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.
Sherill Besser
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - Resident Relations Committee
Sherill Besser was a senior counsel with the Department of Justice whose practice consisted of regulatory and administrative law until she retired in 2013. Since retirement, Sherill has volunteered at the Royal Ottawa Hospital and Royal Ottawa Place on a weekly basis. Sherill is also co-president of the Adath Shalom Congregation and has been on its Board of Directors for a number of years.
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - Resident Relations Committee
Sherill Besser was a senior counsel with the Department of Justice whose practice consisted of regulatory and administrative law until she retired in 2013. Since retirement, Sherill has volunteered at the Royal Ottawa Hospital and Royal Ottawa Place on a weekly basis. Sherill is also co-president of the Adath Shalom Congregation and has been on its Board of Directors for a number of years.
Darlene Boileau
Voting - Independent Director
Founding member - Veterans' House Committee
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
Founding member - Veterans' House Committee
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.
John Harrison
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - Fundraising Committee
Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, John Harrison is a long-time resident of the National Capital Region. After graduating from the University of Ottawa, John spent 14 years as a manager in the Research Branches of Agriculture Canada and National Defence and with the Department of the Secretary of State. Since leaving the federal government, John has been a management consultant specializing in results-based management and a co-founder of Canadian Government Executive Magazine and Vanguard Magazine. Active in his community, John is a former trustee with the Carleton Board of Education, former President of the South Nepean United Soccer Club and Founding Board Member of the Ottawa South United Soccer Club. By faith John, his wife Karen, and their sons Christopher and Trevor, are Anglicans.
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - Fundraising Committee
Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, John Harrison is a long-time resident of the National Capital Region. After graduating from the University of Ottawa, John spent 14 years as a manager in the Research Branches of Agriculture Canada and National Defence and with the Department of the Secretary of State. Since leaving the federal government, John has been a management consultant specializing in results-based management and a co-founder of Canadian Government Executive Magazine and Vanguard Magazine. Active in his community, John is a former trustee with the Carleton Board of Education, former President of the South Nepean United Soccer Club and Founding Board Member of the Ottawa South United Soccer Club. By faith John, his wife Karen, and their sons Christopher and Trevor, are Anglicans.
Dr. Fran Klodawsky
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - Membership & Outreach Committee
Member - Governance Committee, Executive Committee
Dr. Fran Klodawsky is a long-standing member of Temple Israel Ottawa, serving most recently as Co-Chair of the Task Force on Responses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Until she retired in 2017, she was a Full Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Carleton University and is now a Professor Emerita. She is a founding member of and Academic Advisor to City for All Women Initiative (2004- ) and was Secretary of the Board of Women and Cities International between 2006 and 2017. In the past, she also served as Chair of the Research and Evaluation Committee of the Alliance to End Homelessness in Ottawa and as President and Vice-President of Multifaith Housing Initiative (between 2003 and 2014).
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - Membership & Outreach Committee
Member - Governance Committee, Executive Committee
Dr. Fran Klodawsky is a long-standing member of Temple Israel Ottawa, serving most recently as Co-Chair of the Task Force on Responses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Until she retired in 2017, she was a Full Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Carleton University and is now a Professor Emerita. She is a founding member of and Academic Advisor to City for All Women Initiative (2004- ) and was Secretary of the Board of Women and Cities International between 2006 and 2017. In the past, she also served as Chair of the Research and Evaluation Committee of the Alliance to End Homelessness in Ottawa and as President and Vice-President of Multifaith Housing Initiative (between 2003 and 2014).
Christian Kratchanov
Treasurer
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - Finance Committee
Member - Executive Committee, Governance Committee
Christian Kratchanov has a strong interest in interfaith and multicultural initiatives focused on helping people overcome life challenges and succeed. He is a member of the Roman Catholic parish of St. Isidore in Kanata. On the professional level, Christian has acquired a rich experience as a private sector management consultant and executive in the Government of Canada. Christian has a B.Comm. and an MBA and is also a Certified Management Consultant and a Certified Internal Auditor.
Treasurer
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - Finance Committee
Member - Executive Committee, Governance Committee
Christian Kratchanov has a strong interest in interfaith and multicultural initiatives focused on helping people overcome life challenges and succeed. He is a member of the Roman Catholic parish of St. Isidore in Kanata. On the professional level, Christian has acquired a rich experience as a private sector management consultant and executive in the Government of Canada. Christian has a B.Comm. and an MBA and is also a Certified Management Consultant and a Certified Internal Auditor.
Christine Kwasse
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Finance Committee
Christine Kwasse works in the federal government managing various projects and initiatives. She holds a Master degree in Economics/Social Sciences and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Christine is a compassionate leader who holds great values of respect, loyalty, honesty and optimism. She is very committed in supporting community development and well-being and have joined the great causes led by Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI). She studied and worked in Europe and have participated in several multicultural charity activities. She is also gifted in providing strategic advice and value-added input to serve her community. She enjoys traveling, reading and listening to music.
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Finance Committee
Christine Kwasse works in the federal government managing various projects and initiatives. She holds a Master degree in Economics/Social Sciences and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Christine is a compassionate leader who holds great values of respect, loyalty, honesty and optimism. She is very committed in supporting community development and well-being and have joined the great causes led by Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI). She studied and worked in Europe and have participated in several multicultural charity activities. She is also gifted in providing strategic advice and value-added input to serve her community. She enjoys traveling, reading and listening to music.
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.
