Workshops and Seminars

This workshop session will walk through several assessment tools to help you identify your government relations goals, develop a government relations plan, and explore the government-focused tactics you can use to advance your goals.

You will learn more about government relations strategy development in Canada, the resources available through Habitat for Humanity International to develop strategies and tools, and about emerging assessments to help us all better understand how our communities are responding to the housing crisis, and how we can help by influencing government.

Presenters: Alana Lavoie, Director, Housing Policy & Government Relations, Habitat for Humanity Canada, Jonathan Tsao, Senior Manager, Government Relations (Ontario), Habitat for Humanity Canada, Habitat for Humanity International Government Relations Team

Change is the one thing we can always count on – and this applies to the environment that Habitat is operating in. This workshop will explore the requirements for an affiliate to propose and implement a new mortgage model:

• What is the process?
• What is the role of Habitat Canada?
• What are the risks of implementing an unapproved mortgage model?

Panelists: Jeff Krafta, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island, Kimberley Cook, Board Chair, Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island

Explore the transformative power of cultivating an environment where every individual can thrive, succeed, and contribute their best. In this interactive workshop, participants will delve into the principles and practices of inclusive leadership, empathy, and psychological safety. Attendees will gain practical strategies for fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) while promoting collaboration, innovation, and well-being.

Presenter: Colleen James, Principal Consultant & CEO, Divonify

Colleen James, an award-winning equity and inclusion consultant and founder of Divonify, believes in challenging the status quo of racial equity and social justice. James has over 15 years of experience working with organizations to question racial inequities and embrace the differences that exist within their workforce.

Growing up as a first generation Canadian, Colleen was empowered with the understanding that being Black was something to be celebrated. Her parents taught her she belongs in all spaces, especially the ones history excluded her from. Despite their support, growing up James was no stranger to racism, with stereotypical assumptions made about her appearance and level of education. Knowing systemic change is needed to create true spaces of belonging, Colleen has made it her mission to generate innovative solutions addressing equity, diversity, inclusion in the workplace and beyond.

Named one of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada in 2020 and one of the top DEI persons of the year in 2021. James has worked with many organizations leading thought-provoking discussions that challenge assumptions. Enabling leaders to deepen their understanding of power and privilege, she empowers her clients to rethink their outdated business models and create more equitable outcomes for everyone within their organization.

As a former Professor and Program Coordinator in the School of Business at Conestoga College, James she challenging her students to better understand and own the possibilities of their diversity.

Colleen sits on several committees and is involved in many collaborative projects, one being the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region, with whom she has established the James STEM scholarship award. She holds an Honours B.A. degree in history political science and Caribbean studies from the University of Toronto and is has a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy.

Colleen was born, raised and currently resides in Kitchener, Ontario with her husband and daughter.

This session will show you how to enhance your fundraising by connecting Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks, and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to your affiliate’s work. It will also break down some of the confusing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) language and help you to understand which tool will be most useful for your affiliate’s fundraising.

We will hear from EY Canada, who recently supported HFHC in creating resources to tie Habitat’s work to companies who use ESG frameworks and the SDGs. We will also hear from Robin Wakelin who was the lead contact for the project with EY, and Carly Friesen who has worked in CSR for companies like DivaCup and Decade Impact.

Presenters: Andrea Vandenberg, Manager, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, EY Canada, Carly Friesen, Manager, Corporate Giving, Habitat for Humanity Canada, Robin Wakelin, Senior Manager, Partner Services and Stewardship, Habitat for Humanity

In her role as a manager on the Climate Change and Sustainability Services team, Andrea supports the practice on engagements through project management and delivery. Prior to this role, Andrea enjoyed a long career in marketing and communications at EY Canada, CPA Canada and other organizations, where she excelled at developing and executing multi-channel brand and product campaigns. A lifelong learner, she is currently completing her Master's in Business Administration at Ted Roger’s School of Management. Leading with her core values of hard work, integrity and joy, she helps foster an environment that enables people to achieve great things. What really excites her is driving cross-functional teams to embrace challenges, test solutions and contribute to the success of EY’s clients to help build a more sustainable future and a better working world for all.

This session will provide an opportunity to learn from Indigenous housing experts on the current trends and priorities of the Indigenous housing ecosystem and how Habitat can establish meaningful partnerships to support housing needs for Indigenous families across Turtle Island. We will hear from Vena Beckford, Director, Indigenous Housing Policy & Programs, Canadian Housing and Renewal Association and Lily-Anne Mt Pleasant, Senior Manager of Housing, Six Nations of the Grand River as well as local Affiliates partnering with Indigenous communities.

Presenters: Vena Beckford, Director of Indigenous Housing Policy and Programs, Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA), Lily-Anne Mt Pleasant, Senior Manager of Housing, Six Nations of the Grand River

Vena Beckford is the Director of Indigenous Housing Policy and Programs at the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA). With a decade of multidisciplinary public sector experience in policy development and program management, Vena is the primary lead for developing and implementing CHRA’s advocacy, engagement, policy, and program delivery for Indigenous housing matters. Vena advocates on behalf of CHRA’s Indigenous Caucus, with a strong familiarity of Indigenous issues and experience working in Indigenous relations.

