Speakers

Housing Forward brings together researchers, practitioners, elected officials, Indigenous leaders, and sector experts from across Canada. The following speakers have confirmed their participation as of March 2026.

Andrea Nemtin
Social Innovation Canada
CEO
David Miller
C40 Cities & Elbows Up for Climate
Managing Director (C40 Cities) and Founder (Elbows Up for Climate)
Don Iveson
CMHC & Civic Good
Board Chair (CMHC) and Founder (Civic Good)
Dr. Carolyn Whitzman
University of Ottawa & University of Toronto School of Cities
Urban Planner and Adjunct Professor
Katie Maslechko
Rental Protection Fund
CEO
Aaron Barner
Otipemisiwak Métis Government
Senior Executive Officer
Adil Kodian
Rohit Group of Companies
Executive Vice President
Aleeya Velji
Enfin Impact
Founder
Alkarim Devani
mddl and RNDSQR
CEO and Co-Founder
Amit Grover
Avison Young
Principal
Bo M. Jiang
Calgary Housing Company
Interim President and CEO
Bryce Strilchuk
Eagle Builders
Project Development/Sales
Carley Bringeland
Vancity Community Investment Bank
Manager, Business Development - Commercial Real Estate
Chelsey Jersak
Situate
Founder & Strategic Director
Christel Kjenner
Build Canada Homes
Director of Partnership
Christian Benson
Canada Lands Company
Senior Director, Real Estate
Colin Neufeld
5468796 Architecture
Partner
Damian Collins
University of Alberta & Community Housing Canada Research Partnership
Professor (University of Alberta) and Director (Community Housing Canada Research Partnership)
Dan Dicaire
Ottawa Community Housing Corporation (OCH)
Senior Manager of Conservation & Sustainability
David Williams
Government of Alberta - Ministry of Assisted Living and Social Services
Assistant Deputy Minister, Housing Division
Dr. Hakique Virani
Metro City Medical Clinic
Medical Director, Moderator
Dr. Jino Distasio
University of Winnipeg
President & Vice-Chancellor (Interim)
Dr. Katie MacDonald
Athabasca University
Associate Professor
Dr. Louis Francescutti
Royal Alexandra Hospital & Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
Physician (Royal Alexandra Hospital) and Board Chair (Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction)
View More Speakers