Workshops

Thinking bigger can be exciting and daunting, all at the same time!

Join Phil Mills, CEO, Habitat Waterloo Region for this important conversation about the genesis and evolution of their BUILD NOW project, including a deep dive into the possibilities (and the potential pitfalls!) of this affiliate's journey towards increased impact. This workshop will be perfect for ED CEO's and board members who are interested in scaling their housing program and wondering what it takes to "Do a Waterloo!"

Presenter: Phil Mills, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region

Phil Mills

Philip Mills is the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region. A skilled leader with executive leadership experience in a range of disciplines from community development to health care to housing, Phil brings a wealth of perspectives to his work. He has also served on multiple boards, both locally and nationally, providing strategic leadership on governance, corporate culture and fiscal responsibility. Phil is presently the Chair of Habitat Canada's Ontario and National Caucuses, and the fearless leader behind BUILD NOW: Waterloo Region, a housing initiative targeting middle-income earners headed by Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region.

Phil is described by those who know him as a non-status-quo guy who is ambitious, visionary, and thrives on disruption and change. One mentor describes him as a mix of Bart Simpson and St. Francis of Assisi. As Bart Simpson, he’s mischievous, rebellious and disrespectful of authority. As St. Francis of Assisi, he's non-materialistic, deeply compassionate, and genuinely committed to supporting marginalized communities, the economically disadvantaged, and those who are socially excluded. Outside of his professional life, Phil and his wife, Sarah, raise their three grade-school sons on a livestock farm.

Workshop Location: Tradewinds

This session explores strategies for cultivating inclusive volunteer programs that are deeply rooted in an organization’s broader DEI culture. Participants will discover best practices for equitable recruitment, meaningful representation in decision-making roles, and the integration of ongoing DEI training to foster environments where everyone feels valued and heard.

The session will also address common challenges to implementing inclusive practices, offering practical tools for navigating resistance with clarity, sensitivity, and purpose. Through dynamic discussions and real-world case studies, attendees will gain insights that extend beyond volunteerism, highlighting how inclusive practices can strengthen culture and impact across all areas of an organization.

Presenter: Joshua Rodgers, Manager, Community & Mission Engagement, Habitat for Humanity International

Joshua Rodgers

Originally from Memphis, TN, Josh Rodgers graduated from Morehouse College, Arkansas State University, and Georgia State University. His unwavering dedication to uplifting communities and effecting systematic societal change is a major part of what drives him.

With a wealth of experience in community development and strategic planning, Josh is adept at creating programming that provides greater levels of access for those in historically underrepresented communities. Currently, he is making a significant impact as the Equitable Community Engagement Manager at Habitat for Humanity International, where he is instrumental in building cultural competencies tools and training and mobilizing diverse volunteers.

Josh lives in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area with his wife, Asha Rodgers and their two sons, Joshua, II and Jayden Alexander.

Workshop Location: Lunenburg

Have you ever wished you could better understand how corporations identify, develop and expand their charitable partnerships?

This panel discussion will give you the opportunity to get the inside scoop from some of Habitat Canada’s top national partners, including Certainteed and Shell. They will share how they align philanthropic initiatives with business goals, measure impact and create long lasting relationships with charities.

The panel will help you gain valuable insight into the corporate decision-making process, and aid in your strategy for pursuing cash, build gift-in-kind and ReStore donations.

Presenters: Rachel Speiran, Manager, Social Performance, National Relationships & Legacy, Shell Canada Limited and Reni Chakal, Director HR, CertainTeed Canada

Rachel Speiran

Rachel Speiran is a social performance professional with over 18 years of experience in the Canadian energy and mining sectors facilitating communication and social impact initiatives between industry and communities. Originally from Montreal, she has lived and worked in BC and Ontario and now calls Calgary home.

She laid the foundation of her career in intercultural communication training at the University of British Columbia, then bridged into the environmental consulting sector as a social impact assessment specialist. In 2022, Rachel joined Shell Canada in an advisory role for the Renewables and Energy Solutions business division with a focus on multistakeholder engagement. At the end of 2024, she stepped into the role of Manager, Social Performance, National Relationships & Legacy and works with an amazing team dedicated to social investment, social impact management, and building meaningful relationships with Indigenous Nations and other stakeholders across Canada. With a B.A. in Psychology and Environmental Studies and an M.A. in Adult Education, Rachel’s professional expertise spans diverse business and community development contexts.

The common thread that propels her forward is authentic stakeholder engagement that aims to support socially inclusive natural resource and energy development. When not at work, Rachel can be found in a yoga class, skiing, walking in the forest with her friends, family and dog, and volunteering for the Calgary Youth Justice Society as a mentor for youth leaders.

