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
Laurie Cook
Director
Laurie Cook
Laurie Cook is a Community Development Coach, Educator and Researcher with over 30 years experience. She has a Masters in Adult Education specializing in Community Development from St. Francis Xavier University, and is a PhD Candidate in Nova Scotia’s Inter-University Educational Studies program focusing on lifelong learning related to community development. She is the cofounder and Executive Director of the Housing Innovation Cooperative which is a new nonprofit co-op that looks to identify gaps in the affordable and supportive housing sector, and conduct research and develop learning opportunities related to address those gaps.
Laurie is also a board member of the International Association for Community Development (IACD), a Past President of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) and a former board member of the Canadian Association for the Study of Cooperation (CASC) and the Canadian Association for the Study of Adult Education (CASAE). Laurie has used the co-op model in almost everything she’s done in community including cofounding MusGo Rider transportation cooperative, The Old School Community Gathering Place, Eastern Shore Mental Health and the community newspaper The Eastern Shore Cooperator.
Laurie also lives with mental illness, and uses her own lived experience as a person with a dis/ability to inform her work around inclusive community development. Laurie also specializes in governance education, strategic planning, evaluation, and leadership and organizational development.
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
Secretary
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.
Cathy Butler
Director
Cathy Butler
Cathy Butler is currently employed at Ritchies Flooring in the role of account receivables and flooring consultant.
I was an active participant in the co-op community for many years. I had the privilege to grow up in a co-op for 11 years, helping the adults on various committees. Then as an adult I had the opportunity to raise my children in the same co-op for 7 years. Over the years I was very active on several committees and held the position as treasurer on the Board of Directors.
In 2015 I moved into the Lake City Housing Co-op (before the amalgamation with Compass NS Co-operative Homes) and have been living here since.
I believe everyone deserves to have an affordable place to call home and a sense of community. I would love to see more co-ops in Nova Scotia.
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 former Chief Operating Officer for Atlantic Central (AC) and League Savings and Mortgage (LSM). Kim was responsible for the treasury, liquidity, and lending (residential and commercial credit) for both AC and LSM. Kim also has experience in overseeing strategic financial consulting to Atlantic credit unions. Kim developed 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.