Leaders

Alejandra Ruiz Vargas

ACORN Canada President

Alejandra is a housing worker originally from Colombia who has been involved with ACORN since 2015. She has led meetings and actions on issues such as. childcare, remittances, and employment insurance reform but her passion and advocacy on affordable housing, tenant rights and state of good repair issues is her passion.

Monica Bhandari

ACORN Canada Secretary

Monica was elected Chair of New West ACORN and sits on the National Board representing BC. Since getting involved with ACORN, Monica helped organise her apartment building into a tenant union that successfully fought to defeat her landlord’s attempt to pass on a million dollars in building repairs to tenants. She now helps lead the fight to increase tenant protections across BC.

Bader Abu Zahra

ACORN Canada Treasurer

Bader is a retired engineer. He immigrated to Canada in the early 70s and since then has been involved in community struggles for social justice. After being encouraged by his daughter to join ACORN, Bader has become a committed member on several campaigns including affordable and livable housing and fair banking. He was an essential part of the push for a mobile COVID19 testing site in the east end of Ottawa. Since June 2023, he became part of the ACORN Canada National Board.

Nichola Taylor

National Board Representative

Since reaching out to ACORN to get help in fighting a renoviction Nichola has been a positive force to be reckoned with. Since being elected Chair of NB ACORN in June of 2022, Nichola has organized actions and rallies around NB ACORN’s groundbreaking Rent Cap and Renoviction Ban campaigns. In addition to being ACORN’s (and working class tenants) primary spokesperson in New Brunswick, she is also a representative of ACORN's National Board.

Vanessa Badger

National Board Representative

Vanessa is a Cree/Nakoda First Nations woman who has lived in the East End Calgary neighbourhood of Forest Lawn for 35 years. She is passionate about fighting inequality and racism in Calgary and is active in the community volunteer group Yethka Voices of the Greater Forest Lawn. Vanessa is also the Chair of Calgary East chapter.

Gary Rodden

National Board Representative

Gary Rodden got involved with ACORN when facing evictions and has turned into BC ACORN's strongest voices. A Sapperton resident, Gary brings his political savviness and calm demeanor to the New West Chapter. Gary was elected co-chair of New West ACORN in April 2024 and was selected as a rep on ACORN Canada's National Board in May 2024.

Vanessa Badger

Chair, Calgary East Chapter - National Board Representative

Vanessa is a Cree/Nakoda First Nations woman who has lived in the East End Calgary neighbourhood of Forest Lawn for 35 years. She is passionate about fighting inequality and racism in Calgary and is active in the community volunteer group Yethka Voices of the Greater Forest Lawn.

Abi Martin

Chair, Calgary City-Centre

Abi has been involved in ACORN since April 2023, joining after they left an abusive job. They were born and half raised in Calgary and Kelowna. In late 2023 they started a transit based cleaning business, keeping costs low for clients and volunteering services to Calgarians in need.

Elaine Bruce-Haynes

Co-Chair, Calgary City-Centre

Monica Bhandari

Chair, New West Chapter - National Board Representative

Monica was elected Chair of New West ACORN and sits on the National Board representing BC. Since getting involved with ACORN, Monica helped organise her apartment building into a tenant union that successfully fought to defeat her landlord’s attempt to pass on a million dollars in building repairs to tenants. She now helps lead the fight to increase tenant protections across BC.

Gary Rodden

Co-Chair, New West Chapter - National Board Representative

Gary Rodden got involved with ACORN when facing evictions and has turned into BC ACORN's strongest voices. A Sapperton resident, Gary brings his political savviness and calm demeanor to the New West Chapter. Gary was elected co-chair of New West ACORN in April 2024 and was selected as a rep on ACORN Canada's National Board in May 2024.

Kayla Leet

Chair, East End Chapter

Kayla Leet joined ACORN in 2025 to fight for repairs in her building and quickly became a passionate advocate for tenant rights. Since then, she has taken on major leadership roles in both provincial and municipal campaigns. Kayla is a firm believer in nonprofit building acquisition as a path to housing justice and long-term affordability.

