Rooted is thrilled to welcome Ann Foran as the new Chair of our Board of Directors. Ann has served on the Board of Directors since 2022 with constancy and care.
We are deeply grateful to J.P. Collins, our outgoing Board Chair for his incredible dedication to Rooted. He has left a lasting mark on our team, and our community.
Both Ann and J.P. have contributed greatly to Rooted’s growth, strategic directions, and collective impact over the past several years. Here are some of their reflections on the organization’s evolution and future prospects as they pass the leadership torch.
Reflections from J.P., outgoing Board Chair:
As I reflect on my time as Board Chair of Rooted, I am most proud of helping strengthen the organization’s foundation during a period of growth and increasing community need.
One of the accomplishments I value most is working alongside a dedicated Board and strong staff leadership team that advanced Rooted’s mission of providing affordable housing to individuals and families, and expanding beyond Dartmouth to Cole Harbour, Spryfield and Truro.
Together, we enhanced governance practices, strengthened strategic planning, and ensured the organization remained focused on long-term sustainability.
Ultimately, my greatest source of pride is not any single project or decision, but rather the collective impact achieved through teamwork. Knowing that our efforts have helped create safe, affordable housing and improved quality of life for members of our community is incredibly rewarding.
What excites me most about passing the Board Chair torch to Ann Foran is knowing that Rooted will continue to be led by someone who is deeply committed to our mission. Throughout Ann’s time on the board, she has demonstrated thoughtful leadership, sound judgement, and a genuine passion for addressing the affordable housing challenges facing Nova Scotians today.
As I step aside from the Chair role, I do so with great confidence that Rooted is in capable hands.
Sincerely,
J.P. Collins
Past Board Chair, Rooted
Looking forward with Ann, incoming Board Chair:
Rooted’s growth and impact over the past several years are a strong reflection of its values, leadership, and commitment to the communities it serves. What inspires me most about stepping into this role is the opportunity to support that continued momentum, working alongside a highly capable board and leadership team to help the organization scale its impact in a thoughtful and sustainable way.
I’m particularly energized by the opportunity to help guide Rooted through a period of meaningful growth. Housing remains a critical issue in Nova Scotia and across Canada, and Rooted is well positioned to make a tangible difference for families in our communities. With that opportunity comes increasing complexity, whether in scaling operations, deepening partnerships, or navigating evolving market conditions, and I look forward to working with the Board to ensure we approach these thoughtfully and proactively.
Rooted has established a clear and thoughtful strategic direction, and as Chair my role will be to support its disciplined execution, while ensuring the Board maintains strong visibility into performance and emerging opportunities. I see my responsibility as fostering open, constructive dialogue between the Board and leadership team, creating the space to both stay focused on priorities and adapt where needed to respond to changing conditions.
Rooted’s evolution from a small, locally-focused housing organization to one with broader reach and ambition has instilled a deep commitment to the people and communities it serves. That foundation will continue to shape its future direction, ensuring that as the organization grows, it does so with the same care, purpose, and focus on meaningful impact that has defined it from the beginning.
Sincerely,
Ann Foran
Board Chair, Rooted