Lily-Anne (Lily) Mt Pleasant is a Kanienkeha’ka (Mohawk) woman from Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation in Southern Ontario. She studied International Business in London and Paris and graduated with distinction from Grenoble Ecole de Management in 2018. Since returning to her community in 2018, Lily has primarily worked in finance – holding positions at the Royal Bank of Canada and in corporate finance. She began at Six Nations Housing in March 2021 as a Financial Control Officer and took over as Senior Manager of Six Nations Housing in June 2022. She is now responsible for the effective management of 237 residential properties, 33 commercial complexes, and a $67 million dollar loan fund. In September 2023, Lily was appointed to the Board of Directors for the First Nations Housing Professionals Association (FNHPA) to represent youth at-large.

Habitat for Humanity is one of the world’s most recognizable and trusted charitable brands. How can we leverage that power to advance our vision of a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live? In this session we will learn how to be seen as an expert and use our voice to help influence the discussion around housing in our community. A panel of affiliate leaders will explore the various tactics local Habitats can use, including:  

• Media relations
• Social media
• Speaking engagements
• Participation in housing policy groups etc.

Panelists: Ene Underwood, Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area, Eden Grodzinski, Chief Executive Office, Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga-Dufferin, Phil Mills, Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region and Gerrad Oishi, Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta

Take your affiliate’s impact to new heights with our workshop designed to equip leaders with the tools and insights needed to scale ReStore operations effectively and sustainably. Participants will gain practical knowledge and actionable strategies tailored to their organization’s unique needs – whether you are refreshing, relocating, or expanding your ReStore program. Affiliate success stories will be featured - join us and unleash the full potential of your affiliate’s impact!

Presenters: Marty Robinson, Director, Data and Business Strategy, Habitat for Humanity Canada, Lisa Voycey, Director, ReStore Success, Habitat for Humanity Canada, Laurissa Erickson, Senior Manager, Data Strategy, Habitat for Humanity Canada

Habitat for Humanity is one of the world’s most recognizable and trusted charitable brands. Each of us carries the responsibility to steward the brand, which requires affiliate leaders to identify and manage risk in a way that enhances the federation’s ability to grow impact, sustain operations, while protecting families and our collective brand.

This session is designed to bring affiliate decision-makers (board members and senior staff) together with governance experts, as we explore the nature of our shared governance model, with a focus on brand and reputational risk. Participants will also have an opportunity to consider their own affiliate’s top risks and gain insight from their peers.

Facilitators: Sandra Hanmer, Executive in Residence, Capacity Canada, Don McDermott, Executive in Residence, Capacity Canada

Sandra has devoted her professional career to providing senior leadership in health and social service organizations. Her focus has been on supporting an organization's commitment to providing accessible, smooth, and effective community-based health, social and disability services that make a real difference to people's lives. Recognized as both a visionary leader and strategic thinker, Sandra has an impressive ability to move programs forward from conception to implementation. She is an accomplished community builder and visionary governance leader who thrives on developing strong community leaders.

Sandra’s experience in the non-profit sector developing and implementing workshops and other learning opportunities, focusing on governance and senior leadership development, engaging communities, strategic visioning and planning, mentoring, and coaching make her an integral and vital contributor to organizations she works with. Sandra serves as a Director and Chair on a number of non-profit Boards.

Don McDermott has over 40 years of leadership experience in the Ontario health and social services sectors. He is the former CEO of a number of health care organizations with responsibility for acute and long-term care services, addictions and mental health, community rehab and social work programs. Don has supported or served on more than twenty not-for-profit and charity boards. As a consultant, using many examples from his experience, he works with organizations’ boards and leaders to clarify their missions, identify their values and vision, and achieve their goals through board education, facilitated strategic planning retreats, and various board and CEO mentoring processes.

Don is Executive-in-Residence with Capacity Canada and is a past chair for the Guelph Community Health Centre.

Don is a certified Life and Executive Coach, has obtained certification in Interest Based Mediation and has taken Indigenous Cultural Safety training with SAN’YAS and the Provincial Health Services Authority, B.C.

At Habitat we rely on strong partner relationships to achieve results, but when we are not clear about expectations from the outset, we may find ourselves in challenging situations. This session will discuss how to successfully navigate managing the expectations of both internal and external stakeholders and is beneficial to anyone who works with ReStore, cash and BGIK partners. Through group discussions we’ll explore partner management, Habitat’s brand value, difficult conversations and risk management.

