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.

Tofe is a tiny home enthusiast, viewing them as a cozy and intentional way of living. With a background in residential interior design, they are excited to contribute to the development of tiny homes through their work with the Tiny Town Association. After living in British Columbia and the Maritimes, Tofe has spent the past decade studying and working in the Greater Toronto Area. The experience of growing up in a slower-paced environment fostered their respect for natural resources. While larger cities are great for diversity, educational opportunities, and career prospects, environmental issues and affordable housing are often overlooked. Tiny homes symbolize a departure from the culture of excess and overconsumption and take a step towards a more socially and environmentally sustainable future. Several factors contribute to housing insecurity, and Tofe is eager to create more affordable options through tiny homes. Housing is a human right and should respect the land it’s on while providing a beautiful space people can take pride in.

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.

Tapestry Community Capital is on a mission to make investing directly in your community the norm. For over a decade, they’ve been helping social purpose organizations in Canada raise funding through community bonds, an innovative social finance tool. To date, they’ve helped raise over $120 million in community bonds from more than 4,000 community investors, supporting 62 impactful projects in sectors such as affordable housing, sustainable energy, and more. Their clients include leading social enterprises like the Centre for Social Innovation, SolarShare, SKETCH Working Arts, and Earth Day Canada.

They believe that community bonds offer a unique opportunity for organizations to raise funding on their own terms, while also fostering deep and meaningful engagement with their communities. That’s why they partner with organizations every step of the way to plan, raise, and administer community bonds. And they’re not stopping there – they’re actively working to grow the market for community investment and make it a go-to solution for financing projects with impact. In fall 2020, Tapestry was selected as a winner of the Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation’s (CMHC) Housing Supply Challenge to grow investment in affordable housing and advance their technological infrastructure. They invite all to join them in building a future where everyone invests directly in their community for impact.

Craig Brennan’s journey to becoming a respected figure in the world of business consulting began with a relentless passion for solving complex challenges. His deep-rooted belief in the power of strategy, innovation, and collaboration has been the driving force behind his career’s remarkable trajectory.

Throughout his career, Craig has partnered with a diverse range of clients, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, to develop strategic solutions that fuel success. He is renowned for his ability to see opportunities where others see obstacles, providing a fresh perspective that inspires transformation.
As the CEO of Brennan Consulting Services, Craig leads a dedicated team of experts who share his commitment to excellence. Under his guidance, the company has consistently delivered outstanding results, earning a reputation for being a trusted advisor to businesses seeking growth and evolution.
When he’s not immersed in the world of business, Craig enjoys mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and sharing his insights through thought leadership articles and speaking engagements. His unwavering dedication to client success and his ability to navigate the ever-evolving business landscape make Craig Brennan a dynamic leader in the field of consulting.