2022 Fall Education Conference Facilitators
At CHF BC, we actively embed sustainability principles in all that we do to limit our impact on the environment and society at large while advancing the financial security of our members and their communities. We accomplish this through our partnerships, advocacy work, programs, services and decision-making processes.
Here are some of the talented facilitators who will be leading the sessions (more to come!).
Judy Wesley
Training & Capacity Specialist, Aboriginal Housing Management Association
Ama Sa, Simogyet xSimgitgiigeenx wah’yii. Wilnaltaahl wilps miluulak/xSimgitgiigeenx. LaxSeel Pdeek’y Gitxsan Nation. Judy Wesley is a hereditary chief of the Gitxsan Nation; her traditional chief name is xSimgitgiigeenx. She belongs to the house of Miluulak/xSimgitgiigeenx and came from the frog clan of the Gitxsan nation. Judy is mother to 2 amazing and kind-hearted sons. In her role as Training & Capacity Specialist at the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA), Judy creates space for non-Indigenous people to take notice of what is in mind, body, and spirit when working with Indigenous people, as well as their own organizations and wellness journeys. Judy specializes in organizational cultural safety and is an Indigenous-Focused Orientated Trauma and Trauma Complex Therapy Practitioner (Justice Institute of BC). Judy is a leader in decolonization and implementation of programs based in Gitxsan traditional parenting and teachings of Knowledge Keepers/Elders. “The attempt to escape from pain, is what creates more pain” ~ Gabor Maté.
Judy will be the Plenary Leader for the Morning Plenary – Cultural Safety at the 2022 Fall Education Conference.
Raj Dhasi
Senior Consultant, Turning Point Resolutions Inc.
Raj Dhasi, M.A., B.A., C.R.C | Raj is our lead consultant and your first point of contact at Turning Point Resolutions Inc. As a leading expert in conflict resolution, Raj has been providing invaluable intervention services to workplace organizations, school districts, families, and communities for over 20 years. Raj specializes in assessing and resolving complex multi-layer conflicts, with a keen attention to politics race, privilege, and intersectionality. She brings a toolbox full of intervention approaches including mediation, leadership and communication coaching, group facilitation, training and restorative justice processes. In addition to working in private practice, Raj is also a faculty member at the Justice Institute of B.C., Centre for Conflict Resolution. Raj holds a specialized degree in Adult Education, a Master’s degree in Organizational Conflict Analysis and Management, is currently completing her Doctorate in Social Sciences. As a skilled practitioner Raj brings a blend of empathy, spirit, and strategic thinking to each and every client.
Raj will be the Plenary Leader for the Afternoon Plenary – Conflict Conversations: What is the Demand? and she will be the Workshop Leader for Navigating Conflict with Ease and Expertise at the 2022 Fall Education Conference.
Cheryl Alsop
Cheryl worked as a Senior Maintenance Coordinator in the housing co-op sector for over ten years and during this time did everything from managing routine repairs to coordinating large retrofit projects and everything in between. Cheryl also trained and coached staff in maintenance coordination and brings dynamism and humour to her work.
Cheryl will be the Workshop Leader for Preventive Maintenance at the 2022 Fall Education Conference.
Thom Armstrong
Chief Executive Officer, Co-operative Housing Federation of BC, COHO Management Services Society, and the Community Land Trust Foundation of BC, all headquartered in Vancouver.
He has held leadership positions in Saskatchewan, Ontario, and British Columbia during more than 35 years of service in the co-operative housing movement. Armstrong also chairs the board of Encasa Financial Inc., a registered Investment Fund Manager for the capital reserves of Canada’s community housing sector.
Thom will be the moderator of the Ask the Lawyers workshop, at the 2023 Spring Forum.
Grant Haddock
Founder, Haddock & Company, Lawyers.
Grant Haddock was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 1992 and is the principle of Haddock & Company, Lawyers. Grant’s core areas of practice are co-operative housing law, strata property law, residential and commercial tenancy, human rights, privacy and construction law. Grant has acted for numerous housing providers and construction companies, appearing for them at all levels of court and at various tribunals. Grant has been a course leader and frequent speaker at educational conferences sponsored by industry leaders.
Grant will be one of the lawyers in the workshop Ask the Lawyers workshop, at the 2023 Spring Forum.
Geoffrey Dabbs
Founding Partner, Gehlen Dabbs Cash LLP
Geoffrey Dabbs was licensed as a lawyer in British Columbia in 1990 and has been actively involved in the housing co-op sector the entire time. His firm, Gehlen Dabbs Cash LLP, currently acts for a large number of housing co-operatives and related management and advisory organizations, advising on various issues, including rules and occupancy agreements and membership terminations and related litigation, as well as governance and financing.
Geoffrey will be one of the lawyers in the Ask the Lawyers workshop at the2023 Spring Forum.
Madeleine Hebert
Housing Researcher & Designer, Happy Cities
Madeleine Hebert, B.Ends, M.Arch, Intern Architect AIBC leads housing research projects at Happy Cities, working with professionals and communities to develop solutions to improve social connectedness, resilience, and wellbeing. Her work promotes collaborative approaches and ensures spaces provide equitable opportunities for everyone. Madeleine has experience designing educational facilities and housing projects across the province of BC. Her educational background includes a multidisciplinary Environmental Design degree from the University of British Columbia and a Masters of Architecture from Carleton University.
Madeleine will be one of the Workshop Leaders for Happy Homes: Sparking Neighborliness and Social Connectedness at the 2022 Fall Education Conference.
