Passive House Canada is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors: Gena Argitis, and Ian Barnett. Both bring unique skill sets that will benefit the board and Passive House Canada.
We look forward to working with Gena and Ian in our ongoing effort to grow the Passive House movement in Canada. Check out their full professional bios below.
Gena Argitis
Gena is a senior legal and business operations executive with extensive experience in new home construction standards, warranties, and regulated environments. She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at Tarion, where she has built the majority of her career following her early practice as a litigator at McCarthy Tétrault LLP.
Throughout her career, Gena has been guided by a strong commitment to public service and advancing the public interest, bringing together expertise in governance, organizational transformation, and leadership within complex regulatory frameworks.
Her professional perspective is also shaped by a lifelong commitment to learning. Gena holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, where she graduated as a silver medalist, as well as a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Waterloo, and she has continued to deepen her expertise in governance and executive leadership.
That blend of legal, operational, governance, and people-focused experience informs Gena’s interest in sustainable building practices, energy efficiency, and high-performance building standards, which led her to the PHC Board. In addition to contributing as its newest member, Gena chairs the Board of Directors of Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter.
Ian Barnett
Ian Barnett is a senior executive and social enterprise leader who believes that the way we build is a direct reflection of our values as a society. As the Vice President of FortWhyte Alive in Winnipeg, Ian has spent over two decades integrating environmental education with sustainable operations, ensuring the organization serves as a living laboratory for ecological health.
Ian’s practical experience with high-performance building standards is anchored by his leadership on landmark projects like Buffalo Crossing and the Ben and Rose Puchniak Woodworking Studio. These initiatives highlight his ability to successfully manage the delicate intersection of Passive House technical requirements, architectural collaboration, and community needs—all while navigating the unique resource constraints of a charitable organization. His hands-on experience is further supported by specialized coursework completed through Passive House Canada.
Beyond his operational and building expertise, Ian brings deep specialization in non-profit financial sustainability and governance to the Board. He oversees a $5 million annual budget and has a distinguished track record in grant writing, donor stewardship, and funder relations. Committed to transparency and long-term mission alignment, Ian regularly reports on organizational impact and fiscal health to his Board of Trustees.
Ian holds an MBA in Social Enterprise Leadership from the University of Fredericton. Whether managing the day-to-day complexities of a large-scale non-profit or advocating for climate-resilient construction, Ian remains focused on driving innovative, impactful solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
