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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Councillor Theresa Kavanagh

CHAIR

Councillor Theresa Kavanagh

CHAIR

Mayor
Mark Sutcliffe

EX-OFFICIO

Mayor
Mark Sutcliffe

EX-OFFICIO

Councillor
Marty Carr

Councillor
Marty Carr

Councillor
Glen Gower

Councillor
Glen Gower

Councillor
Stéphanie Plante

Councillor
Stéphanie Plante

Tracy Albert

Tracy Albert

Rebecca Hickey

Rebecca Hickey

Adrian Larose

Adrian Larose

Brendan Lawlor

Brendan Lawlor

Seham Rabaa

Seham Rabaa

Stephen Sauppe

Stephen Sauppe

Girum Simmie

Girum Simmie

Stéphane Giguère

CEO

As CEO of a $3.5 Billion housing portfolio at Ottawa Community Housing (OCH), the largest social housing provider in Canada’s National Capital, Stéphane Giguère, MPA C. Adm./Adm. A., and CIH Chartered Member, leads an award-winning organization that directly impacts the lives of over 32,000 residents in 15,000 OCH homes. Stéphane provides strategic direction and leadership to 340 employees, over 400 contractors and 1,000 volunteers whose specialized skills provide affordable housing to seniors, families, single persons and those living with special needs.

Stéphane promotes OCH as being more than a “bricks and mortar” landlord. He leads a high-profile Corporation with expertise in asset management, community development, government and stakeholder relations, finances and business development. Stéphane makes it a priority to incorporate the diversity of tenants’ needs into the services that the organization delivers. Working with his team to build on the organization’s solid foundation, Stéphane is positioning the Corporation for sustainable growth by identifying new sources of funding along with business development opportunities in both the private and not-for-profit sectors.

As an acclaimed business and corporate development leader and in combination with his Finance and Public Administration background, Stéphane brings to OCH an impressive range of professional successes and experiences that benefit the organization, its tenants and stakeholders.

LEAD Team

Greg Finnamore

Chief Financial Officer

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Greg Finnamore

Chief Financial Officer

As the VP, Finance, Strategic Sourcing and Support Services, Greg and his team are focused on delivering a cost effective, robust suite of services to both internal and external stakeholders. Greg is responsible for all financial reporting, payment processing, sourcing, and contracting, fleet management and other support services for OCHC.

A Chartered Professional Accountant, with over 30 years of experience, Greg has held senior operational and financial roles in financial services , capital markets, consulting, and public sectors. Throughout his career Greg has been viewed as a change agent and has delivered several large initiatives and process improvements across multiple portfolios that drive value for the organization.

Brian Gilligan

Chief Officer, Community and Tenant Support

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Brian Gilligan

Chief Officer, Community and Tenant Support

As the Chief Officer of community and tenant support, Brian Gilligan manages a team of professionals who engage tenants, partners and the broader City in creating healthy, safe and inclusive Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) neighbourhoods. Based upon the belief that the lived experience of OCH’s 32,000 tenants is an amazing resource, Community Development, Tenant Support, Community Safety Services and Volunteer Engagement staff work with OCH and its partners to involve tenants in the decisions that affect them.

Brian brings almost 35 years of experience from Canada, Africa, and Asia working with marginalized and vulnerable communities seeking to exercise their rights to equality, health care, education, and economic opportunities.

Shaun Simms

Chief, People, Communications and Strategy Officer

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Shaun Simms

Chief, People, Communications and Strategy Officer

 

As the Chief, People, Communications and Strategies, Shaun Simms is a highly respected senior leader with over 30 years of experience at OCH. Her role highlights the importance of our people and their involvement in creating our desired culture. That is, connecting the dots between how the day-to day-work that our employees do contributes to OCH’S strategic goals.

Shaun provides leadership and oversight to the human resources and communications functions, fostering a culture of leadership, accountability and continuous improvement. OCH’s culture roadmap reflects a well-planned journey that contributes to a positive and engaging employee experience. Under Shaun’s leadership, structures and supports reinforce our strengths, promote health, safety, wellness, diversity and inclusion, encourage professional development and celebrate organizational excellence.

