November 14, 2024
TORONTO, November 14, 2024 – After much anticipation, yesterday marked the official unveiling of the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute Installation, a stunning multi-faceted commemoration and public space that honours the Italian Canadian immigrant story.
With over 500 people in attendance, the unveiling event was officially underway at 10:00 am to celebrate the public opening of the first phase of the installation at the Columbus Centre. Hosted by Mary Pompili, Villa Charities’ Vice President of Marketing and Communications, the event featured Tribute Project donors, Villa Charities executives and Board members, elected officials, representatives from Italian organizations, and members of the Italian Canadian community.
Speakers included Joseph Arcuri, Chair of the Villa Charities Board of Directors; Marco DeVuono, President and CEO of Villa Charities Inc.; Hon. Marco Mendicino, MP for Eglinton-Lawrence; Anna Roberts, MP for King-Vaughan; Sheref Sabawy, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism; Kim Storey, Brown + Storey Architects; and Aldo Cundari, sculpture artist and Villa Charities Foundation Board Director. Edward and Christina Sorbara, Tribute Project donors, concluded the public remarks with a heartwarming account of their family’s ties to Villa Charities and their participation in the project.
After listening to the uplifting speeches, attendees made their way outside to witness the ceremonial ribbon cutting in the brisk autumn air.
“Italian Canadians have played such a pivotal role in developing the vibrant cultural traditions that exist in our community today,” said Marco DeVuono, President and CEO of Villa Charities Inc. “Through the Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute project, Villa Charities seeks to honour their legacy and inspire future generations. I am extremely proud to see that the vision for this important initiative has become a reality.”
Designed by Brown + Storey Architects Inc., the Immigrant Tribute installation is located on the Villa Charities site at Lawrence Avenue West and Dufferin Street in Toronto, on the north-facing wall of the Columbus Centre. It showcases engraved name plaques dedicated to Canadians of Italian heritage and the year they immigrated to Canada, with a ‘fluttering’ effect that gives a sense of movement to the wall.
“The installation was designed as a vibrant gathering place and a destination to celebrate Italian Canadian immigrants and their contributions,” said Kim Storey from Brown + Storey Architects Inc. “It is fitting that this permanent landmark is on the Villa Charities campus, the hub for the Italian Canadian community in Toronto and the GTA.”
Accompanied by a landscaped area, the installation offers visitors a unique space to commemorate and reflect on their collective history.
Anchored against the backdrop of the installation and its hundreds of customized name plaques stands the striking bronze statue titled Hope, a representation of a 1950-period immigrant family with all their worldly possessions and future aspirations in tow. Imagined and created by marketing executive and artist Aldo Cundari, the full-scale statue is an important element of the Tribute installation.
“The installation and statue explore the struggles and successes of the Italian Canadian immigrant story,” said Aldo Cundari, sculpture artist and Villa Charities Foundation Board Director, “I have intended for the viewer to get the sense of their brimming excitement for their country and new home, in stark contrast to the traditional immigrant sculpture depicting a depressed and frightened family.”
Just after 11:00 am, the sculpture and installation were officially inaugurated for the cameras and the hundreds of attendees.
Yesterday’s event launched the first phase of the installation, with plaque sales ongoing and new names to be added to the installation on a quarterly basis. Personalized single or double name plaques featuring the name of the family member and the year they immigrated to Canada are available for a $1,000 donation. For each plaque purchase, a tax receipt will be issued for the maximum allowable amount.
Canadians nationwide not only have the opportunity to purchase plaques that will appear on the installation at the Columbus Centre, but also have their stories told on the Villa Charities Immigrant Tribute website. This allows donors to share family photographs and histories with the public, preserving their legacies and acting as a useful resource for future generations. In addition, as part of the physical installation, current donors can scan a QR code on the information panel to find on which section of the panel their family’s plaque is located.
The funds raised from the Tribute Project through Villa Charities Foundation will support senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs.
For more information on the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute project, including how to purchase a name plaque, visit villacharitiesimmigranttribute.com.
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About Villa Charities Inc.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For more than 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. Villa Charities has been certified as a Great Place to Work® and named on the 2024 Best Workplaces™ for Giving Back list, which recognize the organization’s commitment to creating an inclusive and positive workplace with a strong community focus. For more information visit villacharities.com.
About Villa Charities Foundation
Villa Charities Foundation supports experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. As the charitable arm of Villa Charities, the Foundation provides crucial funding for areas such as senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs. For more information, visit villacharities.com/give.
For further information, please contact:
Sierra LeBlanc
MAVERICK Public Relations
647-405-2196
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
ksloan@villacharities.com
September 18, 2024
Scholarship winners honour Italian culture and heritage
TORONTO – September 18, 2024 – Toronto’s registered charity and non-profit organization Villa Charities is excited to announce the winners of its fifth annual national scholarship program for post-secondary undergraduate and graduate students. The 2024 Villa Charities Scholarship Program launched in May and was open to students of any heritage who help further Villa Charities’ mission of enriching lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage.
“I am thrilled to celebrate the fifth year of the scholarship program and to see the overwhelming response the program has received,” said Marco DeVuono, President and CEO, Villa Charities Inc. “Each of the 2024 scholarship recipients have demonstrated an impressive commitment to their academic studies and also submitted heartwarming essays that clearly expressed the importance of how they support Villa Charities’ mission. I am proud that we can support these exceptional students in their future academic endeavours.”
The Villa Charities Scholarship Program includes a total of 23 scholarships valued at
$42,000. Eight scholarships are awarded through Villa Charities Foundation in support of undergraduate and graduate-level studies in a variety of disciplines. The remaining fifteen scholarships are awarded through George Brown College in Toronto, in support of students pursuing a degree in Architectural Studies or Culinary Arts. Five students received The Villa Charities Renzo Pillon Memorial Scholarship, and ten students were recipients of the Villa Charities & Eataly Italian Culinary Program Scholarship. Since launching the scholarship program in 2020, $252,000 in scholarships has been awarded to students.
Villa Charities announced the eight winners of their Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships today.
Villa Charities Undergraduate Student Scholarship Recipients
Four awards of $1,000 were presented to the following full-time Undergraduate students:
Villa Charities Graduate Student Scholarship Recipients
Four awards of $2,000 were presented to the following full-time Graduate students:
These scholarships were awarded by Villa Charities Foundation to students who are registered, full-time students at an accredited college or university, Canadian citizens or have permanent-residence status, and are enrolled for the 2024/2025 academic year. Eligible students were required to demonstrate leadership through community involvement or volunteering, maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher as well as write a submission essay describing how they helped further Villa Charities’ mission.
Excerpts from two of the scholarship recipients are included below.
As my next step, I will complete a European internship this summer, including what will be my first visit to Italy since childhood. I am also eager to present at the International Conference on Cognitive Science in Venice. In these and other ways, I aspire to make a positive impact with my work and enrich the lives of Italians, honouring the ancestors who paved a path for my success.
– Joseph Rovetti, Graduate Scholarship Recipient.
From my days at the Columbus Centre and at my nonna’s house to my time at the University of Toronto, integrating my Italian heritage into everyday life has become a mission for me. I hope, with the help of Villa Charities, to continue to diffuse the pride of my Italian heritage in my community. Not only do I intend to preserve my Italian heritage, but I intend to use it for the enrichment of others now – and for generations to come.
– Angelica Vecchiato, Undergraduate Scholarship Recipient.
The selection and adjudication process were conducted by the Villa Charities Scholarship Awards Selection Committee. Scholarships awarded through Villa Charities Foundation will support the students’ tuition fees for the 2024/2025 academic year.
For more information about the Villa Charities Scholarship Program, please
visit villacharities.com/scholarships or contact Lena Ciccotelli, Director of Development, Villa Charities Foundation at 416-789-7011, ext. 321 / lciccotelli@villacharities.com.
There are also opportunities to name a scholarship through sponsoring or alternate funding.
About Villa Charities Inc.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For more than 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board.
Villa Charities has been certified as a Great Place to Work® and named on the 2024 Best Workplaces™ for Giving Back list, which recognize the organization’s commitment to creating an inclusive and positive workplace with a strong community focus. For more information visit villacharities.com.
About Villa Charities Foundation
Villa Charities Foundation supports experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. As the charitable arm of Villa Charities, the Foundation provides crucial funding for areas such as senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs. For more information, visit villacharities.com/give.
For further information, please contact:
Sierra LeBlanc
MAVERICK Public Relations
647-405-2196
sierra@wearemaverick.com
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
ksloan@villacharities.com
June 13, 2024
Public event marks next phase for eagerly anticipated monument to the Italian Canadian immigration story
Villa Charities breaks ground for major installation that pays tribute to the Italian immigrant story to Canada.
From (L to R) Hon. Michael Ford, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, International Chef and Executive Producer, David Rocco, Joseph Arcuri, Board Chair of Villa Charities Inc., Consul General of Italy in Toronto, Luca Zelioli, Her Worship Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto, Marco DeVuono, President and CEO of Villa Charities Inc., Rose Foti, Tribute Project donor, Julian Baldassarra, Tribute Project donor, Maria Orsini, Past Chair, Columbus Centre of Toronto, Hon. Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
TORONTO – June 13, 2024 – Shovels hit the ground yesterday morning at a public event for the eagerly anticipated Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute project installation, which is set to honour the Italian Canadian immigration story.
The ceremonial Groundbreaking Event was officially underway at 10am to mark the start of construction on the installation at the Columbus Centre. Hosted by International Chef and Executive Producer, David Rocco, the event featured dignitaries, politicians, current Tribute Project donors, representatives from other Italian organizations, and members of the Italian Canadian community who all took in the milestone amid a backdrop of enthusiastic celebration of Italian Heritage Month. Speakers included the Consul General of Italy in Toronto, Luca Zelioli, Hon. Michael Ford, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Hon. Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Her Worship Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto, who all expressed their support of the project to the crowd of over 350 people.
“Italian Canadians have played such a pivotal role in developing the vibrant cultural traditions that exist in our community today,” said Marco DeVuono, President and CEO of Villa Charities. “Through the Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute project, Villa Charities seeks to celebrate them, recognize their contributions, and encourage others to do the same.”