Christine Horning

Secretary, East End Chapter

Christine joined ACORN in 2024 and has quickly become a dedicated and steadfast attendee of monthly chapter meetings and local actions. She's a passionate supporter of building community support right in her own backyard, and is the first to raise her hand for tabling and petitioning.

Hojay Byfield

Chair, Stoney Creek Chapter

Hojay joined ACORN recently, and is passionate about organizing his community - and beyond. A fierce advocate for social and economic justice, he truly believes in the power of collective action. He is committed to bringing the Stoney Creek chapter to new heights; every meeting, every action, every petition signature brings power to the community, and people power is how change happens!

Taylor Korolenchuk

Co-Chair, Stoney Creek Chapter

Taylor joined as a member following a conversation with an organizer in their building’s partially-flooded parking lot. They immediately jumped into organizing their neighbourhood headfirst, and are passionate about organizing for better conditions in subsidized housing. They have taken on a leadership role in advocating for climate justice for tenants and beyond, particularly for Hamilton’s extreme heat campaign. They firmly believe that no one should be made to live in unsafe conditions, no matter their income level.

Bijan Shahir

Chair, Mountain Chapter

Bijan is a new member to ACORN, joining in September 2024. He is a strong believer in housing as a human right and the protection and expansion of social services. He is hoping to do more outreach and raise awareness of the issues faced by the people of Hamilton Mountain, and get more people in his community involved.

Nicole Myre

Co-Chair, Mountain Chapter

Nicole Myre joined ACORN in 2024 during the re-organizing drive in Hamilton Mountain. A long-time believer in community, fairness, and standing up for those who need it most, Nicole brings decades of life and work experience to the fight for tenant rights and social justice. She retired at age 70 after a 31-year career that included roles as a secretary, store manager, and building superintendent. Now, she volunteers her time with The Legion Branch 163 and is an active and engaged member of ACORN.

Marnie Schurter

Secretary, Mountain Chapter

Marnie has been a member of ACORN for five years. She retired from the Hamilton Public Library in January 2020, where she worked as an Information Clerk. She earned a degree in Sociology from McMaster University in 2012. Her main concerns include how society treats elderly and disabled people, and she wants to see fair and equal treatment for everyone, regardless of perceived ability. Through her involvement with ACORN, she works to support stronger protections and more inclusive policies for people in her community.

Amanda Dick

Chair, Downtown Chapter

Amanda joined ACORN in 2024 after her own building was facing a renoviction. With the help of ACORN they were able to successfully defend their homes. What began as a fight for herself and her neighbors grew into a passion for protecting housing for all. Amanda has a special interest in disability rights and fighting against "legislated poverty" caused by current social assistance rates.

Marc Davignon

Co-Chair, Downtown Chapter

Marc joined ACORN in 2025 after becoming increasingly concerned with the challenges faced by tenants and low-income residents in Hamilton’s downtown core. With a background in sociology, anthropology, and two decades of experience in information technology, he brings both an analytical eye and strong organizational skills to the movement. Known for his clear and confident public speaking, he uses his voice to help unite members and bring attention to the issues that matter most. His focus is on coalition building, expanding membership, and helping ACORN become a stronger, more visible force for change in Hamilton. A committed advocate for social and economic justice, he believes that community organizing is the key to real progress — and that every person deserves dignity, security, and a voice in shaping their city’s future.

Pauline Roberts

Secretary, Downtown Chapter

Pauline has been a proud ACORN member for five years, first joining when an organizer knocked on her door in the downtown core. Hearing about ACORN’s tenant-led fight for housing justice was exactly what she needed at the time. Since then, she has become a powerful voice in the movement—delegating at Queen’s Park, City Hall, and at actions across Hamilton. She is passionate about uplifting the voices of those who are too often unheard, and about building relationships that help push ACORN’s mission forward. Pauline is also the founder of Pauline’s Potpourri, a small business she launched in 2024, and a dedicated animal lover. As a long-time volunteer with Pantry for Paws and a cat foster parent, she brings the same compassion to her activism that she brings to the animals in her care. Pauline’s media presence and strong relationships with allies like Matthew Green and Sarah Jama have helped ACORN connect with the wider community and grow stronger together.

