Looking to foster relationships, broaden your skill-set, or advance an industry initiative? The association has ten active committees, each with a specific mandate set out by HAVAN’s strategic plan. As a member-driven association, committees are an excellent way to leverage your membership. Free to join, we guarantee you will get back, more than you put in.
Government Relations Committee (GR)
Co-Chairs: Nathan Hildebrand, Canadian Horizons, with Ryan O’Shea, Miracon & Kevin Anderson, Qualico | Staff Liaison: Diana Dilworth
Contact: diana@havan.ca
To assist HAVAN members with advocacy on issues, including:
- Government policy/regulations on housing affordability
- Community amenity contributions
- Green building and sustainability checklists
- Parkland dedications
- Housing Approval Processes
Education & Training Committee (E&T)
Chair: Shaun St Amore, 475 High Performance Building Supply | Staff Liaison: Wendy McNeil
Co-Vice Chairs: Mike Cairns, Innotech Windows & Doors Inc, and Keith Lloyd, The Business Surgeon Consultancy
Contact: wendy@havan.ca
Raising the bar in industry education, this Committee develops and delivers:
- CPD-approved Builder courses (HAVAN is a BC Housing-approved CPD credit provider)
- Building industry workshops, forums, and seminars
- eLEARN, HAVAN’s online, on-demand learning portal
Technical Committee
Chair: Shaun St-Amour, 475 High Performance Building Supplies | Staff Liaison: Jay Chadha
Vice-Chair: Mike Cairns, Innotech Windows & Doors Inc
Contact: jay@havan.ca
Provides a forum for discussion on technical challenges, new products, and evolving building technology:
- Address technical information requests from members and public
- Industry workshops and advises on technical content for consumer seminars
Marketing & Communications Committee (MCC)
Co-Chairs: Ralph Belisle, TQ Construction & Michael Marsland-Root, Red Five Creative | Staff Liaison: Dawn Sondergaard
Contact: ralph@tqconstruction.ca
The mandate of the MCC is to provide marketing and communication recommendations to association staff, subject to the priorities determined by the HAVAN Strategic Plan. The MCC develops strategies, discusses tactics, and provides feedback on marketing initiatives to ensure a singular tone for HAVAN, as the voice of the residential construction industry.
HAVAN Awards Task Force
Staff Liaison: Wendy McNeil
Contact: wendy@havan.ca
This task force is responsible for the development of the HAVAN Awards for Housing Excellence program, a premier industry marketing program which recognizes excellence in new-home construction, renovation, and design in Metro Vancouver.
Membership Committee
Chair: Cheri Stefanucci, Abstract Homes & Renovations | Staff Liaison: Renée Auer
Contact: renee@havan.ca
Develops strategies to recruit and retain members:
- Help members utilize membership benefits
- Volunteer with various member events
- Works with staff to recruit members
- Develops networking events
Renovation Council
Chair: Mark Cooper, Shakespeare Homes & Renovations
First Vice Chair: Henri Belisle, TQ Construction
Second Vice Chair: Robert Griesdale, Blackfish Homes
Staff Liaison: Sonali Rayas
Contact: sonali@havan.ca
Provides renovator members:
- A forum to share/exchange ideas, resources
- A means to address industry issues and promote industry professionalism
- RenoMark™ program
- Parade of Homes / Home Reno Show @ VanDusen Gardens
- Community service projects – Easter Seal House
- HAVAN’s Ask The Experts Stage at Vancouver spring and fall Home Shows
Designers’ Council (DC)
Chair: Sarah Gallop, Sarah Gallop Design Inc.
Vice Chair: Giovanna Averill, Giovanna Averill Interiors
Staff Liaison: Dawn Sondergaard
Contact: Dawn@havan.ca
The DC shall identify, research and address issues related to the field of Design – both architectural and interior (including specialties within), within the HAVAN membership working on Part 9 buildings. The four pillars of the DC are Advocacy (looking at topics that affect the business of design and advocate for HAVAN designer membership alongside HAVAN’s Director of Government Relations (DGR) as appropriate), Education (for both consumers and industry in the value of good design), Networking (engaging principals of HAVAN Designer Companies in business-related discussions and to offer a community of support), and Mentorship (sharing experiences, challenges, and wisdom within the members of HAVAN, with opportunities to support skill-building, and advancement within the industry.)
Suppliers Council
Chair: Alisa Aragon, Bridgestone Financing Pros | Staff Liaison: Renée Auer
Contact: renee@havan.ca
Provides supplier members:
- A forum to share/exchange ideas and resources
- Opportunities to promote industry professionalism
- Construction Social: peer-to-peer networking event
- Provide feedback on issues about changes in supply for products/service prices (benefit to builders and renovators)
Golf Committee
Chair: Blake Ponuick, Preston Mobility | Staff Liaison: Dawn Sondergaard
Contact: dawn@havan.ca
Held every September, the HAVAN Fall Classic Golf Tournament is one of western Canada’s largest (it’s a double shotgun) with 288 golfers playing across two courses, featuring sponsored hole activities throughout the day. The evening banquet showcases an impressive silent and live auction to generate funds in support of HAVAN’s Forge Properties Centra Cares BCIT Scholarships. The committee works to secure sponsors, drive ticket sales, and source prizes and donations for the auctions.
U40 Committee
Chair: Katerina Vastardis, Designs by KS
Vice Chair: Kyle Darvasi, Mira Floors & Interiors
Staff Liaison: Vanessa Swanson
Contact: vanessa@havan.ca
The U40 Committee mandate is to inform, involve, and engage the younger echelon of the HAVAN membership. Simply hosting an event is not enough for the U40 crowd. Friendly competition is always a big draw, as is learning and giving back to the community. So popular, members of all ages are welcomed, and known to attend!
Initiatives include: social networking and team-building events (ie. Dodgeball Tournament, Go Karting, Pub Nights, Whisky Tasting) and mentorship programs (ie. Young Professionals’ Seminar and Mentorship Breakfasts).
Women’s Council (WC)
Chair: Laurel James, Novell Design Build
Vice Chair: Meredith Yuen, Marino General Contracting
Staff Liaison: Carolyn Beale
Contact: carolyn@havan.ca
The Women’s Council mandate is to engage, encourage and empower women within the residential construction industry. At its core, WC adheres to five main values including: inclusion, connections, mentorship, leadership, and professionalism.
Established in 2018, the group meets approximately every second month, hosting industry tours to showcase women in the construction industry, and to discuss issues and initiatives.