Designed by Brown + Storey Architects Inc., the Immigrant Tribute installation will be located on the Villa Charities site at Lawrence Avenue West and Dufferin Street in Toronto, on the north-facing wall of the Columbus Centre. It will showcase name plaques dedicated to thousands of Canadians of Italian heritage and the year that they immigrated to Canada. The installation will be accompanied by a landscaped seating area and a bronze cast sculpture crafted by artist and marketing executive, Aldo Cundari.
The installation will offer individuals of Italian heritage a space to gather, commemorate, and reflect on their immigrant heritage and collective achievements.
Attendees were moved by guest speakers and Tribute Project donors Julian Baldassarra and Rose Foti, who have purchased customized name plaques that honour their loved ones’ immigration journeys and family legacies. All attending Tribute Project donors were wearing a special donor button to identify themselves as proud supporters during the Groundbreaking Event and provided inspiring examples of how fellow Italian Canadians have persevered and positively impacted their communities.
“Being able to tell my parent’s story and reflect on my family’s legacy in the city is truly special,” said Rose Foti, donor and supporter of the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute. “Without Villa Charities, our stories would be lost on future generations.”
While the construction of the physical installation is underway, personalized single or double name plaques are still available for a $1,000 donation and will feature the name of the family member and the year they immigrated to Canada. For each plaque purchase, a tax receipt will be issued for the maximum allowable amount.
Canadians nationwide will not only have the opportunity to purchase plaques that will appear on the installation at the Columbus Centre, but also have their stories told on the Villa Charities Immigrant Tribute website. This allows donors to share family photographs and histories with the public, acting as a useful resource for generations to come.
The unveiling of the completed installation is currently planned for later this year. The funds raised from the Tribute Project through Villa Charities Foundation will support senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs.
For more information on the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute project, including how to purchase a name plaque, visit villacharitiesimmigranttribute.com.
About Villa Charities Inc.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For more than 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board.
Villa Charities has been certified as a Great Place to Work®, which recognizes the organization’s commitment to creating an inclusive, positive and engaging workplace. For more information visit villacharities.com.
About Villa Charities Foundation
Villa Charities Foundation supports experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. As the charitable arm of Villa Charities, the Foundation provides crucial funding for areas such as senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs. For more information, visit villacharities.com/give.
For further information, please contact:
Emma Gostovic
MAVERICK Public Relations
289-921-0141
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
March 4, 2024
January 31, 2024
TORONTO – (January 31, 2024) – It was announced today that the GTA’s Italian Canadian community will be coming together for a special celebration to honour Toronto businessman and philanthropist Toni Varone. The memorable evening will commemorate the recent appointment by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, of Mr. Varone to the Senate of Canada as an independent senator for Ontario.
The event on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at Montecassino Hotel and Event Centre is
co-hosted by Toronto’s leading Italian organizations, the Canadian Italian Business Professional Association of Toronto (CIBPA Toronto), the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario Canada (ICCO Canada) and Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) and will see members of the Italian Canadian community gather to celebrate this impressive achievement by one of their own.
Toni Varone is a pillar of the community who has dedicated his life to civic engagement with a focus on constructing safe and affordable housing. As a proud Italian Canadian, Mr. Varone has been a long-time board member of Villa Charities Foundation and is a former Chairman of the Board of Villa Charities Inc. and the Columbus Centre of Toronto. His commitments to promoting the social and cultural fabric of the Toronto’s vibrant Italian Canadian community have earned him numerous awards and honours, including the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association Achievement Award, the Italian Canadian Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award, the Heart and Hand Award from Villa Charities, and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.
This cocktail reception with light refreshments, and a live and silent auction will highlight Mr. Varone’s many achievements. Proceeds from the auction and event will go to the CIBPA Scholarship Fund, the ICCO Canada Scholarship Fund and the Villa Charities Scholarship Program. Tickets for the event are free of charge and are available now at Eventbrite.ca. Donations to the three hosting charitable organizations will also be accepted.
When: Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Where: Montecassino Hotel and Event Centre, 3710 Chesswood Drive,
North York, ON M3J 2W4
Tickets for the event are now available. To register and for full event details, please visit the event website at Eventbrite.ca or call 647-819-9320.
About CIBPA Toronto
The Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association of Toronto (CIBPA) is a
non-profit member organization founded in 1952. Since then, we have earned a reputation with Greater Toronto Area communities and government for representing the interests and views of Canadians of Italian heritage. Our mandate is to promote and cultivate the business, professional, cultural and social interests of our members, and to serve as their local voice, as well as representing the Italian-Canadian community at large. We build and foster forums for the exchange of business and civic ideas and to encourage the growth of close-knit communities. Our organization provides much more than the simple practice of networking or exchanging business cards. We create events and opportunities to build sustainable professional relationships. Since 1949 all of the CIBPA chapters combined have distributed several million dollars in bursaries and scholarships to deserving students of Italian heritage at the college, university and post-graduate level. Many of these high-achieving students, in turn, join our ranks and revitalize the Association. We embrace the future and give back to our community by investing in future generations as it is the core of our mission. Our new initiative with Italia360 Incubator program helps students, recent graduates and newcomers by bringing their business ideas to life. We continue to support our communities through the philanthropy and community leadership of our Ladies Auxiliary. For more information, visit toronto.cibpa.com.
About ICCO Canada
The Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario Canada (ICCO Canada) is an independent, non-profit business organization whose aim is to enhance and promote investments, trade, and cultural alliances among visionaries, entrepreneurs, and global organizations in Canada and Italy. Since its inception in 1961, ICCO Canada has been a facilitator of business, a seeker of investment and a builder of commercial relationships. Among its many tasks, ICCO Canada works as a consultant for several local and regional governmental agencies in Canada and Italy, as well as in commercial mediation. In addition to Toronto, ICCO Canada has Italian offices in Milan and Udine. For more information visit italchambers.ca.
About Villa Charities Inc.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For more than 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. Villa Charities has been certified as a Great Place to Work®, which recognizes the organization’s commitment to creating an inclusive, positive and engaging workplace. For more information visit villacharities.com.
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For more information please contact:
Ilaria Venoso
Communication & Events
Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario Canada (ICCO Canada)
647-819-9320
January 9, 2024
Italian Canadians from across Canada awarded grants in music, literature and film
Toronto, ON – January 9, 2024 – Toronto’s registered charity and non-profit organization Villa Charities is excited to announce the winners of their inaugural Young Artist Grant, a national grant program established to support young Italian Canadian artists in their creative endeavours in the fields of fictional literature, music and film. The Young Artist Grant was launched in September 2023 with the aim of providing financial support to emerging artists, while ensuring that young Italian Canadians are engaged with Villa Charities, and the Italian Canadian community at large.
“Each of the three inaugural Young Artist Grant recipients submitted proposals that demonstrated outstanding originality, excellence and a passion for their chosen creative genre,” said Marco DeVuono, President and CEO, Villa Charities Inc. “I am thrilled that Villa Charities can support these exceptional young Italian Canadian artists as they pursue a career in the arts while proudly representing their Italian heritage.”
The Young Artist Grant awards three grants of $5,000 each to three (3) talented young artists between 18 and 30 years of age, who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, and of Italian heritage. This new biennial fund is an integral component of the organization’s Italian Canadian Youth Initiative (ICYI), a suite of programs and activities strategically created with the long-term objective of engaging and supporting the youth in the community, established in 2021 as part of Villa Charities’ 50th Anniversary celebrations.
Villa Charities announced the three grant recipients along with an Honourable Mention today.
Category: Fictional Literature
Winner: Claire Tatangelo, Halifax, NS
Creative Project: “Roller Barbie and Her Magic 8” (Graphic Novel)
A coming-of-age story about an Italian Canadian woman who leaves her family and moves to a new city alone. She learns to love herself through roller blading and reconnects with lessons she learned playing Italian cards from her nonna as she figures out the direction of her life. Set in Halifax, Nova Scotia, this graphic novel is based on real natural disasters that took place in the post-pandemic years and follows the characters as they learn to accept and cope with the aftermath. The imagery on Italian cards is revisited and redesigned throughout the story.
On Winning the 2023 Young Artist Grant: “I am very grateful to be able to carry out my idea for a graphic novel – this will allow me to explore my creative vision in-depth for the story I imagine. As an artist of Italian descent, I chose to create a story from my own experiences that are specific to my family and our culture. I am very excited to have the support of Villa Charities and the Italian Canadian community, and I am looking forward to embarking on the journey of creating a graphic novel!”
Category: Music
Winner: Daniele Monticelli, Woodbridge, ON
Creative Project: “Now Part II” (Album)
This project explores life situations, interpersonal relationships, and the universal quest for identity. The song “Same Song” emphasizes the interconnectedness of music and culture, showcasing a fusion of traditional Italian instruments like tamburello and zampogna with a Scottish-inspired violin line. This blend symbolizes the unity among diverse backgrounds, reflecting a shared love for musical expression.
On Winning the 2023 Young Artist Grant: “Securing the Young Artist Grant as a young Italian Canadian artist is not only a validation of my artistic voice but also a heartfelt recognition of the harmonious blend of my Italian heritage and Canadian identity. This empowering opportunity propels me into a richer exploration of my art, fostering a narrative that gracefully weaves together diverse cultural influences.”
Category: Film
Winner: Ruggero Romano, Vancouver, BC
Creative Project: “Vinum” (Short Film)
The project is dedicated to the preservation of the age-old tradition of grape harvesting in Venice, Italy, through the production of a high-quality cinematic short film. This venerable practice in Venice is at risk of fading into obscurity as the city’s population dwindles due to the overwhelming impacts of mass tourism. Our cinematic endeavor will capture and present every facet of the grape harvesting process in collaboration with the local most renowned grape harvesting organization, Laguna nel Bicchiere. With an immersive and authentic approach, the film will explore the entire journey, crafting a narrative that unfolds with a curated synergy between images and soundscape. Through a cinematic lens, we will highlight the enduring traditions that form the heart and soul of Italian and Venetian winemaking culture.