Reni Chakal

Reni Chakal is a seasoned Human Resources professional with extensive experience in talent management, organizational development, and employee engagement. Currently serving as the Director of Human Resources at CertainTeed Canada, a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, Reni has been instrumental in driving strategic HR initiatives that align with the company's goals and values. With a strong background in fostering inclusive workplace cultures and implementing innovative HR solutions, Reni is passionate about creating environments where employees can thrive.

A worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. With a presence in 79 countries and a workforce of over 160,000 employees, the Group is committed to Making the World a Better Home. Saint-Gobain Canada operates in 46 industrial locations across the country, and hires thousands of Canadians across its CertainTeed, Kaycan, BP of Canada, Bailey, GCP, Norton and Adfors facilities.

She is known for her collaborative approach, strategic thinking, and commitment to continuous improvement. Reni is actively involved in philanthropy efforts including community service and is passionate about affordable housing and sustainable living.

Workshop Location: Atlantic Ballroom

Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about mindset, influence, and action. In this engaging and interactive session, employees and volunteers at all levels within the federation will explore how they can adopt a leadership approach in their daily roles. Whether working on-site, in the office, or engaging with communities, leadership skills empower individuals to make impactful decisions, communicate effectively, and drive positive change.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Understand how strategic thinking helps align daily actions with Habitat’s mission.
• Develop emotional intelligence to build stronger relationships and foster teamwork.
• Master effective communication to enhance collaboration and advocacy efforts.
• Embrace an accountability mindset to take ownership of challenges and solutions.
• Cultivate adaptability and resilience to navigate change and uncertainty.

Through real-world examples, interactive exercises, and practical takeaways, participants will leave with actionable strategies to lead from where they are—whether in the field, in operations, or within community partnerships.

Who Should Attend?
This session is designed for all team members and leaders who want to strengthen their leadership mindset and contribute to Habitat’s mission with greater confidence, clarity, and impact.

Presenter: Ange MacCabe, CEO, Intuity Performance

Ange MacCabe

Ange MacCabe, CEO of Intuity Performance, is a visionary leader committed to transforming how business owners, teams, and leaders thrive through Whole Person Performance coaching, training, and facilitation across the globe.

With over a decade of experience empowering teams in tech, medi-tech, and life sciences. Ange has fueled Intuity Performance as the CEO and Founder to turn Managers into Leadership Champions decreasing company risk and increasing company profits through individual and group coaching, and facilitation offerings.

Ange is redefining leadership development by combining human insight with cutting edge AI technology. Her AI-powered coaching and facilitation platform, set to enter beta testing in March 2025, will enable managers to evolve into leadership powerhouses, driving success and minimizing costly setbacks.

Ange is a certified Performance Coach (ACC), Facilitator, and Assessor (DISC, EI-Q), and a recognized Human Resources Practitioner. She has been named one of the Top 25 HR Professionals in Canada (2016, HR Reporter) and was honored as a Business Elites 40 Under 40 awardee (2023). She is also a three-time nominee for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award (2022, 2023, 2024) and a finalist for the Halifax Chamber of Commerce Exporter of the Year award (2023). Most recently, she was awarded the Consumer Choice Award for Business Coaching in Nova Scotia (2025).

Outside of work, Ange enjoys spending time with her 12-year-old son and fur babies. She also serves as an active advocate of emotional intelligence as part of the coaching staff for the U16AAA Buccaneers Boys Hockey team.

Workshop Location: Harbour Suite A&B

The digital fundraising landscape is evolving rapidly, and integrating digital strategies into every stage of the donor journey is essential for sustainable growth. This session will focus on how fundraisers can leverage digital tools to acquire new donors, convert and retain supporters, and enhance overall fundraising performance. From optimizing digital channels to complement existing efforts to creating a seamless donor experience across online and offline touchpoints, we’ll explore practical strategies to take your digital fundraising to the next level.

Presenter: Carolina Bendaña, Director of Media and Data Services at Stephen Thomas

Carolina Bendaña

Carolina is Director of Media and Data Services at Stephen Thomas, where she specializes in acquisition data and new donor acquisition campaigns. She works with nonprofits to identify the right audiences and develop strategies to grow their donor base. With experience in third data privacy audience targeting, and fundraising campaigns, Carolina helps organizations make data-driven decisions to support their acquisition efforts.

Workshop Location: Harbour Suite A&B

This workshop is designed for Habitat for Humanity's Communications and Home Partnership staff to collaboratively strategize how to cultivate and maintain meaningful relationships with homeowners. From the initial recruitment phase through onboarding, volunteering, and continuing engagement all the way until a mortgage is fully paid off, the goal is to create a seamless, supportive, and empowering experience that fosters lasting partnerships between Habitat for Humanity and the homeowners.

Participants will explore ways to proactively engage homeowners, build trust, and develop clear communication strategies that reflect Habitat’s values. The focus will be on creating a sense of community and partnership that encourages homeowners to feel connected, valued, and supported throughout their journey while empowering them to advocate for and become ambassadors of Habitat for Humanity and affordable homeownership.

