Meet Marsha Goldford, a tour de force in the realm of Human Resources and an esteemed stalwart in the management of non-profit housing and residential tenancy programs. With a career spanning more than two and half decades in this sector, Marsha has established a solid network of volunteers and professionals who help her help others to navigate the intricate dynamics of non-profit management, creating efficient solutions and strategic initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness and better serve client populations.
Her early career comprised 15+ years in management non-profit housing and residential tenancy programs, both at the provincial and local levels, and giving her a practical understanding of community dynamics, housing issues, and policy development and implementation.
Since arriving in BC in 1997, Marsha has been a visible participant in the non-profit housing sector beginning with 2 years as Operations Director with Capital Region Housing Corporation and 7 years service on the BCNPHA Board of Directors. From there, she went on to serve as a volunteer director on a number of housing, mental health and social service organizations in Victoria and then, in the Lower Mainland, where she served with Red Door Housing Society for over 15 years and now, with Progressive Housing for the past 5 years.
Now semi-retired, Marsha’s professional career spanned 45 years – the first half in social housing here and in Ontario and the latter, in Human Resources. She first joined BC Building Corporation in 1999 as a Human Resources Manager. She credits BCBC with kick-starting her HR career with very visionary and progressive practices that led her to executive positions with Community Living BC and then Developmental Disabilities Association in Richmond. Marsha retired from her ‘day-job’ in February in 2019 at which point she became the entrepreneurial force behind The Wisdom Group, a consortium she founded and now leads as CEO. This powerhouse of a collective brings together independent consultants, all leaders in their respective fields, to provide affordable solutions and administrative expertise to non-profits throughout BC. Under Marsha’s leadership, The Wisdom Group has become a beacon of support for organizations navigating the trials of growth, resource allocation, IT, strategic planning and people management.
Underpinning Marsha’s career are her academic qualifications. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Queen’s University, a testament to her understanding of public service, administration, and governance. This is complemented by a B.A. in Political Science and French from the University of Western Ontario, reflecting a breadth of understanding in global politics and cultural literacy. To further sharpen her HR expertise, Marsha obtained a Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management from Royal Roads University. This credential solidifies her position as a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR Retired), highlighting her ability to strategize, lead, and deliver in the HR landscape.