Presenters:

Nicole Dumanski, Manager, National Product & Sustainability Solutions, Habitat for Humanity Canada, April Gibson, Director, Partner Services & Stewardship, Habitat for Humanity Canada, Hava Goldberg, Director, Corporate & Major Giving, Habitat for Humanity Canada, Rumee Shrestha, Senior Manager, National Product & Sustainability Solutions, Habitat for Humanity Canada

Building energy efficient homes and building sustainably represent strategic opportunities for Habitat. All levels of government have given builders a mandate to build greener homes through upcoming changes to the building code and as funding requirements. Corporations are increasingly including sustainability and the environment as their Corporate Social Responsibility pillars. To seize these opportunities, Habitat construction teams face two big challenges. 1. Changing their building designs and product mix to reduce energy consumption and reduce the carbon footprint. 2. Finding cost-effective ways to implement these changes without breaking budgets. 

We will hear Jamie Hall, CEO Habitat Manitoba, briefly present why they have chosen to build energy efficient homes and the work they plan to build more sustainably. Then we'll hear from three of Canada's foremost experts on green building to learn simple, easy, and economical ways to upgrade your buildings.

Presenters: Jamie Hall, Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity Manitoba, Scott Schrier, Integrated Design Services, Building Knowledge Canada Inc., Tracy Archer, Project Manager, Building Knowledge Canada Inc., Kevin O’Donnell, Project Manager, Energy Modeling, Building Knowledge Canada Inc.,

Scott Schrier REA.
Scott Schrier is a Registered Energy Evaluator who has been working with Building Knowledge Canada for over 5 years, specializing in custom home CHBA Net Zero projects, from design and optimization to final testing and labeling.

Tracy Archer REA, BCIN. Project Manager, HVAC Design and Integrated Design Services
Bringing a wide array of experience to our team, Tracy has worked as a Qualified Drafter, HVAC designer and is a Registered Energy Advisor. Her work history includes contracts, estimating, permit submissions, and site inspections, providing a thorough understanding of what our clients need at all steps of construction. Working with our energy modeling team Tracy assists with specialty projects and delivers modeling solutions to our clients.

Kevin O'Donnell REA, ARCH. TECH. Project Manager, Integrated Design Services
With a solid foundation in building science and multi-faceted experience in Architecture, Engineering, & Construction, Kevin helps our clients develop cost effective strategies that meet their performance objectives and result in more efficient, comfortable, sustainable, and resilient homes.

Habitat for Humanity is one of the world’s most recognizable and trusted charitable brands. Each of us carries the responsibility to steward the brand, which requires affiliate leaders to identify and manage risk in a way that enhances the federation’s ability to grow impact, sustain operations, while protecting families and our collective brand.

This session is designed to bring affiliate decision-makers (board members and senior staff) together with governance experts, as we explore the nature of our shared governance model, with a focus on brand and reputational risk. Participants will also have an opportunity to consider their own affiliate’s top risks and gain insight from their peers.

Facilitators: Sandra Hanmer, Executive in Residence, Capacity Canada, Don McDermott, Executive in Residence, Capacity Canada

Sandra has devoted her professional career to providing senior leadership in health and social service organizations. Her focus has been on supporting an organization's commitment to providing accessible, smooth, and effective community-based health, social and disability services that make a real difference to people's lives. Recognized as both a visionary leader and strategic thinker, Sandra has an impressive ability to move programs forward from conception to implementation. She is an accomplished community builder and visionary governance leader who thrives on developing strong community leaders.

Sandra’s experience in the non-profit sector developing and implementing workshops and other learning opportunities, focusing on governance and senior leadership development, engaging communities, strategic visioning and planning, mentoring, and coaching make her an integral and vital contributor to organizations she works with. Sandra serves as a Director and Chair on a number of non-profit Boards.

Don McDermott has over 40 years of leadership experience in the Ontario health and social services sectors. He is the former CEO of a number of health care organizations with responsibility for acute and long-term care services, addictions and mental health, community rehab and social work programs. Don has supported or served on more than twenty not-for-profit and charity boards. As a consultant, using many examples from his experience, he works with organizations’ boards and leaders to clarify their missions, identify their values and vision, and achieve their goals through board education, facilitated strategic planning retreats, and various board and CEO mentoring processes.

Don is Executive-in-Residence with Capacity Canada and is a past chair for the Guelph Community Health Centre.

Don is a certified Life and Executive Coach, has obtained certification in Interest Based Mediation and has taken Indigenous Cultural Safety training with SAN’YAS and the Provincial Health Services Authority, B.C.

Join our facilitation workshop where you’ll hone your skills in guiding groups toward effective collaboration and decision-making. Through interactive exercises and insightful discussions, you’ll learn how to create engaging environments, manage diverse perspectives, and navigate challenging situations with confidence. Whether you’re a seasoned facilitator looking to enhance your toolkit or a newcomer eager to dive into the world of facilitation, this leadership development workshop offers valuable techniques and strategies to elevate your practice.

Presenters:  Marcel Aubin, Director of Affiliate Success, Habitat for Humanity Canada, Janine Armstrong, Senior Manager – Affiliate Programs, Habitat for Humanity Canada