Meet the Leadership Team

Michelle Cooper-Iversen is the Chief Operating Officer of the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC) Group of social purpose entities, including COHO Management Services Society and the Community Land Trust Foundation of BC (CLT).  She holds a designation in Human Resources and is a graduate of the Saint Mary’s University Master of Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions program. Michelle is responsible for executing operational plans than impact CHF BC, COHO and the CLT with a goal of ensuring that all three organizations are working in cooperation, with a focus on strengthening the organizations and the growing and sustaining co-op housing sector in BC. She leads the pursuit of supportive partnerships that aim to foster inclusive communities and influence the ability of the co-op housing model to break down barriers to housing for marginalized communities. Michelle also serves as a board member at Hogan’s Alley Society, the YWCA Metro Vancouver and the Community Housing Transformation Centre. Michelle is the proud parent of two adult children. When she’s not working or involved in community building, Michelle enjoys reading and getting lost in a good mystery. 

Thom Armstrong has more than 40 years of experience in the co-operative housing movement. He has held leadership positions in the sector in Saskatchewan, Ontario, and British Columbia. Since September 2000, Armstrong has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC, Group of social purpose entities, including COHO Management Services Society and the Community Land Trust Foundation of BC (CLT), all headquartered in Vancouver. CHF BC represents 265 non-profit housing co-ops with almost 15,000 co-op homes, and COHO provides professional property management services to a portfolio of 6,000 homes. CHF BC’s group of community land trusts currently holds assets in housing and land worth more than $569 million. Thom also serves on the board of Boann Social Impact, an impact investor in the social finance sector. He is passionate about protecting habitat and expanding the natural range of BC’s population of grizzly bears. When he’s not helping to lead the growth of the community housing sector, Thom will tell you with undeniable certainty that curling is the greatest sport on ice and is ready to explain to you why.