Skip to content
CHFBC

CHF BC Teams

CHF BC staff members work hard to serve member co-ops and pursue the annual priorities identified by the Federation’s board of directors.

Interested in working at CHF BC?

Who We Are & How Our Teams Work Together

The Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC) exists to unite, represent, and serve housing co-operatives across British Columbia. Our work is delivered through specialized teams that collaborate closely to support members, strengthen communities, and advance the co operative housing sector.

Meet the Team

Our staff are the focal point for the delivery of our services to members. Their diverse range of talents and skills are united around a shared commitment to our mission. Learn more about the teams that make up CHF BC.

Executive Office

Provides overall leadership and strategic direction for CHF BC, including governance support, sector leadership, advocacy, and oversight of programs, services, finance, communications, and people practices. Ensures alignment with CHF BC’s mission, values, and long-term strategy.

Government Relations Team

Leads CHF BC’s advocacy and policy reform work. Engages with municipal, provincial, and federal governments and key stakeholders to advance policies that support co-operative housing and improve housing outcomes.

Planning & Renewal (Asset Management) Team

Long-term planning is critical to the success of a housing co-op. The team helps housing co-operatives develop long-term asset management plans, and assists with planning for major projects, lease expiries, and offer customized consulting support for a co-op’s particular needs. Develops Asset Management Plans, coordinates technical reports, and helps co ops make informed decisions that ensure safety, sustainability, and financial viability.

Education

Designs and delivers learning opportunities for co-op members—from new residents to experienced board members. Offers workshops, conferences, online learning, and tailored education to strengthen leadership and co operative knowledge. Also manages and develops online courses for the Centre for Co-operative Learning.

Co-op Services

  • Delivers member focused services that support strong governance and healthy co-op communities.
  • Provides consultations, operational guidance, community building support, and practical assistance to help co ops thrive.
  • Answers member inquiries, works with co-ops experiencing challenges, provides virtual meeting support, co-develops resources for the Centre for Co-operative Learning, and maintains CHF BC’s “Find-A-Co-op” service.
  • Assists with various CHF BC initiatives from public outreach and neighbourhood meet-ups, to working with Community Land Trust’s new co-op communities.

Group Buying Team

Secures preferred pricing and trusted vendors for housing co ops. Oversees collective purchasing programs, coordinates services, and ensures consistent quality and value through buying together. Provides dependable, high-value services that co ops can easily access and benefit from.

Communications and External Relations

Manages CHF BC’s communications, publications, media relations, digital content, and storytelling. Helps members, partners, and the public understand our work, values, and impact.

Finance Team

Provides financial stewardship and services for CHF BC, including budgeting, financial reporting, internal controls, and miscellaneous financial support to ensure accountability.

Human Resources Team

Ensures that our workplace is inclusive and creates opportunities for staff to reach their full potential. Fosters good working conditions and works hard to provide the staff members with resources, tools and development opportunities so that they can do their best work.

Executive Leadership Team

Board Of Directors
Thom Armstrong

Thom Armstrong

Chief Executive Officer

Michelle Cooper-Iversen

Michelle Cooper-Iversen

Chief Operating Officer

Thom Armstrong

Thom Armstrong

Chief Executive Officer

Thom Armstrong has more than 40 years of experience in the co-operative housing movement. He has held leadership positions in the sector in Saskatchewan, Ontario, and British Columbia. Since September 2000, Armstrong has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC, Group of social purpose entities, including COHO Management Services Society and the Community Land Trust Foundation of BC (CLT), all headquartered in Vancouver. CHF BC represents 265 non-profit housing co-ops with almost 15,000 co-op homes, and COHO provides professional property management services to a portfolio of 6,000 homes. CHF BC’s group of community land trusts currently holds assets in housing and land worth more than $569 million. Thom also serves on the board of Boann Social Impact, an impact investor in the social finance sector. He is passionate about protecting habitat and expanding the natural range of BC’s population of grizzly bears. When he’s not helping to lead the growth of the community housing sector, Thom will tell you with undeniable certainty that curling is the greatest sport on ice and is ready to explain to you why.
Michelle Cooper-Iversen

Michelle Cooper-Iversen

Chief Operating Officer

Michelle Cooper-Iversen is the Chief Operating Officer of the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC) Group of social purpose entities, including COHO Management Services Society and the Community Land Trust Foundation of BC (CLT).  She holds a designation in Human Resources and is a graduate of the Saint Mary’s University Master of Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions program. Michelle is responsible for executing operational plans than impact CHF BC, COHO and the CLT with a goal of ensuring that all three organizations are working in cooperation, with a focus on strengthening the organizations and the growing and sustaining co-op housing sector in BC. She leads the pursuit of supportive partnerships that aim to foster inclusive communities and influence the ability of the co-op housing model to break down barriers to housing for marginalized communities. Michelle also serves as a board member at Hogan’s Alley Society, the YWCA Metro Vancouver and the Community Housing Transformation Centre. Michelle is the proud parent of two adult children. When she’s not working or involved in community building, Michelle enjoys reading and getting lost in a good mystery.

Get in Touch

Contact Us

How We Work together

Collaboration is core

Most initiatives involve multiple teams working together.

Member‑centred

Our work is guided by the needs of housing co‑ops and their communities.

Values‑driven

Co‑operation, equity, accountability, and respect shape how we show up every day.

Join Our Team

See Open Positions