Tash Taylor Takes Helm as Chair of Alberta Real Estate Foundation Board of Governors
The Alberta Real Estate Foundation (AREF) is proud to announce the appointment of Tash Taylor from St. Albert, Alberta, as the new Chair of its esteemed Board of Governors. Her appointment marks a significant milestone for the foundation, bringing a wealth of experience and a clear vision for the future of real estate and community development across the province. Ms. Taylor has been an integral part of the Board since 2016, serving diligently as a public member appointment, and her deep understanding of the foundation’s mission and operations positions her perfectly to lead it into its next chapter.
A Vision for Collaborative Growth and Community Impact
In her initial statements as Chair, Tash Taylor underscored the pivotal role the Alberta Real Estate Foundation plays in fostering a robust real estate industry that directly benefits Alberta’s diverse communities and its consumers. “I’m inherently a people-person, driven by a natural inclination towards collaboration,” Taylor remarked, highlighting her leadership philosophy. She expressed immense enthusiasm for her new role, stating, “I eagerly anticipate working hand-in-hand with all our real estate stakeholders and partners. Their invaluable contributions are absolutely critical to AREF’s ability to effectively achieve our strategic goals and amplify our positive impact throughout Alberta.”
Strengthening Relationships and Expanding Reach
As Chair, Taylor’s immediate priorities are distinctly focused on strategic growth and enhanced community engagement. She aims to significantly strengthen existing relationships within the real estate sector and, crucially, to broaden the foundation’s reach. This expansion is designed to enable AREF to assist a greater number of communities through its highly successful community investment program. This initiative is a cornerstone of AREF’s mandate, providing vital funding and support for projects that enhance public good related to real estate.
Taylor recognizes the unique challenges and opportunities presented by Alberta’s current economic climate. “Given the evolving economic landscape in Alberta, the Alberta Real Estate Foundation is exceptionally well-placed to serve as a powerful catalyst,” she explained. “We can actively contribute to building capacity within organizations and offer assistance in truly unique ways that many other funding bodies might not be able to replicate. Our agility and specialized focus within the real estate domain allow us to identify and support innovative solutions for community development.”
Pioneering Impact Investing for a Sustainable Future
A key area of innovation and strategic focus under Taylor’s leadership will be the exploration of more formal impact investing opportunities. Impact investing, at its core, involves allocating funds to generate not only a financial return but also a measurable, positive social or environmental impact. This approach represents a forward-thinking method of leveraging capital for both profit and purpose.
“The Alberta Real Estate Foundation has historically been a trailblazer in Alberta, demonstrating a positive example with its impact investing initiatives alongside other provincial foundations,” Taylor stated with conviction. “My clear intention is to ensure this legacy continues and, indeed, flourishes. We have a significant opportunity to formalize these efforts, attracting more capital towards projects that build sustainable communities, address critical housing needs, promote environmental stewardship in property development, and foster economic resilience across the province.” This commitment to impact investing reflects a modern approach to philanthropy, where financial sustainability and social responsibility are intrinsically linked.
A Distinguished Career Dedicated to Public Service and Community Building
Tash Taylor brings an incredibly diverse and distinguished career spanning multiple sectors to her role as Chair. Her extensive experience provides a multidisciplinary perspective crucial for navigating the complexities of real estate and community development. Her professional journey includes significant contributions in some of Canada’s largest school divisions, where she developed robust governance and administrative skills. She also held senior positions within the post-secondary sector, fostering educational excellence and strategic planning.
Beyond education, Taylor has made profound impacts in the non-profit and public service realms. She served with distinction at the St. Albert Housing Society, directly contributing to solutions for affordable housing challenges within her own community. Her compassionate leadership extended to the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta and NWT, where she played a vital role in supporting individuals and families affected by the disease. Her corporate experience at Imperial Oil provided her with valuable insights into large-scale organizational management and corporate social responsibility. Furthermore, her work with Alberta Women Entrepreneurs highlights her dedication to fostering economic empowerment and supporting female leadership.
Foundational Leadership in Housing and Youth Engagement
Taylor’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to public good are evident in her foundational work. She was instrumental in establishing Alberta’s first association for non-profit housing providers. This pioneering initiative addressed a critical gap in the sector, providing a unified voice and a platform for collaboration among organizations dedicated to delivering affordable and accessible housing options. The association has since become a cornerstone for advocacy and best practices, significantly strengthening the non-profit housing landscape in Alberta.
Her passion for community building extends to future generations. Taylor also founded Alberta’s YouthVOLUNTEER! Society, a charitable organization specifically dedicated to cultivating and promoting youth volunteerism across the province. Developed in close collaboration with the provincial government, this society has empowered countless young Albertans to engage in meaningful community service, instilling values of civic responsibility and active participation from an early age. This initiative reflects her belief in the transformative power of youth engagement for long-term community health.
International Recognition for Affordable Housing Advocacy
The profound impact of Taylor’s work in advancing affordable housing initiatives received international recognition in 2016. Her expertise and leadership earned her a coveted invitation to join the Official Canadian Delegation at the United Nations Summit for Community Sustainability in Ecuador. This significant international platform allowed her to share Alberta’s successes and insights on sustainable community development and affordable housing solutions on a global stage, underscoring her influence and dedication to addressing one of society’s most pressing challenges.
Current Engagements and Future Outlook
Currently, Tash Taylor serves as a highly sought-after management consultant with the Alberta School Boards Association. In this capacity, she provides a comprehensive range of governance services to school divisions across the province, assisting them in navigating complex administrative, strategic, and policy challenges. This ongoing role further hones her expertise in effective governance, strategic planning, and stakeholder relations – skills that are directly transferable and immensely valuable to her leadership at the Alberta Real Estate Foundation.
Tash Taylor is set to serve a two-year term as Chair of the Alberta Real Estate Foundation’s Board of Governors. Her appointment ushers in an exciting period for AREF, marked by a renewed focus on collaborative partnerships, expanded community impact, and innovative funding strategies such as formalized impact investing. Under her guidance, the foundation is poised to continue its vital work of strengthening the real estate industry while concurrently enhancing the well-being and sustainability of communities throughout Alberta. Her leadership promises a future of strategic growth and enduring positive change for the province.