board of directors 2026
Would you like to be part of MHI's Board of Directors? Email [email protected] to inquire!
Andre Asselin
Voting - Independent Director
Member of MHI's Development & Sustainability Committee
André Asselin has served for the past four years as a Peer Reviewer for Sustainable Affordable Housing proposals submitted to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). He served on the Board of Directors for Gloucester Housing Corporation (GHC) since 2018, chairing their Development & Sustainability Committee, and serving as a member of the Asset Management Committee. André retired after 32 years with the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and continues to contribute his expertise to advancing affordable housing outcomes.
Voting - Independent Director
Member of MHI's Development & Sustainability Committee
André Asselin has served for the past four years as a Peer Reviewer for Sustainable Affordable Housing proposals submitted to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). He served on the Board of Directors for Gloucester Housing Corporation (GHC) since 2018, chairing their Development & Sustainability Committee, and serving as a member of the Asset Management Committee. André retired after 32 years with the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and continues to contribute his expertise to advancing affordable housing outcomes.
Bernard Benoit
Incoming - Independent Director (vote pending)
Bernie Benoit is a project management professional with more than 20 years of experience. He owned and operated a consulting firm from 1999 to 2018, delivering projects for public, educational, and government organizations. An active member of the Ottawa Bahá’í community, he has supported the acquisition, renovation, and management of community properties. Bernie served on the Board of Directors of Multifaith Housing Initiative from 2015 to 2018 and on its Property Management Committee. From 2018 to 2023, Bernie assisted with the construction of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Incoming - Independent Director (vote pending)
Bernie Benoit is a project management professional with more than 20 years of experience. He owned and operated a consulting firm from 1999 to 2018, delivering projects for public, educational, and government organizations. An active member of the Ottawa Bahá’í community, he has supported the acquisition, renovation, and management of community properties. Bernie served on the Board of Directors of Multifaith Housing Initiative from 2015 to 2018 and on its Property Management Committee. From 2018 to 2023, Bernie assisted with the construction of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bernie Burns
Voting - Independent Director
Chair of MHI's Governance and Human Resources Committee
Bernie Burns served on the Board of Directors of Gloucester Housing Corporation (GHC) for 11 years, including multiple terms as Board President. He has also held leadership roles with the Housing Registry of Ottawa and the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa. Over a 33-year career in housing, including senior roles at the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Ottawa Community Housing (OCH), Bernie contributed to governance, human resources, and community development initiatives.
Voting - Independent Director
Chair of MHI's Governance and Human Resources Committee
Bernie Burns served on the Board of Directors of Gloucester Housing Corporation (GHC) for 11 years, including multiple terms as Board President. He has also held leadership roles with the Housing Registry of Ottawa and the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa. Over a 33-year career in housing, including senior roles at the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Ottawa Community Housing (OCH), Bernie contributed to governance, human resources, and community development initiatives.
Denys Chamberland
Voting - Independent Director
Chair of MHI's Property Asset Committee
Denys Chamberland retired from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) after more than 30 years, during which he held director-level positions in Internal Audit, Insurance Servicing, Organizational Effectiveness, and Administrative Services. He holds degrees from McGill University and Harvard University and previously served six years as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of Gloucester Housing Corporation (GHC).
Voting - Independent Director
Chair of MHI's Property Asset Committee
Denys Chamberland retired from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) after more than 30 years, during which he held director-level positions in Internal Audit, Insurance Servicing, Organizational Effectiveness, and Administrative Services. He holds degrees from McGill University and Harvard University and previously served six years as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of Gloucester Housing Corporation (GHC).
Mary Donaghy
Voting - Independent Director
Board Secretary
Mary Donaghy brings a strong commitment to social justice and equity to her work. She retired after 30 years in the federal public service, where she served as a senior executive across five departments and agencies. Her experience includes policy and program development, implementation and evaluation, planning and reporting, and extensive stakeholder engagement. Mary currently serves part-time as a Special Advisor at the Privy Council Office, chairing selection committees for Governor-in-Council appointments, and is active on the Refugee Settlement Committee at First United Church.
Voting - Independent Director
Board Secretary
Mary Donaghy brings a strong commitment to social justice and equity to her work. She retired after 30 years in the federal public service, where she served as a senior executive across five departments and agencies. Her experience includes policy and program development, implementation and evaluation, planning and reporting, and extensive stakeholder engagement. Mary currently serves part-time as a Special Advisor at the Privy Council Office, chairing selection committees for Governor-in-Council appointments, and is active on the Refugee Settlement Committee at First United Church.
Fred Gloade
Voting - Independent Director
Chair of MHI's Membership and Outreach Committee
Fred Gloade works with First Nations on management and governance challenges, integrating cultural knowledge with modern management practices to support effective, community-led solutions. An Elder and Co-Chair of the Saint Vincent de Paul housing initiative, he has played an active role in advancing Indigenous housing in the Ottawa area. Fred has served on several non-profit boards, including the Mentorship Aftercare Program, and held leadership roles with Gignul Non-Profit Housing Corporation and Madawan Place. Prior to retiring, he contributed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Treasury Board submission and served as Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive for Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada.
