Board of Directors

  • Earl Phillips is a municipal housing professional and community developer with over 15 years of experience advancing equity, poverty reduction, and access to public systems for marginalized communities. He works with the City of Toronto’s Housing Secretariat, supporting Toronto Community Housing and Toronto Seniors Housing to strengthen accountability, compliance, and service delivery for more than 93,000 residents through a rights-based lens.

    Earl has led homelessness prevention and poverty reduction initiatives, administered direct financial supports, and delivered financial literacy and capacity-building programs for women, youth, and families navigating systemic barriers. His experience spans municipal government, non-profit service delivery, and international development, translating policy priorities into effective, community-centred practice.

    He brings strong governance experience through board leadership and community involvement, including arts-based and youth-focused initiatives in Canada and South Africa that use culture, mentorship, and creative expression to build opportunity and civic engagement. Earl holds a Master of Business Administration from Carleton University.

  • CHF Canada - Quebec

    With over 16 years of experience in strategic and operational management, Laurent Bigard is a recognized leader in the cooperative and social housing sector in Quebec. Currently the Executive Director of the Fédération des coopératives d’habitation de la Montérégie, he oversees this non-profit organization with 16 employees and annual revenues of over CAD 1 million. His effective management has led to modernized operations through the implementation of advanced digital systems and major organizational change. 

    Laurent has a background in law, accompanied by a specialized graduate diploma (DESS) in dispute prevention and resolution from the University of Sherbrooke, which has strengthened his skills in conflict resolution and mediation. His background is marked by a deep commitment to the development of sustainable communities and the improvement of housing conditions, both at the local and provincial levels.

  • Director at Large

    Sana is currently a Team Lead with the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure where she supports business planning and fiscal management. Previously she worked as an Advisor with the Treasury Board Secretariat, supporting senior official decision- making on initiatives delivered through the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. She leverages her background in finance and operations to develop analysis. Growing up, Sana spent time between Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Dubai, and Canada where she was exposed to diverse perspectives at an early age. These experiences shape who she is today and forms the foundation of how she understands marginalization.

  • Director-at-Large

    Nitasha Rajora is a real estate development consultant with over 25 years of local and international experience spanning Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. As Principal of Neev Development, she provides advisory and owner’s representative services to investors, developers, and non-profit organizations, guiding projects from acquisition through design, entitlement, and construction.

    Her professional background spans roles with architecture, construction, real estate development, and investment firms where she directed complex mixed-use, multifamily, and public-private partnership projects valued between $25 million and $200 million. Her work has contributed to major developments such as high-rise towers in London and New York, and large-scale community and housing initiatives across Canada.

    Nitasha holds a Bachelor of Architecture from McGill University and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business. She is a member of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia, a Certified Professional, and Lean Green Belt certified. Her technical and business background brings a unique perspective to projects that bridges design, finance, and strategy.

  • CHF Canada - East

    Jaclyn was born and currently lives in Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia) with her two young children. She has over 10 years’ experience in governance support with a background specializing in property, financial and contact management. She worked in the Co-op Housing sector for over three years and is currently the Program Manager of Co-operative and Planning Services (Atlantic) with CHF Canada. Through her employment she has been supporting initiatives that help foster the understanding, awareness and learning of co-operative housing development and growth. This work includes alternative governance models that enhance scale and sustainability among members and the sector. She is a supporter of continual learning though workshops, formal education and shared experiences and holds a Bachelors of Business Degree from Mount Saint Vincent University and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute.

  • CHF Canada - Ontario

    With over 20 years in the charitable sector, Ainsley has always taken on leadership role with a focus on change, modernization, and growth. Ainsley began her career building and delivering sexual health and HIV/AIDS education programs for high-risk communities. For over a decade she led national- and provincial- projects designed to improve the health of people living with chronic disease (lung health, kidney health, breast cancer, asthma, and diabetes) and empower patients to take an active role in their care. After a period of consulting for national health charities on program development and time as Executive Director of Thyroid Cancer Canada, Ainsley joined EHM in 2015 as Executive Director. Ainsley introduced modern best practices to EHM’s poverty supports and subsidized housing, and stabilized its struggling finances. In 2022, Ainsley led the acquisition of a second housing property, and is helping the Presbyterian Church in Canada to develop strategies and plans to transform underutilized buildings and land into social housing.

  • Director-at-Large

    Helen Harris has more than ten years of experience in social and housing policy and program delivery. She holds a deep understanding of community housing having focused her career in various frontline, policy and leadership roles in this sector. She is currently Principal of Housing Policy and Research with SHS Consulting where she manages interdisciplinary project teams on a diverse range of housing and policy
    research projects. Prior to holding this role, Helen spent over five years working at the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) where she led organizational priorities and provided strategic direction through major sectoral shifts. Before this, Helen worked in a variety of frontline community housing roles with the YWCA Toronto and the Bruce County Housing Corporation.

    Helen holds a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wilfird Laurier University. Helen has also completed her Chartered Housing Professional Designation through the Chartered Institute of Housing Canada.

In Memory of Karen Hemmingson

The Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers of Rooftops Canada are deeply saddened by the passing of Karen Hemmingson.

We invite those who knew Karen to read her obituary and share memories with her family: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/north-vancouver-bc/karen-hemmingson-13022413

Karen recently served two terms on the Rooftops Canada Board of Directors. Throughout her service, she brought wisdom, integrity, and a deep commitment to the values that underpin our work. Her thoughtful leadership, sound judgment, and unwavering dedication helped strengthen our organization and advance our mission.

Those who had the privilege of serving alongside Karen will remember her warmth, kindness, quick wit, and genuine care for others. She approached every discussion with respect and compassion, balancing conviction with humility. Karen was deeply committed to social justice and to the belief that safe, affordable housing is fundamental to strong and healthy communities.

Karen helped shape our organization through her steady presence, generous spirit, and unwavering belief in the importance of community. Her legacy will live on in the work we continue and in the many lives touched by her dedication.

On behalf of the entire Rooftops Canada community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Karen's family, friends, and loved ones. We are grateful for her service, her friendship, and the example she set for all of us.

Karen will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

The Rooftops Canada Board of Directors