Jordan Smith

Chair, East of Adelaide Chapter

Jordan first joined ACORN in 2021 when he needed help fighting his own abusive and negligent landlords, but quickly became an active leader in the fight for tenants’ rights across London. Jordan has helped grow London ACORN from the ground up and was elected by fellow members as the city's first neighbourhood chapter chair in Spring 2023.

Claire Wittnebel

Chair, Central and Surrounding Chapter

Claire Wittnebel joined ACORN in 2020 after seeing the abuses and vulnerabilities facing her neighbours during the pandemic shut-downs, and has been acting in a leadership and spokesperson position for the local chapter since 2022. She is currently serving as the chair of the London Central and Surrounding Chapter.

Nichola Taylor

Chair, NB At Large Chapter

Since reaching out to ACORN to get help in fighting a renoviction Nichola has been a positive force to be reckoned with. Since being elected Chair of NB ACORN in June of 2022, Nichola has organized actions and rallies around NB ACORN’s groundbreaking Rent Cap and Renoviction Ban campaigns. She is ACORN’s (and working class tenants) primary spokesperson in New Brunswick.

Reena Cabanilla

Co-Chair, NB At-Large Chapter

Reena is a passionate activist based out of Fredericton who has been instrumental in supporting ACORN's growth in New Brunswick's capital city. She was elected Co-Chair of NB ACORN's At Large Chapter in June of 2026.

Barbara Blunston

Secretary, NB At-Large Chapter

Barbara is a New Brunswicker who is sick and tired of tenants being taken advantage of. Like any ACORN, Barbara decided to take action instead of sitting on their hands and has been instrumental in building Fredericton's ACORN's municipal tenant campaigns.

Peter Jongeneelen

Chair, Moncton Chapter

Peter - along with his partner Vanessa Jones - have not so quietly turned Moncton ACORN into a well oiled machine for building working class tenant power. It’s rare that two weeks go by without Peter organizing an action that lands ACORN on the front pages of New Brunswick’s newspapers.

Shawn Dow

Co-Chair, Moncton Chapter

2025 was a difficult year for so many, myself included. When an organizer knocked on my door and offered me a chance to be a part of Moncton ACORN I saw this as an opportunity to make a contribution towards affordable housing and energy. ACORN helps those in need in NB and it has helped me being a part of this very important group.

Talen Repko

Secretary, Moncton Chapter

Talen moved to Moncton in 2021 and was shocked by the poverty on display at every corner, he hadn't been raised in a small town in Nova Scotia to turn away from those in need. He saw a flyer fighting for affordable groceries and joined NB ACORN in 2024 so that his voice could be heard. Now he's working with Moncton ACORN to give a voice to everyone.

Darryl King

Acting-Chair, Halifax-Peninsula Chapter

Darryl King is the Acting Chair of Halifax Peninsula ACORN. A grassroots leader with a decade of service, Darryl has been central to Halifax ACORN's growth and success, organizing working-class communities to fight for housing rights, rent control, and economic justice.

Kwasi Asare

Co-Chair, Halifax-Mainland Chapter

Kwasi joined ACORN in 2023 and became active in HRM Mainland chapter meetings right away. Kwasi works closely with HRM Mainland Chair Heather Clarke, is a mainstay at ACORN actions around HRM, and has a special interest in politics.

Brin Jones

Secretary, Halifax-Mainland Chapter

Brin became active in ACORN in 2021 when NS ACORN was engaged in large fights for rent control and affordable housing. She lives in Spryfield and takes time out of her busy schedule to help the chapter stay on track in her role as secretary.

Tim Allenby

Chair, Dartmouth Chapter

Tim brings his activist knowledge to the table at every meeting and assists Lisa and the other leaders in the HRM in developing strong campaigns for housing justice. Tim was very active in Nova Scotia’s ACORN successful rent control campaign, and continues to help lead up the provincial housing campaigns in the province. He was elected Chair of Dartmouth ACORN in August of 2024.

