Who We Are
Union Co-operative is working to buy residential and commercial properties in Waterloo Region for permanent affordability through community ownership.
The Co-operative was founded in response to rising rental rates in Waterloo Region that are becoming unaffordable for a growing share of residents and local businesses.
Learn more about our Supporters, Memberships, Members, Board, Team, & News Appearances.
Our Supporters
Note from CMHC: This project entitled “Developing a model to leverage retail-level investments to finance affordable housing partnership for refugees” received funding from the National Housing Strategy under the NHS Solutions Labs; however, the views expressed are the personal views of the author and CMHC accepts no responsibility for them.
Union Co-operative gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Community Environmental Fund administered by the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.
Memberships
The Canadian Worker Co-op Federation (CWCF) is a national organization that supports a growing, cohesive network of democratically controlled worker co-operatives. CWCF delivers a program that enables the shares of co-operatives to be held in a self-directed RRSP, with Concentra Trust as the trustee. Union Co-operative is an Associate Member of CWCF, a membership type available to non-worker co-operatives, which provides access to the RRSP program
Co-operatives are a different kind of business model that are driven by people, planet, and profit. We are proud members of the Ontario Co-operative Association (OCA) that supports, develops, educates, and advocates for Ontario’s 1,500+ co-operative businesses.
Say hello to a few of our members
MAJD AL-SHIHABI
“Union’s vision of shifting how we think about housing gives me hope that there is a future in which my community can prosper and thrive.”
DEVON KRAINER
“I value being connected to the local community and working together on initiatives that help our region grow in the right ways – with dignity, equity and inclusion. It is my hope and aspiration that Union can be a part of that vision.”
SAM TRIEU
“I’m a community manager in the KW tech scene, and an avid volunteer at the intersection of arts and social responsibility. I believe in giving back to the best of your time and ability. Union gives me the platform to invest in my values.”
TOM NAGY
“What really excites me about Union is that it is on the cutting edge of merging local business voices and vision with socially progressive policies. There doesn’t need to be a dichotomy of business investment versus sustainable social progress - we can make both happen right here.”
ANTHONY PISCITELLI
“Union has the potential to ensure the impact of real estate in Waterloo Region is positive. Democratizing investments in property will ensure the owners of land are acting in the interests of the community.”
VENKAT REDDY
“I see Union Co-op is helping to make our community more inclusive and affordable especially for those in immediate need of such housing.”
KATHIE MUST
“There are so many things in Union Co-op that resonate for me – it’s innovative, it’s cross-sector and collaborative, it engages people widely, and it brings very practical solutions to the region.”
JOHN LOUGHEED
“Union Co-op is a great response and community partnership!”
ERIN MORGAN
“Union provides me with a great opportunity to align my work and my personal life to make a difference in my community. I am excited for the good work Union will do in the Waterloo region and the example Union will provide to the greater co-operative community of a successful investment co-op.”
GARY ABBOTT
“I am excited for Union to successfully promote a more cooperative approach to place-building in Waterloo Region: a movement from competition to collaboration.“
Board of Directors
AARON STAUCH
Chair, Director (He/Him)
Aaron is a seasoned government sector leader with extensive experience in the start-up and turnaround of service delivery organizations. Aaron also plays a leadership role in government relations for a municipal government. Over the past 15+ years, Aaron has led projects and service transformations across the environmental, employment, mental health, and social assistance sectors.
Aaron has extensive experience in organizational governance. He has played a leadership role in the governance structure for one of the largest business areas for the Ontario government. Aaron has held governance leadership roles with the Canadian Mental Health Association Grand River Branch, HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre, and KW Counselling Services.
Aaron holds a Bachelor's and Master's in environmental studies from the University of Waterloo, a Master's in business administration from Athabasca University, a LEAN Black Belt from the University of Toronto, a Project Manage Certificate from Cornell, and the Public Leadership Credential from Harvard. He also has earned the Project Management Professional designation.
ALEX SZAFLARKSA
Secretary, Director (She/Her)
Alex is a founding member of Together We’re Bitter Co-operative Brewery, and Hold the Line. She serves on the board of Your Neighbourhood Credit Union.
Alex is an instructor at Wilfrid Laurier University. Alex holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Toronto, and a Masters in Forest Conservation focusing on ecological commodification from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Forestry.
COLIN READ
Director (He/Him)
Colin has had a long and diverse experience with a variety of Co-ops, including living for twelve years in Brighton Yards Housing Co-op here in Waterloo. He has been an active director on a number of local and national non-profit boards, including Chair of the Board of Brighton Yards Housing Co-op, Vice-Chair of the Governing Committee of Project Ploughshares, Treasurer of the Riverview Dharma Centre, and Secretary of the Grand River Jazz Society. In addition to overseeing the operation of these organizations, he has gained experience in both crafting and revising policies, procedures, and by-laws.
As a recently retired teacher, he has seen the impact that the lack of affordable housing has had on many residents of K-W, and believes that Union Co-operative is an exciting model for preserving housing affordability.
JOAN ANG
Director (She/Her/They/Them)
Joan is Manager of Carbon and Energy at Western University and has over a decade of experience in the sustainable buildings sector, mostly focused on energy management and greenhouse emissions reductions. They previously worked at the Region of Waterloo, and supported the Waterloo Region Housing team by coordinating energy studies; developing energy-related pilot projects; reviewing utility rates; applying for incentives; and providing a sustainability lens on new construction, major renovation projects, asset renewal plans and funding applications.
Joan is a Certified Energy Manager and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Systems Design Engineering and a Bachelor of Knowledge Integration, both from the University of Waterloo. She has also worked in the tech sector as a software tester, user experience designer and technical writer.
LEAH CONNOR
Director, Tenant Member (She/Her)
Leah Connor is currently working on her PhD in Social Practice and Transformational Change at the University of Guelph. She has an undergraduate degree in Social Development Studies with two specializations; one in Social Work and the other in Social Policy and Social Action. Leah completed a Master’s in Public Service at the University of Waterloo. She has worked in a variety of roles in different fields including municipal government, post-secondary education and the local public library. Leah currently is working at the Social Development Centre of Waterloo Region in Eviction Prevention.
Leah cares deeply about the Waterloo Region community and has been active and vocal on many issues including femicide in Ontario, local policing, trans rights, BLM movement and the housing crisis.
RAY GORMLEY
Director (He/Him)
Ray Gormley recently retired as a Senior Economist in the Information Management and Strategy Branch, Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development and was the Labour Market Research Coordinator. He led a team of Economists within the branch, whose work includes the development of occupational projections, creating content for the Ministry’s labour market information website, and analyzing the impact of employment trends on the demand for postsecondary education. Prior to joining MTCU, Ray worked as an Economist in HRSDC’s Economic Analysis and Information Directorate. Ray is a long-time resident of Kitchener, Ontario and engaged in a variety of social justice initiatives within Waterloo Region. From 2016-2020, Ray served as a Director for the board of LIFE Co-op, a renewable energy co-operative in Waterloo Region with assets of $1.6 million.
Our Team
SEAN CAMPBELL
Executive Director (He/Him)
Sean works as the Executive Director of Union Co-operative. He is the Principal of Scaled Purpose, a management consultancy for non-profits, charities, and co-operatives. Sean is an instructor at Wilfrid Laurier University and a director at the Canadian Co-operative Investment Fund.
Sean has a business degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and master in sustainability management at the University of Waterloo.
