board of directors 2025
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Andre Asselin
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Development Committee
André Asselin is married, with 2 children and one grand-child and recently moved to Almonte, near Ottawa. André studied in several Canadian universities including to obtain an MBA from the University of Ottawa.
Upon his departure from CMHC, he was an executive and member of CMHC’s Management Committee where he worked from more than 32 years. Since retiring from CMHC in 2011, Mr. Asselin has been working on international assignments to help develop foreign countries’ housing finance and housing policy system.
André has also been reviewing Sustainable Affordable Housing Proposals submitted to the FCM for the past 4 years as a Peer Reviewer and has been a board member of the Gloucester Housing Corporation since 2018, serving also as chair of GHC’s Development & Sustainability Committee and member of the Asset Management Committee before joining MHI. He finds that working on these committees is a way to help identify opportunities to improve the availability of affordable housing which in turn promote better social outcomes and cohesion.
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Development Committee
André Asselin is married, with 2 children and one grand-child and recently moved to Almonte, near Ottawa. André studied in several Canadian universities including to obtain an MBA from the University of Ottawa.
Upon his departure from CMHC, he was an executive and member of CMHC’s Management Committee where he worked from more than 32 years. Since retiring from CMHC in 2011, Mr. Asselin has been working on international assignments to help develop foreign countries’ housing finance and housing policy system.
André has also been reviewing Sustainable Affordable Housing Proposals submitted to the FCM for the past 4 years as a Peer Reviewer and has been a board member of the Gloucester Housing Corporation since 2018, serving also as chair of GHC’s Development & Sustainability Committee and member of the Asset Management Committee before joining MHI. He finds that working on these committees is a way to help identify opportunities to improve the availability of affordable housing which in turn promote better social outcomes and cohesion.
Kathy Bergquist
Secretary
Member - Development Committee
Member - Executive 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
Member - Development Committee
Member - Executive 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.
Bernie Burns
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Governance Committee
Bernie Burns joined the MHI Board in 2024 upon the amalgamation with Gloucester Housing. At GHC he served as a Director for eleven years including several terms as Board President. He also served for many years on the Board of The Housing Registry of Ottawa including in the role of Board President. His other volunteer service included six years as a Board Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa. In these organizations he made significant contributions on governance, human resources, housing services and community development. Much of Bernie's volunteer service followed a thirty-three years career in housing which he commenced after earning a Master of Public Administration degree. During his career he served in various management roles over twenty-six years with CMHC addressing housing needs across Northern Ontario, New Brunswick and Ottawa. He also played a key role in negotiating elements of new Federal-Provincial-Territorial Agreements providing funding for Indigenous and remote housing communities across Canada. He concluded his work career with seven years at Ottawa Community Housing delivering critical housing services and community development supports to low income households. Bernie and his wife have been Orleans residents for nearly forty years. They enjoy many experiences with diverse cultures through frequent foreign adventure travel to many corners of the globe.
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Governance Committee
Bernie Burns joined the MHI Board in 2024 upon the amalgamation with Gloucester Housing. At GHC he served as a Director for eleven years including several terms as Board President. He also served for many years on the Board of The Housing Registry of Ottawa including in the role of Board President. His other volunteer service included six years as a Board Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa. In these organizations he made significant contributions on governance, human resources, housing services and community development. Much of Bernie's volunteer service followed a thirty-three years career in housing which he commenced after earning a Master of Public Administration degree. During his career he served in various management roles over twenty-six years with CMHC addressing housing needs across Northern Ontario, New Brunswick and Ottawa. He also played a key role in negotiating elements of new Federal-Provincial-Territorial Agreements providing funding for Indigenous and remote housing communities across Canada. He concluded his work career with seven years at Ottawa Community Housing delivering critical housing services and community development supports to low income households. Bernie and his wife have been Orleans residents for nearly forty years. They enjoy many experiences with diverse cultures through frequent foreign adventure travel to many corners of the globe.
Denys Chamberland
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Finance Committee
Denys Chamberland retired from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) after a career of over 30 years when he held a variety of director positions in Internal Audit, Insurance Servicing, Organizational Effectiveness (HR) and Administrative Services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in urban Geography from McGill University and a master’s degree in public policy from the John F Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Denys has been on the Board of Directors of Gloucester Housing Corporation since 2018 where he has served as treasurer and currently chairs the Asset Management and Finance Committee.
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Finance Committee
Denys Chamberland retired from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) after a career of over 30 years when he held a variety of director positions in Internal Audit, Insurance Servicing, Organizational Effectiveness (HR) and Administrative Services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in urban Geography from McGill University and a master’s degree in public policy from the John F Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Denys has been on the Board of Directors of Gloucester Housing Corporation since 2018 where he has served as treasurer and currently chairs the Asset Management and Finance Committee.
Mary Donaghy
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Governance Committee
Mary Donaghy was a senior executive in several departments and agencies in the Government of Canada. She brings several skills such as planning, policy development, and communications. She is presently a Special Advisor in the Privy Council, Senior Personnel sector where she chairs selection committees for Governor-In -Council appointments. She is volunteering on the Refugee Settlement Committee at First United Church and joined the Governance and Human Resources Committee at MHI last year.
