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

Cynthia Summers

Commissioner of Housing Equity

Cynthia Summers is honoured to currently serve as Toronto Community Housing’s first Commissioner of Housing Equity. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of the OCHE, Cynthia also develops departmental and public policy, including establishing cooperative relationships with the public, TCHC and other governmental agencies. She has held this role since January 2014.
Read more about Cynthia Summers

With over twenty-five years of experience in the broad social services sector and a Master’s degree in Social Work, with a focus on social welfare policy, Cynthia has extensive experience in understanding and supporting persons facing vulnerabilities. She has expertise in working with persons and families facing mental and physical challenges, persons of low income, and new arrivals to Canada.

Her experience includes over fifteen years in the field of administrative law, having been appointed by both the federal government to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada to determine refugee eligibility for newcomers to Canada and to the Ontario provincial government to serve as a Member of the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal (now the Landlord and Tenant Board). Her knowledge of administrative justice, procedural fairness and in particular the issues related to the issues of rental arrears, eviction and social housing, were developed in her role determining landlord- tenant claims for over seven years.

As the founding Director of the Office of Student Conduct and Dispute Resolution at York University, Cynthia provided leadership in the areas of student conduct and crisis management. She co-chaired a Committee to develop a new Code of Conduct to ensure procedural fairness for students, and created new processes for dealing with complaints, including the creation of a University Administrative Tribunal for determining issues of serious misconduct. The mandate of the Office grew under Cynthia’s leadership to include the management of all student crises; such as student suicides, interpersonal conflicts and health related issues.

Cynthia is an expert in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and she continues to teach administrative law and how to use ADR effectively to work with vulnerable persons, in the School of Business at Humber College.

Through her professional experiences, Cynthia has gained a practical understanding of the necessity to implement informal resolution prior to subjecting vulnerable persons to the more formal tribunal systems. Cynthia is committed to the goal of eviction prevention and to ensuring that seniors and vulnerable tenants at Toronto Community Housing Corporation can access the supports necessary to ensure stable housing.

Cynthia is a Member of the Society of Adjudicators and Regulators of Ontario and also the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
Melanie Martin

Senior Advisor

Melanie joined the OCHE in March 2014 and oversees a team of Early Resolution Officers.
Read more about Melanie Martin

Melanie brings with her an extensive background in both Social Services and Social Housing. She holds an Honours B.A. from the University of Toronto and has worked with the Employment and Social Services Division of the City of Toronto. Melanie joined TCHC in 2006, where she held various positions, prior to joining the OCHE. Melanie brings with her a deep understanding of the legislative and policy framework for Social Housing as well as the community resources available to support those Residents who are experiencing challenges.
Deneen Johnson

Executive Coordinator

Deneen joined the OCHE in February 2014 and holds a diploma from Seneca College in Court and Tribunal Administration, and has taken courses at Ryerson and McMaster University. Deneen brings to her role over 15 years of administrative experience from her work at the Immigration and Refugee Board, where she held various positions, including that of Administrative Coordinator for the Central Region.
Read more about Deneen Johnson

Deneen’s expertise in planning and coordination, coupled with her strong business acumen, makes her an integral part of the OCHE team to support the OCHE’s mandate.
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 Assistant

Mary Grace joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity in June 2018 and is the primary contact for Tenants in need of assistance and provides administrative support to the OCHE team.
Read more about Mary Grace Kistindey

Mary Grace began her career in the Home Healthcare Industry where she was responsible for assisting individuals in need of critical assistance with accessibility and rehabilitation devices. Mary Grace has a background in Journalism and brings to her role her skills in investigative research, communication, report writing and editing. With a passion for advocacy for individuals with disabilities, Mary Grace joined the OCHE team because her goal is to influence people’s understanding of what it means to have a disability or vulnerability and has committed to connecting individuals with the resources needed to succeed.
Jamie Watson

Interim Reporting Assistant

Jamie joined the Office for the Commissioner of Housing Equity in October 2020 and holds a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and Economics from the University of Toronto. Jamie is a motivated professional who is able to translate research and data analytics into meaningful improvements in program policies and processes.
Read more about Jamie Watson

He brings with him experience and skills in database management, report development, research, and data-analysis. Jamie joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity because he believes in its core mission of protecting vulnerable and senior residents and aims make positive contributions to towards executing this mission.

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.
Nadia Juma

Early Resolution Officer

Nadia Juma joined The Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity in August 2020. Nadia began her career as a Child and Youth Worker where she supported vulnerable individuals under the age of 18. Nadia continued her career in the Social Services Sector where she worked with individuals who were facing multiple barriers in the shelter system and most recently as a Caseworker within Ontario Works.

Nadia joined OCHE because she is passionate about supporting the most vulnerable while working from a trauma informed, resiliency based, anti-oppression framework.
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.