Sara Laviolette

Chair, Ottawa-Vanier Chapter

Sara Laviolette is the Chair of Ottawa-Vanier ACORN, a single parent and longtime community advocate. She joined ACORN while facing a renoviction and quickly became a leader, fighting for tenant rights and stronger housing protections. With 20 years of experience in education and leadership, she believes in the power of collective action to create change. As Chair, she’s committed to building tenant power and ensuring affordable housing for all.

Bader Abu Zahra

Co-Chair, Ottawa-Vanier Chapter

Bader is a retired engineer. He immigrated to Canada in the early 70s and since then has been involved in community struggles for social justice. After being encouraged by his daughter to join ACORN, Bader has become a committed member on several campaigns. These include affordable and livable housing, fair banking and he was an essential part of the push for a mobile COVID19 testing site in the east end of Ottawa.

Cassie Lepage

Co-Chair, South-Ottawa Chapter

Cassie is an outspoken mother of a seven-year-old living on Ontario Works. Cassie grew up in Ottawa Community Housing and joined ACORN in early 2025 because she was fed up with the system working in favour of landlords and politicians. Cassie is passionate about holding landlords accountable for repairs and increasing social assistance rates. Cassie is committed to fight back and get what we all deserve.

Matthew Milne

Co-Chair, South-Ottawa Chapter

Originally from Belleville Ontario, Matt became an ACORN member in early 2024 after experiencing the apathy of corporate landlords firsthand as a renter in Ottawa and became a very active member in the South-Ottawa Chapter. In 2025 he was elected Co-Chair for the South Ottawa chapter with the goal of supporting the organization the way it has supported him.

Edward Roue

Chair, Central-Ottawa Chapter

Eddy was born and raised in Ottawa and has been fighting for social justice since he was 18 years old. He joined ACORN in the late 2010s after seeing the power of grassroots organizing at first hand. He is passionate about climate justice because by building more sustainable communities, we can help not just our neighbours but tenants and workers around the world

Alex McDonald

Co-Chair, Central-Ottawa Chapter

Alex fought the Mike Harris cuts, supported Cuba through Ottawa Cuba Connections, fought for a nuclear free world as a member of the Ottawa Peace Council, and represented Pembroke adult high school teachers. After returning to Ottawa he fought attacks on our public health care system through the Ottawa Health Coalition before joining ACORN in September 2020 to fight for low and moderate income communities.

David Longchamps

Chair, Ottawa-West Chapter

David has always been a proponent of strong, and happy communities. Starting off volunteering at food banks and tutoring, David saw the real impact made simply by giving his time and attention. Prior to ACORN, David had merely his toes in the waters of advocacy. David was renovicted along with all of his neighbours, however, with ACORN's help many of the tenants stayed and kept their homes. After joining ACORN David dove head first in to championing the needs and priorities of his community and the people that live there. David has a proclivity to advocate for seniors and people with disabilities.

Beverley Puddicombe

Co-Chair, Ottawa-West Chapter

Beverley was born in St. John's, Newfoundland then moved to Nova Scotia with her daughter in 1985 for 2 years before coming to Ottawa in 1987. Beverley joined ACORN in September of 2015 because she believed in equality and justice for all individuals, no matter what race, gender, or financial standing in this world. Beverley believes that nobody should NOT be treated like insects, something to be trampled on because we don't have the ability to stand up for their rights alone. Beverley believes there is power in numbers and

Marcia Powell

Chair, Cooksville-Mississauga Chapter

Marcia was elected Chair of Cooksville ACORN in 2017. Since then, Marcia has pushed the City of Mississauga to enact a low-income bus pass and start a pilot program for proactive inspections of apartment buildings.

Tanya Burkart

Chair, Brampton Centre Chapter

Tanya is the Acting Chair of the Downtown-East Brampton ACORN Chapter. She has a diploma in Biotechnology and enjoys biology chemistry and math. As a mom and grandmother, she loves to garden, cook and read. Tanya is passionate about housing and has experience advocating at the federal level with ACORN on financialized housing issues. This is grounded in her own personal experience living in a townhouse complex owned by a REIT.

