Youth engagement holds the key to the future of co-op housing. That’s what Sahara wants everyone to understand, and part of her work on the Board of CHF Canada will centre on finding ways to engage younger members effectively. Sahara herself started her journey in governance as a young member and even ran for the Board of The Cooperative Federation of BC in her twenties. During that time, she learned extensively from seasoned individuals who served as mentors, guiding her toward valuable insights and experience.

Sahara realized that expertise is not a prerequisite for active participation; anyone can acquire the essential skills to excel in a leadership capacity. Her decision to pursue a seat on the Board of CHF Canada was partly inspired by her quest for affordable housing and a deep-seated aspiration to facilitate changes that would spare others from similar hardships. Growing more co-ops and relieving the housing crisis are top priorities.

Sahara, an MBA graduate student, possesses valuable experience in diverse areas such as marketing, finance, and communications. Her active involvement extends to several key committees within the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC, including the Finance and Audit Committee, Governance Committee, Aging in Place Committee, and Enterprise Risk Management Committee. She has an external appointment with the BC Non-Profit Housing Association and has presented workshops focused on younger members at CHF Canada’s AGM.

“I think we need to find ever more effective ways to engage younger members, whether that’s through new video apps, or things like the existing discount for attendance at the AGM. Younger members are the future.”

Sahara is also an artist who enjoys oil painting, calligraphy, and mandala art. She hopes her tenure on the Board of CHF Canada will allow opportunities to collaborate with various levels of government to bring about much needed changes to Canada’s housing market.