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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Councillor Theresa Kavanagh

    CHAIR

  • Mayor
    Mark Sutcliffe

    EX-OFFICIO

  • Councillor
    Marty Carr

  • Councillor
    Glen Gower

  • Councillor
    Stéphanie Plante

  • Tracy Albert

  • Adrian Larose

  • Brendan Lawlor

  • Seham Rabaa

  • Girum Simmie

  • Headshot of Jonathan Byrd

    Jonathan Byrd

  • Dan Doré

  • Stéphane Giguère

    CEO

    As CEO of a $4 Billion + housing portfolio at Ottawa Community Housing (OCH), the largest social and affordable 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 33,000 residents in 15,500 OCH homes. Stéphane provides strategic direction and leadership to 455 employees, over 400 contractors and 1,000 volunteers whose specialized skills provide affordable housing to seniors, families, single persons and those with disabilities.

    Stéphane promotes OCH as 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 prioritizes incorporating 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 funding sources and business development opportunities in private and not-for-profit sectors.

    As an acclaimed business and corporate development leader, combined 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

    Greg Finnamore

    Chief Financial Officer

    As the Chief Financial Officer, 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 OCH.

    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 the public sector. 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.

    In addition to his role at OCH, Greg serves as a Board Member of The Ottawa Mission, contributing financial and strategic expertise in support of its work.

  • Shaun Simms

    Chief, People, Communications and Strategy Officer

    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

    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 $4 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

    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

    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

    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).

  • photo of Kae Roberts

    Kae Roberts

    Interim Vice-President, Community and Tenant Support

    photo of Kae Roberts

    Kae Roberts

    Interim Vice-President, Community and Tenant Support

    As Interim Vice President of Community and Tenant Support, Kae Roberts brings extensive experience in community engagement and operational leadership. Known for her thoughtful approach and commitment to meaningful collaboration, Kae is focused on supporting tenants and staff, strengthening partnerships, and advancing the vital work already underway across the portfolio. She draws on her expertise in human behaviour to deliver workplace strategies through facilitation and coaching.

    Kae joined Ottawa Community Housing in 2021. Her leadership journey began with the Department of National Defence, where she served as a Military Police Officer. She served in municipal policing for over 20 years, strongly emphasizing community engagement, before retiring from active duty in 2007. She later returned to the Ottawa Police Service in a civilian role within the Recruitment Office. She also owns Awakening Wave Organizational Evolution.

More about our Board and Committees

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.​

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Find out the many ways to connect with OCH Staff.

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