On Winning the 2023 Young Artist Grant: “Winning the Young Artist Grant by Villa Charities marks a meaningful moment in my artistic journey, symbolizing both recognition and encouragement for my dedication to the arts. As a young Italo-Canadian artist and filmmaker, this grant not only acknowledges my cultural heritage and its influence on my work but also provides invaluable support in my creative endeavors. The financial assistance and exposure that come with this award will greatly enhance my ability to explore, experiment, and expand my artistic skills and vision.”
Category: Film
Honourable Mention: Madeleine Fiore, Woodbridge, ON
Creative Project: “Road Trippin’” (Short Film)
“Road Trippin’” is a short film written, directed and produced by Madeline Rose Fiore. After graduating college, two girls go on a road trip with their brother’s 1979 camper van. Through this journey, they uncover their love for one another that they’ve been hiding from, which runs parallel to their brother’s secret relationship.”
The selection and adjudication process were conducted by a Selection Committee for each grant category. The grants will support specific original creative projects that were submitted as works in progress for the application process, and funds were disbursed to the three winners in December 2023.
For more information about the 2023 Young Artist Grant winners and the program, please visit villacharities.com/grant or contact execs@villacharities.com.
About Villa Charities Inc.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For more than 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the
Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. Villa Charities has been certified as a Great Place to Work®, which recognizes the organization’s commitment to creating an inclusive, positive and engaging workplace. For more information visit villacharities.com.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Dunscombe
MAVERICK
647-972-2373
Kathleen Sloan
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
ksloan@villacharities.com
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
September 20, 2023
Scholarship winners honour Italian culture and heritage
TORONTO – September 20, 2023 – Toronto’s registered charity and non-profit organization Villa Charities is excited to announce the winners of its fourth annual national scholarship program for post-secondary undergraduate and graduate students. The 2023 Villa Charities Scholarship Program launched in May and was open to students of any heritage who help further Villa Charities’ mission of enriching lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage.
“I am thrilled that this year’s scholarship program has received our highest response yet,” said Marco DeVuono, President and CEO, Villa Charities Inc. “Each of the 2023 scholarship recipients submitted heartwarming and impressive essays that clearly expressed the importance of their culture and how they support Villa Charities’ mission. I am proud that we can support these exceptional students in their future academic endeavours.”
The Villa Charities Scholarship Program includes a total of 16 scholarships valued at $60,000. Eight of the sixteen scholarships are awarded through Villa Charities Foundation in support of undergraduate and graduate-level studies in a variety of disciplines. The remaining eight scholarships are awarded through George Brown College in Toronto, in support of students pursuing a degree in Architectural Studies or Culinary Arts. Four students will receive The Villa Charities Renzo Pillon Memorial Scholarship and four students will be the recipient of the Villa harities Culinary Scholarship, supported in part by The Food Dudes. Since launching the scholarship program in 2020, $240,000 in scholarships has been awarded to students.
Villa Charities announced the eight winners of their Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships today.
Villa Charities Undergraduate Student Scholarship Recipients (TLN Media Group Sponsorships)
“We are proud to announce TLN Media Group’s sponsorship of the Villa Charities Undergraduate Scholarship Program,” said Aldo Di Felice, President, TLN Media Group. “This initiative aligns with our commitment to celebrating and promoting multiculturalism. We believe in empowering the next generation of leaders who embrace and further these principles. By supporting this scholarship program, we aim to contribute to a brighter future where diverse voices and cultural heritage are celebrated.”
Four awards of $2,500 were presented to the following full-time Undergraduate students:
Alessia Nicole DiMarzo, University of Calgary
Luca DiPietro, University of Toronto
Jake Paul Karpouzis, University of Toronto
Benjamin Domenic Milone, McMaster University
Villa Charities Graduate Student Scholarship Recipients (Including the KPMG MSLP Scholarship)
Four awards of $5,000 were presented to the following full-time Graduate students:
Joseph Francesco Bellissimo, Queen’s University
Robert Nicolas Giardino, Yorkville University
Maria Jose Munera, University of Western Ontario
Gabrielle Vesia Trépanier, University of Toronto
These scholarships were awarded by Villa Charities Foundation to students who are registered, full-time students at an accredited college or university, Canadian citizens or have permanent-residence status, and are enrolled for the 2023/2024 academic year. Eligible students were required to demonstrate leadership through community involvement or volunteering, as well as write a submission essay describing how they helped further Villa Charities’ mission.
Excerpts from two of the scholarship recipients are included below.
“As a dedicated language instructor, enthusiastic volunteer, event organizer, and passionate advocate for Italian studies, I continue to have the honour of leaving meaningful imprints. By igniting a love for the Italian language, fostering connections, and showcasing the richness of Italian literature and heritage, I have actively recruited dozens of individuals to get more involved in the Italian community.”
– Alessia Nicole DiMarzo, Undergraduate Scholarship Recipient
“Following in the footsteps of my uncle who was Canada’s first Italian-Canadian Emergency Physician, I have had the incredible opportunity to work in the Emergency room of St. Joseph’s hospital, where we serve hundreds of thousands of patients a year. Being a part of the medical team at a Catholic Hospital in downtown Toronto means the world to me as I get to positively represent Catholic and Italian Values, while pursuing my passion for medicine and helping those that are ill and suffering. Through Villa Charities’ generous support of my medical education, I look forward to continuing the longstanding tradition of Italians in Canada being stewards of their communities and providing service to those in most need.”
– Joseph Francesco Bellissimo, Graduate Scholarship Recipient
The selection and adjudication process were conducted by the Villa Charities Scholarship Awards Selection Committee. Scholarships awarded through Villa Charities Foundation will support the students’ tuition fees for the 2023/2024 academic year.
For more information about the Villa Charities Scholarship Program, please visit villacharities.com/scholarships or contact Lena Ciccotelli, Director of Development, Villa Charities Foundation at 416-789-7011, ext. 321 / lciccotelli@villacharities.com.
There are also opportunities to name a scholarship through sponsoring or alternate funding.
About Villa Charities Inc.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For more than 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. Villa Charities has been certified as a Great Place to Work®, which recognizes the organization’s commitment to creating an inclusive, positive and engaging workplace. For more information visit villacharities.com.
About Villa Charities Foundation
Villa Charities Foundation supports experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. As the charitable arm of Villa Charities, the Foundation provides crucial funding for areas such as senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs. For more information, visit villacharities.com/give.
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For further information, please contact:
Megan Dunscombe
MAVERICK
647-972-2373
megan@wearemaverick.com
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
ksloan@villacharities.com
September 5, 2023
New national fund awards $15,000 to young Italian Canadians in music, literature and film
Toronto, ON – September 5, 2023 – Villa Charities is excited to announce the launch of their Young Artist Grant, a national grant program established to support young Italian Canadian artists in their creative endeavours in the fields of literature, music and film.
The aim of the Young Artist Grant is to provide financial support to emerging artists, while ensuring that young Italian Canadians are engaged with Villa Charities, and the Italian Canadian community at large.
“Villa Charities is extremely proud to launch this new grant program,” said Marco DeVuono, President and CEO, Villa Charities Inc. “The Young Artist Grant reinforces our strategic priority to advance cultural programs and demonstrates our commitment to helping Italian Canadian youth succeed as they aspire to a career in the arts.”
This new biennial fund is an integral component of the organization’s Italian Canadian Youth Initiative (ICYI), a suite of programs and activities strategically created with the long-term objective of engaging and supporting the youth in our community, established in 2021 as part of Villa Charities’ 50th Anniversary celebrations.
In 2023 Villa Charities will award a total of $15,000, to be disbursed to three (3) talented young artists between 18 and 30 years of age, who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, and of Italian heritage.
Grant applications open on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 12 noon EDT, with a deadline of Friday, September 29, 2023, at 5:00pm EDT. The selection and evaluation process will be conducted by a Selection Committee for each grant category. Grants will be awarded by Villa Charities at the end of 2023.
For more information and complete submission guidelines, please visit villacharities.com/grant or contact execs@villacharities.com.
About Villa Charities Inc.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For more than 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. Villa Charities has been certified as a Great Place to Work®, which recognizes the organization’s commitment to creating an inclusive, positive and engaging workplace. For more information visit villacharities.com.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Kathleen Sloan
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
ksloan@villacharities.com
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
October 11, 2022
Project honours vital contributions Italian Canadians have made to Canada’s social, cultural and economic fabric.
TORONTO – October 11, 2022 – Today, Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) announced that name plaques are available for sale as part of the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute project. Canadians now have the ability to purchase a plaque to commemorate their loved ones and honour Italians who journeyed to Canada to begin a new life.
Announced in summer 2022, the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute project will commemorate the legacy of Italian immigrants and provide a destination for honouring and remembering personal histories. The installation will feature name plaques dedicated to individuals of Italian heritage, and a bronze casted art piece, designed by artist and marketing industry executive Aldo Cundari.
Immigrant Tribute installation
Designed by Brown + Storey Architects Inc., the commemoration wall will be located on the Villa Charities campus at Lawrence and Dufferin in Toronto. The installation will exist on the north-facing wall of the Columbus Centre – showcasing the name plaques with a ‘fluttering’ effect that will give a sense of movement to the wall. Personalized single or double name plaques are available for a $1,000.00 donation and will feature the name of the family member and the year they immigrated to Canada. A tax receipt will be issued for the maximum allowable amount. Only a limited quantity is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with the name plaques to be installed on the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute in alphabetical order when construction begins.
Immigrant Tribute website
Purchasing a plaque also means donors can share their family’s immigration journey online by submitting a brief family history and up to four images, to appear on the Immigrant Map at villacharitiesimmigranttribute.com. The repository of immigrant stories will create an engaging and creative digital space for the public to explore and learn about the shared experiences of the Italian Canadian community.
“This installation, along with the immigrant tribute website, is our way to honour and preserve the ongoing historical contributions made by the Italian Canadian community, and to create a destination for celebrating Italian heritage,” said Marco DeVuono, President and CEO, Villa Charities Inc. “Given the enthusiastic response we’ve heard from our community since we announced this project, we are excited that people across the country can now order their own commemorative plaques.”
