About Us

After a career in the private sector in finance and business development roles, Gary became Forward Housing’s CEO in November of 2016. With the merger of  Forward and Horizon in November of 2022 Gary took on the role of Chief Operating Officer for the merged organization. Gary has been active in the development of over 500 housing units with both private and not-for-profit organizations, and has over 15 years experience in the development and management of rental housing.

Mai is not a morning person without her cup of joe to kick start the day. She loves to travel and experience different cultures and ethic foods. Enjoys spending time with family and friends over a glass of wine, cheese and bread. She is trying to stay healthy and active by switching to plant based diet when possible and going for run or walks when weather permitting.

Lorine thoroughly enjoys working at Forward Housing where people matter.  When not at work, a great day off includes time at the lake with family or figure skating at a local arena. She is an avid bargain-hunter whose car makes uncontrolled stops at all Winners stores.

For Pak working with seniors, leading scouts and enjoying family life is a perfect combination. He never thought The Rockies were that close and never misses an opportunity to spend time in the mountains. for him, a wonderful day is sitting on the deck with a cup of coffee, watching The Rockies with my Shiba beside him.

Marcel is a movie and live theatre fan. He and his wife are always planning a trip somewhere; Maui is their favourite vacation sport. He is a football fan, who loves to cheer on his Stampeders. Loves Vietnamese and Thai cuisine. At the top of his bucket list: to attend a live performance of Handel’s Messiah at Lincoln Center, Manhattan at Christmas time.

Ken is an avid world traveller who’s favourite sport is golf. When home in Canada, he enjoys hunting, fishing and camping. Future travel plans will involve more travel within Canada, trips to the Yukon, NWT and eastern provinces. Some of his favourite hobbies include mechanics, car and boat restorations, and renovations.

Darrell is an experienced Master electrician who enjoys cooking, the great outdoors and spending time with his wife and their 2 children. Together they enjoy biking, hiking, camping, campfires and gardening in the backyard.

Ringo is a BBQ afficionado who says his wife always praises his amazing dishes. Traveling to different countries and enjoying authentic food, fishing and watching the hummingbirds in his yard are some of his favourite activities. He loves spending time with his wife & children, his 98 year old Mom and siblings, who all live here in Calgary. Ringo loves his job and is grateful for the comradery he has built with his colleagues over the past 10 years. Simplicity, truthfulness, and devotion have helped form who he is today and he is forever grateful that he and his family can live in Canada, a highly democratic and free country.

Rosie was born in Lima, Peru. Her path in Canada was quite difficult, as she arrived without speaking the language, and experienced a bit of a culture shock upon her arrival. A social butterfly who worked hard to integrate herself, Rosie now has many friends and a large support system, which she attributes to her overall wellbeing. She graduated with an Office Career Diploma from Bow Valley College. Rosie loves to cook in her free time. Her children are her inspiration and says she is so proud of them; she celebrates their big dreams for the future and is so proud of who they are becoming as they grow. Rosie hopes to be able to travel to Spain soon to visit her family and says that building a life in Canada is one of her greatest achievements to date.

Lisa has had a soft spot for seniors since a Grade 5 school project, eventually leading to a career working beside them in property management. One of her greatest joys is watching her two young adult children blossom into kind, charismatic, and motivated individuals. Having been a photographer years ago, she still enjoys picking up a camera. She is an avid fitness enthusiast who packs up her road bike with her life partner and travels to Maui every year for a cycling adventure. Travel is a huge passion, and she looks forward to exploring any warm locale and has a long bucket list.

Mary enjoys “Girl’s Night” with her daughter watching scary movies or old classic comedy sitcoms. When not curled up with a good mystery novel you can find her cheering/yelling at her Toronto Blue Jays.

Kim is an avid reader of true crime stories, documentaries, and autobiographies of individuals who fought for injustice against all odds. Kim’s passion for seniors comes from volunteering through her pre-teens to young adulthood with her grandmother at the Kerby Centre. Kim’s greatest personal achievement was finding her voice and then learning how to stand up against injustices and advocate on behalf of those who are unable to speak up for themselves.

Rob has been a part of the Association since 2014. After a 37-year career in the oil and gas industry both in Canada and the Middle East, Rob retired in 2020 and was honoured to accept the role of Board chair in 2021. Providing sufficient affordable housing is an ongoing challenge but he is extremely proud of the 40+ years of the organization’s accomplishments and excited about the future. Along with his wife, Karen, Rob loves traveling to places near and far.

