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
Adrian Larose
Adrian Larose
Brendan Lawlor
Brendan Lawlor
Seham Rabaa
Seham Rabaa
Stephen Sauppe
Stephen Sauppe
Girum Simmie
Girum Simmie
Jonathan Byrd
Jonathan Byrd
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 32,000 residents in 15,000 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
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 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.
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
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
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.
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
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).
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
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 Community 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 Committees’ 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 Ontario 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.
Recruiting Tenants for Client Services Committee
OCH believes that including OCH tenants in its governance processes can enrich the conversation and decision making of the governance team. This means that OCH tenants are recruited to participate on the Client Services Committee.
Eligible applicants:
OCH tenants who want to be on the Client Services Committee must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Be an OCH tenant in good standing, in compliance with the terms of the tenancy agreement.*
- Be able to speak and read English.
- Contribute advice and expertise relevant to the Client Services Committee’s Terms of Reference.
- Have basic computer literacy (e.g., using internet, email, etc.).
- Have experience in group decision making.
- Have community volunteer experience.
- Submit a Reference Letter from a community-based worker who knows about your community work.
- Submit a criminal records and judicial matters check.
*OCH will review its records to verify this eligibility requirement.
Tenant Responsibilities on a Committee of the Board:
- Contribute to governance decision-making in the best interests of OCH.
- Participate in scheduled and special meetings, planning sessions and special projects as part of the governance process.
- Provide advice based on areas of expertise and lived experience.
- Identify and avoid conflicts of interest, real, perceived or potential.
- Promote the mandate of OCH within the broader community.
- Support decisions taken by the Board.
Interested in applying?
- Applications are accepted year-round.
- Complete this Application Form.
- Save it to your computer.
- Email it and your reference letter to governancerecruitment@och.ca.
- Include why you want to be on the Client Services Committee.
- 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 collaborate with you to address your needs.
For all questions, email governancerecruitment@och.ca.
OCH’S REPRESENTATION IN OTHER SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS
- City of Ottawa’s Housing and Homelessness Leadership Table
- Community Impact Cabinet – United Way Ottawa
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.
Learn More
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