Our board of directors
Tom Clement – President
Tom is the Executive Director of the Co-op Housing Federation of Toronto, serving 50,000 residents in 180 co-ops across the GTA. During his time leading CHFT, he has been involved in the founding of multiple co-ops and creating land trusts that provide affordable housing to over 10,000 people. Tom assisted in creating the CHFT Diversity Scholarship Program, which has awarded over $1.8 Million to students living in co-op housing. He also was involved in converting of Alexandra Park Public Housing into the Atkinson Co-op. Tom is a founding director of Circle LandTrust.
Joy Connelly – Secretary
Joy is the founder of Circle Community LandTrust. She learned the value of scattered housing as a resident of two scattered-unit co-ops, and as the manager of Innstead Co-op. She is a former development consultant to new non-profit and co-op housing boards, Communications Manager for the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association, and, since 2001, has completed over 150 projects as a consultant to government, co-op and non-profits housing sector organizations, and over 20 non-profit, co-op, and supportive housing providers.
Hugh Hasan – Treasurer
With a long career providing financial leadership in the healthcare and nonprofit sectors, Hugh is currently the Chief Financial and Information Officer at PACE Independent Living, a nonprofit organization that has been providing a wide range of support and housing services to adults with disabilities since 1981.
Angus D. Palmer
Angus is the General Manager of Wigwamen Incorporated, Toronto’s largest urban Indigenous housing provider and winner of the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association’s 2016 Award for Excellence. Since 1998, Angus has overseen the development and management of Wigwamen’s 866 affordable housing units. He has also served on the City of Toronto’s Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee, is a Past-Treasurer, of the Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council, and as a former development consultant, helped create 24 non-profit and co-op housing projects, providing over 800 homes in Northern and Central Ontario.
Diana Yoon
Diana is the Program Manager, Policy & Government Relations at the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada. Experienced in political advocacy and campaigns at all levels of government, she supports the growth and success of the non-profit co-operative housing sector. Passionate about the intersection of climate and housing, Diana previously advanced equitable climate solutions at Toronto Community Housing, Toronto Environmental Alliance, and The Atmospheric Fund. Diana has a MA in Geography from York University and an Environmental Visual Communications post-graduate certificate from Fleming College.
Sherri Williams
Sherri is a former tenant of the TCHC Scattered Homes, and played an important role in driving the successful tenant-led advocacy campaign that saved the homes. During those years, Sherri deputed to every level of government, and could often be seen at the front of demonstrations with her kids. Sherri provided invaluable insight and support when Circle was being formed and during our startup phase. Sherri also brings her professional expertise with construction-related sales and operations to Circle’s Board.
Karen Hepburn
Karen is a senior Human Resources professional with deep experience in supporting growth and transformation in organizations. She is the former Director of HR and Operations at Options For Homes, Canada’s largest developer of attainable ownership condominiums. At Options, Karen also led the Client Success department, which supported new homeowners to make that life-changing transition successfully. During Circle’s startup phase, Karen provided valuable HR support in our hiring process.
Additional Board Committee Members: Paul Connelly, David Robertson, Chris Pelaia
Circle is fortunate to have a Board of Directors that is made up of housing and nonprofit sector leaders with decades of experience, and a deep commitment to their work. It is exceedingly rare for a project at the scale of The Transfer to be awarded to a startup organization, but in the case of Circle, the strength, knowledge, and stellar reputations of our Board members gave the City confidence that these homes would be in good hands. Circle would not exist today if our Board had not been so generous with their time, energy, and expertise.
Circle recognizes the importance of diverse representation at the highest level of decision making. As we move forward, Circle is committed to bringing more voices to the table, and fostering a Board that is representative of our Tenants, and the people of this City.