Governance is the primary job of the Board of Directors; it is supported by the decisions of the members who elect them. Governance is driven by a clear understanding of the board’s role, the skills to carry the roles out, and the values that put the interests of the co-op and its members first.
Governance Structure
In order to strengthen governance, the board of Compass NS includes representation from the participating resident communities within the organization, as well as representation from non-resident members who are nominated through CHF Canada and bring specific skills and expertise to the co-operative.
The Board of Directors at Compass NS is comprised of seven board members in total. Three of the seven board members are Compass NS residents elected by the membership. The remaining four board members are non-resident members who have been nominated by CHF Canada and elected by the membership.
Board Members
Barb Casey
Director
Barb Casey
Barb has worked in affordable and co-operative housing for over 35 years. She first became involved while a member of the Manhattan Co-op in Vancouver, BC where she lived for 13 years. During those years she participated on the board of CHF-BC and delivered education workshops provincially and at CHF Canada’s AGM. After moving to Halifax, she worked for CHF Canada’s Atlantic Team, supporting co-ops around the province. Barbara was a founding board member of Compass NS and served on the Board from 2018-20 during that time and was also a member of Affordable Housing Association of NS. She has taught courses in non-profit governance and management provincially and nationally. She holds a master’s degree from Dalhousie University and has worked in affordable housing and pediatric mental health for most of her career. Early in her career, Barb was the executive director (ED) of an affordable housing society and a community housing developer. Barb has held executive positions within health authorities and government in Vancouver, Halifax and Ottawa. Barb is excited to continue to support Compass NS as it works towards its vision of being the housing choice for Nova Scotians who want strong governance and credible management in a thriving co-op community.
Keith MacDonald
President
Keith MacDonald
Keith is entering his fifth year on the Compass Nova Scotia Co-operative Homes (Compass NS) he has served as the President for the last two years. After Spanish Bay amalgamated into Compass NS in April 2020, Keith was appointed to the Compass NS Board to fill a vacancy. In 2020, and again in 2024 Keith was elected by the members of Compass NS to serve on the Board. Keith is a long-time supporter of Co-op Housing and has been a co-op housing Member for almost 13 years. Keith and his family lived in the Spanish Bay Housing Co-operative (now the Spanish Bay neighbourhood) from 2004 to 2010 and moved back in October 2017. He served the Spanish Bay Board as treasurer and as finance chair. Keith has played an important role in the amalgamation and new development processes.
Mark Peori
Director
Mark Peori
Mark is currently employed by Medavie Blue Cross and holds a position in health insurance and customer Service. He is an active volunteer with Children’s Wish Foundation, the IWK and Foster for Save a Life Canada Animal Rescue.
Mark has been living in his home, with his wife and two sons in the Central Dartmouth neighborhood for the past seven years. He wants to see Compass NS grow and help more families find affordable and safe housing.
Caroline Chapman
Director
Caroline Chapman
Caroline comes to us from CHF Canada where she works as a Program Manager, Co-op and Planning Services for Ontario. Prior to her role at CHF Canada, Caroline worked for 10 years as a passionate and dedicated co-op housing property manager. A strong and effective communicator, with a background and skills in marketing, Caroline has a bachelor in English Language and Literature from Queens University and has undertaken business, leadership and management training throughout her career. She hopes her business background and coop management/non-profit experience can be a helpful resource to others in the sector. With financial and bookkeeping skills Caroline is a savvy money manager and likes to keep an eye on the finances. She worked with her co-op through the end of operating agreement/mortgage transition in Ontario and encouraged the co-op to build a healthy capital reserve while balancing a well maintained and financially sound property with affordable housing charges. As part of her current role, Caroline is working to support a potential co-op merger in Ontario.
Caroline grew up influenced by two strong female co-operators. Both her mom and grandmother worked in the early days of the co-op movement in Ontario and Caroline’s grandparents lived in a Co-op. Nova Scotia has a special place in Caroline’s heart as her sister attended Dalhousie university and married there. Subsequently, Caroline and her family spent a lot of time in the province and have often considered a move there. Housing is a fundamental right and Caroline is passionate about helping to grow awareness of co-op housing as a solution to the country’s housing crisis. She is excited to dig-in and get up-to-speed about the movement in Nova Scotia and support this fantastic community of co-op homes.
Savina MacDonald
Secretary
Savina MacDonald
Savina and her family moved into a Compass NS community in the spring of 2022. Hurricane Fiona in the fall of 2022 offered an unexpected opportunity to build connections with her neighbours. Her positive experience of co-op members helping one another during this difficult time fostered her sense of community, increasing her desire to support Compass NS’s co-op mandate.
Savina has worked for the federal government of Canada for over 20 years. Her work in project management has been her most cherished role. Her project management insight and training support has been beneficial in supporting employee engagement during times of change, regionally and nationally.
Savina volunteers for the Sydney chapter of the Saint John Ambulance Therapy Dog program. Weekly visits to support local therapy dog program members are the highlight of her week.
Angela Simpson
Vice-President
Angela Simpson
Angela is a founding Board member of Compass Nova Scotia. She raised her family in a Nova Scotian co-op where she was active on the board and later became a board member of CHF Canada. Angela has a strong voice and is passionate about ensuring that co-ops continue to be an affordable housing option. Angela credits co-op housing for having kept her and her family from being homeless and is committed to ensuring that all persons who need affordable housing have access. Also, with having aging family members herself, she understands some of the struggles people face as they age, from wanting to stay in your home and community, being able to make the home accessible and fixed incomes. Angela works full-time in the tourism sector and has a background in construction. In her spare time, she enjoys walking and spending time with her grandchildren.
Kim Walker
Treasurer
Kim Walker
Kim is the Chief Operating Officer for Atlantic Central (AC) and League Savings and Mortgage (LSM). In her role, Kim has responsibility for the treasury, liquidity, and lending (residential and commercial credit) for both AC and LSM. Kim also oversees strategic financial consulting to Atlantic credit unions. As a member of the executive leadership team, Kim develops long and short-term goals and objectives for AC and LSM including strategic plans, business plans, budgets, and corporate scorecards, and provides leadership, direction, and guidance to carry out major projects and operational plans.
Kim has a strong foundation in risk and financial management having held positions in healthcare, financial services, wholesale/retail sectors, and public accounting. Kim has over 20 years of co-operative system experience. Kim started her career with KPMG before joining Co-op Atlantic where she had several positions over 8 years. Kim held a management position at South-East Healthcare NB before joining Credit Union Central of New Brunswick in 2005 as Controller, and soon afterward took on the role of CFO. Kim played a key role in the merger of the three Atlantic Credit Union Centrals into Atlantic Central both at the operational and strategic levels.
Kim has experience in corporate governance, government relations, compliance, and strategic planning, and has extensive experience working with regulators, audit and finance committees, and board of directors. Kim has also served on a number of volunteer boards. Kim has an Engineering Certificate and a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from Mount Allison University and is a Certified Public Accountant.