On any given day, Shaun wants every OCH employee to be able to say with conviction, “we are proud because every day we make a difference.”

Shaun is passionate about inspiring a positive, tenant-focused approach that reflects our values, through our people. Her innovative, entrepreneurial nature, coupled with her proven ability to lead and promote collaboration within the corporation and across the social housing sector, are at the heart of all that she does.

Cliff Youdale

Chief Development Officer

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Cliff Youdale

Chief Development Officer

As the Chief Development Officer, Cliff Youdale P. Eng., and his staff are responsible for the well-being of OCH’s $3 Billion in building assets. As a professional engineer with over 30 years of experience in both the public and private sector construction industry, Cliff brings a pragmatic and action-oriented approach to this position.

His team of industry professionals has forged a strategic approach to asset management by developing long-term strategies for maintaining, repairing and replacing OCH’s ageing stock. With specific focuses on new construction, capital repair, preventative maintenance and green initiatives, his team delivers comprehensive and proactive programs to ensure OCH’s building assets serve tenants well into the future.

Alain Cadieux

Vice-President, Tenant Experience and Quality Assurance

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Alain Cadieux

Vice-President, Tenant Experience and Quality Assurance

As the VP of Tenant Experience and Quality Assurance, Alain Cadieux provides leadership and oversight of the property management, tenancy administration and support services teams. This includes, the 24/7 call centre, maintenance, tenancy administration, integrated pest management, vacancy preparation, maintenance administration, preventative and maintenance services for 15 000 homes and 32 000 tenants.  This team is dedicated to the enhancement of the tenant experience through the delivery of quality services to every tenant, every home.

Alain has 16 years of experience in the social and affordable housing sector, covering all areas of operations. He’s dedicated to a tenant-centered approach focused on quality, innovation and continuous improvement to provide healthy, safe and inclusive homes in an effective and sustainable way. A leader that is focused on people, promotes a culture of leadership and collaboration to empower, engage and motivate every member of the team to make a difference everyday.

Alain is currently an active member of the Board of Directors for the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association, a sectoral organization representing non-profit housing providers across Ontario.

Headshot of Christine Garnier

Christine Garnier

Vice-President, Asset Renewal and Digital Solutions

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Headshot of Christine Garnier

Christine Garnier

Vice-President, Asset Renewal and Digital Solutions

As VP of Asset Renewal and Digital Solutions, Christine Garnier provides leadership and oversite of the Asset Renewal and Digital Solutions Teams. With over 24 years of experience in Municipal Government and Governance, Project Management, Infrastructure, Construction and Development, Christine and her team are responsible for the repair and replacement of OCH’s ageing stock and the Corporate IT portfolio.

In her previous work, Christine led multiple teams within the public and private sectors, focusing on mentoring and coaching staff to enhance project delivery and results. With an annual capital budget of $45 million, Christine and her team of industry professionals have incorporated a tenant-focused approach to project management. As stewards of our portfolio, Christine and her team strive to provide our Tenants with safe affordable homes that will last well into the future.

Cindy Newell

Vice-President, People, Culture and Strategy

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Cindy Newell

Vice-President, People, Culture and Strategy

As VP, People, Culture and Strategy, Cindy is responsible for providing leadership in identifying and executing strategies and approaches that fully optimize OCH’s talent and employee experience, fostering an engaged workforce, and supporting the achievement of business objectives in alignment with OCH’s desired culture.

Cindy enthusiastically leads the HR team in the delivery of all HR functions, including organizational development, talent acquisition and talent management, total compensation, employee and labour relations, health, safety and wellness, labour relations, and HR policy and program development.

A passionate Human Resources leader, Cindy has over 20 years of experience leading the development and implementation of innovative HR programs and services in support of key business challenges in a variety of industries including retail, telecommunications, the electricity sector, and social housing.

