On September 24th, 2025, leaders from across Ottawa gathered at the historic Rideau Club for Entre Nous, an intimate and insightful evening hosted by Elevate International and proudly championed by HT Realty. Centered on the theme of “Leadership in Affordable Housing,” the event spotlighted the vision, courage, cooperation and innovation required to address one of our nation’s most urgent challenges: creating sustainable and affordable housing for all.
A Distinguised Panel of Leaders
The evening was moderated by Solange Tuyishime, President & CEO of Elevate International, whose warmth and clarity of purpose set the tone for a thoughtful discussion. Each panelist brought forward not only expertise, but also the leadership perspective needed to push ideas into action:
Dr. Marcia Wallace, General Manager of Planning, Development and Building Services at the City of Ottawa.
Jason Burggraaf, Executive Director of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA).
Dr. Helen Tang, Founder and CEO of HT Realty & HT Global Group.
Dr. Bruce M Firestone, Real estate investor, educator, and business coach with Firestone and Associates.
Together, they delivered a dynamic discussion on how the public, private, and community sectors can align to deliver practical and scalable solutions.
Key Leadership Insights
Dr. Marcia Wallace underscored the City of Ottawa’s bold new plans, championed by Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, to remove barriers to development and accelerate the creation of affordable housing. She spoke to the importance of modernizing processes and aligning planning priorities with the urgent housing needs of the city.
Jason Burggraaf emphasized that affordability is only one part of the puzzle. He highlighted the need for a cultural shift in housing conversations to include a wider range of living arrangements, acceptable housing types, and creative solutions. He also advocated the need for strong leadership in job creation and wage growth to ensure affordability remains within reach.
Dr. Helen Tang presented her vision for prefabricated housing models that extend far beyond cost savings. Her forward-thinking designs integrate self-sufficient systems that enable easy adoption into existing communities while also offering the potential for off- grid living with solar, battery storage, greenhouse and wastewater solutions. These models highlight how sustainable, efficient, and resilient homes can transform the way communities grow and thrive.
Dr. Bruce M Firestone inspired the audience with an in-depth exploration of tiny homes as a practical and exciting solution to affordability challenges. He illustrated how these compact, sustainable living spaces can elevate both living standards and quality of life—for young professionals seeking independence, as well as for older generations looking for flexible, dignified housing options.
Inspiration and Momentum
The conversation went beyond policies and numbers. Attendees left not only with a deeper understanding of the structural and regulatory challenges we face, but also with a renewed sense of optimism. A recurring theme was the power of collaboration and that no single sector can solve the affordability crisis alone, but together, we can foster innovation and long-term change.
The dialogue also reflected the deeper truth that leadership is a cornerstone of progress in affordable housing. From municipal leaders setting bold policy directions, to industry leaders reimagining housing culture, to entrepreneurial leaders pushing new frontiers, the evening made clear that the path forward depends on the courage to innovate and the will to act.
Guests noted that they walked away feeling hopeful, informed, and energized which was a clear testament to the impactful dialogue and the shared commitment in the room.
Championing Leadership in Transformation and Hope
For HT Realty, Entre Nous reflects more than an evening of dialogue. It demonstrates its commitment to bringing happiness home by addressing the housing needs of our communities head-on. Affordable, high-quality housing is not just a market issue, it’s a leadership issue, demanding collaboration and accountability across all sectors. By championing events like Entre Nous, HT Realty continues to play a leading role in shaping the conversations that matter most to families, developers, policymakers, and future homeowners alike.
Looking Ahead
This gathering at the Rideau Club is only the beginning. The ideas and partnerships sparked here will ripple outward in the months ahead, influencing projects, collaborations, innovations, and policies. Many guests left the evening so inspired that they were already asking for a “Part 2,” a continuation of the conversation that will almost certainly take shape in the near future.
Together, through leadership, cooperation, and innovation, we are building the future of housing in Ottawa, one conversation, one connection, and one solution at a time.
More details to come.
