Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Professional Memberships
Timeline
Generic

ERIKA ERTEKI

Vaughan,Canada

Summary

Visionary and collaborative non-profit executive with 20+ years of leadership in housing, homelessness prevention, and community services. Proven success directing multi-site operations with budgets exceeding $12M, managing diverse teams of up to 70 staff, and delivering innovative, equity-focused programs that improve housing stability for vulnerable populations. Accomplished in strategic planning, governance, public advocacy, and forging cross-sector partnerships with municipalities, funders, and community agencies to secure resources, influence policy, and drive systemic change. Experienced in planning, funding, and developing new housing units through successful collaborations with multiple partners and funders, from concept to completion, to address community needs and expand affordable housing supply.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work History

Executive Director

Birch Housing
, Canada
01.2023 - Current
  • Spearheaded the strategic direction and overall leadership of Birch Housing, overseeing operations across 7 housing locations in 3 distinct service manager areas, ensuring high standards of service delivery to diverse tenant populations.
  • Effectively managed 3 separate corporate entities under the Birch Housing umbrella, harmonizing governance structures, operational policies, and reporting mechanisms to optimize efficiency and compliance.
  • Directed organizational transformation initiatives including strategic planning, operational restructuring, and capital improvement planning, ensuring alignment with board objectives and community needs.
  • Strengthened stakeholder relationships, fostering collaboration with municipal service managers, community agencies, governmental bodies, and funding partners to secure resources and advance housing initiatives.
  • Oversaw significant capital projects, maintenance programs, and asset management strategies to preserve and enhance the organization's real estate portfolio.
  • Led successful funding applications, advocacy efforts, and coordinated reporting with government funders, resulting in increased capital investment and operational support.
  • Implemented enhanced performance measurement and reporting systems to track KPIs, improve decision-making, and demonstrate accountability to stakeholders.
  • Actively engaged in governance leadership, including providing strategic advice to the Board of Directors, supporting board development, and participating in multiple board committees.
  • Championed equity, diversity, and inclusion by designing and implementing an organizational EDI framework, increasing recruitment of underrepresented groups and embedding cultural competency training for all staff.
  • Advanced advocacy and public engagement by representing the organization at municipal meetings, regional housing forums, and media interviews to influence policy and secure funding.
  • Strengthened research and evaluation capacity by developing KPI dashboards, quarterly impact reports, and program evaluation protocols that informed strategic decisions and improved service outcomes.
  • Ensured Occupational Health & Safety leadership, achieving full compliance and zero critical incidents across all sites.
  • Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight for all aspects of organizational operations across 7 housing locations in 3 service manager areas.
  • Manage and coordinate activities across 3 separate corporate entities, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, funding agreements, and board governance requirements.
  • Oversee a multidisciplinary team including property management, tenant services, maintenance, and administrative functions.
  • Direct development and execution of operational budgets, capital plans, and strategic initiatives in alignment with organizational priorities.
  • Lead capital project planning and execution, including procurement, contractor oversight, and quality assurance.
  • Foster partnerships with municipal governments, funders, and community agencies to enhance program delivery and secure resources.
  • Ensure delivery of programs and services that support successful tenancies, community engagement, and tenant well-being.
  • Maintain a strong focus on risk management, compliance, and continuous improvement of operational practices.
  • Report to and collaborate with the Board of Directors, providing timely updates on performance, risks, and opportunities.
  • Support and participate in governance committees, policy review, and strategic planning sessions to ensure effective organizational oversight.

Seniors Housing Manager

Toronto Community Housing
Toronto, Canada
01.2020 - 01.2023
  • Key contributor to the development of procedures designed to manage ongoing operations while considering the goal of the successful implementation of the ISM (Integrated Service Model).
  • Led workplace diversity and anti-oppression initiatives, embedding inclusive practices into hiring, training, and service delivery.
  • Enhanced community engagement through presentations to municipal committees and advocacy for senior housing needs in public forums.
  • Implemented data-driven decision-making by creating tracking systems for program outcomes and using results to refine service models.
  • Prioritized health and safety by introducing new site-level OH&S protocols and ensuring all staff were trained and compliant.
  • Oversee budget of approximately $9 million, spends responsibly and is accountable, demonstrating fiscal responsibility which reflects established budgetary limits.
  • Manage a team of 70 scattered among 30 sites.
  • Develop business plans which reflect key community issues, and socio-political realities.
  • Responsible for tenancy management and achieves established performance targets (e.g., vacancy and arrears).
  • Ensure that the appropriate policies, procedures and legislation are implemented and/or followed.
  • Promote successful tenancy by collaborating with the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity for senior and vulnerable tenants.
  • Oversee the establishment and implementation of appropriate protocols, and standards for quality service.
  • Build effective, integrated teams with internal and external stakeholders to resolve issues and develop action plans for hard to house, at risk individuals and communities (in the areas of mental health and addiction).
  • Ensure fair, equitable and respectful treatment of staff and promotes the workplace diversity plan.
  • Collaborate closely with the Tenant and Community Services team, tenants and community partners to create a healthy community strategy and promote and maintain health, successful tenancies, community safety, children, youth and senior’s initiatives, economic opportunities and anti-racism.
  • Manage external stakeholder relations that include community agencies and elected officials.

