Our Team

Edward has a number of university degrees and a varied work history from Price Waterhouse Coopers.

Edward was assigned by the Ontario Minister of Finance to act as the lead negotiator for the Province prior to the implementation of the federal GST. A role that ending up as acting for all Provinces and Territories.

Edward says, “The idea of providing over 300 potential homes at a reasonable cost to the community is very attractive as it will definitely beneficially impact the city.”

Edward offers a wealth of experience at the Board level. Usually resulting in being appointed voluntary Treasurer – at GBHS, Federal Liberal Party, The Women’s Shelter, Billy Bishop House, Church Boards, etc. As well, Ed is a semi-retired CPA that has spent considerable time involved in nonprofit entities including co-ops.

Kelsey is one of the founding members of Glassworks Co-op and is passionate about progressive community-driven solutions to wicked and urgent problems. Her work stems from the premise that through thoughtful design and collaborative planning we can develop dynamic systems and viable solutions to complex issues impacting our community like housing affordability and the need to drastically reduce the environmental impact of our lifestyles.

Kelsey has a background in environmental studies and community arts and brings a Masters degree in Urban Planning and a lifetime of community development project expertise to the team. She grew up in Grey-Bruce, and started the Wiarton Farmers’ Market and the Rising Sun Bakery. In Toronto, she Co-Founded PS Kensington - a 20 year running celebration of Community, Culture and Ecology in Kensington Market, worked at Park People running their national conferences and professional services and is now a Senior Project Manager with the City of Toronto helping build pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.

Dedicated and experienced professional seeking to contribute strategic leadership, community engagement, and expertise inhousing to facilitate the cooperative's mission of providing sustainable and affordable housing solutions.

President

Hepworth Hostel, Hepworth, Ontario, Since 2019

• For profit accommodation provider serving Grey Bruce areas

Broker

Homelife Superstars Real Estate Limited, Toronto, Ontario, Since 2001

• Buying, selling, renting of Residential, Commercial, and Investment Real Estate

Education:

• Electronics and Communication Engineering Diploma (India, 1984-87)

• Post Diploma in Computer Applications (India, 1987-89)

Skills:

• Community Engagement: Proven ability to engage with diverse communities, build

relationships, and foster collaborative initiatives.

• Project Management: Track record of successfully managing projects from

conception to completion, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.

• Financial Oversight: Experience in budgeting, financial analysis, and resource

allocation to ensure fiscal responsibility.

• Policy Development: Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to

develop and implement policies in line with organizational goals.

• Leadership: Demonstrated leadership skills in guiding teams, making strategic

decisions, and fostering a positive organizational culture.

• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the

ability to convey complex ideas to diverse audiences.

Certifications:

• Certificate in Adjudication for Administrative Agencies, Boards & Tribunals

(York University, 2017)

Professional Memberships:

• Canadian Real Estate Association

• Ontario Real Estate Association

• Toronto Real Estate Board

Volunteer Experience:

• Director of Real Estate Council of Ontario (2014-17)

• Director of Ontario Realtor Care Foundation (2017-19)

• Member of CREA Realtors Care Committee (2019-20)

• Member of TREB Member Services Committee (2014-15)

• Chair of Community Improvement Planning Committee of Township of South Bruce

Peninsula (2017-22)

• Member of OREA Political Action Committee (2018-19)

• Member of Grey Bruce Climate Action Team (Since 2019)

• Member of Ontario Bee Association’s Governance Committee (Since 2023)

I am currently Manager of Building and Planning, Chief Building Official for the Township of Huron-Kinloss. I have 16 plus years in municipal building and planning. I hold a diploma in Construction Engineering Technology, a Diploma in Public Administration and a Diploma in Municipal Management. I am also a licensed carpenter. My experience includes custom home design and building, land development and planning processes, contract manager, and community services. I have been a Director of Community Services for the Town of South Bruce Peninsula, Manager of Building Services for the Town of Caledon and Chief Building Official for various municipalities. I am fully qualified and insured under the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing as a building official and designer. I have served in various capacities on boards such as the YMCA and the Owen Sound First Christian Reformed Church. I currently sit on the Bruce Peninsula Hospice board. I have played a leadership role in organizing numerous humanitarian trips to Nicaragua to assist with community water systems in partnership with the St Luke’s Society of Central America. I believe in filling needs that assist others to achieve sustainable solutions for improving their life. Affordable and attainable housing is a need that is desperately needed in the Grey Bruce area. Through collaboration with key municipal and provincial partners, I firmly believe there is a sustainable solution for attainable housing and for homelessness. I look forward to working with the Glassworks Initiative in achieving a solution to this much needed development for our community.

