Allied Member members

Joy Emmanuel is a co-op developer, researcher and community economic development practioner. She lives in OUR Ecovillage in Shawinigan Lake, BC. She was a senior researcher and project manager at the BC Institute for Co-operative Studies (now the Centre for Co-operative and Community-Based Economy) at the University of Victoria. Joy has been a board member of the Research Advisory Committee with CCEDNet. She has edited and contributed to several books on co-operatives including Effective Practices in Starting Co-ops.

Ambrose Raftis is the founding chair-person of the Green Timiskaming Development Co-operative in the Timiskaming region of North Eastern Ontario. He works with Green Timiskaming, a volunteer group, under a mandate to support development of a sustainable community for the region. Ambrose is an instructor for Northern College where he has taught community based development that included a course on co-operatives to students across the North including several First Nations Communities.

Ambrose is a graduate of Ryerson and has worked as a commissioning engineer for industrial equipment. He has worked in the forestry industry and with OPG to develop the North East Region's ISO 14000 environmental management plan. Ambrose was one of the authors of the Forest Steward Council Boreal Forest Standards. He was a key organizer in the 14 year battle to stop Toronto from brining their waste North, where he learned the value of community engagement.

Ambrose has been working to develop full scale Euro styled biomass direct energy system. He recognizes the major impact this technology will have on communities across Ontario. He is also working with Ontario Sustainable Energy Association and others to set up a platform for the new industry of district energy using the European model where up to 95% of the Euro quality equipment can be manufactured right here in the North.

Graduted with a BA Princeton, MA and PhD Cornell University, MES York University. Has worked in co-op management for almost 20 years in both Canada and the United States. She has extensive experience as a consultant and manager in a variety of organic and natural food and agriculture co-operatives and enterprises. She has been designing and facilitating workshops and trainings for over 20 years for community groups, non-profits and co-ops. She was a founder of the Fourth Pig Worker Co-op in 2007, a co-op dedicated to the design and installation of alternative energy, and to natural home-building. In 2009-2010, she has been working with Toronto's West End Food Co-op. The Co-op recently received a grant to open a community cannery in the heart of Toronto's West End, in partnership with PARC, a drop-in centre for adult psychiatric survivors. She has also published a book on innovative approaches to achieving a more equitable and sustainable food system (Edible Action, Fernwood Publishing, 2008).

The Council offers a wide variety of services to help facilitate the continued success, growth, and competitiveness of co-operatives and credit unions in New Brunswick.

Whether you're a new or existing co-operative, or are just interested in finding out more about how to start a co-op, the Council has something for you. 

Le développement économique au Manitoba.

Kaye Grant is an experienced business consultant, project manager, researcher and trainer who has conducted a range of consulting projects and research studies over the last 15 years for a variety of clients. She has experience in project planning and management, market research and analysis, marketing strategy development, business development and planning, program reviews and management training. Kaye has been involved within community development with local non-profit organizations, co-ops and a social enterprise. Kaye has participated in co-op development training as well. Kaye brings a well rounded business consulting knowledge and experience to her co-op development work.

Angela is an advisor and consultant on co-operation matters within the Biotechnological and Biopharmaceutical industry with expert knowledge of the Co-operative Corporations Act, R.S.O. 1990. She has experience in the preparation of feasibility research and business strategic plans for emerging co-operative initiatives. Angela has worked with cross-functional teams to execute business and strategic decisions to implement new and/or revised policies, procedures and standards. She has analysed and documented business/technical data/information and processes. She has over 6 years Project Managerial experience. Angela has a successful proven track record in organizing and implemention of specific objectives. She has strong leadership skills in motivating and providing support to team members. Education and training: Project Management Program Certification; Ryerson 2004, ISO 9001:2000; Lead Auditor Certification, 2000, Concordia University; CECEP-Dawson College, 1986.

Billy has run or participated as a member-owner in several small businesses. He is the founding member of Vasa Co-op, a worker co-op that deals in fairly manufactured and environmentally friendly garments and tote bags. Billy is a Business Counsellor with SEED Winnipeg and is the Project Co-ordinator for their work with immigrant, refugee, newcomer social enterprises and co-ops. He took Devco's Advanced Co-op Developer Training in March 2011.

Carinna is the Director of Business Development Services at SEED Winnipeg. She has assisted with the development, launch and aftercare of Diversity Food Services, a social enterprise co-owned by SEED Winnipeg. Carinna has completed Devco's Advanced Co-op Developer Training. She also has completed six core courses in Foundations for Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding.

Mark Sparrow is the Business Development Officer for the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council for the Cape Breton region providing advisory assistance to start-up, and existing Co-operatives.

Since graduating from Cape Breton University's BBA program in 2006 with a concentration in Marketing, Mark has worked with various local organizations including Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority, Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design, Coastal Business CBDC, and the Nova Scotia Association of CBDC’s.

An avid volunteer, Mark contributes his time to awareness and fundraising efforts with Junior Achievement Nova Scotia, the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, Big Brother Big Sister, Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Children's Wish foundation. In February 2011 Mark took part in a volunteer co-operative study mission in Sri Lanka as part of a team with representatives from across Canada.

Mark believes strongly in JCI Cape Breton as an organization for developing young leaders and has been a member since 2006. He has served on the board as Chair of Membership Initiatives, Executive Vice President, Interim President, President, and is currently the Chair of the Board.

Mark was awarded a JCI Cape Breton HYPE award in 2007 for "Excellence in Individual Development" for his efforts to help others achieve their potential. Recently Mark was recognized by JCI Canada as the Most Outstanding Chapter President in the country for 2010, and also received the Young Alumnus of the Year award from Cape Breton University the same year.

Executive Director

Co-operative Development Officer

Following a decade of researching, writing and teaching about the global environment and energy policy, Shane decided to direct his energies to working more closely with co-operatives as a better way to organize our activities in the face of our ecological challenges. He has been instrumental as project manager with the Local Initiative for Future Energy (LIFE) Co-op in Kitchener, acquiring grant funds and making substantial progress with the St Agatha Wind Project. He is also working with Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW) to build CREW’s Solar City Co-operative. He completed the Co-op Management Certificate at the Schulich School of Business, York University, in 2011, and has considerable experience with incorporation, business planning, co-op administration, and the Co-operative Corporations Act.  Shane looks forward to helping build a more co-operative future in which communities re-cognize their interdependence with regard to food, water and energy.