Meet Our 2023-24 Board of Directors
Nancy Bailey, Chair
Nancy was a founding member of Habitat starting as Chair and is coming back to us after almost 20 years.
She has spent those years on other Boards and Committees; with the city of Sault Ste. Marie, the city’s Algoma Community Legal Clinic, and Veteran’s Commemorative Monument boards, and in the province with the Advocacy Centre for Tenants-Ontario (ACTO) and Ontario Non-Profit Housing (ONPHA) and back in the 1990s, she was Chair of United Tenants of Ontario (UTOO).
Nancy brings a vast array of experience and enthusiasm to the board and looks forward to meeting everyone connected with Habitat now.
Lise Harrison, Treasurer
Lise Harrison has worked in the Accounting and Finance sector for 40-years. She has a diverse experience in financial analysis, cash management, technology integration, and budgeting and forecasting.
Lise graduated from Algoma University in 1992 with a BA in Accounting and received her Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 1999. During her career, Lise has worked in a multitude of industries including healthcare, not for profit, mining, aerospace, solar manufacturing, and municipalities.
Born in Sault Ste Marie, Lise takes pride in giving back to the community. She has been a contributing member of many non-profit organization including; SSM Helping Hands, 100+ Women Who Care, Advocates for Northern Animals as well as Habitat for Humanity. Lise is a proud parent of two daughters and Nana to two adorable grandchildren.
Lise is currently employed as Deputy Treasurer with the City of Elliot Lake and is excited to join the Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors and contribute her skill and knowledge to the mission of the organization.
Toni-Marie Streicher, Secretary
Toni-Marie has worked with the City of Sault Ste. Marie since 2016, in the Planning and Building Departments. She has knowledge of pre-construction planning applications, as well as on-site field experience as the Cities first woman building inspector. She graduated from Fanshawe College with an advanced diploma in Architectural Technology, and it is there that she gained her passion for innovation, sustainability & accessibility of the built environment.
Toni’s core values include listening to and learning from others to help find creative solutions to problems. These values have prompted her to volunteer with the Sault Area Hospital Patient and Family Advisory Committee over the last 2 years. As co-chair of the committee, she works with others in coordinating initiatives to improve the patient experience and ensure voices are heard.
History and culture are interests of hers that constantly inspire any project she is working on. One day Toni hopes to write a book on the history of the architecture in our community, and celebrate the diverse people who have lived in these buildings. In her spare time, she can generally be found cooking or baking or working on one of several artistic projects which currently includes a cookbook club that focuses on connecting with family & friends through the experience of preparing and sharing meals.
She looks forward to working with the Habitat for Humanity team to help find solutions to increase the affordable housing stock for our community.
Jonathan Kircal, Director
Born and raised in Toronto, Jonathan joined the City of Sault Ste. Marie’s Planning Division in 2017 as an Urban Planner. Since then, he has been involved in providing planning services for a range of development proposals, identifying opportunities to revitalize the downtown area, creating innovative community engagement strategies, implementing new modes of transportation to promote cycling and better connect key destinations around the city, and conducting policy research to address challenges and opportunities that face the community.
Prior to joining the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Jonathan was a Social Geographer with M.A.P.S. (Maps and Planning Support) in Edmonton, Alberta where he was responsible for conducting statistical and spatial analysis to inform human service providers on programming and planning needs. Jonathan is currently a Candidate Member with the Ontario Professional Planning Institute (OPPI) working towards full designation
Lorri Kennis, Director
Lorri has 35 years of experience as an HR Generalist in the healthcare and utility industries with a diverse background in labour relations, employee relations, performance management, health & wellness, training, and workforce planning.
She is semi-retired and working part-time as the Director, HR for OFRA. She earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Lake Superior State University. She has a Certificate in Human Resources Management and a Certificate in Personnel and Industrial Relations and Organizational Development from University of Windsor. She achieved the Certified Human Resources Professional Designation in 1993 and is a Certified Human Resources Leader. She has served as President for the Algoma Chapter of HRPA and remains on several provincial HRPA Committees. She is a very active volunteer in the community and has served as Board Chair for HFHSSMA, Vice-Chair for OFRA, and Treasurer for Women in Crisis and has volunteered for many other organizations such as the United Way, CURE Foundation, Canadian Blood Services, and Alzheimer’s Society.
Jennifer Parsons, Director
Jennifer Parsons is a full-time REALTOR®
with eXp Realty in Sault Ste. Marie and an
Education and Training Advisor with
Contact North, supporting learners and
employers across a broad region from
Sault Ste. Marie to Manitoulin Island. She
is deeply committed to the belief that
safe, affordable housing and access to
education are the cornerstones of strong,
resilient communities.
Since launching her real estate career in
2019, Jennifer has received multiple
awards recognizing her dedication to
client service, integrity, and her ability to
guide people through significant life
transitions. In addition to her professional
roles, she serves as a Director on the local
real estate board, where she champions
initiatives to support new industry
professionals and enhance community
engagement.