Jason MacDonald currently serves as the Political Action Advisor for the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers. For over 10 years Jason has worked closely with Municipal, Provincial and Federal levels of Government advancing and protecting workers rights and creating employment opportunities locally and nationally. Jason served as Board Chair for Community Living Kincardine and District for almost 10 years working closely with Operations, ensuring the advancement of programs and services for clients. Jason volunteers locally coaching minor sports and assisting with various community initiatives. Jason is very passionate about “all things local”, and takes great pride in serving the communities and region where he grew up. He knows firsthand how smaller communities require non cookie cutter approaches to their programs and services and believes strongly in affordable housing for all.

Glynnis has spent the past 24 years developing and advocating for In-Market Action Learning®, a highly experiential, out-of-classroom learning platform designed to invigorate thinking, enable novel thinking and accelerate innovation for senior leaders running complex businesses in today’s volatile and uncertain environment. In-Market Action Learning® leverages classic Action Learning - cross-functional teams working on real business challenges in an experiential and reflective process and emphasizes “outside-looking-in” where leaders actively seek external insights in atypical places.

Glynnis is a novice permaculturist. She recently collaborated with a group of like-hearted individuals to co-create a new leadership framework, better suited to the existential times we find ourselves in. Perma Leadership embeds the three permaculture ethics (Care for Planet, Care for People, Care for Future) as its northstar. This has led her on an inspiring adventure of many things regenerative.

Born and educated in South Africa, Glynnis has lived and worked on three continents. She has worked in both large and small organizations in a number of senior positions in product management, business development and leadership typically managing large-scale emerging technology, innovation focused projects.

Glynnis has a B.A. (Hons.) and a Masters in Business. She immigrated to Canada in 1989. She now resides in Georgian Bluffs on the beautiful Niagara escarpment in Ontario surrounded by nature in its full splendor.

Passionate about sustainable agriculture, fair trade, and ethical sourcing | PhD in Indigenous Studies (Agricultural Economics and Interculturality) | Committed to creating positive social and environmental impact through food systems transformation | Currently driving sustainability initiatives at Chocosol Traders | Open to networking and collaboration opportunities!

About Me:

I am a dedicated professional with a PhD in Indigenous Studies (Agriculture Economics and Interculturatily), specializing in sustainable food systems and fair trade practices. My career journey has been driven by a deep passion for promoting ethical sourcing, supporting small-scale farmers, and fostering environmental stewardship within the food industry.

Current Role:

At Chocosol Traders, I am fortunate to contribute to our mission of creating regenerative and equitable food systems. As CEO, I lead initiatives to ensure the ethical sourcing of cacao, coffee, and other ingredients, while also fostering relationships with local and international farming communities. Together with our team, I am committed to delivering high-quality products that reflect our values of fairness, transparency, and environmental responsibility.

Notable Accomplishments:

● Implemented sustainable sourcing strategies that have enhanced the traceability and quality of our ingredients.

● Established partnerships with small-scale farmers and cooperatives, promoting fair trade practices and supporting community development.

● Contributed to product development efforts, introducing innovative and responsibly sourced ingredients to our offerings.

● Collaborated with cross-functional teams to build SQF certified cradle to cradle chocolate factory in Toronto, Ontario 2023

● Spearheaded the regeneration of jaguar cacao trees and chocolates in the international chocolate community and in the Indigenous forest gardens of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Let's Connect:

I am always eager to connect with like-minded professionals who share a passion for sustainability, fair trade, and social responsibility. Whether you're interested in discussing potential collaborations, sharing insights, or simply exchanging ideas, I welcome the opportunity to connect and explore how we can create positive change together.

Kristopher is a community builder focused on advancing a more sustainable future for his son, family, friends and the people of Canada. He is an experienced leader and advisor in the field of sustainability with more than 15 years experience. Kristopher specializes in developing and implementing strategies that bring together commercial, public, indigenous and community partners to create individual, social, economic and ecological value.

Highlights from his career include: advancing the Community Wealth Non-profit development approach to workforce housing, indigenous housing and cohousing that makes home ownership accessible to those with annual incomes of $30,000 a year, advancing the indiginization of the trades, serving seven years as the Executive Director of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, initiating Ontario’s successful Green Energy and Economy Act campaign, recruiting executives for Fortune 500 multinationals in Asia and researching economic reform in Africa and the sensitive topic of social friction in Ontario’s electricity sector.

Kristopher currently serves as the Executive Director of Cohousing Options Canada, Sustainability and Innovation Advisor for the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers, a Consultant and Director of Roots to Roofs Community Development Society, President of Smart Net Coalition Board, an advisor to the American Cohousing Association and a Director of the Aboriginal Skilled Workers Association. He previously served as a Director on the Board of the Canadian Cohousing Network and Sage Senior Cohousing Advocates.