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Governance Committee
Mary Donaghy was a senior executive in several departments and agencies in the Government of Canada. She brings several skills such as planning, policy development, and communications. She is presently a Special Advisor in the Privy Council, Senior Personnel sector where she chairs selection committees for Governor-In -Council appointments. She is volunteering on the Refugee Settlement Committee at First United Church and joined the Governance and Human Resources Committee at MHI last year.
Nadine El-Hawary
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - Membership & Outreach Committee
Member - Executive 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
Chair - Membership & Outreach Committee
Member - Executive 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
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
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).
Arthur Loeb
Voting - Independent Director
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
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 - Independent Director
Chair - Fundraising Committee
Member - Executive Committee
Hugh O’Donnell was appointed to the Board mid-way through last year. This is permitted in MHI By-laws but under our new Succession Policy, requires the Membership to approve the appointment at the next AGM. Hugh has been a senior executive in the public service and the private sector, in a career spanning more than four decades. He has extensive international business development and organizational leadership experience. He is also a Deacon at Saint Isidore Parish and volunteers and supports many causes in the Ottawa area. Hugh has previously served as President of MHI -- while The Haven was being constructed, and he was instrumental in that process. Hugh is excited about returning to MHI and has a passion for fundraising.
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - Fundraising Committee
Member - Executive Committee
Hugh O’Donnell was appointed to the Board mid-way through last year. This is permitted in MHI By-laws but under our new Succession Policy, requires the Membership to approve the appointment at the next AGM. Hugh has been a senior executive in the public service and the private sector, in a career spanning more than four decades. He has extensive international business development and organizational leadership experience. He is also a Deacon at Saint Isidore Parish and volunteers and supports many causes in the Ottawa area. Hugh has previously served as President of MHI -- while The Haven was being constructed, and he was instrumental in that process. Hugh is excited about returning to MHI and has a passion for fundraising.
Kami Ramcharan
Treasurer
Chair - Finance Committee
Member - Executive Committee
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.
Treasurer
Chair - Finance Committee
Member - Executive Committee
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.
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.
Saide Sayah
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Development Committee
Saide Sayah had a long career at the City of Ottawa where he was Director of Housing Services, Community and Social Services and thus responsible for social housing, affordable housing, homelessness programs, residential services, and emergency shelters. He later joined Fotenn Planning + Design and holds over 20 years of experience in development and community planning. He is also a part-time professor at Algonquin College, teaching the Principles of Urban Planning. Over the past year he has volunteered for MHI’s Development Committee.
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Development Committee
Saide Sayah had a long career at the City of Ottawa where he was Director of Housing Services, Community and Social Services and thus responsible for social housing, affordable housing, homelessness programs, residential services, and emergency shelters. He later joined Fotenn Planning + Design and holds over 20 years of experience in development and community planning. He is also a part-time professor at Algonquin College, teaching the Principles of Urban Planning. Over the past year he has volunteered for MHI’s Development Committee.
Sue Smarkala
Past President
Voting - Independent Director
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.
Past President
Voting - Independent Director
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.
Ishbel Solvason
President
Chair - Executive Committee
Ishbel Solvason started her career in Winnipeg as the community developer for the John Howard Society. She built an extensive volunteer program and then moved on to be the Executive Director of JHS in southwestern Manitoba. There she developed c many new service and programs. Recruited by Elizabeth Fry Society in 1991 the family relocated to Ottawa where Ishbel was the Executive Director. In the mid 1990’s she was appointed as one of the first lay members of the Ontario Judicial Council and served a six year term. In 1998 she was hired as the first Executive Director of the Housing Registry a position she held till her retirement two years ago. Ishbel was awarded the outstanding leadership award by OnPHA and as well the lifetime achievement award by Canadian housing and renewal association. Currently she is the president of the board of Gloucester o Housing and as well the Chartered institute of housing
President
Chair - Executive Committee
Ishbel Solvason started her career in Winnipeg as the community developer for the John Howard Society. She built an extensive volunteer program and then moved on to be the Executive Director of JHS in southwestern Manitoba. There she developed c many new service and programs. Recruited by Elizabeth Fry Society in 1991 the family relocated to Ottawa where Ishbel was the Executive Director. In the mid 1990’s she was appointed as one of the first lay members of the Ontario Judicial Council and served a six year term. In 1998 she was hired as the first Executive Director of the Housing Registry a position she held till her retirement two years ago. Ishbel was awarded the outstanding leadership award by OnPHA and as well the lifetime achievement award by Canadian housing and renewal association. Currently she is the president of the board of Gloucester o Housing and as well the Chartered institute of housing
Gary Stein
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Governance Committee
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
Member - Governance Committee
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.
Arlene Wortsman
Chair - Development Committee
Voting - Independent Director
Arlene Wortsman has been an independent consultant for the past 30 years and has worked in the public, private and non-governmental organization (NGO) sectors. Among other accomplishments she has considerable experience developing strategic plans for numerous entities. Arlene was instrumental in establishing MHI’s Strategic Plan and has been a member of the Development Committee for several years.
Chair - Development Committee
Voting - Independent Director
Arlene Wortsman has been an independent consultant for the past 30 years and has worked in the public, private and non-governmental organization (NGO) sectors. Among other accomplishments she has considerable experience developing strategic plans for numerous entities. Arlene was instrumental in establishing MHI’s Strategic Plan and has been a member of the Development Committee for several years.