Full Name
S. Mwarigha
Job Title
Vice President Housing and Homelessness Services
Company
WoodGreen Community Services
Speaker Bio
Brief Biography: Mwarigha M.S.
Vice President - Housing, Homelessness, Asset Sustainability & New Development, WoodGreen Community Services, 2017 - 2021.
General Manager, Peel Housing Corporation, Ontario’s third largest municipal affordable corporation, 2010 – 2017.
Affordable Housing Developer: Responsible for WoodGreen’s affordable housing Growth & Development strategy, highlighted by the development of Toronto’s first National Co-Investment & the City’s Open-Door programs. This project consists of 36 units for low income and high needs seniors. Completed during pandemic and occupied June 2022.
Currently leads WoodGreen’s strategy to build 2000 affordable housing units through development, private partnerships and, acquisitions.
Civic Engagement & Leadership:
Affordable housing is the foundation of personal well-being, social mobility and healthy inclusive communities in Toronto:
Chairman, Homeless Connect Toronto: organizes largest off the street homeless resource and service event(s) attended by 1,000 participants, 200 service agencies and approx. 100 business partners
Board Member, Ephraim’s Place a youth services and community development in Jane Finch area.
Member: Housing Committee – Black North Initiative (Housing Committee), Brookfield Sustainability Institute (League of Innovators in Building Development and Sustainability), George Brown College
Advocacy & Thought Leader:
Has 20 plus years of experience and is an acknowledged thought Leader having represented for years, the affordable housing sector internationally and locally in the media. Currently a member of Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD). Currently a member of the Black North Initiative - a forum of key business and community leaders to address anti-black racism in Toronto. As GM, Peel Housing 2010 – 2017, was a member of the Human Services Leadership Team that earned a KPMG award for integrated service delivery of housing, social assistance, employment & child care.
Education & Learning Experience:
Masters degrees - Urban Planning (Zimbabwe and Urban Geography (Windsor)
Executive International learning/exchange opportunities in Canada (BC Housing, Ottawa Community Housing & Windsor Essex Housing) and overseas (England, Scotland, Australia and United States).
Executive educational certificate courses in Financial Stewardship and in Strategic Planning Frameworks (Harvard University), and received on-going private media and communications training to improve message sharpening and brand representation.
Vice President - Housing, Homelessness, Asset Sustainability & New Development, WoodGreen Community Services, 2017 - 2021.
General Manager, Peel Housing Corporation, Ontario’s third largest municipal affordable corporation, 2010 – 2017.
Affordable Housing Developer: Responsible for WoodGreen’s affordable housing Growth & Development strategy, highlighted by the development of Toronto’s first National Co-Investment & the City’s Open-Door programs. This project consists of 36 units for low income and high needs seniors. Completed during pandemic and occupied June 2022.
Currently leads WoodGreen’s strategy to build 2000 affordable housing units through development, private partnerships and, acquisitions.
Civic Engagement & Leadership:
Affordable housing is the foundation of personal well-being, social mobility and healthy inclusive communities in Toronto:
Chairman, Homeless Connect Toronto: organizes largest off the street homeless resource and service event(s) attended by 1,000 participants, 200 service agencies and approx. 100 business partners
Board Member, Ephraim’s Place a youth services and community development in Jane Finch area.
Member: Housing Committee – Black North Initiative (Housing Committee), Brookfield Sustainability Institute (League of Innovators in Building Development and Sustainability), George Brown College
Advocacy & Thought Leader:
Has 20 plus years of experience and is an acknowledged thought Leader having represented for years, the affordable housing sector internationally and locally in the media. Currently a member of Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD). Currently a member of the Black North Initiative - a forum of key business and community leaders to address anti-black racism in Toronto. As GM, Peel Housing 2010 – 2017, was a member of the Human Services Leadership Team that earned a KPMG award for integrated service delivery of housing, social assistance, employment & child care.
Education & Learning Experience:
Masters degrees - Urban Planning (Zimbabwe and Urban Geography (Windsor)
Executive International learning/exchange opportunities in Canada (BC Housing, Ottawa Community Housing & Windsor Essex Housing) and overseas (England, Scotland, Australia and United States).
Executive educational certificate courses in Financial Stewardship and in Strategic Planning Frameworks (Harvard University), and received on-going private media and communications training to improve message sharpening and brand representation.
Speaking At
