Meet the Team

Ready to help you

The OCHE team is a group of compassionate people who care about helping you resolve your rental arrears situation.

Download our Organization Chart (PDF)

The OCHE Team

Melanie Martin

Interim Commissioner of Housing Equity

Melanie is a client-focused collaborative leader who brings more than 17 years of experience in social housing. Melanie brings to the role a deep understanding of the legislative and policy framework for Social Housing, as well as the community resources that are available to support clients who are experiencing challenges. Melanie has been with the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity (OCHE) since its inception and understands its role as an independent accountability office within TCHC.
Read more about Melanie Martin

Melanie joined TCHC in 2006, where she held various positions, prior to joining the OCHE team in 2014. During this this time Melanie worked in various TCHC communities, including Jamestown and Lawrence Heights.

Melanie was a member of the inaugural OCHE team, serving as an Early Resolutions Officer from 2014 to 2017, then in 2017 became Senior Advisor to the Commissioner.

Melanie holds an Honours B.A. from the University of Toronto with a focus on sociology and criminology. Prior to joining TCHC Melanie worked with Toronto Employment and Social Services, where her focus was working with vulnerable populations. In addition, she worked with Housing Connections administering the Social Housing waiting list and Housing Allowance programs.

Melanie is passionate about working with senior and vulnerable populations and is committed to ensuring that the strong foundation of fairness and advocacy at OCHE continues.
Summer Nudel

Interim Senior Advisor

Summer is a client-focused leader and trusted advisor who brings more than 15 years of experience in social work, teaching, mediation, affordable housing and social justice program management to the role. She has a deep understanding of the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity (OCHE) and its role as an independent accountability office within TCHC.
Read more about Summer Nudel

Summer was a member of the inaugural OCHE team, serving as an Early Resolutions Officer from 2014 to 2017. She rejoined the team last year as a Senior Advisor.

Summer holds a Master’s degree in Social Work with a focus on policy, organization and community development. Her early career was in social services as an advocate for affordable housing in Scarborough, Ontario.

She went on to be the director of adult day programs for seniors and vulnerable adults and then became accredited as Family Mediator.

Summer worked as a Family Law Mediator for Legal Aid Ontario before joining the OCHE in 2014. Summer teaches relational and reflective skills to social service worker students at Centennial College.
Madhuri Mahankali

Reporting Assistant

Madhuri joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity in November 2019 and holds a Graduate Certificate from Humber College in the Research Analyst program, where she graduated with honours. Madhuri brings with her an extensive research background and is a driven and impactful professional who is able to draw actionable insights from data.
Read more about Madhuri Mahankali

She bring with her skills in database management, research, report writing and editing. Madhuri joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity because she recognizes the importance of housing stability for the senior and vulnerable populations and wishes to contribute to the organization to bring positive change within TCHC communities.
Mary Grace Kistindey

Administrative Audit Assistant

Mary Grace joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity in June 2018. Her primary focus is to conduct audits and produce reports based on Eviction Process Compliance, and Rent-Geared-to-Income policies, procedures and protocols within TCHC.
Read more about Mary Grace Kistindey

Mary Grace brings with her a background in Journalism and brings to her role her skills in investigative research, communication and report writing. Mary Grace joined the OCHE team because she is passionate about advocating for fair process and helping vulnerable Tenants. Her her goal is to influence people’s understanding of what it means to be vulnerable, and is committed to ensuring that Tenants have the resources needed to maintain housing stability.

Early Resolution Officers

Early Resolution Officers (EROs) work with tenants facing eviction and identify underlying issues preventing them from paying their rent. The EROs will work with tenants, TCHC and other stakeholders to resolve the unpaid rent and help tenants stay in their homes.

Amber Bourassa

Early Resolution Officer

Amber holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy from Guelph University and a post-graduate certification in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Humber College. Amber began her career in social housing when she successfully completed a placement position at the OCHE where she was able to learn and understand the importance of equitable fairness amongst the Tenants of TCHC. With a passion for advocacy for senior and vulnerable people, Amber joined the OCHE because she realizes how important it is to help provide individuals with the tools they need to succeed through understanding and empowerment.
Glenn Holland

Early Resolution Officer

Glenn joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity in August 2017, bringing with him an extensive background in Community Counselling, Adventure Therapy and Case Management. Glenn’s career began with the Ministry of Community and Social Services working with vulnerable youth in alternative custody environments to help them turn their lives around. Glenn continued his work with youth at the YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka working as an outreach counsellor and team leader for youth involved in the justice system. Glenn joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity because he recognizes the foundational role that stable housing plays in the mental and physical well-being of the most marginalized and vulnerable members of our community.
Nancy Lourenco

Early Resolution Officer

Nancy joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity in June 2018, bringing with her a widespread Social Work background. Nancy holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from York University, and is a Registered Social Worker. Throughout her career, Nancy has worked with the Domestic Violence Criminal Courts, frail and vulnerable seniors dealing with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and most recently, as a Caseworker with the Ontario Disability Support Program. With a focus on person-centered approaches to social work practice, Nancy joined the OCHE because she recognizes the need to advocate for those who are most vulnerable in society while respecting people’s values and putting people at the center of their care.
Sandy Soares

Early Resolution Officer

Sandy joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity in August 2017, bringing with her an extensive Social Work background. Sandy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a minor in Public Administration from Ryerson University, and is a Registered Social Worker. Sandy’s career began as a Child Protection Worker with the Children’s Aid Society where she assisted children, youth and their families facing challenges with addictions, mental health, abandonment, abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and homelessness. With a focus on critical approaches to social work practice, Sandy joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity because she recognizes the need to bring awareness on how vulnerable populations are served and is committed to addressing their needs in a humane way.
Steven Iserhoff

Early Resolution Officer

Steven holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geographic Analysis from Ryerson University. He has a background in the public sector, including international experience at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Prior to joining the team at the OCHE, Steven worked in the Legal Department at TCHC. Steven is passionate about creating connections with tenants and providing support to navigate the community housing system.
Vernessa Grant

Early Resolution Officer

Vernessa joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity in March 2022, bringing with her over thirteen years of case management experience within the Toronto Shelter, Support and Housing System. Working as a Housing Support Worker, Vernessa assisted people experiencing homelessness secure and maintain housing by offering support and empowering them with the tools necessary to maintain successful tenancies. Before joining the OCHE team, Vernessa was a Tenant Services Administrator with TCHC where she had the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of the Arrears Collection Process. Vernessa values the importance of providing service with empathy, compassion and respect and uses this in her day to day engagement with tenants.