In 2024, Jennifer was nominated by Strive
for the Professional Development
Achievement Award of Distinction,
acknowledging her ongoing commitment
to learning and professional excellence.
She holds a Business diploma from Sault
College, a Bachelor of Commerce from
Nipissing University, and is currently
pursuing her professional appraisal
designation through the University of
British Columbia.
Victoria Prouse-Coccimiglio, Director
Victoria Prouse Coccimiglio is an
accomplished urban planner and strategic
leader with a strong background in urban
policy, design, and placemaking. She
currently leads transportation
electrification initiatives at the Ontario
Ministry of Transportation, working to
advance a more sustainable, safe, and
equitable transportation system for all
Ontarians.
Throughout her career, Victoria has held
diverse roles across government, industry,
and academia, consistently focusing on
how mobility and the built environment
can be leveraged to improve equity and
quality of life in communities.
She holds a Master of Planning from
Dalhousie University and a Master of
Social Policy from the London School of
Economics, and is a Registered
Professional Planner (RPP) with the
Ontario Professional Planners Institute.
Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Victoria
returned to the community during the
COVID-19 pandemic and now enjoys life in
the Sault with her husband and two
children. In her spare time, she loves to
cook, drink good coffee, and explore the
outdoors through cross-country skiing.
Kendra Turpin, Director
Originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Kendra
Turpin holds a Master’s degree in Human
Resources and Industrial Relations from
the University of Toronto. With over 15
years of experience in strategic human
resources management, Kendra has
worked across a range of sectors—
including financial services, social media,
government, academia, and non-profits—
in Toronto, Edmonton, and now Sault Ste.
Marie.
In May 2021, Kendra and her family made
the cross-country move from Edmonton to
Sault Ste. Marie to be closer to her
husband’s family. She currently serves as
the Director of People & Culture at THRIVE
Child Development Centre / THRIVE
Centre de développement de l’enfant,
where she leads human resources strategy
and organizational development initiatives.
Outside of work, Kendra enjoys
woodworking and gardening, and can
often be found cheering on her children at
the soccer pitch, baseball diamond, or
hockey arena—or out walking the family
dog.
Denis Rooney, Director
Denis Rooney was raised in Sault Ste.
Marie and has proudly served as
Infrastructure and Asset Manager for the
District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services
Administration Board (DSSMAB) since
2020. In this role, Denis has led numerous
large-scale capital projects in partnership
with local organizations, with a focus on
supporting housing, social services, and
community infrastructure.
Some of his key projects include the
Affordable Home Ownership Program, the
conversion of Sacred Heart School into a
men’s shelter and Community Resource
Centre, the Sault Ste. Marie Youth Hub for
Algoma Family Services, Pauline’s Place
transitional units, and the redevelopment
of Rosedale School into a seniors’
apartment complex with an integrated
daycare and community hub. Most
recently, Denis oversaw the development
of an 11-unit supportive housing complex
on Second Line West for Women in Crisis.
Denis studied Civil Engineering
Technology and Business Management at
Sault College, and brings both technical
knowledge and strategic insight to his
work. He believes deeply in community
service, integrity, and pride of
workmanship, values that guide both his
professional and personal life.
Denis is a proud husband and father and
is honored to serve on the Habitat for
Humanity Board, where he continues his
commitment to building a stronger, more
inclusive community.
Omar Kuzma, Director
Omar Kuzma brings over 25 years of
experience in accounting and finance,
with deep expertise in areas including
treasury, auditing, administration, and
financial systems implementation. He has
provided financial and administrative
consulting to small and medium-sized
businesses, helping them streamline
operations and improve fiscal
management.
Omar earned his degree in Accounting
with a specialization in Finance from
Ricardo Palma University in Peru in 1998,
and became a Certified Public Accountant
in 2007. Over the course of his career, he
has worked across a diverse range of
sectors—including manufacturing, trade,
agricultural export, fishing, and mining—
holding roles in accounting, finance,
internal auditing, costing, and
administration.
Beyond his professional work, Omar was
a founder and board member of Mensa
Peru, where he helped implement
resources such as psychological support,
social events, and meditation classes to
foster personal and intellectual growth
among members.
Passionate about geopolitics, Omar
aspires to one day become a university
professor and author in the field. He is
excited to contribute his skills and
experience to the Habitat team, where he
aims to help develop innovative and
practical solutions to address housing
challenges.
Harvey Walsh, Director
Harvey Walsh is a semi-retired Civil Engineer who graduated in 1973 from the University of Toronto. He later received a diploma in Asset Management also from the U of T.
He has been actively involved in engineering and management since graduation, primarily in the areas of hydropower and mining dams in Canada from coast to coast to coast, and recently in Sweden.
Harvey has been involved with Habitat Sault Ste. Marie for over ten years as a member of the Build Committee and was previously on the Board of Directors.
He has been married for 48 years to the love of his life, and has five children and four grandsons, affectionately referred to as the ‘hooligans’.