Building a different future for housing.
Too many people are being priced out of the communities they helped build. Aspen exists to change that.
Our founders bring together the experience, partnerships, and determination needed to help communities create the housing they need. Together, they lead a team across finance, development, design, and delivery, transforming housing ideas into thriving communities.
John brings together the partnerships, capital, and strategic leadership needed to turn housing ideas into successful projects. With two decades of experience spanning governance, finance, real estate, and social enterprise, he helps communities navigate the complexity of delivering housing that creates long-term value for residents and local partners.
John Kay
Co-founder and CEO
CPA, CMA, MBA
John brings together the partnerships, capital, and strategic leadership needed to turn housing ideas into successful projects. With two decades of experience spanning governance, finance, real estate, and purpose-driven organizations, he helps communities navigate the complexity of delivering housing that creates long-term value for residents and local partners.
John brings together the partnerships, capital, and strategic leadership needed to turn housing ideas into successful projects. With two decades of experience spanning governance, finance, real estate, and social enterprise, he helps communities navigate the complexity of delivering housing that creates long-term value for residents and local partners.
Lisa Zentner
Co-founder and VP brand, marketing & experience
LEED Green Associate
Lisa leads Aspen's partnerships, brand, and resident experience strategy. With more than 20 years of experience in business development, communications, and stakeholder engagement, she helps build the relationships and trust needed to bring ambitious housing projects to life. As a LEED Green Associate, she helps ensure Aspen's work reflects its commitment to sustainable, resilient communities.
John brings together the partnerships, capital, and strategic leadership needed to turn housing ideas into successful projects. With two decades of experience spanning governance, finance, real estate, and social enterprise, he helps communities navigate the complexity of delivering housing that creates long-term value for residents and local partners.
Dr. Mark Roseland
Co-founder and Executive advisor, sustainable communities
PhD, RPP
One of Canada's leading experts in sustainable community development, Mark has spent decades helping governments, cities, and organizations build more resilient and inclusive communities. At Aspen, he helps ensure every neighborhood is designed around long-term social, environmental, and economic sustainability.
Housing people can afford.
Attainability isn't achieved through lower construction costs alone. It requires innovative financing, creative ownership structures, efficient delivery, and homes designed around real needs.
Aspen combines all four.
Communities built for a changing climate.
Climate resilience isn't an upgrade added later. It's built into the homes and the long-term operating costs of the community.
Neighborhoods designed for connection.
The housing crisis isn't only about housing supply. It's also about social connection. Aspen neighborhoods are designed to foster belonging, interaction, and long-term wellbeing, not simply maximize the number of housing units on a site.
