Lorris Herenda is the Chief Executive Officer of Yellow Brick House. She joined Yellow Brick House in 2004 and has doubled the agency scope in delivery of shelter services, community counselling and supportive services. Lorris is the co-chair of the York Region Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee and Treasurer of the board of Ontario Association Interval and Transitional Housing (OAITH). She is the 2013 recipient of the Attorney General Victim Services Award of Distinction. In 2012 and 2008, she won the Province of Ontario award “Leading Women, Building Communities” for her exceptional community leadership to improve the lives of women and girls in Ontario. In 2021, she has been nominated for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award in 2021.
Stephanie Kremer is Vice President Sales & Marketing at RISE Properties Trust. Stephanie has extensive experience in sales and marketing in the investment industry. She has worked in the financial industry for over 25 years and has held several progressive roles, always focused on improving institutional and individual investors’ experiences and striving to provide the best-in-class service. She was previously involved in several industry related organizations as an active member of working committees or board, with the primary goal of educating investors.
Stephanie enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. The family is very active and loves the outdoor and travelling together. She is a big Blue Jays and Raptors fan. Stephanie believes that every person has the right to live a life free of abuse and violence and is honoured to share her business and fund-raising experience as a member of the Yellow Brick House Board of Directors.
President
Carolyn Skinner is a strategic communications professional with more than 10 years of experience in public relations. She currently works in the Corporate Communications department at Canadian Tire Corporation.
Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Journalism, Major in Broadcasting degree from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Relations from Simon Fraser University. Prior to joining Canadian Tire, she spent 7 years on the management team at the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, creating content and delivering impactful print, digital, social and experiential campaigns.
She also lived in Vancouver, where she worked in the mining sector and in BC’s largest TV and radio newsrooms. Her most memorable position was as a camera assistant at the hockey arena during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Carolyn lives in York Region with her husband and two little girls, and is committed to supporting Yellow Brick House so that domestic violence will become a thing of the past within her children’s lifetime.
Vice President
Dharmesh is an management consultant partnering with executives to capitalize and execute upon strategic growth opportunities. Previously in his career he has served in various senior roles in Fintech, technology, and manufacturing companies, building and scaling companies, driving financial profitability, and managing risk. He holds a CPA, CGA designation along with an MBA from Laurentian university and is a professor at Seneca College where he teaches aspiring students on the fundamentals of accounting.
In his spare time, Dharmesh along with his wife, enjoys travelling, hiking, binge watching, and experimenting with new cooking recipes. As Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, Dharmesh manages the financial stewardship of the organization and is honored to be a member of the Board of Directors of Yellow Brick House and believes that all persons should be free from violence. In his spare time, Dharmesh along with his wife, enjoys travelling, hiking, binge watching, and experimenting with new cooking recipes. As Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, Dharmesh manages the financial stewardship of the organization and is honored to be a member of the Board of Directors of Yellow Brick House and believes that all persons should be free from violence.
Treasurer
KC Shendelman is a Marketing Executive with over 20 years of progressive Marketing and Innovation experience across multiple industries and organizations. She has worked in Consumer-Packaged Goods, Telecommunications, Not-For-Profit, Financial Services and Grocery Retail.
Currently, she is the VP of Marketing at Longo’s, responsible for strategy and execution for all consumer communications, including advertising, media, loyalty, community and in-store activities. KC achieved a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing from the Schulich School of Business. She has been a professor and guest speaker for Brand Management MBA classes at McMaster’s DeGroote Business School and is a mentor for the American Marketing Association. She also has an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
KC is married and has twins, a boy and girl, who all enjoy hiking, travelling and cooking together. She proudly serves on the Board of Directors for Yellow Brick House.
Secretary
Nancy Pavao is a CPA, CGA, currently working as a global Franchise Finance Manager at a large research and development and manufacturing organization. She manages the overall financial stewardship including financial reporting and compliance, financial forecasts, resource optimization and business investment opportunities. Other industries she has worked at include financial services, media, and consulting. Nancy has a strong passion to empower women and providing pathways of success for both women and children.
Zdenka is a management consultant with more than 20 years of corporate experience as a senior financial executive. Previously, she worked at Adidas Canada Limited in a senior role, where she influenced and supported operational and strategic decisions to drive profitability through effective planning and execution, process improvement and alliance building.
Zdenka has been a mentor to teams as well as individuals and is passionate about coaching for success and leading with the goal of inspiring others. She was the Executive Sponsor of the local chapter of the Women’s ERG in adidas Canada Limited, which provided a forum for discussion and education around the diversity, equity and inclusion of women.