Presenters: Janine Armstrong, Senior Manager, Affiliate Programs, Habitat for Humanity Canada and Whitney Rodricks, Senior Manager, Communications, Habitat for Humanity Canada

Workshop Location: Elements

In this session we’ll explore Artificial Intelligence (AI), what it is, the different kinds of AI and how we can use it in our everyday lives. The workshop will provide attendees with a strong foundation to understand AI without overwhelming technical detail.

We’ll take a look at how non-profits can use AI to support their missions, focusing on real-world examples and practical applications such as AI powered donor engagement, ChatGPT for grant writing assistance, AI platforms to optimize volunteer recruitment and coordination and much more. Finally we’ll explore the ethical concerns around AI, ensuring that AI is adopted in a way that aligns with the organization’s values and ethical principles, including how to protect sensitive data and how to explain AI driven decisions.

This workshop is suitable to a wide range of roles at Habitat.

Presenter: Tamara Dourney, Executive Director, Pickens County Habitat for Humanity.

Tamara Dourney

Tamara Dourney is a passionate advocate for affordable housing, community development, and emerging technologies. Since January 2024, she has served as the Executive Director of Pickens County Habitat for Humanity, leading the organization with a strong commitment to expanding partnerships and increasing its impact.

Before stepping into her current role, Tamara served as the Volunteer Coordinator and Communications Specialist for Pickens County Habitat for Humanity. Prior to that, she worked with Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity in Florida, where she played a key role in volunteer engagement, community outreach, and storytelling to advance the mission of Habitat for Humanity.

Tamara’s dedication to service began with her participation in the AmeriCorps VISTA program, where she developed a deep passion for addressing poverty and fostering sustainable community development. She believes that everyone deserves a safe, decent place to call home, and she brings an intersectional approach to her leadership—ensuring that housing solutions are inclusive, equitable, and transformative.

Beyond her nonprofit work, Tamara has a lifelong passion for technology and artificial intelligence. Her journey began with her first computer, an IBM PC Jr., sparking an early interest in data analysis and programming. Today, she specializes in creating GPTs to automate and streamline everyday tasks and enjoys exploring the creative possibilities of AI-generated art through MidJourney. She also teaches courses on AI, helping others understand and leverage the power of emerging technologies.

With a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a master’s in applied sociology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Tamara combines academic expertise with hands-on experience. Her background in social media marketing, fundraising, community engagement, and AI applications strengthens her ability to advocate for affordable housing while embracing innovative solutions for efficiency and outreach.

Workshop Location: Atlantic Ballroom

In this workshop, we’ll dive into the challenges of post-COVID volunteer recruitment across the Canadian NFP landscape and how that impacts our ReStores; we will explore strategies to attract and retain dedicated volunteers. We’ll discuss what today’s volunteers are looking for in their experiences and how meeting these needs can enhance success at your local ReStore.

A ReStore full of committed volunteers – what, you say it can’t be done, our guest speaker, Leah Gagnier from Mission Thrift Canada says it can be done, and she sees it in action every single day! Learn how to create meaningful volunteer opportunities that foster long-term engagement, deepen community impact, and build a strong volunteer base. Together, let’s develop effective strategies to recruit, motivate, and retain the volunteers who are key to the success of your ReStore and the broader Habitat for Humanity mission.

Presenter: Leah Gagnier, Director of Volunteer Engagement, Mission Thrift Canada

Leah Gagnier

Leah has worked for Mission Thrift Stores since September 2011, starting as a Store Manager for the first three years and then moving into a role at BFM Foundation Canada to support Mission Thrift Stores. First as the Director of Store Operations, then within the challenging role as the Director of Online Commerce, Merchandising & Digital Strategies. Leah has transitioned to the position of Director of Volunteer Engagement. Leah has studied and received the CVA designation to better serve the organization's stakeholders.

Leah has worked in various careers before joining Mission Thrift Store; she was VP of Marketing and Sales at a Furniture Manufacturing company she co-owned for 10 + years. Then went back to school and worked in Social Work for a few years before joining Mission Thrift Stores. Leah has volunteered for Missions and Food Banks for the past twenty-plus years.

Leah is married and has three grown daughters, one son-in-law, one adorable grandson and a new hobby farm in Nova Scotia.

Workshop Location: Lunenburg

This workshop will focus on how to make the most of engagement with decision-makers in your communities. Members of the Policy & Election Working Group will help you explore the options and activities that you can do to help advance our grassroots advocacy in a pivotal political year. Participants will walk away with both inspiration and guidance from those who know best how to grow our impact – each other!

Presenters: Alana Lavoie, National Director, Housing Policy & Government Relations, Habitat for Humanity Canada and Members of the Policy & Election Working Group.

Workshop Location: Tradewinds