The funds raised from the tribute project through Villa Charities Foundation will support senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs.
For more information on the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute project, including how to purchase a name plaque, visit villacharitiesimmigranttribute.com.
About Villa Charities Inc. Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For more than 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com. About Villa Charities Foundation Villa Charities Foundation supports experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. As the charitable arm of Villa Charities, the Foundation provides crucial funding for areas such as senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs. For more information, visit villacharities.com/give. – 30 – For further information, please contact: Jessica Patriquin MAVERICK 416-640-5525 Ext. 230 jessicap@wearemaverick.com Kathleen Sloan, CM Director, Marketing and Communications Villa Charities Inc. 416-789-7011 Ext. 309 ksloan@villacharities.comSeptember 15, 2022
July 6, 2022
TORONTO – July 6, 2022 – Today, Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is proud to announce the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute project, to honour Italian Canadian immigrants and their families. For more than 50 years, Villa Charities has been a leading provider of Italian culture and heritage, and with this new fundraising initiative the charitable organization will establish a nationally recognized destination and tribute for Italian heritage.
The Immigrant Tribute commemoration will be located on the Villa Charities campus at Lawrence and Dufferin streets in Toronto, as an installation on the north-facing wall of the Columbus Centre. The tribute wall, designed by Brown + Storey Architects Inc., will showcase name plaques honouring individuals of Italian heritage who journeyed to Canada to begin a new life.
“Villa Charities is extremely proud and excited to launch this important initiative,” said Marco DeVuono, President and CEO, Villa Charities Inc. “The Immigrant Tribute project will honour the important contributions that Italian Canadians have made to the social, cultural and economic
fabric of Canada and will help educate younger generations on their cultural heritage and the immigrant experience.”
The Immigrant Tribute installation will be a destination for people of Italian heritage to gather, commemorate, celebrate, and reflect on their immigrant heritage and collective achievements. When completed, the wall will feature upwards of 5,000 individual plaques with the names of family members and the year they immigrated from Italy to Canada.
Villa Charities led the initial Immigrant Tribute wall, sculpture and website design in collaboration with students and faculty of George Brown College Arts, Design & Information Technology departments.
Beginning later this year, the name plaques will be available for the community to purchase. The funds raised from the tribute project through Villa Charities Foundation will go towards support for senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs.
A dedicated Immigrant Tribute website will support the physical installation and function as the online fundraising portal. Anyone who purchases a name plaque will also have the opportunity to upload photos and a brief family history to the site, creating a repository of immigrant stories. This will be an engaging and creative resource for Villa Charities patrons and donors to share and learn more about the immigration history and experiences of the Italian Canadians in their community.
The public on-sale date for the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute project will be announced at a later date, with construction of the installation currently planned to begin in spring 2023.
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About Villa Charities Inc.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For more than 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com.
About Villa Charities Foundation
Villa Charities Foundation supports experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. As the charitable arm of Villa Charities, the Foundation provides crucial funding for areas such as senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs. For more information, visit villacharities.com/give.
For further information, please contact:
Morgan Lewis
MAVERICK
416-618-0443
morgan@wearemaverick.com
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
ksloan@villacharities.com
September 14, 2021
TORONTO – September 14, 2021 – Villa Charities is excited to announce the winners of its second annual national scholarship program for post-secondary undergraduate and graduate students. The second year of the Villa Charities Scholarship Program was launched in February 2021 and is available to students of any heritage who help further Villa Charities’ mission of enriching lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage.
“I am thrilled that the second year of our scholarship program has been so successful,” said Marco DeVuono, President and CEO, Villa Charities Inc. “Each of the 2021 scholarship recipients exemplifies the importance of their heritage and how it aligns with Villa Charities’ mission. I am proud that we can support these exceptional students in their future academic endeavours.”
The Villa Charities Scholarship Program includes a total of 20 scholarships valued at $60,000. Eight of the twenty scholarships are awarded through Villa Charities Foundation in support of undergraduate and graduate-level studies in a variety of disciplines. The remaining twelve scholarships are awarded through George Brown College in Toronto, in support of students pursuing a degree in Architectural Studies or Culinary Arts. Four students will receive The Villa Charities Renzo Pillon Memorial Scholarship and eight students will be the recipient of the Villa Charities Culinary Scholarship, supported in part by The Food Dudes.
Villa Charities announced the eight winners of their Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships today.
Villa Charities Undergraduate Student Scholarship Recipients (Including The Janet Angela Rinaldi Tribute Scholarships)
Four awards of $2,500 were presented to the following full-time Undergraduate students:
The Janet Angela Rinaldi Tribute Scholarship Recipients include:
Villa Charities Graduate Student Scholarship Recipients
Four awards of $5,000 were presented to the following full-time Graduate students:
These scholarships were awarded by Villa Charities Foundation to students who are registered, full-time students at an accredited college or university, Canadian citizens or have permanent-residence status, and are enrolled for the 2021/2022 academic year. Eligible students were required to demonstrate leadership through community involvement or volunteering, as well as write a submission essay describing how they helped further Villa Charities’ mission.
“My journey in discovering my Italian heritage has been a wonderful one. By learning the language in school, creating a documentary around Italian Canadian culture, being active in IUSCA, and being a teacher and mentor to the younger generations, I have actively served the Italian Canadian community, and by aspiring to work in the community as a lawyer, I plan to continue to do so in the future.”
– Christian D’Ambrosi, Undergraduate Scholarship Recipient
“The Italian Canadian heritage is rooted in love, and the sacrifice that families endured in their journey for a new life. As a second-generation immigrant, although I will never have to endure such a sacrifice, I am proud and hope to honour my heritage in my relationships, career, and future endeavours. The ItaloCanadese community is founded upon hard working immigrants and is in need of young advocates to continue showcasing Italian culture within the community.”
– Daniela Testani, Graduate Scholarship Recipient
The selection and adjudication process were conducted by the Villa Charities Scholarship Awards Selection Committee. Scholarships awarded through Villa Charities Foundation will support the students’ tuition fees for the 2021/2022 academic year.
For more information about the Villa Charities Scholarship Program, please visit villacharities.com/scholarships or contact Natasha Fieldman, Director of Development, Villa Charities Foundation at 416-789-7011, ext. 321 / nfieldman@villacharities.com.
There are also opportunities to name a scholarship through sponsoring or alternate funding.
About Villa Charities Inc.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is proudly celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1971. A registered charity, Villa Charities enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For 50 years across the GTA, the organization has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Charities Foundation; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com
About Villa Charities Foundation
Villa Charities Foundation supports experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. As the charitable arm of Villa Charities, the Foundation provides crucial funding for areas such as senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs. For more information, visit villacharities.com/give.
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For further information, please contact:
Jessica Patriquin
MAVERICK
416-640-5525 Ext. 230
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
September 9, 2021
TORONTO (September 9, 2021) – Villa Charities Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Marco DeVuono to the position of President and CEO, effective immediately. For 50 years across the GTA, the organization has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. Mr. DeVuono joined Villa Charities as Chief Financial Officer in March 2017 and has been instrumental in the company’s success and growth during his tenure.
“Marco has truly demonstrated his passion and dedication to Villa Charities and has been a valued member of the Executive team,” says Joseph Arcuri, Board Chair, Villa Charities Inc. “His depth and breadth of experience with our complex organization makes him uniquely qualified for this role, and we are confident he is the right person to lead the organization as we realize our vision of inspiring people to explore the Italian in all of us.”
Mr. DeVuono is an accomplished leader with more than twenty years of senior-level finance and management experience with non-profit, private and TSE listed companies in the distribution, healthcare, academic, financial, and IT services. As CFO for Villa Charities, he was responsible for significant achievements including repurposing underutilized space in the Columbus Centre, restructuring operations during the COVID-19 period and building high-performing finance and property management teams.
Prior to joining Villa Charities Inc., Mr. DeVuono was the Chief Financial Officer for Drive Products Inc., a distribution/manufacturing company with branches across Canada, where he orchestrated a restructuring of the organization’s operations. He also held CFO and senior leadership positions with The Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences, a non-profit, post-secondary institution for health sciences education, HomeQ Corporation (CHIP Reverse Mortgage) and the Datahorse Group of Companies.
Highly driven and with a reputation for integrity, efficiency and effectiveness, Marco excels at developing successful policies and solutions to deliver against strategic goals and has worked hard to cultivate collaborative relationships within the community.
“I am honoured to accept this new leadership position and to further advance Villa Charities’ strategic priorities, with a focus on the pillars of community, fundraising and stewardship,” says Marco DeVuono. “I also look forward to working alongside our great Board, Executive team and staff, and connecting with all our stakeholders including our patrons, partners and the broader community, as we revitalize the organization following the COVID-19 pandemic challenges.”
Marco DeVuono holds CPA and CA designations as well as an Honours Bachelor of Administrative Studies from York University.
About Villa Charities Inc.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is proudly celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1971. A registered charity, Villa Charities enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For 50 years across the GTA, the organization has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Charities Foundation; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com.
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For further information, please contact:
Jessica Patriquin
MAVERICK
416-640-5525 Ext. 230
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
June 15, 2021
TORONTO (June 15, 2021) – Senior health care executive John Hendriks has been elected Chair of the Board of Directors of Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. (Villa Colombo Toronto or VCT) at their Annual General Meeting. Opened in 1976, Villa Colombo Toronto, part of the Villa Charities Inc. group of organizations, prides itself on offering high-quality long-term care and community services to seniors in a culturally sensitive environment.
“I am honoured to have been elected Board Chair of Villa Colombo Toronto,” said Mr. Hendriks. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this unique facility with such a long history of excellence and look forward to guiding Villa Colombo in their mission to serve the Italian community, residents and elderly clients by providing the care they need to enjoy life to the fullest with dignity and independence.”
