board of directors 2023-2024
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Bill Austin
Past President
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - Governance Committee
Member - Executive Committee, Development Committee
Bill enjoyed a long career in several Departments and Central Agencies in the Public Service rising to the level of Senior Executive. After his retirement he was invited on two missions with the OECD in Poland and UAE. He was an External Advisor for several Strategic Reviews, and he was appointed by the Treasury Board to Chair two Departmental Audit Committees. He has experience on several other boards including Harmony House, Rivergate Condominium Corporation, and Help Lesotho.
Past President
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - Governance Committee
Member - Executive Committee, Development Committee
Bill enjoyed a long career in several Departments and Central Agencies in the Public Service rising to the level of Senior Executive. After his retirement he was invited on two missions with the OECD in Poland and UAE. He was an External Advisor for several Strategic Reviews, and he was appointed by the Treasury Board to Chair two Departmental Audit Committees. He has experience on several other boards including Harmony House, Rivergate Condominium Corporation, and Help Lesotho.
Kathy Bergquist
Secretary
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Development Committee
Kathy holds a B.A. in Geography, and works as a visual artist/sculptor using mild steel and found materials. Her work addresses relationships between elements of landscape, and she is using art as a tool for environmental and social justice activism. Approximately eight years ago, an associate of hers in green residential real estate contacted her to ask if she would be interested in joining MHI’s Development Committee; she has enjoyed being part of MHI and the DC ever since. She is a founding member and past president of Studio Space Ottawa; has been a volunteer with the National Capital Network of Sculptors, the Canada Green Building Council, Education and Events Committee; served as a member of the Canada Green Building Council Board of Directors, Ottawa Chapter; and chaired the Charles H. Hulse Public School Council. Philosophically, she thinks actions matter.
Secretary
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Development Committee
Kathy holds a B.A. in Geography, and works as a visual artist/sculptor using mild steel and found materials. Her work addresses relationships between elements of landscape, and she is using art as a tool for environmental and social justice activism. Approximately eight years ago, an associate of hers in green residential real estate contacted her to ask if she would be interested in joining MHI’s Development Committee; she has enjoyed being part of MHI and the DC ever since. She is a founding member and past president of Studio Space Ottawa; has been a volunteer with the National Capital Network of Sculptors, the Canada Green Building Council, Education and Events Committee; served as a member of the Canada Green Building Council Board of Directors, Ottawa Chapter; and chaired the Charles H. Hulse Public School Council. Philosophically, she thinks actions matter.
Darlene Boileau
Voting - Independent Director
Darlene is a seasoned, fluently bilingual, retired senior executive with over 30 years of varied federal experiences including eleven years in key positions as Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer. A recognized collaborative leader with vision and integrity, proven strategic thinker and decision-maker, Darlene is well versed in dealing with all organizational levels on matters related to financial, policy, and legislative frameworks. She has worked in social, economic and security line departments and portfolios and has chaired international forums under the OECD. During her career she has had the opportunity to collaborate with senior government executives, CEOs, and regularly briefed Ministers, Senators and other Parliamentarians. Darlene's non-government organization experience includes mentoring, coaching, and grants and contributions. She currently sits as a Director on the Ottawa Branch of the National Association of Federal Retirees, and is an active member of the Veterans’ House Committee. She holds degrees from the University of Ottawa in Political Science and in Law, and a Masters of Science from Royal Roads University. She is married, is caretaker to two furry friends, loves gardening, kayaking, the great outdoors and travel.