Cindy is an avid traveller who loves to garden when she is not out exploring the world. She has been on the Forward Housing board since May 2018 and her current primary responsibilities are with the Community Relations portfolio.  She believes that fundraising, stakeholder management and government and community relations are critical to ensure Affordable Housing is on the minds of all Calgarians.  Her past involvement from 2014-2018 as Co-Chair of the Cabinet of the RESOLVE Campaign brought affordable housing to over 1800 people in Calgary. Cindy has been a Member of the ICD since 2011 allowing her to provide foundational and continued education regarding good governance for both Not for Profits and Public/Private corporations.

Gavin has a love for anything that takes him into the great outdoors and especially enjoys participating in obstacle course races and triathlons. Along with his wife and two incredible girls, Gavin is proud to call Calgary home. Professionally, Gavin has a background in entrepreneurship and business strategy – experience he leans into to help move our organization… Forward.

Jim has been a board member since 2015, serving as the Treasurer and Building Committee Chair. An accountant with a solid natural sciences background he has worked as a Chemist, Production Manager, Industrial Relations Officer, System Analyst, Accounting Manager, Controller and Vice President Finance of a GE Capital Canada Company. He has been active in many volunteer organizations serving in many roles including senior leadership. He has been a Group Committee Chair and leader for Scouting, treasurer for several international band trips, President of a community association, Chair of his church’s finance committee, and President of the Calgary chapter of Financial Executives International. He has been married 48 years with three children and three granddaughters. He enjoys music, gardening, wood and metalworking.

Betty has been a board member since early 2014; with active involvement in the management of St. Paul’s Villa since 2006. She is now retired and spends a lot of her free time volunteering in the community as well as in her parish: Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH). Prior to immigrating to Canada, Betty was a High School Teacher in Hong Kong where she taught the Matriculation classes. Once settled in Calgary, she worked mainly in the oil and gas sector and the agricultural industry as a senior analyst specializing in payroll, expats tax equalization and system implementation. Betty is married and has two daughters and one son. Since retirement Betty has formed a walking group with 4 couples, their favourite walks are in Fish Creek Park and South Glenmore Park. Betty loves to bake and her walking group friends are her “guniea pigs” who get to try out her new baking.

Clem was born in Hong Kong and immigrated to Canada in 1967. He completed high school in Vancouver, entered University of BC for his undergrad degree and subsequently was admitted to UBC Architectural Faculty. Clem moved to Calgary a year after graduating university. He started his own firm, Clem Lau Architects Designers Inc. in 1987. Through the 31 years in practice, Clem has been involved mainly in the multi-family, commercial, mixed-use and hospitality industry projects with some prominent developers. His projects have been awarded first place three times and two times as runner-up in the Sam Awards. Throughout his life, Clem has continuously found opportunities to be involved in charitable and volunteer work for various religious groups, communities and non-profit senior organizations.

Lucas grew up in Calgary and holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Calgary. He has been practicing business law for over 14 years with a focus on corporate and securities law. Lucas has extensive experience advising issuers and investment dealers in a wide variety of public and private financings and advising companies in a wide variety of M&A transactions, business reorganizations and securities regulatory matters. Lucas joined Forward Housing’s Board of Directors in 2020. He currently sits on the Finance Committee & Community Relations Committee. Lucas is married with two children. Away from work, Lucas enjoys running, bike rides, skiing, and coaching soccer.

Zakir, who served as a member of the Board from 2012-2021, passionately led the Board with inspiring vision and steadfast determination through the final years of the RESOLVE campaign, Forward Housing’s rebranding initiative, and the construction of Forward Housing’s newest building. The development of Bishop’s Manor will forever stand as a legacy to Zak’s commitment and drive to provide safety and stability to vulnerable Calgarians. Zak’s 9 years of service and his tireless commitment to Calgary’s affordable housing sector will continue to inspire the Board, and all other members of the association, for generations to come.

Dave served the Forward Housing Board for 26 years until his recent retirement in May 2021. He has been an integral part of the organization through much of its growth over the past few decades. Thank you Dave for your philanthropy and your dedicated service!