Alejandra Ruiz Vargas

Chair, East York Chapter – ACORN Canada President

Alejandra is a housing worker originally from Colombia who has been involved with ACORN since 2015. She has led meetings and actions on issues such as. childcare, remittances, and employment insurance reform but her passion and advocacy on affordable housing, tenant rights and state of good repair issues is her passion.

Christena Abbott

Co-Chair, East York Chapter

Christena has been a member of ACORN since 2018. She is very involved in the “Beat the Heat” campaign for the last two years. She is very active in several rally’s and actions. She has been elected the Co-Chair of East York Chapter of ACORN.

Mustafa Mehkary

Secretary, East York Chapter

Mustafa has been an ACORN member since 2024. He has supported the East York chapter, contributing feedback and ideas at RentSafeTO meetings and engaging with Toronto city officials and councillors. Recently elected chapter secretary, Mustafa is committed to strengthening tenant voices and pushing for housing justice in the community. Mustafa is particularly interested in landlord licensing approaches and regulations for financial landlords.

Marva Burnett

Chair, Scarborough Chapter – ACORN International President

Marva is the Chair of Scarborough ACORN and the President of ACORN International. Marva is a child care worker, and a mother. She has been passionate leader with ACORN since it first started organizing in Scarborough in 2005 and has led countless campaigns over the years.

Sheila Prospere

Co-Chair, Scarborough Chapter

Sheila is a dedicated leader who runs tenant meetings and conducts outreach across all of Scarborough. Sheila has guided other ACORN members and tenants to win campaigns in their buildings!

Khadijah Al-Maqdisy

Secretary, Scarborough Chapter

Khadijah leads other tenants in outreaches, meetings, petition signing, and more to win changes in the community. Khadijah is passionate about speaking up for rights and encourages her chapter to do so!

Stacey Semple

Chair, Downtown Chapter

While discussing an AGI at the dog park, a neighbour in a building ACORN had knocked at gave Stacey a flyer and the rest is history! In December 2022 she joined as a member after attending a couple meetings and participated in the Fair Food for All campaign. Since then, her participation is one of the most active at Toronto ACORN where she regularly attends and leads many actions held while addressing ACORN's demands to landlords, City council, and MPPs.

Rama Fayaz

Co-Chair, Downtown Chapter

Rama lives in downtown Toronto in St. Jamestown. He has been a member of ACORN for years. He has organized outreaches, actions, and tenant rights workshops. Rama has fought on all Toronto ACORN's campaigns and continues to represent the downtown ACORN members in interviews with reporters, in meetings with city councillors, and more.

Michael Regan

Secretary, Downtown Chapter

Michael has been an ACORN member since 2004, organizing to fight for change, and was recently elected secretary of the downtown Toronto ACORN chapter.

Kemba Robinson

Co-Chair, York West Chapter

Kemba Robinson lives in the Jane Finch neighbourhood and has been a leader in her chapter since an organizer knocked on her door. Kemba believes that landlords and politicians do not do enough for tenants, and that Toronto needs real affordable housing with proper maintenance. These beliefs have motivated Kemba’s work and drives her to continue to organize with her neighbours.

Marilyn Stevens

Secretary, York West Chapter

Marilyn is a longtime resident of the Keele & Finch community. Her involvement with ACORN started when she joined her neighbours to force their building’s landlord to do repairs and listen to tenants. Her neighbours elected her as chapter secretary shortly thereafter, and she continues to work to build people power in her community

Marcia Stone

Chair, Weston Chapter

Marcia joined ACORN in 2019 and has quickly become an active leader in her community and chapter. She believes that your postal code should not determine the quality of your housing and that’s why she continues to fight for healthy homes for all and on other important housing campaigns led by ACORN.

Michael Cuadra

Co-Chair, Weston Chapter

Michael has organized his building to fight their Above the Guideline Rent increase and win repairs. Mchael helps other members to speak and organize in the neighbourhood!

Michelle Jones-Cunningham

Secretary, Weston Chapter

Michelle ensures all members who come to meetings know their rights and what they can do to fight back and speak up.