Information for Members

 

Annual Meeting of Members 

Community Living York South's 71th Annual Meeting of Members will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2024 at 6:30 pm in-person at 101 Edward Ave, Richmond Hill, ON, L4C 5E5. Light refreshments will be served at 6:30PM.

The meeting will feature the following agenda items: 

1. Approval of the 2025 Draft Agenda

2. Approval of the 2024 Annual Meeting Draft Minutes

3. Approval of the 2024/2025 audited financial statements

4. Appointment of the financial auditor for 2025/2026

5. Election of the 2025/2026 Board of Directors 

• Raymond Ang 
  Raymond Ang has worked on the design, development, and implementation of many technology products in health care and social services since he was a student. 
  He also works on process and methodology changes to increase the effectiveness and capacities of teams. The combination of building the right products and changing work methodologies has allowed many of his teams to achieve excellent results and receive various awards.

 

• Carmela Campanella-Borraccia 

Carmela has been in the field of developmental services, specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder for 20 years. She has supported and worked with children, youth and adults with complex needs in achieving skill building and employment goals. She has consulted to group homes, and has collaborated with families, teachers and professionals in the development and of support plans for individuals with changing needs. She has developed clinical trainings and presentations for a variety of partnerships and conferences.

She graduated with a Bachelors degree in Psychology from York University, a Masters degree in Psychology (specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis) from the University of Nevada, became a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) in 2007 and a Registered Behaviour Analyst in 2024. She also has a background as a Certified Pharmaceutical Technician.

• Elissa Freeman

   

Elissa Freeman is a PR and pop culture media expert and veteran communications strategist. Her reputation for reigniting the image and authoritative voice of her clients, or providing provocative sound bites on issues of the day, makes her the go-to expert of choice.

For more than 25 years, Elissa has been privileged to provide strategic communications counsel or take a leadership role among complex and high functioning teams including: federal agencies, regulatory bodies, healthcare organizations and foundations, for profit and not-for-profit organizations.

As principal of @elissapr communications, Elissa is also a sought-after media guest putting her in the enviable position of both shaping and creating the narrative when it comes to talking about her two favourite subjects: PR and pop culture. She is a frequent contributor to the Global News Radio Network and can be heard weekly on AM640’s John Oakley Show.

She is also the co-founder of The Leadership Express, a targeted, effective, non-traditional approach helping executives and leaders prepare for their next career trajectory, transition or pivot.

 

      

• Vince Gennaro

As a trusted member of the business community in York Region, Vince is President of Canex Contracting. He has been in this role since 2006 and also remains busy between his family, volunteer and community work.

Vince is active in the Richmond Hill Bocce and Seniors Club and Team Captain of the Mental Health in Motion cycle in support of Youth Mental Health. In addition, past volunteer roles include coaching for the Richmond Hill Hockey Association as well as working on the Coaches Selection Committee.

Vince is married and the proud father of four children.

• Kevin  Greenfield

Kevin Greenfield is a resident of Richmond Hill who lives in his own apartment. Kevin has two sisters, one nephew and two nieces who he enjoys spending time with.

Kevin enjoys attending sporting events, specifically baseball and hockey.

His involvement with Community Living York South began in 1997 when he joined the business ventures at the 101 Edward Avenue location and participated in the candle making company as well as Bright Ideas packaging.

After the closure of the businesses, Kevin started a volunteer position at the front reception desk at the 101 office, greeting visitors and answering telephone calls.

He has also been a member of the Community Living York South External Rights and Review Committee (ERRC) for many years.

With the onset of Covid-19, his volunteer position ended and he now spends his time having fun with family, friends and enjoys attending Community Living York South events. The staff from the Supported Independent Living program support Kevin ensuring he gets to and from events.

Kevin is excited to become a member of the Board of Directors with Community Living York South.

• Mona Halawa

 Mona Halawa is HR Associate at Financial Agency, responsible for the management of employees at the company’s client, Uncle Tetsu, in their locations across Canada. Detail-oriented and with a natural drive to connect with people, Mona prides herself in building a solid base for a healthy workplace culture and positive teamwork. Previously, Mona worked in the field of Early Childhood Education as a Managing Partner at JumpStart Preschool in Amman, Jordan.

