Deirdre LaBassiere
This October, in honour of Black History Month, we’re celebrating 31 Black professionals in property. Today we’re celebrating Deirdre LaBassiere LL.B(Hons) FTLS.
Deirdre works at the intersection of housing and governance, creating pathways for sustainable and equitable communities. Her career has been dedicated to ensuring that housing organisations operate with integrity, focusing on good governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management to protect the interests of residents.
Housing has always been central to her family legacy. Alongside her siblings, Deirdre is developing 125 acres of land in Dominica into an eco-resort—a project that honours their commitment to sustainable living and community empowerment. Her father, the late Dennis LaBassiere, a visionary businessman and politician, instilled in her a sense of pride, resilience, and a focus on end goals. When she was 11, he and two friends bought one of Dominica’s only intact slave plantations, transforming it into housing and establishing their family home in the Great House. He later acquired a 200-acre estate, Newfoundland Estates, and became a leading banana producer. His determination showed Deirdre what is possible for Black people, and she continues his legacy on Newfoundland today with her siblings, building an eco-resort that honours his vision and their heritage.
One book that has deeply resonated with her is "15 Principles of Conscious Leadership." Its approach to leading with mindfulness, accountability, and integrity aligns with how she navigates her career in housing governance. The principles emphasise self-awareness and fostering trust—qualities essential to good governance, managing risk, and serving communities effectively. This book has been instrumental in shaping her approach to inclusive, impactful leadership with the organisations she leads or chairs.
Deirdre aspires to create affordable housing that enables Black and global majority women to flourish. This vision extends beyond housing; it’s about building spaces where these women feel safe, supported, and empowered. She is exploring this goal in partnership with Women Acting In Today’s Society, a women's empowerment and domestic abuse charity Deirdre chairs, ensuring they make a lasting difference.
When Deirdre’s father first took her to Newfoundland, he said, “Land is money, and money is power.” Growing up with homes across three islands in the Caribbean and later experiencing homelessness in Birmingham shaped her perspective on housing as a pathway to stability and empowerment. The day she turned the key in her own home after being homeless and surviving domestic abuse, she felt safe and powerful. This personal journey fuels her dedication as a governance professional in housing, where she advocates for tenants’ well-being, aiming to support their right to a stable, fulfilling life. Continuing her family legacy in the Caribbean is also a major driver in her work.