John Hendriks is President of INFORMTEC, a boutique Health Care Clinical Informatics consulting firm. Previously, John was a Partner with DINMAR Consulting and was responsible for developing the Health Care Information Technology practice in the Toronto area and managed Clinical Information System sales internationally. John has more than 25 years of experience as a senior health care executive in the public and private sectors. His background includes Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, one of Canada’s leading teaching and research facilities, where he served as Sr. Vice President Medical Programs and Chief Information Officer. John’s experience includes directing the development and implementation of Hospital clinical and financial reporting systems for the Province of Alberta Ministry of Hospitals and Medical Care and developed the data and technical architecture and systems strategy for the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services.
John is dedicated to improving healthcare for seniors and the community at large. In addition to his involvement at Villa Colombo Toronto, he is active in Health Informatics in Canada and is a Past President of Canada’s Health Informatics Association (COACH). John has served on a number of Boards and Committees that focused on developing the scope and standards for national health information applications.
Mr. Hendriks is a graduate of Dalhousie University (B. Commerce), has a Certificate in Health Administration from University of Saskatchewan and is a Certified member of the Canadian College of Health Care Executives.
John Hendriks became a VCT Board member in June 2019 and is also Chair of the Strategic Planning Task Force and the Quality & Risk committee. He succeeds Joseph J. Fusco, who joined the Villa Colombo Toronto Board of Directors in 2007 and served as Chair since 2019.
“On behalf of all members of the Villa Colombo Toronto community, I want to thank Joseph for the extraordinary dedication and outstanding leadership he has provided to our organization,” Mr. Hendriks remarked.
Also elected to the Villa Colombo Toronto Board of Directors for 2021-2022 are:
1st Vice-Chair: Loriana Iadipaolo
2nd Vice-Chair: Ben Vozzolo
Treasurer: Rosanna Arduini
Secretary: Frank Anderson
Directors:
Dino Bozzo
Carol Bragagnolo
Angela Gauthier
Anthony Moscar
Marie Parker
Antonio Turco
Ex-Officio: Joseph Arcuri
Past Chair: Joseph J. Fusco
About Villa Colombo Toronto
Opened in 1976, Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. (Villa Colombo Toronto) is an accredited, designated ethno-specific facility that serves the Italian community, residents and elderly clients by providing the care they need to enjoy life to the fullest with dignity and independence in a safe, secure and home-like environment. Villa Colombo offers long-term care and community services to seniors in a culturally sensitive environment. After two additions, today 391 residents call Villa Colombo home and over 700 clients living in the community are provided services such as Adult Day Programs, Meals on Wheels, Supportive Housing and more, which is vital to helping older members live rewarding and active lives. For more information visit villacharities.com.
About Villa Charities Inc.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is proudly celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1971. A registered charity, Villa Charities enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For 50 years across the GTA, the organization has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Charities Foundation; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com.
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For more information, please contact:
Jessica Patriquin
MAVERICK
416-995-8496
jessicap@wearemaverick.com
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
ksloan@villacharities.com
May 27, 2021
Villa Charities proudly celebrates Italian Heritage Month with a month-long festival dedicated to Italian culture and heritage.
TORONTO – May 27, 2021 – While unable to welcome the community to the campus, Villa Charities will celebrate this cherished annual occasion with a series of engaging digital events and programming throughout the month of June.
The roster will once again showcase the artistry and talents of Italian-Canadian performers and Villa Charities’ diverse community with a lineup that includes panel discussions, music concerts, heritage experiences, live culinary workshops, dance performances and more. Villa Charities also hopes to promote multigenerational experiences and encourages families to participate in these events together, to foster a communal sense of pride and belonging.
“Throughout June we will commemorate Italian culture and heritage with a month full of exciting programs and events,” says Giulio Recchioni, Executive Director of Cultural Programming, Villa Charities. “As we continue to mark our 50th anniversary, we honour the contributions of Italian-Canadians to our diverse cultural mosaic and proudly celebrate virtually with our community.”
Below is the full list of virtual programs taking place to celebrate Italian Heritage Month: An Immigrant Story June 1 – 30, 2021 In celebration of Villa Charities’ 50th anniversary, the website immigrantstory.ca, created and developed by Sholom Wargon, features an inaugural collection of more than 40 inspirational stories of individuals who immigrated to Canada from Italy and other countries. With eloquent narratives and compelling visuals, this interactive experience broadly reflects the ethnocultural origins of the Villa Charities and Columbus Centre communities. An on-site exhibition of these immigrant journeys is planned for the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery as soon as health and safety conditions permit. Presented by Sholom Wargon Design and Pizza Nova.
Pirandello and “Six Characters in Search of an Author” – 100 Years After Tuesday, June 1 at 7:00pm Join internationally acclaimed and two-time Dora Award-nominee, Daniele Bartolini, Artist in Residence for Villa Charities and Associate Artistic Director of Soulpepper Theatre, and one of Toronto’s most renowned slam poets, Luke Reece, for a live discussion about Pirandello and his metatheatrical masterpiece “Six Characters in Search of an Author”, and their production of the play for Soulpepper’s series Around The World In 80 Plays. Montreal-based playwright and performer, Michaela Di Cesare, author of “In Search of Mrs. Pirandello”, will also join the conversation. Price: FREE
Festa della Repubblica | Italian National Day Wednesday, June 2 at 12:00pm This is a virtual ceremonial celebration of the anniversary of the birth of the Italian Republic in 1946, with greetings from Canadian elected officials, representatives of the Italian and Canadian governments, and community leaders. Featuring a poetry reading by Gianna Patriarca and a concert by Rossano Sportiello and Pasquale Grasso. Price: FREE
Serata Musicale: A Spotlight on Young Italian-Canadian Talent
June 3, 10, 17 and 24 at 12:00pm
Enjoy this video series featuring four concerts by young professional musicians in the Italian-Canadian community. The series will highlight exciting singers and musicians from Ontario and BC, performing a variety of genres including classical music, pop, jazz, country and Italian folk.
Performance Schedule: June 3: A concert by the Quintessence Ensemble, which features a trio of sibling string musicians: Miriam Cacciacarro (Violin), Hannah Cacciacarro (Cello) and Abigail Cacciacarro (Violin). Don’t miss this musical event with a repertoire of popular and immortal Italian songs spanning from classical to operatic.
June 10: Toronto-born artist and multiple Canadian folk music award nominee Andrea Ramolo, and singer and songwriter from Vancouver, Lisa Petrucci.
June 17: Antonio Larosa (modern country rock musician), Stephen Scaccia (contemporary pop artist), and Toronto-based jazz guitarist Andrew Marzotto.
June 24: Featuring three soloists from the Coro San Marco Choir: Sonia Stillo, Michael Nasato and Iwona Jazczur, all accompanied by pianist Adolfo DeSantis, and followed by a performance by Italian-Canadian Luca Ramelli on piano.
Price: FREE
My Secret Venice with Sebastiano Bazzichetto June 4, 11, 18 and 25 at 12:00pm
We are proud to present a second season of exclusive ‘behind-the-scenes’ episodes with Dr. Sebastiano Bazzichetto. This new four-part video series will take viewers on a cultural and visual journey to explore hidden gems in the Venetian countryside and pay homage to Dante, the father of Italian language. Don’t miss these stunning virtual tours of some of the grandest, palatial villas in the Veneto region. Price: FREE
Cucina con noi! June 8, 16, 22 and 29
“Cucina con noi!” is a series of four live interactive culinary workshops featuring local Italian chefs demonstrating how to prepare traditional Italian meals. Presented in partnership with Eataly and Cucinato.
Workshop Schedule:
June 8 at 6:00pm – 8:00pm – Cucinato Pranzo della Domenica: A Typical Southern Italian Sunday Meal with Neapolitan Chef Bruno Di Sarno
June 16 at 7:30 – 8:00pm – Eataly Pasta alla Carbonara
June 22 at 6:00 – 8:00pm – Cucinato Theme TBC
June 29 at 5:00 – 5:30pm – Eataly Risotto al Parmigiano Reggiano DOP Price: FREE
Cory Weeds Quartet Plays Italian Standards
Friday, June 18 at 6:30pm
Alto saxophonist Cory Weeds assembles an all-star Vancouver band to celebrate Italian Heritage Month across Canada. Joined by guitarist John Lee, organist Chris Gestrin and drummer Jesse Cahill, Weeds will play music from his chart topping “O Sole Mio, Songs from the Motherland” release. Hitting #2 on the JazzWeek Charts and charting for over 16 weeks, “O Sole Mio” is a delight! Video will be shared on June 18, 6:30pm (ET) for ticket holders. This virtual concert is presented by Villa Charities (Toronto) and Il Centro (Vancouver).
Price: $10.00 for Concert only. Concert and Dinner packages will also be available.
Italian Heritage: Perspectives from Black Italians Monday, June 21 at 7:00pm
Join us for a discussion between Silvana Rose Miller (Canadian activist and producer) and Fred Kuwornu (Italian activist, filmmaker, and educator) for a discussion of Black Italian identities, experiences, and heritage both in Canada and in Italy. This event will be presented in partnership with Italian Canadians for Black Lives (ICFBL).
Price: FREE
Here & Now: Readings and Discussion Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at 5:00pm Villa Charities, in collaboration with the Association of Italian Canadian Writers (AICW), Accenti Magazine, Longbridge Books, and English Language Arts Network (ELAN), is pleased to invite you to a conversation with the editor and contributors of “Here & Now: An Anthology of Queer Italian-Canadian Writing.” Italian-Canadian and LGBTQ2S writers will host this literary panel discussion on the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which are commemorated annually each June during Pride Month. Price: FREE
An Evening of Dance Wednesday, June 30 at 7:30pm
Villa Charities presents this special performance, featuring dancers from DanzArts Toronto, Columbus Centre’s very own prestigious dance school, and artists in residence ACE Dance Theatre.
Price: FREE
For complete information and to register for Villa Charities’ Italian Heritage Month events, visit villacharities.com/ihm.
About Villa Charities Inc.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is proudly celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1971. A registered charity, Villa Charities enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For 50 years across the GTA, the organization has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Charities Foundation; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com.
