Ed is an experienced business professional with a strong track record of conceiving, creating, launching, and developing all sizes and types of businesses. He has had forty years of experience spanning construction, renovation, landscaping, renewable energy, off-grid living, systems design, manufacturing, B2B services, computer technologies, programming, marketing, sales, admin, and relationship building. His experience in managing social programs, has taught him how to utilize new technologies to meet a project’s needs.

Known as a strong leader and being a generalist, he has worked to develop relationships with people who are specialists in every field. It is these relationships that allow projects to come together quickly and pivot to address any challenges that may arise.

To date, all his business activities have been profit-motivated, but he has chosen to use his lifetime of experience to develop the Tiny Town Association as a social enterprise. The scope and magnitude of the need for affordable housing, drove him to imagine a new housing model that could be forever affordable while designing a plan that enables the homeless to reintegrate into society.

Nelson is a minimalist, with a big heart.

For the past 25 years, he has been working for the Federal Government under Health Canada. He became a licensed Paramedic following a traumatic event in his life, and now helps people in need or distress.
In 1980, Terry Fox, as he was passing through the village where Nelson lived, Nelson had the opportunity to meet Terry. This life changing event launched his volunteering passion, first in school and now with various organizations and charities.

He was introduced to the tiny house movement while on a business trip in 1997 and this concept of minimalist living in a tiny home captured his attention. Nelson began researching tiny homes, travelling to places around the world, gathering and sharing what he learned with others. Over the years, the movement has evolved as new organizations were formed and various events were hosted, many he attended in various capacities. In 2022, while attending the first Tiny Home Show in Ancaster Ontario, Nelson was introduced to the Tiny Town Association and learned of their mission.

Living in Ottawa, Canada’s sixth largest city, he is reminded daily what happens when housing isn’t a right, and people can’t afford the housing that is available. Nelson began using his knowledge of tiny homes to educate the public and various government officials, on the merits of tiny homes as affordable housing. Learning that the Tiny Town Association is working to build affordable tiny home communities, he joined as a volunteer in January 2023, bringing his passion for change in housing.

Being fully bilingual (English and French), Nelson is happy to connect with you in the language of your choice.

Bianca, the founder of The Giving Tree Consulting and Tiny Homes Ontario, lives with her husband and four-year-old son in their 240-square-foot Tiny Home on 6 acres in Southern Ontario. Her passions are minimalism, simplistic living, permaculture and affordable housing! Having downsized with her family almost 4 years ago, she has dedicated her business, The Giving Tree, to research and advocacy related to tiny homes as affordable housing options for Ontarians.

As Director of Sustainable Spaces Inc, Lead Tiny Home Consultant for The Giving Tree and a co-producer of the Tiny Home Show, she is a trailblazer in advocating for tiny homes throughout Ontario. Most notably, she works with municipalities across the province to establish legal solutions for tenant home tiny homes.

The Giving Tree Family guides individuals and families towards environmentally sustainable affordable housing solutions. She provide clients with realistic solutions by designing a life rooted in sustainability, to improve quality of life while reducing financial burdens and environmental footprint.

With 20 years’ experience in business development, sales, strategic partnerships and finance, Tim is an innovator and connector who thrives on creating client value, developing inventive business models, and
innovating the sales processes all the while forging new and original strategic relationships.

Tim has a passion for Offsite Construction Systems (OCS), technologies (panelized/modular/container and hybrid construction) and working with developers, builders, architects and project management companies, to collaborate, design and implement innovative housing projects. He has
been a vital role player in equity/debt management, and strategic relationship development.

A successful entrepreneur with business upstart, equity/debt financing, and senior management experience, Tim is a creative problem solver using systems and processes to maximize efficiencies throughout the entire business cycle. Tim recognizes that inspired people are the key to any growth operation, and he also has a keen eye for impact marketing and the ability to oversee a public
relations portfolio.

Brandon is the Co-Founder & CEO of Community Builders, a Barrie-based Non-Profit Social Enterprise construction company that provides employment, training and housing opportunities for underserved populations.

Community Builders (CB) is the leading Not-for-Profit Construction based Social Enterprise in Simcoe County and Greater Sudbury. 

Our mission is to create affordable housing, meaningful employment and healthy communities. One of the ways we do this is through our Trades and Diversity Training Program that provides people with barriers to employment with paid construction and life skills training designed to propel them forward into meaningful and well paying careers in the trades.

Alex is a man of many trades who has operated businesses in Canada and Europe for more than fifty years. He is a problem solver who is not afraid to push the boundaries of what was to bring innovations to the forefront. With experience in mining technology, military vehicle operation, trucking and logistics, machine building, composites, boat building, metal building systems and more, his active mind is always designing or solution-seeking.

Alex’s current operation in Wallaceburg Ontario focuses on designing and building sustainable and wise vessels for living, recreating or doing business on the water. Twin Dolphin/StrongHouse Canada Corporation is also in the process of creating marine and flood and erosion control systems to meet the growing need to be prepared for the current and upcoming climate change weather patterns.

Alex and the Team have joined with Tiny Town Association to share the efficiencies and stabilities of building with light galvanized steel rigid framing mixed with composites. He and the Team are fired up by creating supportive and wise housing that help occupants to be relieved of the many pressures of current day habitation. They are also driven by the opportunity to create systems that are gentler and more respectful to the Planet Herself so that many can move into more sustainable lifestyles.