Executive Director

Barrie Municipal Non-Profit Housing
Barrie, Canada
01.2015 - 01.2020
  • Spearheaded planning and implementation of new organizational operations plan, overseeing multitude of sub-initiatives including creation of departments, hiring of managerial staff, and formulation of job descriptions.
  • Pioneered and executed large-scale change management initiative over course of 3 years, identifying inconsistencies surrounding current partnerships with vendors and contractors before resolving the mismanagement of several financial assets and agreements.
  • Established and maintains upwards of 7 partnerships with large agencies including the Canadian Mental Health Association and City of Barrie Parks & Recreation, evaluating, and determining parameters for programming based on initial needs assessment.
  • Led initiative geared towards optimizing building maintenance program, facilitating work order process for building tenants by providing janitorial staff with feedback cards to leave following rendered services.
  • Developed program to strengthen asset management methods while simultaneously increasing tenant comfort.
  • Diligently serves up to 3000 clients while overseeing $12M+ budget with upwards of $200M in assets, working alongside finance manager to determine revenue and current operational needs before appropriately allocating non-fixed costs based on annual goals.
  • Additionally, manages annual $2M capital project budget and consistently procures additional funding despite low benchmark models.
  • Developed and implemented framework for organizational policies and procedures related to anti-oppression, inclusion, diversity, and equality.
  • Successfully applied for and received funding through the National Co-Investment Fund for the development of additional housing units. The project was the first to be approved in the Province of Ontario.
  • Advocated for housing policy change through regular engagement with municipal councils, MPs, and MPPs, influencing funding allocations.
  • Integrated program evaluation frameworks that monitored service delivery impact and improved KPIs for tenant retention and satisfaction.
  • Introduced workplace EDI training and mentorship programs to build a more inclusive culture across all departments.
  • Advanced safety culture through comprehensive OH&S audits and staff safety committees, resulting in reduced workplace incidents.
  • Explored social enterprise opportunities, assessing feasibility for employment-based programs tied to housing services.
  • Directly oversees 6 managers within unionized environment with a staffing compliment of 35, monitoring daily operations and engaging in monthly meetings with management team to discuss and align business strategies with current goals.
  • Conducts monthly performance reviews to provide feedback to direct reports leading to significant, perpetual improvement.
  • Continuously analyzes data collected from manager performance reports and other KPI evaluations, utilizing statistics to adjust operational programming plans accordingly.
  • Additionally, engages in financial analysis and reviews sector data provided by affiliated partners to augment understanding of current forecasts.
  • Possesses wealth of experience surrounding funding applications and partnership negotiations, coordinating with stakeholders and other community partners including a variety of agencies in Simcoe County to discuss budgetary needs leading to the procurement of additional benchmark funding.
  • Assess needs of communities served by Barrie Housing to determine directions in services and programming.
  • Providing oversight for all property and facilities management including the planning and implementation of large-scale capital projects.
  • Providing oversight and strategic direction around all delivery of programs geared at community development and client satisfaction.

Senior Housing Manager

Woodgreen Community Services
Toronto, Canada
01.2012 - 01.2015
  • Significantly improved inter departmental relationships with a focus on education and advocacy for the housing department.
  • Worked withing a multi disciplinary team to provide consistent support to tenant with a focus on wrap around supports.
  • With the VP of Housing was able to plan for and navigate a large-scale operational review ensuring that all levels of the housing program were compliant and exceeded funder expectations.
  • Provided senior leadership to 4 managers and 40 operational staff while concurrently managing 900 social housing units, reporting to VP of housing to assess and optimize staff performance and service delivery.
  • Managed and provided oversight for 7 housing programs including two supportive programs for seniors aging in the home, coordinating with CCAC and regional LHIN, engaging in homecare planning while simultaneously monitoring transitional housing program for chronically homeless senior men.(First Step to Home).
  • Additionally oversaw 160-unit supportive housing program (Jack Layton Building), working with different programs and funders including the Ministry of Health.
  • Actively participated in monthly strategy meetings with other C-level executives, discussing operational and managerial issues before formulating potential improvement plans.
  • Assisted change management plan within corporate environment, dealing with grievances within unionized environment.
  • Spearheaded interagency coordination duties, collaborating with multiple departments to re-align mandates and goals based on overall company vision.
  • Delivery and monitoring of maintenance programs to significantly improve and extend asset life span.

Relief Front Line

Blue Door Shelters
East Gwillimbury, Canada
01.2010 - 01.2013

Housing Support Coordinator

Houses Opening Today Toronto
Toronto, Canada
01.2005 - 01.2012

Housing Support Worker

Houses Opening Today Toronto
Toronto, Canada
01.2002 - 01.2005

Education

Child & Youth Work Diploma -

George Brown College

Community Development Diploma -

George Brown College

Skills

  • KPI Data Analysis
  • Executive Leadership
  • Governance Proficiency
  • Community Development
  • Program and Policy Development
  • Risk Management
  • Property Management & Development
  • Strategic Planning & Change Management
  • Mental Health, Addiction and Homelessness
  • Employee Recruitment, Training & Mentoring
  • Operational Budgeting & Financial Analysis
  • Grant and Proposal Writing
  • Project Management
  • Performance Management
  • Finance & Asset Management
  • Client & Stakeholder Relations
  • Capital Projects
  • Labour & Contract Negotiations
  • Legislative Compliance
  • Funder relations

Professional Memberships

Chartered Institute of Housing, Chartered Member (CIHCM)

Timeline

Executive Director

Birch Housing
01.2023 - Current

Seniors Housing Manager

Toronto Community Housing
01.2020 - 01.2023

Executive Director

Barrie Municipal Non-Profit Housing
01.2015 - 01.2020

Senior Housing Manager

Woodgreen Community Services
01.2012 - 01.2015

Relief Front Line

Blue Door Shelters
01.2010 - 01.2013

Housing Support Coordinator

Houses Opening Today Toronto
01.2005 - 01.2012

Housing Support Worker

Houses Opening Today Toronto
01.2002 - 01.2005

Child & Youth Work Diploma -

George Brown College

Community Development Diploma -

George Brown College

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ERIKA ERTEKI