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For further information, please contact:
Jessica Patriquin
MAVERICK
416-640-5525 Ext. 230
jessicap@wearemaverick.com
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
ksloan@villacharities.com
May 27, 2021
TORONTO, May 27, 2021 – We are pleased that the Government of Canada delivered a formal apology today in the House of Commons for the internment of Italian Canadians during the Second World War. The Prime Minister’s statement finally acknowledges the unjust policy and actions that resulted in the internment of hundreds of people of Italian heritage during WWII. In addition, tens of thousands of Italian Canadians were declared “enemy aliens,” causing immense pain and hardship for the many families affected.
Our Acting President and CEO Marco DeVuono expresses his gratitude on behalf of Villa Charities: “We appreciate the Canadian government’s reconciliation efforts and hope that today’s announcement will help with the healing process and provide a sense of closure for all families who were impacted and stigmatized.”
For the past five decades, Villa Charities has played an important role in supporting the Italian community and advancing the appreciation and promotion of Italian culture and heritage. This official apology has been delivered this year, during our 50th anniversary commemorations, which truly reinforces the significance of the social, cultural and economic contributions made by Italian Canadians to this country. We will continue to proudly celebrate and honour Italian culture and heritage.
About Villa Charities Inc. Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is proudly celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1971. A registered charity, Villa Charities enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For 50 years across the GTA, the organization has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Charities Foundation; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com
For more information please contact:
Jessica Patriquin
MAVERICK Public Relations
Mobile: 416-995-8496
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May 25, 2021
TORONTO (May 25, 2021) – Senior financial executive Joseph Arcuri has been elected Chair of the Board of Governors of Villa Charities Inc. at its Board meeting on May 20, 2021. Villa Charities is a registered charity that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. The organization has served the Greater Toronto Area’s Italian community for 50 years by providing cultural and educational programs and supporting culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors.
Arcuri, who was elected along with other Board members at the meeting, has been a volunteer at the organization for over five years. He has served on the Villa Charities Board of Governors since March 2016 and was Vice-Chair beginning in May 2019.
“I am honoured to have been elected Chair of Villa Charities, and for the opportunity to continue serving our extended communities,” Mr. Arcuri said. “Having recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, this is an exciting time to be part of the Villa Charities organization, as we continue to support the needs of a broader multigenerational base. I also look forward to reconnecting with our seniors and program participants as we emerge from the COVID-19 public health challenges.”
Joseph Arcuri, CPA, CA, is the Chief Financial Officer of NRStor. He has been a Director of BioSyent Inc. since 2018 and is currently Chair of the Audit Committee and Disclosure Policy Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Arcuri started his professional career with 2
PriceWaterhouseCoopers within its assurance group and later was president of AOL Canada. Joseph is a passionate Senior Executive with 29 years of experience working collaboratively with seniors, employees, members, partners, government and other vested stakeholders.
Mr. Arcuri succeeds Santo Veltri, who served as Board Chair of Villa Charities for three consecutive terms beginning in 2018. “I would like to thank Santo for the extraordinary dedication and leadership he has provided to our organization, and I hope to continue to build on the foundation Santo created,” Mr. Arcuri remarked. “I look forward to working with Santo in our new roles going forward.”
Also elected to the Villa Charities Board of Governors for 2021-2022 are: Officers: Vice-Chair: Pasquale (Pat) Minicucci Treasurer: Sandro D’Ercole Secretary: Tonio (Tony) Costa
Directors: Nebo Orazietti Dr. Gina Valle Ex Officio: Columbus Centre of Toronto: Maria Orsini, Marianne Corigliano Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc.: TBC Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre: Quinto Annibale, Catherine (Rina) Tiberini
About Villa Charities Inc.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is proudly celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1971. A registered charity, Villa Charities enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For 50 years across the GTA, the organization has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Charities Foundation; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com.
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For further information, please contact:
Jessica Patriquin
MAVERICK
416-640-5525 Ext. 230
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
April 12, 2021
TORONTO – April 12, 2021 – This week, the Italian-Canadian community across the GTA celebrates the 50th year of their beloved cultural hub – Villa Charities Inc. (VCI).
Since 1971, VCI has been instrumental in connecting lives through intergenerational experiences and services that honour and celebrate all things Italian. The organization began as the Italian Canadian Benevolent Corporation (ICBC) with a mission to raise funds for and develop, administer and coordinate projects in the health, social, cultural and educational fields, which would establish the concept of ‘community’ for Italian-Canadians and their families.
After fifty years, Villa Charities continues to provide cultural and educational programs for all ages while supporting culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors across the GTA. In so doing, Villa Charities recognizes the significance of and honours the many Italian immigrants who helped build the city of Toronto and surrounding metropolitan areas.
“As we reflect over the past 50 years, we acknowledge the remarkable vision and passion of our Founders, and remain extremely thankful for the legacy that they created, which offers us unlimited opportunities to serve our community,” said Santo Veltri, Board Chair, Villa Charities Inc. “While Villa Charities began from the desire to provide residential care for the elderly Italians in our community, the organization has since transformed and grown, adapting to the needs of the changing community around us, while still remaining true to the core values instilled by the Founders.”
On April 15, 2021, VCI invites the city to join us in the celebration as we commemorate this milestone achievement through virtual initiatives and programming that honour the past, celebrate the present, and look towards future growth and opportunities.
“The last 12 months have brought many challenges in our lives. While programming and celebrations will be largely virtual, we are committed to engaging our GTA community through festivities that commemorate 50 years of Villa Charities,” said Dr. Gina Valle, Chair of the 50th Anniversary Committee. “Our strong and vibrant Italian and Italian-Canadian communities are proud to celebrate the achievements of the organization they helped build so many years ago. It is heartwarming to see the strides that VCI has made. We hope everyone will join us in the celebration.”
Following virtual anniversary celebrations, Villa Charities plans to continue supporting the Italian-Canadian community as it evolves, through its mission and vision:
MISSION – Enriching lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage.
VISION – Inspiring people to explore the Italian in all of us.
Villa Charities is marking this memorable occasion through a number of initiatives:
In addition, cultural programming will be curated across various mediums and will encourage safe and responsible participation during this time of COVID. Further details will be announced at a later date.
As it embarks on its journey to its Centennial, the Villa Charities campus will continue to serve as a destination not only for the multigenerational Italian-Canadian community, but also for the vibrant, broader multicultural community seeking to explore and experience Italian culture and heritage. At the same time, VCI will continue to expand its partnerships and affiliations with Italian and non-Italian organizations that are aligned with their mission, vision and values.
“Our story represents half a century of Italian-Canadian generations coming together to honour culture and celebrate heritage,” concludes Marco DeVuono, Acting President and CEO, Villa Charities Inc. “We are confident that with the continued involvement and support of our community,
Villa Charities will thrive for another 50 years. It is our enduring wish that we will inspire many generations to explore the Italian in all of us.”
Villa Charities invites the community to join the 50th anniversary celebrations by sharing how the organization has impacted their lives using #VCI50. Supporters are encouraged to follow Villa Charities on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Instagram: @Villa_Charities / Twitter: @Villa_Charities / Facebook: @VillaCharities
LinkedIn: @VillaCharitiesInc.
For additional images and captions, click here.
About Villa Charities Inc.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is proudly celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1971. A registered charity, Villa Charities enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For 50 years across the GTA, the organization has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Charities Foundation; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc.
Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com.
For further information, please contact:
Jessica Patriquin
MAVERICK
416-640-5525 Ext. 230
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
January 7, 2021
TORONTO, January 7, 2020 – Giulio Recchioni has been appointed to the position of Executive Director of Cultural Programming for Villa Charities Inc. Giulio brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Villa Charities with a history of success in the culture and arts sectors.
“Giulio’s extensive experience and innovative thinking will truly complement the Villa Charities family – he has a broad vision, a profound understanding and a passion for leading and developing our cultural vision,” said Anthony DiCaita, President and CEO of Villa Charities Inc. “He has spent his whole career in the cultural and arts sector and will bring a fresh, creative presence to the table.”
In his role, Giulio will be tasked with continuing to elevate the cultural programming for Villa Charities. He will carry forward the organization’s mission to enrich lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage to capitalize on the legacy that Villa Charities has created. This will entail the development and implementation of intergenerational cultural and heritage strategies that will raise awareness of the organization as a vibrant cultural hub for all to access. With his background and leadership, Giulio will be adding to Villa Charities’ already extensive cultural programs.
Giulio earned an MA in Foreign Literature and Languages in his hometown of Abruzzo, Italy. He is deeply rooted in Italian culture and heritage, with an aptitude for expanding cultural spaces. Described as a creative thinker by his peers, Giulio uses his experience and knowledge to readily build new collaborations that cultivate and strengthen ties within the community. He has the ability to deliver engaging and meaningful cultural programs that strongly reflect Italian culture.
“I am honoured to join Villa Charities,” said Giulio Recchioni. “I look forward to building on Villa Charities’ strong reputation and past successes by growing, promoting and creating new avenues of cultural programming to achieve their vision of inspiring people to explore the Italian in all of us.”
Prior to joining Villa Charities Inc., Giulio was Cultural Director of the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver, BC where he brought tremendous success and growth. He is an avid supporter of performance and visual arts, cinema, and live jazz.
About Villa Charities Inc.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is proudly celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1971. A registered charity, Villa Charities enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For 50 years across the GTA, the organization has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Charites Foundation; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com.
For more information, please contact:
Jessica Patriquin
MAVERICK
416-995-8496
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
October 30, 2020
TORONTO, October 30, 2020 – Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) today announced its partnership with the Toronto-based food services company, The Food Dudes. Effective immediately, The Food Dudes will become the exclusive provider of all retail and catering food operations on the Villa Charities campus. This partnership provides an opportunity to enhance and expand food services through the development of exciting and creative new food offerings with an Italian focus.
For almost 50 years, Villa Charities has been a destination for the Italian Canadian community in the GTA. Working with The Food Dudes allows Villa Charities to continue strengthening its partnerships with companies who are aligned with VCI’s mission of enriching lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage, and who are industry experts with a passion and reputation to elevate the Villa Charities campus experience.