Monia Mazigh
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Membership & Outreach Committee
Monia Mazigh is an author, an academic and a human rights activist. She has authored a memoir called Hope and Despair, published in 2008 by McClelland and Stewart, narrating the ordeal lived by her husband detained by the American authorities, deported, imprisoned and tortured in Syria for over a year. In 2014, her novel Mirrors and Mirages was published in English by the House of Anansi. It was shortlisted for the City of Ottawa Book award. Her second novel about the Arab Spring, Hope has Two Daughters, was published in 2017 by the House of Anansi. Last January 2020, her third novel, Farida, was published. Monia Mazigh is very involved in her community. She sits on the board of several non-for-profit organizations, among others: The Ottawa Muslim Women's Organization, the Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East and the Rideau Institute. She is also a member of the International Advisory Council of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Membership & Outreach Committee
Monia Mazigh is an author, an academic and a human rights activist. She has authored a memoir called Hope and Despair, published in 2008 by McClelland and Stewart, narrating the ordeal lived by her husband detained by the American authorities, deported, imprisoned and tortured in Syria for over a year. In 2014, her novel Mirrors and Mirages was published in English by the House of Anansi. It was shortlisted for the City of Ottawa Book award. Her second novel about the Arab Spring, Hope has Two Daughters, was published in 2017 by the House of Anansi. Last January 2020, her third novel, Farida, was published. Monia Mazigh is very involved in her community. She sits on the board of several non-for-profit organizations, among others: The Ottawa Muslim Women's Organization, the Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East and the Rideau Institute. She is also a member of the International Advisory Council of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.
Neil Raynor
President
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - Executive Committee
Founding Chair - Veterans' House Committee
Neil Raynor is an aeronautical engineer and business strategist. He is an air force veteran and attended both the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell and the RAF Staff College. Since retiring from the RAF, he has held senior executive positions in Canada in the aerospace overhaul and manufacturing industry, airport authorities, and for the past 15 years has consulted to the aviation industry. His clients have included all levels of government, airports, airlines and aviation service providers. Currently he is Managing Director of the Lindbergh Group Inc., an Ottawa-based consultancy.
President
Voting - Independent Director
Chair - Executive Committee
Founding Chair - Veterans' House Committee
Neil Raynor is an aeronautical engineer and business strategist. He is an air force veteran and attended both the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell and the RAF Staff College. Since retiring from the RAF, he has held senior executive positions in Canada in the aerospace overhaul and manufacturing industry, airport authorities, and for the past 15 years has consulted to the aviation industry. His clients have included all levels of government, airports, airlines and aviation service providers. Currently he is Managing Director of the Lindbergh Group Inc., an Ottawa-based consultancy.
Bijan Safi
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.
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
Secretary
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Executive Committee
Sue Smarkala’s career spans over 35 years in the information technology field as a software development manager in a variety of Ottawa IT companies, and, latterly, as a coach/facilitator. A long-time member of the United Church of Canada (UCC), she has been active within the Woodroffe United Church congregation. Sue is very engaged as the United Church representative on the MHI Board and enjoys encouraging her church community and the greater UCC region to be aware of, and supportive of MHI and its initiatives.
Secretary
Voting - Independent Director
Member - Executive Committee
Sue Smarkala’s career spans over 35 years in the information technology field as a software development manager in a variety of Ottawa IT companies, and, latterly, as a coach/facilitator. A long-time member of the United Church of Canada (UCC), she has been active within the Woodroffe United Church congregation. Sue is very engaged as the United Church representative on the MHI Board and enjoys encouraging her church community and the greater UCC region to be aware of, and supportive of MHI and its initiatives.
Janice Summerby
Voting - Independent Director
Co-Chair - Communications and Marketing Committee
It’s not quite seven degrees of Kevin Bacon, but back in early 2017, a former boss of Janice’s introduced her to a colleague who was a member of MHI’s Communications Committee. They thought she might be especially interested in the non-profit’s fifth project, Veterans’ House, since she had worked for 30 years at Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) in communications. They were 100 percent correct, and she has been a member of the committee ever since. Originally from Brockville, Janice came to Ottawa to study journalism and never left. 42 | P a g e She also worked at the Department of National Defence for three years. In her last government position as VAC’s Manager of Media Relations, her favourite part of the job was helping veterans share their stories with Canadians. Now she is most satisfied when Ottawa media talk about MHI’s work and tenants. In the winter, Janice also enjoys being an instructor with the Ottawa Bandits hockey program and is Secretary of the Granite Curling Club Day Ladies League. In summer she is happiest in her kayak and – while obsessively frustrated – on a golf course.
Voting - Independent Director
Co-Chair - Communications and Marketing Committee
It’s not quite seven degrees of Kevin Bacon, but back in early 2017, a former boss of Janice’s introduced her to a colleague who was a member of MHI’s Communications Committee. They thought she might be especially interested in the non-profit’s fifth project, Veterans’ House, since she had worked for 30 years at Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) in communications. They were 100 percent correct, and she has been a member of the committee ever since. Originally from Brockville, Janice came to Ottawa to study journalism and never left. 42 | P a g e She also worked at the Department of National Defence for three years. In her last government position as VAC’s Manager of Media Relations, her favourite part of the job was helping veterans share their stories with Canadians. Now she is most satisfied when Ottawa media talk about MHI’s work and tenants. In the winter, Janice also enjoys being an instructor with the Ottawa Bandits hockey program and is Secretary of the Granite Curling Club Day Ladies League. In summer she is happiest in her kayak and – while obsessively frustrated – on a golf course.
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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.
©2015 Multifaith Housing Initiative.
