Board Members

Émmanuelle Proud-Thomson is a bilingual leader, artist, and long-time co-op housing advocate based in Uptown Saint John. She brings a strong commitment to transparency, inclusion, and community-building in her role as President of Unified Saint John Housing Co-operative (USJ), where she has served since 2019—and previously from 2013 to 2016.

Under her leadership, USJ has strengthened its financial sustainability, increased member engagement, and partnered with youth-serving organizations to co-develop a trauma-informed 14-unit housing project for unhoused youth. As the largest housing co-op in Atlantic Canada with 294 homes, USJ continues to evolve as a model of member-led living.

Émmanuelle’s deep experience in the co-operative housing sector includes her time as Director of South City Housing Co-op, where she played a key role in the largest co-op housing merger in Canadian history. This transformative merger unified nine local co-ops into one stronger, sustainable organization now known as USJ.

Currently, she represents New Brunswick and PEI on the CHF Canada Board of Directors, where she champions the voices of co-op members and works to advance co-op development across the region. Her other governance experience includes serving on the boards of Autism Speaks Canada, the New Brunswick Arts Board, and First Steps Housing Project Inc.

Émmanuelle has shared insights on co-op governance and sustainability as a speaker and panelist, including at the 2022 CHF Canada AGM. She is passionate about making co-ops more accessible, transparent, and rooted in member leadership.

Outside of her board work, Émmanuelle is a dedicated artist who enjoys painting, creative upcycling, and spending time with her family. She believes deeply in the power of co-operatives to change lives—and is committed to ensuring USJ continues to thrive as a safe, inclusive, and empowered community.

Hi, I am your Board Member for The North end Family Neighbourhood, I started with the Board when I was volunteered by a neighbour to fill a vacant position. I am a retired millwright  /industrial mechanic and union member for over 30 years and have served in the union in several positions, steward, secretary, treasurer, vice and president. I retired early as I have a knee issue and was eligible to go early.

So how did I get here- living in the North End Family Neighbourhood? I was living a modest comfortable life in West Saint John with good rental 2-bedroom apartment, so my children had a place to stay over. My landlord had maintained our building it was dated but in great condition retired and sold to a local owner and in a short period resold to a property management company. Who evicted 12 families to complete renovations during the height of the pandemic, with a very tight and inflated market and this USJ was one of the very few options that had decent affordable housing for a pensioner on a fixed income. So, I am very interested in the ageing in place. I am an advocate for diversity and inclusion and especially equity for women as I have 2 daughters and 3 granddaughters.

I have lived in the Jenny’s Spring neighbourhood for about eight years and am a member of the USJ Board. Originally from Fredericton, NB, I moved to Saint John to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at UNBSJ and have made the city my home.

My prior experience includes involvement in non-profit housing and co-operative governance as a past member of City Centre Housing Co-op, where I served on the Board and various committees. I have worked and volunteered with several non-profit organizations and have spent the majority of my career with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Most recently, I began volunteering with Outflow. My work often involves supporting people navigating complex challenges related to poverty, trauma, and mental health, and I value continued learning as a way to grow and adapt in this work.

I have been living in USJ for over 7 years. I enjoy being part of this community.  As a Member of the Board of Directors, I hope to be a valuable representative of the South-Central community members and that you all would feel welcome to talk to me about concerns or questions related to Co-op living.

Laura has been residing in the USJ Co-op since 2017. Initially, her and her husband moved to a two-bedroom apartment on Wright Street Community and then expressed interest in a townhouse on the east side before finally settling in High Meadow Park Community, where they currently resided with their three children (one in school, and two aged three and one).

Laura is originally from Saint John, but had lived in Quispamsis, Grand Bay, and Moncton. Laura opted for co-op living due to their husband’s unfortunate workplace accident and the subsequent compensation that left them unable to afford rent in their previous location. Upon discovering co-op living, they quickly began to understand the value that the co-op could provide.

Laura became interested in being a part of the Board for the experience. She has relevant management experience and a diploma in business administration. She has a focus on accounting and strong interest in dealing with the financial aspects of business operations she had initially aspired to become an accountant.

Laura is very cognizant of the acute need for more at-cost housing, particularly in light of the exorbitant rents and believes that more people should have access to affordable housing. She feels that being part of a co-op has been the best decision her family ever made.

A little over six years ago, Sarah moved into the Unified Saint John Housing Co-op to the Heatherway Community. Her decision to move here was influenced by her visit to the housing co-op, where she felt instantly welcome and knew it was the perfect place to raise two young children. Her family continues to feel very comfortable and at home in the neighborhood.

When a fellow co-operative member recommended Sarah for the Board, her curiosity was sparked. Sarah likes the idea of taking care of her neighborhood and saw it as an opportunity to help younger generations become involved. Her skills and prior experience made her an excellent candidate for the Board position. Sarah’s strong communication skills and love of meeting new people makes her a great fit for engaging with families within the co-op. Currently, she is employed as a program coordinator/educator for Bee Me Kidz which is a local nonprofit organization that works with schools and families to develop social and emotional skills. She works in the North End community at Centennial School and has a good understanding for the needs of the community.

Sarah recognizes the need for additional affordable housing and feels fortunate to live in the co-op. She is aware that many people are on waiting lists for low or at-cost housing. She is passionate about being outdoors and enjoys going for walks. Sarah’s family loves being part of the co-op and are known in the community as “the ones that are always outside playing”. The neighborhood kids naturally gravitate and enjoy playing in her yard. Along with helping at Pulse, where she participates in the summer program, Sarah has also enjoyed volunteering at the North End Food Bank.

Lisa is a passionate community leader with a profound understanding of the challenges faced by residents, shaped by her own life experiences. She has successfully led several community initiatives aimed at revitalizing neighborhoods, improving access to essential services, and fostering a strong sense of community.

Notable projects include CV Caring for the Environment,  Summer Squad, and PULSE Help Yourself Pantry, as well as her founding of the From Seed to Table: Improving Food Literacy & Accessibility Project.

Karla Rodriguez Moran, originally from El Salvador has embraced a multicultural journey across three countries. She holds a Marketing degree from El Salvador, a Nursing degree from the U.S., and a Human Resources diploma from Calgary, Canada. Since 2019, she has called Saint John home.

Karla is the founder and director of the Saint John Sea Glass Festival, blending her love for beachcombing with community engagement. She works remotely as a Social Media Specialist and is part of the welcome crew at the Port of Saint John. Passionate about working with seniors, she also enjoys exploring local beaches for sea glass.