A new location for Pantry, The Food Dudes’ popular quick-service food venue, will open in the Columbus Centre, replacing Caffè Cinquecento. Renovations to the space are currently underway with the opening date to be announced at a later date. Restaurant operations at Ristorante Boccaccio will be closed effective immediately however the space will continue to be used for Villa Charities and Columbus Event Centre clients, and then be further transitioned into a new event venue. The Food Dudes will also take over the food services for all Columbus Event Centre events going forward.
Over the past decade, several strategies have been developed and implemented to address increased local competition and declining sales for Villa Charities’ food operations, which have been further impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis. Following a comprehensive analysis by an independent food services consultant and public RFP process, The Food Dudes were selected.
“We are extremely pleased to partner with a company who are leaders in Toronto’s food and hospitality industry. We are confident this union will offer a greater variety to our community and patrons as well as raise the quality of service and products,” said Anthony DiCaita, President and CEO, Villa Charities Inc.
This alliance also accommodates the evolving tastes of the intergenerational community at large and considers the changing trends in retail food operations. The Food Dudes’ operations at Villa Charities will generate greater business revenue by encouraging patrons to experience more casual dining options (such as grab & go, delivery) and revitalize the Villa Charities campus as a culinary destination for people from across the GTA.
Since starting in the food industry over a decade ago, The Food Dudes have had enormous success in both the retail and catering business and have a proven track record of continuous growth. In recent years, The Food Dudes have gained a wealth of experience taking over restaurant spaces and food service operations within existing institutions, including cultural centres. In 2018, The Food Dudes assumed the Gardiner Museum’s catering program while completely redesigning and relaunching their restaurant space – now known as CLAY and receiving buzz as one of Yorkville’s hottest lunch destinations.
The Food Dudes’ partnership with the McMichael Canadian Art Collection is currently in the construction stage, with restaurant renovations underway. In addition to their fine dining restaurants Rasa and Sara, they are also catering providers for Toronto landmarks like Evergreen Brickworks, The Globe & Mail Event Venue and Steam Whistle Brewing, with the newly opened Steam Whistle Biergarten enjoying immediate acclaim.
“We are beyond grateful for the opportunity to partner with Villa Charities as the Food and Beverage provider at the Columbus Centre,” said Lindsay Klein, Chief Executive Officer, The Food Dudes. “The culture we seek to uphold is inspirational and we know long time patrons and newcomers alike will find comfort in the high standards of our food services.”
Villa Charities is collaborating with The Food Dudes to develop a seamless transition plan for the operations of all food services.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For almost 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent Italian organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Charities Foundation; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com.
Since joining forces over a decade ago, The Food Dudes have grown their once small, home-based operation into Toronto’s most revered, innovative and adaptive catering and food service company. Executive Chef Adrian Niman founded The Food Dudes in 2007 and partnered with Chief Executive Officer Lindsay Klein in 2011. The pair built a world-class team of passionate professionals, and quickly distinguished themselves as industry leaders. The Food Dudes consistently raise the bar by anticipating and fulfilling the dynamic needs of the modern metropolitan client – a desire for fresh and local ingredients, sophisticated original fare, flexible budgeting plans – all while providing a memorable culinary experience. From catered affairs of all styles and sizes to food trucks, restaurants, fundraisers and signature food-driven event experiences, The Food Dudes are Toronto’s most trusted hospitality specialists and premier providers of all things edible. Visit thefooddudes.com for more details.
Pantry started as a local take-out counter, providing fresh and healthy meals to The Food Dudes’ staff and the local Leslieville community. When people began coming back every day for more of the daily dishes coming out of Pantry’s kitchen, the storefront’s signature Hot & Cold Windows were introduced, and its Custom Combo Boxes soon took off.
“The ability to mix and match menu items for a different meal each day of the week resonated with our guests,” says Executive Chef Derek Wasser of Pantry’s rapid rise. In 2016, Pantry expanded to a sit-down restaurant in Rosedale and Catering for Events. The Commerce Court location opened in 2019, followed by the Meals for Home Delivery program in 2020. In all its endeavours, Pantry maintains the highest standards of freshness and quality. With new retail spaces in the works, an inspired catering operation going strong, and more innovative ways to provide a casual and comforting dining experience, Pantry is an essential part of Toronto’s culinary character.
For further information, please contact:
For Villa Charities:
Jessica Patriquin
MAVERICK
416-640-5525 Ext. 230
jessicap@wearemaverick.com
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
ksloan@villacharities.com
For The Food Dudes:
Lindsay Klein
Chief Executive Officer
The Food Dudes/Pantry
647-340-3833 Ext. 201
lindsay@thefooddudes.com
October 22, 2020
VAUGHAN (October 22, 2020) – Accomplished lawyer and inspirational leader Quinto Annibale has been elected Chair of the Board of Directors of Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre (Villa Colombo Vaughan), at their 2019 Annual General Meeting. Opened in 2004, Villa Colombo Vaughan, part of the Villa Charities Inc. group of organizations, prides itself on offering culturally sensitive long-term care and services to maximize meaningful living, dignity and independence for the 160 residents who call the accredited facility home.
“Villa Colombo Vaughan is a remarkable organization that I have been honoured to be a part of over many years in different roles,” said Mr. Annibale. “We have a wonderful culture and an amazing group of staff that are committed to our residents. It is a tremendous privilege for me to be elected as the Chair and I am committed to building upon the positive legacy established by the outgoing Chair, Rina Tiberini and my fellow board members.”
Quinto Annibale practices municipal, land use planning and development law. He has over 30 years of experience as an advocate, appearing before the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (formerly the OMB) in hundreds of cases. He has practiced his entire career as a lawyer at Loopstra Nixon.
Mr. Annibale is passionate about improving healthcare for seniors and the community at large. In addition to his involvement at Villa Colombo Vaughan, Quinto has held many other volunteer positions both at community and provincial levels. He has always remained true to serving those in need and recognizes the many strengths of Villa Colombo Vaughan. He will continue to nurture their vibrant community that honours Italian culture and heritage.
Mr. Annibale succeeds Rina Tiberini, who served as Board Chair since 2011.
“On behalf of all members of the Villa Colombo Vaughan community, I want to thank Rina for the long and extraordinary dedication and leadership she has provided to our organization,” Mr. Annibale said. “I look forward to continuing to work with Rina in our new roles through the coming years.”
Quinto Annibale has been a part of the Villa Colombo Vaughan community for the last 14 years, serving the board with distinction. Through his tenure, he has held the position of Board Secretary and for the past four years the position of Vice-Chair.
Also elected to the Villa Colombo Vaughan Board of Directors for 2020-2021 are:
1st Vice-Chair: Rina Tiberini
2nd Vice-Chair: Edward Mancinelli
Secretary: Pina Falbo
Treasurer: Stephen Shulman
Directors:
Anthony Baldassarra
Dr. Kristin Terenzi
Piera Segreto
Enzo Di Iorio
Anthony Messina
Joline Moore
Ex-Officio: Santo Veltri
Past Chair: Rina Tiberini
Opened in 2004, Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre (Villa Colombo Vaughan) is an accredited facility that provides culturally sensitive long-term care and services to maximize meaningful living, dignity and independence for each of its 160 residents. Villa Colombo Vaughan continually creates and fosters dedicated partnerships with numerous organizations within the community to enhance its high-quality care to seniors in the community. Situated on a beautiful 16-acre northern campus in quiet Kleinburg, Ontario, the home is comprised of six separate casas located with our state-of-the-art facility, each housing up to 30 residents in a social and welcoming atmosphere. Villa Colombo Vaughan has been successfully awarded the highest level of accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) since 2009 and is professionally managed by UniversalCare Canada Inc. For more information visit villacharities.com.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For almost 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent Italian organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com.
For more information, please contact:
Jessica Patriquin
MAVERICK
416-995-8496
jessicap@wearemaverick.com
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
ksloan@villacharities.com
September 29, 2020
TORONTO, September 29, 2020 – In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Columbus Centre, Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) presents two special art exhibitions in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery. These exhibitions will highlight the history of the Columbus Centre as well as showcase artists who represent the present day and future of the visual arts community. Both exhibitions will be on display from October 1 to November 21, 2020.
“40 Under Forty” is an exhibition of 40 artists under the age of forty, all of whom were born after the Italian community centre was established. It will give the audience a look at what young artists are doing during a world-wide pandemic, while society simultaneously experiences rapid and vital cultural and political growth.
“As we mark the 40th anniversary of the Columbus Centre, we celebrate with this exhibition the spirit of inclusion, hope for the future, and love for the arts that lies at the foundation of this organization,” says Emanuele Lepri, Executive Director of Cultural Programming, Villa Charities Inc. “We are delighted to feature this small army of wonderful young artists in our Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery. The “40 Under Forty” exhibition rises high above this year’s global fears capturing the vibrancy, diversity and quality of Ontario’s visual arts scene.”
To complement the “40 Under Forty” exhibition, accomplished multimedia artist and VCI Artist in Residence Franco Berti has created a special anniversary collage, commissioned by the organization. The collage was produced to serve as a memorable and welcoming symbol for the Columbus Centre community at large; celebrating the past while engaging with the present time. Berti uses collage, photography, performance, installation, and public and social works to transcend the notion of identity, nationality and cultural identification.
The Columbus Centre, part of the Villa Charities organization, has served as a vibrant community centre since its official opening on October 10, 1980, where people can enjoy the richness of Italian culture within a Canadian setting. Today, the Columbus Centre remains a major hub for the GTA’s Italian-Canadian community and a popular meeting place frequented by more than 150,000 visitors every year. Patrons of all ages visit the Columbus Centre for dance, visual arts, music, Italian language and children’s camps; view art exhibitions at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; attend cultural events and programming; use child care services; and participate in a wide range of athletic, aquatic and wellness programs at its expansive athletic club.
Throughout its history, the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery has exhibited a broad range of art and artists and continues its commitment with “40 Under Forty” as well as Berti’s collage.
