A Bit About Alexandra
For over fifty years, Alexandra Wilson has amassed unmatched expertise in
organizational development, cooperative governance, management and finance in
Canada and internationally. Her work has driven significant impact through the
creation and management of affordable housing across Canada.
Her journey began as a teenager, advocating for her own home, propelling her into a
lifelong commitment to the cooperative sector. Alexandra founded and led Canada’s
Agency for Co-operative Housing, garnering government approval for its innovative
administration of federal cooperative housing programs. Under her leadership, the
Agency witnessed measurable improvements in the operating performance of
housing cooperatives, showcasing her ability to conceive and apply risk-based,
client-centered program management approaches.
Alexandra's impact extends beyond housing cooperatives. She successfully
negotiated and implemented the merger of national and provincial cooperative
housing federations. Additionally, her advocacy led to the creation of 14,000
affordable housing units and introducing innovative mortgage financing mechanisms
through the launch of a unilateral cooperative housing program by the Canadian
government.
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Throughout her career, Alexandra has navigated complex challenges, including the
devolution of housing programs and organizational growth, overseeing a 50 per cent
membership increase in the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada. Her
diverse experience spans from overseeing international cooperative development
programs to serving on boards of prominent cooperative institutions.
A passionate advocate for environmental sustainability, Alexandra's tenure on
advisory boards for sustainable business underscores her commitment to advancing
responsible practices.