Our Leadership
Executive Director
Lorris Herenda
Lorris Herenda is the Executive Director of Yellow Brick House. She joined the organization in 2004 and is responsible for the day to day operations supervising thirty plus employees. Aside from operations, she also oversees the financial management of the emergency shelter, second stage housing project (Reta’s Place) and the community based counselling services in Richmond Hill which serves over 4,000 women and children every year.
Over the last 15 years, Lorris has developed sound knowledge on the issues of violence against women and children with her career as a multilingual counsellor, manager and executive director with non profit organizations. She is an avid advocate for the rights of women and children and holds a deep understanding of the issues and challenges faced by new immigrants.
Board of Directors
The Yellow Brick House Board of Directors significantly impacts the work of the organization. The Board is deeply committed to the effectiveness of the organization and to making a contribution towards its goals.
Diana McNiven
Co-Chair
Co-Chair of the Executive Committee and Fundraising Committee. Diana has 23 years of experience in leadership positions at IBM Canada in both Finance and Human Resources.
Nora Priestly
Co-Chair
Co-Chair of the Executive Committee. Nora has more than 15 years management experience working in student services at York University.
Hana Radomil
Treasurer
Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. Hana is a Certified General Accountant and works as a Vice President of Finance and Operations at Wieland Electric Inc. in Oakville.
Glenna Stelzer
Secretary
Chair of the Board Operations Committee. Glenna has over 30 years experience in branch banking and human resources and is currently self employed as a Human Resources Consultant.
Charles Scott
Member of the Board Operations Committee. Charles is a Principal at Grant Thornton LLP, a national accounting and business advisory firm that he has been with for almost 20 years.
Christina Baker
Member of the Emergency Preparedness Committee. Christina is currently a Domestic Violence Coordinator for York Regional Police. She has been a member of York Regional Police since 1992.
Diana Kawarsky
President and Founder of Soft-Skills.ca, a Canadian company offering Training Solutions and Life Skills Coaching Services. Diana is a dynamic training professional who has over 15 years of experience in Canada and the U.S.A. She has worked with a diversity of clients, totalling over 12,000 group participants to date. Diana takes great pride in influencing the human side of business.
Jessica Musso
Member of the Emergency Preparedness Committee. Jessica is a Child & Youth Worker for the York Region District School Board.
Judith Puttock
Member of the Fundraising Committee. Judith is a Certified Human Resources Professional and works as a Career Management and Human Resources consultant.
Michelle Rumble
Member of the Board Operations Committee. Michelle is an Assistant Crown Attorney for York Region where she is a member of the Domestic Violence Court Team.
Mike Soragnese
Member of the Fundraising Committee. Michael is an Account Executive for Compass Creative, a Creative Marketing and Design company situated in Vaughan.
Shelley Rogers
Staff Sergeant with York Regional Police and oversees the Community Support Bureau and Integrated Domestic Violence Unit. She has been a police officer in York Region since 1988. Shelley was involved with Yellow Brick House at the very beginning as a young teenager when she volunteered with the children to babysit and do activities.
Vinnie Berman
Member of the Strategic Planning Committee and the Emergency Preparedness Committee. Vinnie is the Director of Human Resources at the Toronto Grace Health Centre.