Housing co-op operations have become more complex over the years. Professional management companies have responded to the needs of co-ops and trends show their increased popularity. Hear from a panel of leaders in the co-op sector as they share their hopes and challenges for the future of housing co-op management.

Moderator: Michelle Cooper-Iversen, CHF BC

Panelists:

Francesca Sorace, The Agency for Co-operative Housing

Asim Qazi, COHO Management Services Society

Raman Bassi, New Life Management

Thom Armstrong, Community Land Trust

Arnold Sang serves as the Commercial Services Director for CHF BC, aiming to provide economic benefits to housing co-op members. With over 15 years of experience in procurement and tendering, Arnold has a proven track record of driving cost savings and improving operational efficiencies for housing co-ops. He reviews bids, selects the best products and services at competitive prices, and implements innovative and sustainable initiatives to design and deliver programs and services for housing co-ops. Arnold has a master's degree in business administration and is pursuing a Master of Management in Cooperatives and Credit Unions. His goal is to develop innovative programs through advanced education and training that will better serve the needs of cooperative members.

Arnold is co-presenting Maximizing Procurement Efficiencies.

Bryan Zecchel is an Operations Manager in Pinchin’s Hazardous Materials group and has been employed by Pinchin Ltd. since 2004. Bryan has a Diploma of Chemical Sciences from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and is an Applied Science Technologist with the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC.

Bryan has over 16 years of experience in the management of hazardous materials including assessments, management programs and designing & monitoring remediation programs. Bryan has completed over 5,500 projects on behalf of Pinchin Ltd., including assessments and inventories of hazardous materials; preparation of technical specifications, tender documents, class D hazardous materials abatement budgets and remedial action plans; management of the hazardous waste removal process; and hazardous material awareness and remediation training.

Brian is presenting Asbestos: The Hidden Danger.

Francesca is the Manager of Rental Assistance Program at the Agency for Co-operative Housing, a non-profit co-op responsible for administering federal co-op housing programs for CMHC. She has worked at the Agency since 2006 when the Agency took over the administration of the federal co-op housing programs in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island.

Franca is a panelist in the Morning Plenary.

Geoffrey Dabbs is one of the founding partners of Gehlen Dabbs Cash LLP. His practice focuses on litigation aspects of commercial and insolvency law, including bankruptcy and receivership, commercial tenancy disputes, security recovery and related matters. He acts for numerous 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 a panelist on the Ask the Experts session.

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 is a panelist on the Ask the Lawyers workshop.

Laurel Albina (she/her) works with people and organisations to build individual and collective capacity to collaborate and co-create.

Through facilitation, popular education, and training she supports teams to actualize commitments to building respectful and belonging-centered workplaces and communities. Her dispute resolution practice, Albina Strategic Consulting, provides mediation using an equity-informed and intersectional lens.

She is the current Vice-President of Rising Star Housing Co-operative and is leading the Board on updating the co-op's policies to be in alignment with the strategic vision of the Board and Membership.

Laurel is presenting Building a Culture of Belonging.

As the the COO of the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC) and its affiliates, the Community Land Trust Foundation and COHO Management Services Society, Michelle Cooper-Iversen is committed to purpose-driven work.

With her hands-on dedication, Michelle fosters an organizational culture rooted in co-operative principles. She champions values like honesty, openness, and social responsibility. Under her leadership, CHF BC leads the co-operative housing movement, nurturing inclusive, sustainable communities.

Michelle holds a Masters Degree in Management and Co-operatives from , enhancing her expertise in leading co-operative enterprises. To keep engaged in the wider not-for-profit sector, she sits on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations, including the British Columbia Co-operative Association (BCCA) and YWCA Metro Vancouver.

Michelle is moderating the Morning Plenary.

Raman is representing New Life Management Services.

Raman is a panelist in the Morning Plenary.

Saurabh Parnami is an asset management program analyst on the CHF BC team. Saurabh is an outcome-driven professional with both creative and analytical capabilities. Saurabh’s passion is to incorporate "social enterprise" in every role he has held and wishes to pursue. His experience includes working in a commercial properties management company to create long-term and sustainable asset management plans in India and with a residential strata management company in Vancouver, BC. With 15+ years of work experience, Saurabh has a master’s in business administration and holds a broker license for strata management.

Saurabh is co-presenting Maximizing Procurement Efficiencies.

Sonia has helped leadership teams and boards in the Canadian co-op housing sector since 2009. She is known for her mindful approach to facilitating retreats, developing strategic plans and for her guidance in succession planning and other operational activities.

In her consulting firm for the past 15 years, Sonia Byrne & Associates has led her to work iand live in settings in Canada, the USA, Mexico, the UK, Europe, Middle East and North Africa region. Sonia holds great enthusiasm for helping individuals and teams untangle the puzzle of communication, perception and perspective. She is currently leading several sector projects including: Personality Dimensions colours workshops, Succession Planning initiatives, Strategic Planning processes and the Co-op Professional Educators Training program.

Thom Armstrong is CEO of the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC.

He has more than 30 years of experience in the co-operative housing movement. He is also the CEO of COHO Management Services Society and the Community Land Trust group of societies.

Thom is a panelist in the Morning Plenary and will be the moderator on Ask the Experts workshop.