthcare and aging. She began her career as an occupational therapist across various clinical environments, including acute care, geriatric rehabilitation, complex continuing… Read More

Presenting:

Plenary 2 – Housing as health: Building endurance through cross-sector collaboration

Matthew Bowen

CEO, Haldimand Norfolk Housing Corporation

Matt Bowen is an exceptional, visionary leader at Haldimand Norfolk Housing Corporation (HNHC), passionately dedicated to transforming affordable housing. With a laser focus on collaboration and sustainability, he drives innovative initiatives that cultivate inclusive, resilient communities. Drawing on over 20 years experience in mental health and community housing, Matt champions… Read More

Presenting:

Plenary 2 – Housing as health: Building endurance through cross-sector collaboration

Nolan Goyette

Chief Tenant Services Officer, Windsor Essex Community Housing Corporation

Nolan Goyette is the Chief Tenant Services Officer of Windsor Essex Community Housing Corporation. Prior to his time in community housing, Nolan served as the VP Corporate Services & CFO/COO for a community hospital where he led the first balanced budget in over ten years. Pulling together concepts from the… Read More

Presenting:

Plenary 3 – Resilience by design: Moving forward with bold housing solutions

S. Mwarigha

Vice President of Housing Growth, Development & Asset Sustainability, WoodGreen Community Services

S. Mwarigha leads WoodGreen’s affordable housing strategy, delivering Toronto’s first National Co-Investment and City’s Open-Door project, a 36-unit development for low-income, high-needs seniors, completed during the pandemic and occupied in June 2022. Mwarigha drives WoodGreen’s goal to build 2,000 affordable housing units through development, partnerships, and acquisitions. As Chair of… Read More

Presenting:

Plenary 3 – Resilience by design: Moving forward with bold housing solutions

Ami Patel

Partner, Finance & Operations, Civic Developments

Ami Patel, CPA, CA, is a purpose-driven finance leader with deep expertise in development, strategy, and community housing. As the head of financial and strategic evaluation at Civic Developments, she leads project financing, accounting, financial reporting, and corporate operations – ensuring that each initiative is grounded in strong fiscal stewardship… Read More

Presenting:

214 – Building More, Building Smarter: Unlocking Scalable Housing Solutions

Lori-Anne Gagne

CEO, Victoria Park Community Homes

Lori-Anne joined “Vic Park” in 2014 bringing with her over 30 years of experience in social housing. She began her social housing career in 1986 with a development consulting firm in Northern Ontario. In 1992, Lori-Anne launched her own property management firm in Sudbury, Marlor Management, specializing in non-profit and… Read More

Presenting:

113 – Getting Housing Built: Reducing Barriers to Development

Valesa Faria

Executive Director, Development Review, City of Toronto

Valesa Faria is the inaugural Executive Director, Development Review at the City of Toronto since April 2024. In this role, Valesa oversees a multidisciplinary team of professionals who are involved in the development review process including Community Planning, Development Engineering, Transportation Review, Strategy and Client Relations, and Development Process Improvement. Read More

Presenting:

113 – Getting Housing Built: Reducing Barriers to Development

Fred Bever

Board Chair, St Jude Community Homes

Fred retired in the summer of 2021 after a long career in community development, housing, finance and education. His last gig was with ONPHA where as an Education and Research Advisor he was responsible for the development and delivery of a number of education products including; Housing Finance, Ready Set… Read More

Presenting:

212 – Built to Belong: Innovations in Supportive Housing

Lacey Kerr

Director of Housing, Homes First Society

Lacey has worked with Homes First since 2020, working in various roles including as a Manager of several of our shelter programs and as the Assistant Director of Client Services. Lacey has a background in case management, supportive housing and harm reduction and is currently dedicated to developing housing… Read More

Presenting:

113 – Getting Housing Built: Reducing Barriers to Development

Andrew Whittemore

Commissioner of Planning & Building, City of Mississauga

Andrew Whittemore, has been the Commissioner of Mississauga’s Planning & Building Department since 2018, and has over 25 years of experience in urban planning. Andrew’s career began in Halifax, pioneering the city’s inaugural Regional Plan post-amalgamation. In Mississauga, Andrew has spearheaded multiple award-winning projects, including the city’s first Affordable Housing… Read More

Presenting:

Plenary 2 – Housing as health: Building endurance through cross-sector collaboration

Dr. Gina Agarwal

VIP Research Lab, McMaster University

Gina Agarwal holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Vulnerable Individuals in Primary Care. She is a Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and has been a practicing Family Physician for more than 25 years and she currently works in Addiction and Chronic Pain medicine. She has worked… Read More

Presenting:

221 – Faith-Based Pathways to Developing Affordable Housing

David Rourke

Principal, Round Table Procurement Services

David Rourke has spent his career in the areas of strategic sourcing, procurement management, supply chain management, electronic marketplaces, and group purchasing models. In 2003, David co-founded RTPS, an organization focused on helping Canadian non-profit organizations manage and improve their procurement activities. RTPS is a proud partner of ONPHA and… Read More

Leanne Sawatzky

Director, SFU Renewable Cities

Leanne Sawatzky is Director of Renewable Cities, a special initiative of Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue. With 20 years of experience advancing sustainable, livable and resilient communities, her leadership emphasizes systems-thinking, partnership and collaboration. Renewable Cities convenes diverse groups to address complex challenges in housing, transportation and land use. Read More

Presenting:

Plenary 3 – Resilience by design: Moving forward with bold housing solutions

Marlene Coffey

CEO, Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association

Marlene Coffey is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA). Marlene’s leadership at ONPHA has helped the organization redefine its focus on leading sector transformation through an economic development approach to housing. With a background in strategic planning, Marlene has led economic development initiatives in municipalities… Read More

Presenting:

Plenary 1 – What can we do with $38 billion? Leveraging strengths for systems change

Plenary 2 – Housing as health: Building endurance through cross-sector collaboration

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.