Leah Karlberg
Urban Planner & Designer, Happy Cities
Leah Karlberg, BA, Gcert brings a background in development planning and public engagement. She is particularly interested in designing the built environment to allow for social connections within communities—leading to resilient outcomes daily and in the face of a climate crisis. She has contributed to innovative planning processes across Metro Vancouver in sectors including municipal, non-profit, co-operative, and institutional (at the University of British Columbia), in addition to community development work in Costa Rica. Leah is a pre-candidate with the Canadian Institute of Planners.
Leah will be one of the Workshop Leaders for Happy Homes: Sparking Neighborliness and Social Connectedness at the 2022 Fall Education Conference.
Michelle Cooper-Iverson
Chief Operating Officer, Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC’s) Group of Social Purpose Entities
Michelle oversees the day-to-day operations of the CHF BC team. She focuses on fostering a corporate culture that promotes accountability to the international cooperative principles, keeping ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others front and center in the group’s business operations and relationship with staff and community partners.
Michelle will be the Workshop Leader for Keeping on Track: Records Documentation and Management ABC’s at the 2022 Fall Education Conference.
Nick Dolbilov
Asset Management Analyst, Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC)
As Program Analyst, Nick Dolbilov has worked with many co-ops reviewing building condition assessments and developing long-term plans in collaboration with housing co-operatives. He tackles financial, social, governance, and technical elements of stewarding housing co-operatives and their properties. His interests in sustainability have lead him to pursue an advanced certificate in Sustainable Energy Management and Construction (BCIT) and take a lead on CHF BC’s energy benchmarking efforts.
Nick will be the Workshop Leader of Energy Retrofits: It’s Time to Upgrade Your Buildings at the 2022 Fall Education Conference.
Sue Moorhead
Consultant, Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC)
Sue Moorhead has been active in housing co-ops and federations in British Columbia and Quebec for most of her working life. From 1997 to 2014 she was CHF BC’s Education Director. Now a CHF BC consultant, Sue chairs meetings, facilitates workshops and provides advice on co-op housing governance issues. An active member in her own housing co-op in Vancouver, she has served in various board and committee positions. Sue also worked as a technical advisor for Rooftops Canada in South Africa for five years, and has been on several national boards.
Sue will be the Workshop Leader for Board Woes: Spotting and Fixing Dysfunction at the 2022 Fall Education Conference.
Michael Rodgers
Co-op Services Director, Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC)
Michael Rodgers is CHF BC’s Co-op Services Director and a staff representative on the Climate Emergency Task Force. With a broad-based background that includes degrees in law and a decade’s experience with CHF BC, he is well positioned to assist housing co-ops as they prepare for the future.
Michael will be one of the Workshop Leaders for Welcoming New Members: Best Practices in Member Selection and Orientation at the 2022 Fall Education Conference.
Ed Dagsaan
Co-op Services Advisor, Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC)
Ed works as CHF BC’s Co-op Services Advisor providing advice and guidance to boards and members. He is involved in developing CHF BC’s resources and initiatives that strengthen co-op communities. Ed brings his experience overseeing and managing a portfolio of housing co-ops in Ontario to his work at CHF BC. With knowledge in building management, supporting board governance through training and planning, and engaging communities, Ed advises co-ops on best practices in governance and management.
Ed will be one of the Workshop Leaders for Welcoming New Members: Best Practices in Member Selection and Orientation at the 2022 Fall Education Conference.
Mariam Larson
Consulting Gerontologist
Mariam Larson, PBD, BA works with government and cross-sector organizations to create all-ages-friendly communities. After a career running her own corporate communications and marketing consultancy, Mariam added gerontology expertise to her professional toolkit. Since 2003, she has developed, managed, and facilitated multiple projects that address older adults’ housing challenges, accessibility issues, caregiver dynamics and aging-family communications, social isolation, transportation barriers, and creation of age- and dementia-friendly services and programs.
Recent projects include the Seniors Housing Collaborative, Seniors Housing Innovation Project, Learn + Connect Series on Homelessness and on Systemic Change, New Westminster COVID-19 Task Force for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities, Allies in Aging Collective Impact Initiative, and age- and dementia-friendly action plans for seven municipalities.
Mariam is an active grandmother to twins and caregiver for her 91-year-old mother. She is always happy to talk about her latest great read and recently took on her first sprint triathlon.
Mariam will be the Workshop Leader for Healthy Aging: Growing Old and Living Well at the 2022 Fall Education Conference.
Kendall Andison
Development Manager, Community Land Trust
Kendall works with the Community Land Trust’s partners to develop and re-develop housing co-ops and non-profit housing. With experience across the development lifecycle, she approaches project management with empathy and care.
Kendall will be one of the Workshop Leaders for Co-op Redevelopment at the 2022 Fall Education Conference.
Julian Ward
Director of Development, Community Land Trust
Julian Ward is the Director of Development of CHF BC’s Community Land Trust. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the project delivery for a variety of developments across BC.
As an accomplished real estate professional, he brings both non market and market development experience and leadership to the Community Land Trust to build upon its mission…communities.
Julian will be one of the Workshop Leaders for Co-op Redevelopment at the 2022 Fall Education Conference.
Sara Jellicoe
Development Manager, BC Housing
Sara works as a Development Manager for the Lower Mainland at BC Housing
Sara will be one of the Workshop Leaders for Co-op Redevelopment at the 2022 Fall Education Conference.
Sherry Shi
Development Manager, Community Land Trust
Sherry works with the Community Land Trust’s partners on renovation of co-ops in BC. She has experience from both the public and private sector of development and understands the nuances of each project stage.
Sherry will be one of the Workshop Leaders for Co-op Redevelopment at the 2022 Fall Education Conference.