Voting - Independent Director
Darlene is a seasoned, fluently bilingual, retired senior executive with over 30 years of varied federal experiences including eleven years in key positions as Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer. A recognized collaborative leader with vision and integrity, proven strategic thinker and decision-maker, Darlene is well versed in dealing with all organizational levels on matters related to financial, policy, and legislative frameworks. She has worked in social, economic and security line departments and portfolios and has chaired international forums under the OECD. During her career she has had the opportunity to collaborate with senior government executives, CEOs, and regularly briefed Ministers, Senators and other Parliamentarians. Darlene's non-government organization experience includes mentoring, coaching, and grants and contributions. She currently sits as a Director on the Ottawa Branch of the National Association of Federal Retirees, and is an active member of the Veterans’ House Committee. She holds degrees from the University of Ottawa in Political Science and in Law, and a Masters of Science from Royal Roads University. She is married, is caretaker to two furry friends, loves gardening, kayaking, the great outdoors and travel.
Nadine El-Hawary
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Membership & Outreach Committee
Nadine has been an active member of the Kanata Muslim Association (KMA) for the past five years and served on their board of directors from 2018-2020. Nadine’s primary interest is in aiding low-income people. She co-founded the KMA Zakat Committee which was established in January 2019. The Zakat Committee provides financial assistance to Ottawa/Gatineau low-income families/individuals based on a thorough review of the clients’ financial documents and using donated funds that are collected from the KMA congregation for this purpose. Nadine continues to co-lead the Zakat Committee since it was founded by introducing new initiatives, processes, and events to support the Zakat Committee mandate
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Membership & Outreach Committee
Nadine has been an active member of the Kanata Muslim Association (KMA) for the past five years and served on their board of directors from 2018-2020. Nadine’s primary interest is in aiding low-income people. She co-founded the KMA Zakat Committee which was established in January 2019. The Zakat Committee provides financial assistance to Ottawa/Gatineau low-income families/individuals based on a thorough review of the clients’ financial documents and using donated funds that are collected from the KMA congregation for this purpose. Nadine continues to co-lead the Zakat Committee since it was founded by introducing new initiatives, processes, and events to support the Zakat Committee mandate
Fred Gloade
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - TBA
Member - Committee TBA
Fred is currently assisting First Nations on various management issues. His approach to culture and modern management practices allows Indigenous organizations to advance quickly to problems and potential resolutions.
Along with performing Elder Services, he is currently Co-Chair for the Saint Vincent de Paul housing initiative exploring Indigenous housing in the Ottawa area. Previously he was on the board of three non-profit organizations, including the Mentorship Aftercare Program which is a non-profit aftercare community program that provides a supportive presence for people leaving both the provincial and federal criminal justice systems in the Ottawa area. He was the Vice-President of Gignul and Madawan Non-Profit Housing Corporations, both committed to a holistic and comprehensive approach to housing that includes those Aboriginal people at risk of losing their housing or those who are currently homeless.
Prior to his retirement he worked in the Services Group for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) where he focused on the TB submission that created the Department. Before that he was the Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive for Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada (IRSRC).
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - TBA
Member - Committee TBA
Fred is currently assisting First Nations on various management issues. His approach to culture and modern management practices allows Indigenous organizations to advance quickly to problems and potential resolutions.
Along with performing Elder Services, he is currently Co-Chair for the Saint Vincent de Paul housing initiative exploring Indigenous housing in the Ottawa area. Previously he was on the board of three non-profit organizations, including the Mentorship Aftercare Program which is a non-profit aftercare community program that provides a supportive presence for people leaving both the provincial and federal criminal justice systems in the Ottawa area. He was the Vice-President of Gignul and Madawan Non-Profit Housing Corporations, both committed to a holistic and comprehensive approach to housing that includes those Aboriginal people at risk of losing their housing or those who are currently homeless.
Prior to his retirement he worked in the Services Group for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) where he focused on the TB submission that created the Department. Before that he was the Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive for Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada (IRSRC).
Barbara Levine
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Development Committee
Barbara has worked in support of development, social justice and education issues in Canada. She was the first coordinator of the Community Economic Development technical assistance program, a national program based at Carleton University that supported local development and the social economy in poor, marginalized and remote communities in Canada. She also served as Director of the Multiculturalism Program at Canadian Heritage from 1999-2001 and continues to take a keen interest in issues related to migration and refugees, settlement and identity.