Mona’s most enriching life experience has always been achieved through her own family. She is the mother of three, her eldest having a developmental and physical disability since birth. While living in Amman, Mona worked with other mothers of children with disabilities to spread awareness and advocate for better services and resources in their communities. She was one of the founders of Sana, a non-profit organization with a mission to empower people with disabilities and their families by organizing support groups, instituting education funds, and finding employment opportunities for people with disabilities. She served on the Board of The Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Jordan, a government entity that develops policies and manages quality controls for organizations that serve people with disabilities. Mona also worked with Sadaqa, a campaign that advocates for Jordanian working women and emphasizes the importance of daycares at the workplace, to increase participation of women in the Jordanian economy.

Mona has travelled extensively, including throughout the U.S. and Europe, as well as to Japan. This exposure and opportunity to learn from different communities has guided Mona in her desire to promote a global outlook for what she strongly believes is a united language when it comes to the life experience of individuals with disabilities and their families.

• John Westerhoek
  John brings a wealth of experience from his career in the construction and automotive industries. Over the years, he has honed his skills in sales, project management and leadership. With a personal connection to Community Living York South, as he has a beloved brother with Down syndrome, John is deeply committed to supporting individuals with different abilities. His dedication to community service and fostering inclusivity drives his work. Excited to make a positive impact, John blends professional expertise with heartfelt commitment to enhance the lives of all those Community Living serves.
• Mary Kovacs

Mary is a highly respected Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) and Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) with over 25 years of dedicated service in the HR field. Known for her role as a trusted advisor and business partner, Mary's career is marked by her commitment to fostering healthy, positive work environments and enhancing organizational effectiveness. She adeptly balances strategic planning with compassionate employee relations, demonstrating exceptional skill and empathy.

Mary's credentials include a BA in Political Science from York University and a Post Graduate Certificate in HR Management from Seneca College. Her extensive career includes significant roles at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Cabinet Office, Ministry of Government Services, and Elections Ontario. As well, Mary has valuable experience with regulatory bodies, such as the Law Society of Upper Canada, and holds a Certificate in Diversity & Human Rights Compliance from York University. Mary currently works as a Senior HR Consultant with City of Toronto Administrative, Professional, Supervisory Association (COTAPSA).

Beyond her professional achievements, Mary is a passionate advocate for survivors of domestic violence. She serves on the Board of Fill a Purse for a Sister Campaign, a charitable organization dedicated to bringing comfort, hope, and dignity to women and youth in crisis by providing purses and backpacks filled with necessities. The purses are donated to domestic violence shelters, women's shelters, rape crisis centers, and social services that support women.

Mary's career is a testament to her dedication to the human side of work and her unwavering commitment to creating supportive and effective workplace environments.

• Philip J. Lanzarotta

 

Phil is currently a partner in Barocco Coffee Co. Ltd. (an artisanal coffee roaster) located in Mississauga, serving the food service industry in the GTA. Barocco provides turn-key coffee solutions (fresh roasted coffees, imported loose leaf teas, specialty milks, syrups, chocolates, equipment, accessories, service and training) to local, fine restaurants, hotels and cafés selling premium products.

 

Prior to Barocco, Phil held executive positions with multiple companies such as principal owner of RxMedia (a continuous medical education firm), Sr. Director of Customer Logistics Services and Real Estate for Kellogg’s Canada and a member of both their Canadian and Sales leadership teams, VP Sales, Marketing and Merchandising for Lanzarotta Wholesale Grocers (formerly the largest independent food distributor in Canada), ultimately selling the family business to Sobeys in 2003.

Phil is currently a Board member for Peaceful Hearts in Georgina, sits on the financial review committee of CLYS, Director for Five’s Company by the Lake, as well as an acting Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady Queen of the World, Catholic Church in Richmond Hill.. He has been a past President of the Board for Community Living York South, past Co Chair of FCPC’s Supply Chain committee and past Co-Chair of GS1’s Standard and Services food industry board, as well as a past member of the following organizations; Canadian Food Industry’s Top-to-Top Executive Committee, Board of Director for the Canadian Counsel of Grocery Distributors, and Villa Charities board member.

 

• Edward Lau

      

Edward Lau has served the community for people with intellectual disabilities for more than 20 years. Edward has served as a board of director at Community Living York South, Community Living Toronto, Community Living Ontario and the APTUS Treatment Centre. Edward and his wife, Michelle, have co-founded the ME & Lau Family Foundation, a charitable private foundation, to support people with intellectual disabilities and their families in the GTA and York Region.