Voting - Independent Director
Chair of MHI's Membership and Outreach Committee
Fred Gloade works with First Nations on management and governance challenges, integrating cultural knowledge with modern management practices to support effective, community-led solutions. An Elder and Co-Chair of the Saint Vincent de Paul housing initiative, he has played an active role in advancing Indigenous housing in the Ottawa area. Fred has served on several non-profit boards, including the Mentorship Aftercare Program, and held leadership roles with Gignul Non-Profit Housing Corporation and Madawan Place. Prior to retiring, he contributed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Treasury Board submission and served as Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive for Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada.
Saide Sayah
Voting - Independent Director
Saide Sayah had a long career with the City of Ottawa, serving as Director of Housing Services within Community and Social Services. In this role, he was responsible for social and affordable housing, homelessness programs, residential services, and emergency shelters. He later joined Fotenn Planning + Design and brings more than 20 years of experience in development and community planning. Saide is also a part-time professor at Algonquin College, where he teaches Principles of Urban Planning.
Voting - Independent Director
Saide Sayah had a long career with the City of Ottawa, serving as Director of Housing Services within Community and Social Services. In this role, he was responsible for social and affordable housing, homelessness programs, residential services, and emergency shelters. He later joined Fotenn Planning + Design and brings more than 20 years of experience in development and community planning. Saide is also a part-time professor at Algonquin College, where he teaches Principles of Urban Planning.
Shirley Siegel
Incoming - Independent Director (vote pending)
Shirley Siegel is a former senior executive in the Canadian Public Service, specializing in human resources (HR) management and strategic policy development. Following retirement, she held senior HR roles at the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations Secretariat. Shirley has volunteered internationally with Habitat for Humanity and supported education and economic development initiatives for women. In Canada, her volunteer work focuses on social housing, developmental disabilities, Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation, and leadership development.
Incoming - Independent Director (vote pending)
Shirley Siegel is a former senior executive in the Canadian Public Service, specializing in human resources (HR) management and strategic policy development. Following retirement, she held senior HR roles at the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations Secretariat. Shirley has volunteered internationally with Habitat for Humanity and supported education and economic development initiatives for women. In Canada, her volunteer work focuses on social housing, developmental disabilities, Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation, and leadership development.
Ishbel Solvason
President
Chair of MHI's Executive Committee
Ishbel Solvason has held senior leadership roles across the non-profit and housing sectors for more than three decades. She served as Executive Director of the John Howard Society in Manitoba and later of the Elizabeth Fry Society in Ottawa. In 1998, she became the first Executive Director of the Housing Registry of Ottawa, a role she held until retiring in 2022. Ishbel also served as a lay member of the Ontario Judicial Council and has received leadership and lifetime achievement awards from Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA).
President
Chair of MHI's Executive Committee
Ishbel Solvason has held senior leadership roles across the non-profit and housing sectors for more than three decades. She served as Executive Director of the John Howard Society in Manitoba and later of the Elizabeth Fry Society in Ottawa. In 1998, she became the first Executive Director of the Housing Registry of Ottawa, a role she held until retiring in 2022. Ishbel also served as a lay member of the Ontario Judicial Council and has received leadership and lifetime achievement awards from Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA).
Gary Stein
Voting - Independent Director
Gary Stein holds degrees from McGill University, York University, and Osgoode Hall Law School. He practised law privately and served as Executive Director of a community legal organization. Gary joined South Ottawa Community Legal Services in 1995, representing low-income and vulnerable clients in housing, income support, and disability matters, and became Executive Director in 2005. Following the amalgamation of Ottawa’s legal clinics, he served as Executive Director of Community Legal Services of Ottawa. He is a member of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and a long-time member of Or Haneshamah, Ottawa’s Reconstructionist Jewish congregation.
Voting - Independent Director
Gary Stein holds degrees from McGill University, York University, and Osgoode Hall Law School. He practised law privately and served as Executive Director of a community legal organization. Gary joined South Ottawa Community Legal Services in 1995, representing low-income and vulnerable clients in housing, income support, and disability matters, and became Executive Director in 2005. Following the amalgamation of Ottawa’s legal clinics, he served as Executive Director of Community Legal Services of Ottawa. He is a member of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and a long-time member of Or Haneshamah, Ottawa’s Reconstructionist Jewish congregation.
Amanda Tompkins
Incoming - Independent Director (vote pending)
Amanda Tompkins is a bilingual senior finance professional and CPA, CA, with more than 20 years of experience in financial management, operations, and administrative leadership. She currently serves as Director of Finance at the Mental Health Commission of Canada and previously served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of Gloucester Housing Corporation (GHC). Amanda brings a collaborative leadership approach and a strong focus on organizational effectiveness.
Incoming - Independent Director (vote pending)
Amanda Tompkins is a bilingual senior finance professional and CPA, CA, with more than 20 years of experience in financial management, operations, and administrative leadership. She currently serves as Director of Finance at the Mental Health Commission of Canada and previously served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of Gloucester Housing Corporation (GHC). Amanda brings a collaborative leadership approach and a strong focus on organizational effectiveness.
Arlene Wortsman
Voting - Independent Director
Chair of MHI's Development & Sustainability Committee
Arlene Wortsman is an independent consultant with more than 30 years of experience across the public, private, and non-governmental organization sectors. She has supported numerous organizations in developing strategic plans and strengthening governance, operations, and long-term sustainability.
Voting - Independent Director
Chair of MHI's Development & Sustainability Committee
Arlene Wortsman is an independent consultant with more than 30 years of experience across the public, private, and non-governmental organization sectors. She has supported numerous organizations in developing strategic plans and strengthening governance, operations, and long-term sustainability.