Board
Rishab
Rishab first joined the HOTT Board in 2017. He is enjoying the opportunity to get to know the staff, residents, and other Board Members. Rishab also contributes to HOTT through his role on the Housing Development and Proposals Committee, the Policy Committee, and by participating in HOTT's fundraising efforts. Rishab was born in the UK and moved to Toronto in 2014. He is an urban planner by training, was formerly a Housing Policy Planner for the City of Toronto as well as Chief of Staff for Toronto City Councillor, Brad Bradford. His favourite part about HOTT is the people and the opportunity to support the organization stay strong and stable for the future.
Bianca
Bianca joined HOTT’s Fundraising and Marketing Committee in 2022. Bianca is a Senior Analyst at President’s Choice Financial and a CPA Candidate. It was during her time working at Choice Properties REIT where she developed a keen interest in real estate through exposure to many topics both in residential and commercial real estate. Bianca received an Honours in Business Administration from Western University’s Ivey School of Business. Bianca feels strongly that Toronto and the GTA need more affordable options for all income-levels, especially recent in times where many are struggling due to inflation. She believes that finding alternative, affordable housing options matters even more and this aligns with HOTT’s mission.
Laura
Laura is a long-time resident of HOTT and has lived at two of our properties. Laura has served on HOTT’s Housing Development and Proposals Committee since 2019 and actively participates in HOTT fundraising activities and events.
Laura uses her skills to help her neighbours and is known for lending a hand by the residents of her building, particularly helping elders and others with physical health challenges. Our staff, volunteers, and Laura’s neighbours all greatly appreciate the compassion and connection that Laura brings to our HOTT community.
Shelly
Shelly joined HOTT in 2021 as a member of the Housing Development & Proposals Committee and in 2022 became a HOTT Board Member. Shelly is a Registered Professional Planner with 14+ years of municipal land use planning experience. Shelly believes her knowledge and experience assists HOTT in its mandate to provide affordable housing for those in need. She is thankful to have this opportunity to work with and learn from others on the HOTT Board and committees. Shelly grew up in Toronto and while she now resides in Aurora, Toronto will always have an important place in her heart.
Tim
Tim has volunteered on HOTT’s Policy Committee since 2020 and aims to utilize and further develop his skills and knowledge to effect beneficial change at the ground level. Tim has experience working in social housing property management in both the Ottawa and Kingston areas as well as affordable housing development through employment with Tim Welch Consulting Inc. Currently, Tim is employed as Manager of Business Analytics with Housing Services Corporation where he is responsible for researching, analyzing, and presenting data regarding housing assets for clients across Ontario.
Natasha
Natasha held progressively senior policy and advocacy roles at the Toronto Region Board of Trade. Natasha also spent ten years in economic development, market intelligence and enterprise risk planning consulting roles. Natasha’s current role is Manager of Research at Canada Infrastructure Bank. Natasha holds Master of Arts in Business Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University. She is also a Certified Economic Developer with Economic Development Association of Canada (EDAC) and has completed her Project Management Professional (PMP) designation.
Born in Moscow, Russia, Natasha now lives in Toronto’s Bloor West Village.
Nick
Nick has property management experience with St. Clare’s Multifaith Housing Society and Wigwamen where he faced a broad range of challenges in social housing management. Nick has additional experience as a development consultant with SHS and Wigwamen, securing funding from CMHC SEED Programs, the City of Toronto Open Door program, as well as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. In his current role at CMHC, he has also gained experience in administration, First Nations issues and financial compliance. Nick believes that developing non-profits into strong institutions that can expand substantially to fulfill a greater mandate is the only true solution to the housing and homelessness crisis.
Hannah
Hannah joined the HOTT Board of Directors in 2021 and has served on the HOTT Policy Committee since 2019. Hannah is an infrastructure lawyer, having spent the last five years working for a social housing provider. She is a believer in the critical importance of quality, affordable housing and feels very lucky to be a part of such a special organization.
Mohamad
Mohamad was born and lived in Damascus, Syria, and was a businessperson before moving to Canada. Mohamad began living in one of HOTT’s houses in July 2019. He has shared that his life before HOTT had a lot of suffering but since moving in he has felt safe. He finds both the HOTT staff team and his housemates to be kind and helpful as he transitions into life in Canada. Mohamad received his Canadian citizenship in August this year. Mohamad is enjoying serving on HOTT’s Board of Directors where he is able to share both his business experience and his perspective as a resident.