Fiona Coughlin

Fiona Coughlin is a passionate and innovative leader, dedicated to opening doors to prosperity for families in core housing need. With over 24 years of experience across a wide range of organizations—from large government bodies to small community groups—Fiona has a proven track record of driving transformative change in housing and social services.

Throughout her career, Fiona has played a lead role the opening of several service operations across Ontario. In the Greater Toronto Area, she was instrumental in opening “The Exchange,” a unique community hub built around a food bank and she helped to open a specialized group home for seniors with developmental disabilities. In Windsor, she played a pivotal role in opening The Downtown Mission’s innovative “Wellness Centre,” providing essential services for vulnerable populations.

Since 2017, Fiona has served as the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex. Under her leadership, the organization has built affordable homes in Leamington, Windsor, and Kingsville, Ontario, while also relaunching the Windsor Furniture Bank. Additionally, she spearheaded the opening of one of the most successful Habitat ReStores in Canada. Her visionary approach to solving the housing crisis led to a partnership with the University of Windsor’s Engineering Team and CMHC to pilot an experimental 3D printing project. In 2022, she led a collaborative team to complete Canada’s first 3D-printed home, marking a milestone in North American construction innovation. This project not only represented the first 3D-printed multi-unit building in North America but also introduced a more sustainable method of construction using concrete instead of mortar.

Fiona’s commitment to global housing solutions extends beyond Canada. In 2019, she volunteered on a Habitat Global Village build in Kenya, where she learned firsthand how local leaders were addressing affordable housing challenges with minimal resources. This experience was transformative, inspiring Fiona to think creatively about housing solutions in Canada, including the 3D printing project. In December 2024, she will continue her global advocacy by joining another Habitat build in Nepal, where she and her team will construct homes using innovative bamboo and mud-cement techniques.

Fiona currently serves on the Board of Directors for Tarion, Ontario’s new home warranty program, where she contributes to the Investment and Human Resources & Compensation Committees. She also sits on the Town of Essex Affordable Housing Task Force. She has also served on the board of the Windsor Essex Home Builders Association and the City of Windsor Housing Advisory Committee. In recognition of her contributions to housing and community development, Fiona has been honored with the YMCA Peace Medal, BizX Magazine’s “Powerhouse Professional” award, and the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 “Professional of the Year” award.

Fiona’s lived experience in social housing continues to drive her work. She is committed to building inclusive, resilient communities through innovative housing solutions and believes in a future where everyone has a decent place to live. With a clear focus on neighborhood renewal and a deep commitment to collaboration, she is transforming lives, one home at a time.