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Development Committee
Barbara has worked in support of development, social justice and education issues in Canada. She was the first coordinator of the Community Economic Development technical assistance program, a national program based at Carleton University that supported local development and the social economy in poor, marginalized and remote communities in Canada. She also served as Director of the Multiculturalism Program at Canadian Heritage from 1999-2001 and continues to take a keen interest in issues related to migration and refugees, settlement and identity.
Arthur Loeb
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Development Committee
Arthur Loeb’s career began as vice-president of operations at M. Loeb Limited Pinto Division, and he has been president of Ambassador Realty Inc. for more than 35 years. This privately held company provides property management and development services to its regional and US portfolio. Holding an undergraduate degree and RPA (BOMI), Arthur's volunteer and committee work has been varied, from the National Arts Centre, Kidney Foundation, United Jewish Appeal, Temple Israel (Syrian Refugee Project) (Real Estate Committee), Ottawa Kosher Food Bank, and Ottawa Technical High School. He and his family have given back to the community supporting various causes such as Veterans’ House, Ottawa School of Art, Canadian Football League Alumni Support Fund, Tamir Foundation, UJA, Soloway JCC, Ottawa Hospital and Heart Institute, New Israel Fund of Canada, Ottawa Public Library.
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Development Committee
Arthur Loeb’s career began as vice-president of operations at M. Loeb Limited Pinto Division, and he has been president of Ambassador Realty Inc. for more than 35 years. This privately held company provides property management and development services to its regional and US portfolio. Holding an undergraduate degree and RPA (BOMI), Arthur's volunteer and committee work has been varied, from the National Arts Centre, Kidney Foundation, United Jewish Appeal, Temple Israel (Syrian Refugee Project) (Real Estate Committee), Ottawa Kosher Food Bank, and Ottawa Technical High School. He and his family have given back to the community supporting various causes such as Veterans’ House, Ottawa School of Art, Canadian Football League Alumni Support Fund, Tamir Foundation, UJA, Soloway JCC, Ottawa Hospital and Heart Institute, New Israel Fund of Canada, Ottawa Public Library.
Hugh O'Donnell
Voting - TBA
Member - TBA
Bio to come.
Voting - TBA
Member - TBA
Bio to come.
Bijan Safi
Chair - Property Management Committee
Voting - Independent Director
Bijan Safi is an active member of the Ottawa Baha’i community, striving to serve humanity to build societies who work together united for the betterment of the world and to achieve excellence in helping others, especially people in need. He specializes in real property (both commercial and residential buildings). Bijan is a Building Owners and Managers Association accredited Real Properties Administrator, and served the Government of Canada in a variety of capacities/building facility related positions from 1988 to 2010. He is a licensed builder/vendor with Ontario New Home Warranties Plan. He also worked as a volunteer construction supervisor at Baha’i Gardens in Haifa, Israel from 2014 to 2019.
Chair - Property Management Committee
Voting - Independent Director
Bijan Safi is an active member of the Ottawa Baha’i community, striving to serve humanity to build societies who work together united for the betterment of the world and to achieve excellence in helping others, especially people in need. He specializes in real property (both commercial and residential buildings). Bijan is a Building Owners and Managers Association accredited Real Properties Administrator, and served the Government of Canada in a variety of capacities/building facility related positions from 1988 to 2010. He is a licensed builder/vendor with Ontario New Home Warranties Plan. He also worked as a volunteer construction supervisor at Baha’i Gardens in Haifa, Israel from 2014 to 2019.
Sue Smarkala
President
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Executive Committee
Sue Smarkala’s career spans over 35 years in the information technology field in a variety of Ottawa IT companies. A long-time member of the United Church of Canada (UCC), she has been active within the Woodroffe United Church congregation for many years. Sue is very engaged as the United Church representative on the MHI Board. She is active in encouraging her church community and the Eastern Ontario Outaouais Region (EOOR) of UCC to be more aware of, and supportive of MHI and its initiatives. Sue is part of a working group developing a Housing Matters Network within EOOR. Its purpose is to share community housing concerns and solutions across the Region.