Edward received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recommendation from the Deputy Minister (DM) of Transport and the Associate Deputy Minister (ADM) of Transport in 2025.

"Created by the Sovereign and administered by the Chancellery of Honours, the medal marks the coronation of King Charles III, which took place on May 6, 2023. More information on the medal can be found at King Charles III Coronation Medal | The Governor General of Canada.

This prestigious medal is awarded to individuals like you who have made a profound impact on their community and on Canada as a whole. Your remarkable contributions, dedication, and service have set you apart, and we are thrilled to acknowledge the difference you have made in shaping the Canada we know today. As one of the 30,000 recipients of this historic medal, your achievements stand as a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence, whether in your professional endeavors, volunteer work, or efforts that have brought credit to Canada both domestically and abroad."

Edward has also received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013. Michelle and Edward received the Community Living Toronto's Jim Turner Memorial Award for Outstanding Voluntarism in 2023. They have also received the Community Living York South Partnership Award in 2018.

 

• Louisa Poon

     

Louisa is an active participant no matter the role she is in. She believes “knowledge like a pyramid needs to be concrete in board and in height”. Currently, she is a financial consultant at Cardinal Health for a US$2b divestiture project. She is a key player in the Transition Sales Agreement (TSA) in operation and policies. Previously, as a corporate accountant, controller, financial manager, and system implementation consultant, Louisa worked in accounting, auditing, reporting, information technology in financial systems, and beyond in related function areas in diversified industries.

She holds a BBMA from Ryerson University, and CMA Ontario and CPA under unification. She is a member of the Audit Committee of Ontario’s Community Health Centers since 2018 for Vaughan and Keswick districts, and volunteers at the Canadian Volunteering Income Tax Program since 2019. She is always driven from the heart to make the change in her career and her life.

• Surjit Sachdev

      

Surjit Sachdev is the President of Anand Vihar – The Centre for Dignified Living, a charity dedicated to assisting and supporting the construction and operation of Affordable Housing for vulnerable populations of Persons with Disabilities, their Caregivers and Seniors. Surjit believes in the principle of all living in a community to be fruitfully engaged and leading a safe and a healthy lifestyle.

He is a professional engineer (retd.) who has worked in the Steel and in Mining/oil industries for several years across Canada and returned to Markham, Ontario, after his only child, a son was diagnosed with an intellectual disability. His son, Kapil, has been attending a day program at Community Living York South since 2006.

Surjit holds an M.Eng. in Industrial Engineering from Univ. of Toronto, and a B.Sc. in Production Engineering from Punjab University in India. He served for two years as a member of the Finance Committee of Community Living York South in the past. At present, he works part-time as an insurance broker.

 

 

• Tahir Shafiq
  Tahir Shafiq is a Senior Business Executive/Management Consultant and professional engineer with over 25 years of experience. He holds an MBA and a robust global business development background with multinational defence and technology companies including L3 Harris, Raytheon Technologies and Trimble Inc. He has 15 years of expertise in governance. He is also a Fellow of Engineers Canada.Tahir has been deeply engaged, as a member of the Board of Directors, in community service contributing to organizations such as the Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities, Fighting Blindness Canada, Wexford Residence, National Kidney Foundation, Hospice of Richmond Hill and Aurora, Arthritis Society of Canada, Canadian Mental Health Association of York & South Simcoe and York South Community Living (in past). His volunteer efforts have earned him numerous accolades. Tahir has been a pivotal member of the York Region Children’s Aid Society (CAS) Board for nine years. His roles have included Chair, Vice-Chair & Treasurer of the Board, and Chair of the People Management Taskforce. His financial management and governance expertise were instrumental during the Agency’s transition from a hybrid to a full governance model Board, leadership challenges and hiring a new CEO, eliminating the Agency’s budget deficit and directing resources toward staff training & technological integration, the establishment of the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism) Committee and the implementation of comprehensive diversity and anti-racism training for the Board members and staff.

1. Introduction of the 2025/2026 Board of Directors 

To vote by proxy please complete the Annual Meeting of Members Proxy Form.

Please Note: Photos and videos of the 71th Annual Meeting of Members will be taken on site.

REGISTRATION

Please register for the Annual Meeting of Members by clicking HERE. Registration closes September 10th, 2025.