
AHANS BOARD
Our Board of Directors is composed of committed individuals who work towards advancing the AHANS mission. The Board establishes policies, and overlooks a diligent team of staff members who take pride in the organization’s successes.
As advocates for our clients, we actively research community needs to build and upgrade affordable housing, efficiently using the province’s resources.

Charbel Daniel
President & CEO, Northwood Home Care
MBA, B.Sc., Dipl. Primary Care Paramedicine
Board Chair
Charbel Daniel is the President and CEO of Northwood Care and serves as Chair of the AHANS Board. His leadership experience spans health care operations, service delivery, and organizational development, with a consistent focus on the individuals, families and communities behind that work. He began his career as a frontline paramedic in Nova Scotia's Central Region. He has since held senior roles as Chief Operating Officer at MedLife, where he was responsible for more than 1,200 frontline clinical practitioners across Massachusetts, and at Emergency Medical Care Inc. in Nova Scotia as Senior Manager of System Support and later Executive Director of Principal Operations. He is also the author of The Problems with Solutions. His experience leading complex organizations and large teams brings a practical perspective on operations, strategic planning and community-based services, each of which bears directly on the work of AHANS and the affordable housing sector.

Ali Buchan
Director of Finance and Operations, Ritch Williams & Richards
BComm, Cert. Human Resources
Vice-Chair
Ali Buchan is Director of Finance and Operations at Ritch, Williams & Richards and serves as Vice-Chair of the AHANS Board. Ali brings to AHANS more than a decade of experience in the real estate industry, with expertise in financial analysis, investor relations, and financial processes. She has served as a Senior Financial Analyst with Crombie REIT, where she developed valuable experience in real estate finance and analytics, financial reporting, and investment operations and is currently enrolled in the Chartered Professional Accountants program through the CPA Atlantic School of Business. Ali is actively engaged in a number of community initiatives aligned with AHANS’s mission and her background in optimizing financial systems and supporting strategic decision-making provides important insight within the Board Ali brings strong financial and operational expertise to the Board and is committed to supporting effective financial strategies and contributing to improved access to affordable housing across Nova Scotia.

Cory Porteous
Director of Marketing, Office Interiors
BComm
Secretary
Cory Porteous brings to the AHANS Board marketing expertise, strong community connections, and experience building relationships across a range of organizations and sectors, informed in large part by his role as Director of Marketing at Office Interiors. He is an active member of his community, serving on the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax, Atlantic Flamenco, and the Greater Burnside Business Association. A strong believer in the power of social enterprise, Cory is committed to using his marketing background and networks to advocate for affordable housing. His work on the AHANS Board supports the organization’s efforts to build awareness, strengthen partnerships, and advance housing solutions across Nova Scotia.

Mark Bergman
President, Milestone Properties
MBA, BComm
Board Member
Mark Bergman is the President of Milestone Properties, a Nova Scotia-based property management and real estate development company. The team he leads is responsible for managing a residential property portfolio and brings to the AHANS Board expertise in real estate operations, property management, development, and finance. Mark’s experience across residential real estate and property management — including the development of multi-family housing projects and seniors’ care facilities — provides valuable insight into the planning, development, operation, and long-term sustainability of housing and community-based properties. Mark previously served on the Board of the Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia (IPOANS) and has worked as a management consultant with a range of Fortune 500 companies. He has taught Property Management at NSCC and Real Estate Finance in the Master of Finance program at Lisbon’s Nova School of Business and Economics.

Charity Carr
Business Development Officer, Efficiency Nova Scotia
Certified Energy Manager, Certified Construction Site Manager
Board Member
Charity Carr is a Business Development Manager with Efficiency Nova Scotia, where she specializes in affordable, non-profit, and public housing developments. She is a building science expert, holding multiple accreditations from the Association of Energy Engineers and the Canadian Institute for Energy Training. As a Certified Construction Site Manager, she brings extensive knowledge of energy efficiency, building performance, and construction to the AHANS Board. Charity also teaches the National Building Code of Canada for the Atlantic Home Warranty Program. Her expertise directly supports the organization’s goal of developing housing that is more efficient, sustainable, and affordable to operate. In addition to her work with the AHANS Board, Charity contributes to the advancement of the construction and housing sectors across the region serving on the Board of the Canadian Home Builders Association of Nova Scotia and represents the province on the Technical Research Management Committee with CHBA National. A passionate advocate for affordable housing and energy equity, Charity brings valuable technical, industry, and community-focused experience to her role at AHANS.

Ramzi Kawar
Director, Knowledge & Development Associates
MArch, LEED AP, Certified Management Consultant
Board Member
Ramzi Kawar is a licensed architect, a LEED AP, a Certified Management Consultant, and a Certified New Urbanist with over 40 years of experience in sustainability and architecture. From 2009 to 2025, Ramzi taught the International Sustainable Development graduate seminar at Dalhousie University School of Architecture. Ramzi led a Sustainable Net-Zero Housing Design course for Cape Breton University’s Microcredentials program. Formerly as Director of Greening and Sustainable Business Practices at Housing Nova Scotia (HNS), he developed the department’s Net-Zero Energy Management Strategy. As the Manager of Building Design at HNS, Ramzi oversaw award-winning Passive House pilot projects, which were documented in Sustainable Real Estate Multidisciplinary Approaches to an Evolving System. He has contributed to the Canadian Handbook of Practice for Architects chapter on sustainability and offered a training session on it. As a member of the RAIC’s Committee on Regenerative Environments (CORE) he contributed to the Climate Action, Engagement & Enablement Plan. He now leads Knowledge and Development Associates, Ltd., focusing on sustainable consulting and development.