President
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Executive Committee
Sue Smarkala’s career spans over 35 years in the information technology field in a variety of Ottawa IT companies. A long-time member of the United Church of Canada (UCC), she has been active within the Woodroffe United Church congregation for many years. Sue is very engaged as the United Church representative on the MHI Board. She is active in encouraging her church community and the Eastern Ontario Outaouais Region (EOOR) of UCC to be more aware of, and supportive of MHI and its initiatives. Sue is part of a working group developing a Housing Matters Network within EOOR. Its purpose is to share community housing concerns and solutions across the Region.
Kami Ramcharan
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - TBA
Member - Committee TBA
Kami Ramcharan retired from the Public Service of Canada with over 35 years of service having worked in many roles, with a mix of both regional and headquarters experience. She is a CPA and also has her Masters, Business Administration from the University of Ottawa. She had a very diverse career and while she concluded her career as a Chief Financial Officer, she also held substantive roles in supporting science; diversity and inclusion; and supporting Indigenous programs. Kami has started her next chapter as a consultant with a focus on diversity and inclusion along with supporting departments in financial management and she continues to coach and mentor people to help them achieve success in their careers. She has been a volunteer on the Development Committee with MHI for the past two years.
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - TBA
Member - Committee TBA
Kami Ramcharan retired from the Public Service of Canada with over 35 years of service having worked in many roles, with a mix of both regional and headquarters experience. She is a CPA and also has her Masters, Business Administration from the University of Ottawa. She had a very diverse career and while she concluded her career as a Chief Financial Officer, she also held substantive roles in supporting science; diversity and inclusion; and supporting Indigenous programs. Kami has started her next chapter as a consultant with a focus on diversity and inclusion along with supporting departments in financial management and she continues to coach and mentor people to help them achieve success in their careers. She has been a volunteer on the Development Committee with MHI for the past two years.
Gary Stein
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - TBA
Member - Committee TBA
Gary is a lawyer and, until 2022, he was the Executive Director of a not-for-profit community legal organization. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from McGill University, a Master of Environmental Studies from York University and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from Osgoode Hall Law School. From 1990 to 1995, he was in private practice at a Toronto law firm. He joined South Ottawa Community Legal Services as a staff lawyer in 1995, representing low-income and vulnerable clients in housing law, income support appeals and disability-related issues. In 2005, he became the organization’s Executive Director. In 2017, after the amalgamation of Ottawa’s legal clinics, Gary became the Executive Director of Community Legal Services of Ottawa. He has sat on the executive of the Association of Community Legal Clinics of Ontario and on boards of directors of not-for-profit organizations. Gary is a long-time member of Or Haneshamah, Ottawa’s Reconstructionist Jewish congregation.
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - TBA
Member - Committee TBA
Gary is a lawyer and, until 2022, he was the Executive Director of a not-for-profit community legal organization. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from McGill University, a Master of Environmental Studies from York University and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from Osgoode Hall Law School. From 1990 to 1995, he was in private practice at a Toronto law firm. He joined South Ottawa Community Legal Services as a staff lawyer in 1995, representing low-income and vulnerable clients in housing law, income support appeals and disability-related issues. In 2005, he became the organization’s Executive Director. In 2017, after the amalgamation of Ottawa’s legal clinics, Gary became the Executive Director of Community Legal Services of Ottawa. He has sat on the executive of the Association of Community Legal Clinics of Ontario and on boards of directors of not-for-profit organizations. Gary is a long-time member of Or Haneshamah, Ottawa’s Reconstructionist Jewish congregation.
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With your generous support, hundreds of less fortunate people will gain access to safe, affordable housing and hope for a better future.
With your generous support, hundreds of less fortunate people will gain access to safe, affordable housing and hope for a better future.
