Honouring Founding Member Greg Forestell and His Impact on Our Co‑op’s Early Success

As a newly incorporated co‑operative, we have been fortunate to be guided by people who bring deep experience, strong leadership, and a genuine commitment to community. Among those foundational figures is Greg Forestell, whose support during our incorporation and early development has left an enduring mark on our organization.

With more than 33 years in the non‑profit and public administration sector, Greg has built a career defined by service, strategic insight, and community impact. As the Vice-President of Housing NB, he has demonstrated leadership across government relations, policy and program development, financial administration, and organizational development.

Guiding a New Co‑operative Through Its Most Formative Moments

When our co‑op was only an idea taking shape, Greg stepped forward with the guidance, clarity, and sector knowledge we needed to support the incorporation process. As a founding member, his leadership helped us establish:

• A strong governance foundation, supporting a structure that reflected best practices for cooperatives and land-based organizations.

• A clear early strategy, helping the coop define its purpose, direction, and long-term vision.

• Connections to the broader housing sector, supporting our ability to build relationships and situate our work within the larger non‑market housing movement in New Brunswick.

During Greg’s involvement, the coop also started a strategic partnership called the New Brunswick Community Housing Alliance (the Alliance). This is a significant step that aligns us with organizations dedicated to safe, inclusive, sustainable, and at-cost housing across the province. His understanding of cross‑sector collaboration contributed valuable context to this decision.

Greg will always be recognized and appreciated as a founding member. His contributions helped lay the foundation we continue to build upon, and the value he brought will influence our direction for many years to come.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Greg for his time, expertise, and belief in this co‑op from its earliest days. New organizations rely on strong supporters who understand both the challenges and the potential of building something from the ground up. Greg was one of those supporters, and we remain deeply appreciative.

We look forward to continuing our work in the spirit of collaboration and community that he helped foster.