Meet the team.
We are fortunate to have the following individuals guiding our work at Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga-Dufferin.
We are fortunate to have the following individuals guiding our work at Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga-Dufferin.
Eden Grodzinski
Chief Executive Officer
Ken Mark
VP of Finance & Operations
Jackie Isada
VP of Strategic Partnerships & Community Relations
Chair
BioLynn Fergusson, a founding Partner at Social Impact Advisors, helps non-profit and social purpose organizations across Canada focus on their results and achieve a meaningful social impact. She is a strategy coach/facilitator in the McConnell Foundation’s “Innoweave” program, helping non-profits and cross-sector collectives improve their impact. In addition, Lynn teaches Strategic Philanthropy & Leadership at the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, where she has also taught Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability in the MBA program. Her background includes various leadership roles at GE, including on the National Executive and leading the employee volunteer organization in Canada.
Lynn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Honours Business Administration from Ivey, an MBA from Schulich and a Certificate in Adult Training & Development from OISE (University of Toronto). She was a proud member of the Habitat for Humanity Halton board from 2008-2014 and is delighted to return to the expanded Habitat affiliate.
Social Impact Advisors is a Certified B Corp, meeting higher standards of transparency, accountability and performance, using the power of business to solve social and environmental problems and offering a positive vision of a better way to do business. Social Impact Advisors is among B The Change’s 2018 Best For The World Honorees.
Vice Chair
BioLauren Davey is Chief People & Culture Officer at Compass Group Canada, the country’s leading food and hospitality provider. In this role, Lauren sits on the Executive Committee for Compass Group Canada and ESS North America, guiding the people and culture strategy and operations of the $1.6B company. With a purpose first-approach, Lauren oversees all aspects of human resources including talent management, engagement, organizational effectiveness, change management, recognition and diversity and inclusion – directly impacting the lives of the company’s 26,000 employees in Canada, Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico.
Lauren is a strong believer that a company’s greatest asset is its people and has worked extensively throughout her career to ensure that employees have the development and support necessary to consistently be the best version of themselves while driving results, effectiveness and engagement. Her specific areas of passion include mental health and well-being – something she has brought to Compass Group Canada through just now, a national, mental health initiative. In 2020, Lauren was awarded for her outstanding efforts with the Woman of Distinction Award by HR Awards Canada.
Prior to joining Compass Group Canada, Lauren held HR leadership positions throughout her career in Fortune 500 companies, and international and North American roles in financial services, telecom, pharmaceutical and insurance. Lauren holds a degree in psychology from the University of Guelph, is a Coach and holds a Leadership certification through the Coaches Training Institute (CTI). She is the proud mom of three grown boys, and lives in the Greater Toronto area with her husband and 3 golden retrievers.
Treasurer, Chair of Finance & Revenue
BioGordon Stanton, CPA, CA, is a Manager in MNP’s Burlington office. Gordon has experience working with companies in a broad range of industries, including small to medium-sized not-for-profit organizations, franchises, tech companies, manufacturing, and private enterprises.
Gordon graduated with honours from Tyndale University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and now sits on the Tyndale Foundation board of directors as the chair of the finance committee.
Gordon and his wife live in Burlington with their two young kids and are actively involved with other charities focused on relieving poverty.
Director
BioDirector, Construction Operations. Sami is a civil engineer with over 15 years of experience in the construction industry. He was previously employed as a General Site Superintendent by EllisDon where he managed the construction operations of multiple sites.
Sami has specialized knowledge of structural foundations gained from working as a Superintendent for GFL. Sami holds a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Engineering from the University of Toronto and is a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO).
Director
BioDr. Shih earned his B.Sc. from McGill University and M.D. from the University of Toronto. Dr. Shih has been a resident of Burlington since 1978 and served the Burlington community with his busy Family Medicine practice in Burlington as well as serving as a staff physician at Joseph Brant Hospital until 2000. Together with his spouse, Emily, they founded Emshih Developments Inc. in 1978.
Emshih has successfully developed retail, medical buildings, retirement residences, downtown renewal and mixed-use developments including infills. Some of Emshih’s most notables are Burlington Retail Power Centre, Burloak Common, Appleby Common, Upper Appleby Medical Centre, the Taunton Luxury Rental Apartments in Oakville, the Oakvillage master-planned 100-acre community in North Oakville, the La Salle Park retirement residence and the recently completed Jacob Seniors Residence in Beamsville.
Emshih continues to expand its roster of exciting projects with innovative 15-minute communities and 8-80 lifestyle communities. Emshih is in the active planning stages of the high-density projects in Aldershot and Fairview Mobility Hubs in Burlington, and a master-planned 18 acres mixed-use community at Appleby Line & Mainway in Burlington. Emshih is proud of its unique approach to building communities that foster healthy, active and socially connected communities.
The Shihs have earned their highly respected reputation over more than 40 years of various innovative real estate developments. Dr. Michael Shih is the only developer invited by the City of Burlington to be part of the Economic Vision 2025 Advisory Committee. Emshih has received many awards in recognition of its work, including the Heritage Award from Heritage Burlington LACAC, the Environment Award from the Hamilton-Halton Home Builders’ Association, the Burlington Mayor’s Business Recognition Award for its commitment to beautifying the community, continuing growth, customer satisfaction and innovative development.
The Shihs actively participate in the Burlington community through sponsorship of various local organizations. The very first office of the Burlington Chapter of Habitat for Humanity was donated by Emily Shih. Dr. Shih served on various advisory committees for the City of Burlington such as the Burlington Community Foundation and the Board of Directors of the Burlington Economic Development Corporation.
Emshih is a major supporter of: ROCK (Reach Out Centre for Kids); BurlingtonGreen