Demonstrating her commitment to providing mentorship to aspiring HR professionals, Cindy teaches at Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business in the Human Resources Management Program and is an active Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA) member and Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL).

More about our Board and Committees

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors oversees the management of Ottawa Community Housing and monitors performance against the Strategic Plan.

OCH’s Board of Directors has 12 Directors:

  • Mayor of the City of Ottawa (ex-officio)
  • 4 City Councillors
  • 1 OCH Tenant Director
  • 6 Community Directors (Residents of Ottawa who are not OCH tenants or City Councillors)

The Board of Directors delegates authority to its committees to advise the Board on matters relating to each Committee’s areas of responsibility.

Selecting new Community Directors for the Board of Directors

New Community Directors for the Board of Directors are selected from Community Committee members. Selection is based on:

  • The needs of the Board, and
  • The knowledge and experience of Community Committee Members.

Board Committees

The Committees support the Board of Directors as it oversees the implementation of OCH’s Strategic Plan.  Board Committees have 6-8 members, including at least 1 Board Director.  

Most members of the Committees are not members of the Board of Directors. Committee members who are not on the Board of Directors are called “Community Committee Members.” 

There are 4 Committees: 

Corporate Performance

The Corporate Performance Committee provides guidance to the Board of Directors relating to the Board’s governance structure and processes, policies, performance measures and corporate strategic planning.  

Portfolio Management

The Portfolio Management Committee provides guidance to the Board on matters relating to oversight and guidance on the strategic management and development of the OCH housing. Including increasing the supply of affordable housing and overall management strategy for the OCH portfolio. 

Client Services 

The Client Services Committee provides guidance to the Board relating to quality client experience, strengthening tenant engagement levels (individual and community) and building safe and secure communities. 

Finance and Audit 

The Finance and Audit Committee provides guidance to the Board relating to the financial health and diligent oversight of financial management of the Corporation.

What is the time commitment for Community Committee Members? 

  • Committees meet for 2-2.5 hours, 6 times each year
  • Meetings start at 4:00 or 4:30 p.m. 
  • Meeting information packages are available 7 days in advance of the meetings
  • Members must read the packages to prepare for the meeting

New Committee Members participate in initial on-boarding in advance of their first meeting, and on-going orientation through their initial one-year term.

Additionally, all Board Directors and Committee members will also be asked to participate in regular governance learning and strategic planning sessions.  

Recruiting Board Committee Members

OCH recognizes that respecting and considering a variety of experiences and points of view enriches the quality of decision-making and the ability to achieve its strategic goals.

More on OCH’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Eligible applicants: 

  • Must live in the City of Ottawa, and may not be an OCH tenant, OCH employee, or member of City Council.
  • Will contribute advice and expertise relevant to the Committee’s terms of reference.
  • Have personal, professional, or volunteer experience with vulnerable people or community service.
  • Are eligible to be on a Board of Directors according to the Canada Business Corporations Act.
  • Will submit a successful Criminal Records and Judicial Matters check.

Interested in applying? 

  • Applications are accepted year-round. 
  • Include which committee(s) you are interested in, and why; describe other governance and community service/volunteer work you have done. 
  • If you require accommodation during the application process, please let us know and we will work jointly with you to address your needs. 
  • Send your resume and letter of interest to governancerecruitment@och.ca.

For all questions, email governancerecruitment@och.ca.

OCH’S REPRESENTATION IN OTHER SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS

OCH’s leadership team is well represented on many Boards of organizations that represent social housing and community interests at the municipal, provincial and federal level.  These organizations include:
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At OCH, our employees come from all different backgrounds, represent all genders, age groups, sexual orientations, speak a multitude of languages, and share different experiences and perspectives. We would not have it any other way.

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OCH has a Development Strategy, which outlines plans for building more affordable housing​. The City of Ottawa’s 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan targets OCH to add an average of 300 affordable homes per year.​

Read the Plan
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Find out the many ways to connect with OCH Staff.

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