Zdenka enjoys spending time with family as well as travelling, sports, and a good book. She is married and has two grown daughters. Zdenka is proud to be a member of the Yellow Brick House Board of Directors and is honoured to share her knowledge and expertise.
Mary Elias is a Health Services Researcher and Analytics Specialist, with over 10 years’ experience in the public sector and not-for-profit organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours from York University and a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Toronto.
She is a strategic thinker and skilled in the areas of performance measurement, program evaluation and data science. Mary’s ability to think of the big picture, in conjunction with her attention to details, has been instrumental to her leadership roles.
In her spare time, Mary enjoys travelling, spending time with family and friends, and trying out local cafés. Being a strong believer in giving back to her community, Mary actively dedicates several hours a week for volunteer work. She has a keen interest in initiatives that empower children and women and the importance of health in enhancing the lives of children and women.
Darren Gopeesingh is a Financial executive at Kyndryl Canada Ltd, the managed services spin-off from IBM, currently working on a large global project as the Finance Leader of SAP Transformation for Country Operations. Darren has extensive experience in finance and accounting over his 32 year career having worked in a large accounting firm for the first 5 years of his career and then within IBM and Kyndryl in many different progressive roles including being the CFO for Global Business Services Canada and CFO for Global Technology Services both at IBM and then CFO of Kyndryl Canada after the spin-off from IBM in 2021.
Darren has a wife and three children with the last child entering third year at University. He is an avid tennis player and fan. He also enjoys travelling and experiencing all of the different sights, cultures and food around the world. Darren is proud to be a member of the Yellow Brick House Board of Directors and is honoured to share his financial knowledge and experience.
Meeta Gandhi is the Director of Communications, Customer Service, and Diversity and Inclusion with the Town of East Gwillimbury. Prior to joining the Town she worked for the City of Richmond Hill where she oversaw communications, customer service, economic development, innovation and government relations, Before moving to municipal government, Meeta worked with the federal government for 20 years including communications, administration and program delivery. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Toronto, a Public Relations Certificate from Ryerson University and a Diploma in Public Administration from Western University.
Credentials aside, Meeta and her husband have a blended family of four adult children and their dog Leo. Together, they enjoy travelling, skiing, hiking and Sunday family dinners. A survivor of domestic abuse and a past recipient of YBH services, Meeta is honoured to be a member of the Yellow Brick House Board of Directors.
Randa Ghabril is Managing Director in Wealth Operations at Bank of Montreal.
Randa is a designated financial professional with broad senior experience in finance, external and internal audit, and Wealth operations. She spent most of her career in the financial services industry where she held progressively senior roles building expertise in risk, control, financial reporting and oversight and more recently, servicing Wealth Management clients through optimal delivery of back-office operations. Outside of work, Randa enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children. They enjoy travelling, discovering the city’s new cafes and exploring what makes cities special. Randa is passionate about leveling the playing field for those who have been disadvantaged and helping them find their path forward. The services offered by Yellow Brick House are essential to empowering and supporting victims of abuse as they go through their journey and Randa is proud to be serving as a member of the Yellow Brick House Board of Directors.
Nicole DeKort is the President & CEO of Medtech Canada – the industry association representing Canada’s Medical Technology Companies.
She previously served for 10 years as the Vice-President of Ontario & Marketing for Medtech Canada, overseeing Ontario government relations and national marketing programs for the association. During COVID-19 – among other initiatives – Nicole worked with her colleagues to launch www.medtechinnovation.ca which highlights the vast impact the medical technology has had in response to the pandemic.
Prior to joining Medtech Canada, Nicole has a 15-year background in politics and government in a diverse portfolio of roles. Nicole’s last role in government prior to joining Medtech Canada was serving as the Executive Director of Strategic Planning for the then Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
Nicole serves on the Board of Directors for Yellow Brick House, which provides shelter and support services for abused families and victims of gender-based violence in York Region. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Life Sciences Ontario.
Franca De Sciscio is a Human Resources Professional with 25 years of experience in the automotive manufacturing industry and holds her HRPA designation. Her educational background includes a focus in Human Resources and Business Management. Franca currently manages Magna International Inc’s Employee Advocate Program. Franca’s experience includes policy development, employee relations, coaching and mentoring as well as executing corporate events.
Franca lives in Newmarket with her husband and two teenage boys. The family enjoys spending time with friends and their large extended family. They enjoy backyard bonfires, playing cards and travelling. Franca is a big Toronto Maple Leaf’s fan and hopes to celebrate at a Stanley Cup Victory Parade at some point in the future.
Franca is proud to serve as a member of the Yellow Brick House Board of Directors and looks forward to using her skills and experience to serve the families impacted by violence.
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