Cheryl Tschupruk
Senior Director of Home and Community Care, Northwood
MSW, RSW, Certificate in Community Leadership
Board Member
Cheryl Tschupruk is Senior Director of Home and Community Care at Northwood Care. She brings to the AHANS Board more than 25 years’ experience in organizational leadership in health and social care. Over her career, Cheryl has developed expertise in quality improvement, social justice, change management, strategic leadership, and organizational planning. Her work in home and community care has given her a strong understanding of the supports and services that help people live safely, independently, and with dignity in their communities. This experience relates directly to AHANS’s work in advocating for the expansion of supportive housing in Nova Scotia. Cheryl brings a strong commitment to equity, community well-being, and collaborative approaches to the AHANS’s Board, helping the organization support the expansion of affordable housing and stronger communities.

Anne Marie Mason
Retired Non-Profit Housing Leader in Ottawa ON.
BA
Board Member
Anne Marie brings more than 25 years’ experience in the co-operative and non-profit sectors to her board role with AHANS. She has extensive expertise in project management, facilities management, asset development, capital planning, and executive leadership. She is committed to applying this experience to support AHANS and contribute to the growth of Nova Scotia’s affordable housing sector. Throughout her career, Anne Marie has led operational and capital initiatives for large non-profit organizations. She has worked with various levels of government to secure funding, develop capital plans, and implement strategies that support long-term organizational sustainability. Her experience also includes working with the Citizens Advisory Board for Housing and Homelessness in Ottawa. Anne Marie’s passion for affordable housing began many years ago and has remained strong throughout her career. Although now retired, she continues to feel a deep commitment to the sector, particularly as the housing crisis becomes more urgent. She looks forward to bringing her knowledge and experience to AHANS while learning more about the affordable housing landscape in Nova Scotia.

Nathan Hines
Vice President Operations, Crombie REIT
BComm, Cert. Property Valuation, Dipl. Urban Land Economics
Board Member
Nathan Hines is Vice President, Operations at Crombie REIT, where he leads the national Operations team of more than 130 employees and supports the performance and long-term planning of a portfolio of more than 300 properties across Canada. Nathan brings more than 15 years’ experience to the AHANS Board, working in commercial, residential, and municipal real estate. His expertise includes property operations, capital planning, financial oversight, risk management, sustainability, and real estate strategy. Nathan has also worked with Halifax Regional Municipality, where he managed real estate transactions and provided strategic advice to support municipal programs and long-term planning. He is particularly interested in how thoughtful property management, investment, and long-term planning can support sustainable housing and stronger communities across Nova Scotia. He is a member of the Canadian Property Tax Association and serves on the board of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Nova Scotia.

Alexander Rimmington
Associate Lawyer, Cox and Palmer
BA, JD Law
Board Member
Alexander is a lawyer in Cox & Palmer’s Halifax office, where his practice focuses on corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and governance. He is particularly interested in helping organizations develop strong governance practices and effective working structures. Alexander believes in the power of strong social infrastructure and is committed to supporting organizations that contribute to healthy, inclusive, and sustainable communities. He brings to the AHANS Board experience working with Nova Scotia’s small business community, as well as a strong understanding of the importance of sound leadership, strategic planning, and responsible financial management. His legal background provides valuable insights into the governance and financing considerations that support the affordable housing sector.

Jennifer Hogan
Community Member with a Passion for Housing & Community Building
Dipl. AWCCA, Cert. Community Support Worker Certificate
Board Member
Jennifer brings to the AHANS’s Board more than 20 years’ experience in housing and homelessness, violence against women, community and crisis services, system navigation, and coordinated access. Long committed to collaboration and community organizations, Jennifer’s career has included frontline advocacy, intensive case management, program development, and senior leadership. This experience has given her a strong understanding of both the individual realities of homelessness and the broader systems and conditions that contribute to it. Jennifer remains committed to the belief that ending homelessness requires more than addressing individual circumstances. It also requires understanding and changing the systems that allow homelessness to continue and grow. At the centre of this work is housing that is truly affordable, sustainable, dignified, and responsive to the needs of both residents and the communities in which they live.

Sydnee Blum
Community Legal Worker, Dalhousie Legal Aid Service
BSc
Board Member
Sydnee Blum is a Community Legal Worker at Dalhousie Legal Aid. In this role, they support individuals facing legal challenges related to rental housing and income security programs, helping people understand and assert their rights as tenants. Sydnee brings experience in community organizing, law reform, and political advocacy. Their work has focused particularly on rental housing, the rights of people with disabilities, and issues affecting people with low incomes. Through their legal and advocacy work, Sydnee contributes to efforts that promote housing stability, improve access to essential supports, and advance more equitable systems for individuals and communities.
