Diana is an affordable housing advocate, climate activist, and community leader who has helped secure major investments in co-op housing across Canada—and is now running to be a progressive voice and champion for Torontonians on City Council.
Since moving to downtown Toronto in 2017, Diana has spearheaded community efforts advocating for affordable housing and climate action, securing billions in funding for co-op housing and distributing millions in grants for climate action. Through true community-oriented policy and development, Diana believes we can protect the environment and build healthier, more equitable cities.
From living in a housing co-op to working at the national co-op housing federation, Diana knows firsthand the impact of community-driven housing solutions. In her roles in public policy and government relations, she has witnessed the political choices that are pushing people out of the city they love.
Diana cares deeply about stewarding community spaces and supporting local businesses in neighbourhoods such as Koreatown, Chinatown, and Little Italy to ensure all residents can thrive, not just survive.
Diana brings demonstrated leadership in affordable housing, climate action, and volunteering.
Securing $1.5 Billion to Build New Co-op Housing
Diana successfully advocated for the $1.5 billion Co-op Housing Development Program, the first dedicated federal funding for new co-op housing in over 30 years. This has been and will continue to be instrumental in creating new affordable co-op homes in Toronto and beyond.
Transforming Social Housing & Addressing Homelessness
Diana is a proud Board Director of the Circle Community LandTrust, stewarding over 600 family-sized homes across the city. City council once considered selling off these homes, but tenants fought back and they remain in community ownership. Diana is a climate champion on the Circle Board, providing support to staff to pursue improvements to help tenants and lower energy costs. Diana was part of the Sustainability Team at Toronto Community Housing, helping tenants and staff with energy-efficient improvements to their buildings.
As a former Board member of Cecil Community Centre, Diana supported Cecil becoming a surge warming centre to address homelessness in the neighbourhood. With her neighbours, she actively organized in Chinatown to demand affordable housing and support for local businesses.
Obtaining a Federal Commitment to Protect Affordable Homes
Amplifying community housing voices and working with the former Deputy Prime Minister and MP for University-Rosedale, Diana helped to get a federal budget commitment of $1.5 billion for the Canada Rental Protection Fund, soon to be launched under Build Canada Homes. This will allow non-profits and community land trusts to purchase rental buildings and keep them affordable in perpetuity.
Managing $1.6 Million in Climate Change Grants
From 2017 - 2020, Diana worked at The Atmospheric Fund and managed a climate grants program of $1.6 million. This funding enabled high-impact climate solutions to create low-carbon, equitable cities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. In particular, Diana encouraged equitable climate projects for workers, transit riders, and renters. Projects funded included low-carbon construction training programs for Black youth with the Toronto Community Benefits Network and public awareness campaigns with the Ontario Public Health Association to link the impacts of climate change and our health.
Shaping Toronto's Climate Action Plan
Diana co-founded Climate Justice Toronto, which recently became the Toronto Tenant Union. This was after years of climate activism in her hometown of Mississauga and on campus at Queen's University. She has long been an advocate for public transit and green space.
Climate Justice Toronto led youth consultations for TransformTO, the City's climate plan, and collaborated with other climate groups like the Toronto Climate Action Network for rallies and public education.
As a Climate Specialist at the Toronto Environmental Alliance, Diana worked with community hubs to turn the TransformTO plan to action. She authored Sowing the Seeds for Local Climate Leadership: A Learning Guide for Resident Engagement Using a Connected Communities Approach.
Building A Strong Community of Activism
Diana co-organized an all-candidates debate for the federal by-election here in University-Rosedale, with over 200 people in attendance. She similarly moderated events for the Daily Bread Food Bank and on topics like protecting school lands from redevelopment.
Diana understands the importance of solidarity, and takes an intersectional approach to her work. She is committed to standing up for human rights like our freedoms to peacefully protest. Diana identifies as a democratic socialist.
Diana lives in Seaton Village with her partner, Mathieu, and their cat, Oyster.
Diana immigrated to Canada from South Korea with her family when she was four years old and feels fortunate to live near Koreatown—a neighbourhood she has loved her whole life. Like so many immigrants, she feels lucky to live in one of the world’s most diverse cities.
Mat and Oyster cheering on the Jays!