“From faces to figures, still life to action painting, landscape to seascape, the themes and disciplines are as diverse as the artists themselves,” says Curator, Flavio Belli. “These 40 artists have been selected from a much larger group of artists whose work I have reviewed. I hope it is a comprehensive survey that suggests the breadth of contemporary art and that it introduces talented visual artists who are making a statement in the current art scene to new audiences.”
Ibrahim Abusitta, Cruz T. Anderson, Houssam Alloum, Christian Applegate, Franco Berti, Lucas Biagini, Kieran Brent, Gizem Candan, Jasmine Canaviri, Chen Cao, Daniel Cardoso, Peter Chan, Danielle Clarke, Salvatore G. F. Crimi, Katherine Curci, Courtney Downman, Lana Filippone, Hannan Fayad, Alice Gong, Kim Hayung, Karyn Ho, Miles Ingrassia, Omeed Jasar, Jaymie Lathem, Kima Lenaghan, Jean-Luc Lindsay, Megan MacDonald, Gabbi Maria, Colt Nicastro, Tristram Pinney, Hana Hozhabr Pour, Devon Pryce, Michael Rachlis, Steven Restagno, Anthony Ricciardi, Miriam Rosenthal, Angela Snieder, Eleni Tsatsanis, Isabella Varrasso, Shaheer Zazai
Columbus Centre patrons and the community at large are invited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the community centre by experiencing these memorable exhibitions.
To ensure physical distancing and in compliance with capacity limits for indoor events, the official opening night reception will be hosted as four separate events; ten artists will be in attendance for each opening.
Thursday, October 1, 5:30 – 7:00pm & 7:30 – 9:00pm
Friday, October 2, 5:30 – 7:00pm & 7:30 – 9:00pm
RSVP is required in advance to reserve your spot. To RSVP, visit villacharities.com/CC40
For more information, email cultural@villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011 ext. 248
“40 Under Forty”
October 1 – November 21, 2020
Location: Upper and Lower Gallery
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre
40th Anniversary Collage
October 1 – November 21, 2020
Location: Lobby, Columbus Centre
Gallery Hours: If you wish to visit the exhibitions, please contact the Arts & Culture Coordinator directly at 416-789-7011 ext. 248 or cultural@villacharities.com for gallery hours. Entry is free. COVID-19 protocols are in place to ensure the safety of all visitors. Masks or face coverings are mandatory in all indoor public spaces under City of Toronto by-law no. 541-2020.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For almost 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent Italian organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com.
Since its opening in 1980, the Columbus Centre has served as a vibrant community centre where people can enjoy the richness of an Italian culture within a Canadian setting. Today, the Columbus Centre remains a major hub for the GTA’s Italian-Canadian community and a popular meeting place frequented by more than 150,000 visitors every year. Patrons of all ages visit the Columbus Centre daily for dance, visual arts, music, and culinary programs; view art exhibitions at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; attend cultural events and programming; and participate in a wide range of athletic, aquatics and wellness programs at our expansive athletic club. For more information visit villacharities.com
For further information, please contact:
Jessica Patriquin
MAVERICK
416-640-5525 Ext. 230
jessicap@wearemaverick.com
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications, Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
ksloan@villacharities.com
September 22, 2020
TORONTO – September 22, 2020 – Villa Charities is excited to announce the winners of its inaugural national scholarship program for post-secondary undergraduate and graduate students. The Villa Charities Scholarship Program was launched in April and is available to students of all backgrounds and faiths, who will help further Villa Charities’ mission of enriching lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage.
“Each of the inaugural award recipients submitted impactful and heartwarming essays that clearly articulated the importance of their Italian culture and heritage and how it aligns with Villa Charities’ mission,” said Anthony DiCaita, President and CEO, Villa Charities Inc. “These students are to be commended for their hard work and academic achievements. I wish them all the best in their upcoming school year.”
The Villa Charities Scholarship Program includes a total of 16 scholarships valued at $60,000. Eight of the sixteen scholarships are awarded through Villa Charities Foundation in support of undergraduate and graduate-level studies in a variety of disciplines. The remaining eight scholarships are awarded through George Brown College in Toronto, in support of students pursuing a degree in Architectural Studies or Culinary Arts.
Villa Charities announced the eight winners of their Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships today.
Four awards of $2,500 were presented to the following full-time Undergraduate students:
Four awards of $5,000 were presented to the following full-time Graduate students:
These scholarships were awarded by Villa Charities Foundation to students who are registered, full-time students at an accredited college or university, Canadian citizens or have permanent-residence status, and are enrolled for the 2020/2021 academic year. Eligible students were required to demonstrate leadership through community involvement or volunteering, as well as write a submission essay describing how they helped further Villa Charities’ mission.
“Being Italian has enriched my life in so many ways. I am deeply proud of my Italian heritage as it has taught me many valuable things throughout my life. As such, I work to give back to the Italian community in any way that I can.” – Luca Ramelli
“From taking Italian art history classes at the Columbus Centre, to traveling to Abruzzo with Centro Scuola, my parents emphasized the value of learning about our heritage. My family’s love for Italy was also paired with their love for their new home, Canada.” – Alessandra Cicci
The selection and adjudication process was conducted by the Villa Charities Scholarship Awards Selection Committee. Scholarships awarded through Villa Charities Foundation will support the students’ tuition fees for the 2020/2021 academic year.
For more information about the Villa Charities Scholarship Program, please visit villacharities.com/scholarships or contact Cristina Costa, Director of Development, Villa Charities Foundation at 416-789-7011, ext. 321 / ccosta@villacharities.com. There are also opportunities to name a scholarship through sponsoring or alternate funding.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For almost 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent Italian organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com.
Villa Charities Foundation supports experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. As the charitable arm of Villa Charities, the Foundation provides crucial funding for areas such as senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs. For more information, visit villacharities.com/give
For further information, please contact:
Jessica Patriquin
MAVERICK
416-640-5525 Ext. 230
jessicap@wearemaverick.com
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
ksloan@villacharities.com
August 18, 2020
Villa Charities introduces scholarship program to honour Italian culture and heritage
TORONTO – April 28, 2020 – Villa Charities is proud to announce its Artist in Residence and Artistic Director of DopoLavoro Teatrale (DLT) Daniele Bartolini has been invited to the upcoming Venice Biennale 48th International Theatre Festival. La Biennale di Venezia was founded in 1895 and is now one of the most prestigious and renowned cultural organizations in the world. La Biennale, which stands at the forefront of research and promotion of new contemporary art trends, organizes exhibitions and research in all its departments: Arts (1895), Architecture (1980), Cinema (1932), Dance (1999), Music (1930), and Theatre (1934).
“This is an extraordinary validation of Bartolini’s hard work, ingenuity and artistic talent. As Villa Charities’ Artist in Residence since 2017, Bartolini and his DLT theatre group have developed a number of successful productions of immersive and innovative theatre, taking inspiration from our community and our very own Italian-Canadian stories,” says Emanuele Lepri, Executive Director of Cultural Programming, Villa Charities Inc. “We are proud to see that through a long-term cultural commitment we are now contributing to showcase Italian-Canadian talent in this prestigious international festival.”
Bartolini will present his new interactive performance designed for one audience member at a time, titled The Right Way. The performance focuses on the theme of censorship, specifically on self-censorship, which emerged from the experience of Bartolini’s immigration. The performance will premiere on September 15, 2020, with performances running until September 21, 2020.
“This year’s International Theatre Festival has invited a number of Italian artists to address a single theme with their work – censorship,” says Bartolini. “I decided to tackle this important theme with my personal life experience, which allows the audience to have a direct and not filtered experience with the material of the performance. It will create an alter ego character of an immigrant director who they embody during the show, each of them with their own sensibility.”
The audience members will take on the role of the protagonist, in this case a director who is given the opportunity to visit the brain and understand the perspective of someone who faces two very different landscapes: Italy and Europe, the one where he’s coming from, and Canada and North America, the one where he lives and operates. The performance expresses this internal conflict of displacement and the audience falls down the rabbit hole of artistic fantasy and uncertainty emerging from the immigration experience while navigating this new environment.
The performance includes a virtual reality short movie, developed with locative immersive media projects company Toasterlab.
The cast of the performance includes Canadian physical theatre legends, Michele Smith and Dean Gilmour, who have collected a combined 37 Dora Mavor Moore Awards nominations; Italian- Canadian actor Maddalena Vallecchi Williams, who starred in the Villa Charities production The Nonna Monologues; Jamaican native writer and actor Joyce Powell; queer emerging actor and performance artist Sophie Brender; and long-time Bartolini collaborator immersive actor and interlocutor, Rory de Brouwer, who has starred in DLT productions such as The Stranger and The Stranger 2.0: Above and Below.
The show has an original soundscape and set by DLT co-founder Matteo Ciardi. The Right Way is a co-production of DopoLavoro Teatrale with Italian theatre company Stazione Utopia and with the support of Villa Charities Inc.
For more information about the project visit this page:
www.labiennale.org/en/theatre/2020/theatre-performances/daniele-bartolini-right-way
The VR component includes a virtual installation by artist Franco Berti.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI), is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For almost 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com.
Daniele Bartolini is a director, writer, curator and theatre deviser who immigrated to Canada from Italy in 2015. He is the artistic director of Toronto-based company DopoLavoro Teatrale (DLT) and also works as a solo artist. His practice focuses on what he calls audience-specific theatre. He often designs experiences where the audience is led in the exploration of the urban landscape, encountering performers emerging from the crowded streets. Daniele is the creator of the internationally acclaimed urban immersive show The Stranger. His work has been presented in Canada, India, England, Germany and Italy. Daniele’s show The Stranger 2.0: Above and Below has been nominated for two Dora Mavor Moore Awards as Outstanding Production and Outstanding Direction. He is a recipient of the RBC Newcomer Prize and was a finalist of the Telus Newcomer Artist Award. Daniele’s new one-on-one performance The Right Way, will premiere at the Venice Biennale on occasion of its 48th International Theatre Festival in September 2020. He conceived a collection of urgent artistic responses to the pandemic through a variety of art forms titled We Were, We Are, We Will Be, a co-presentation of SummerWorks and Canadian Stage. The project is co-curated with Toronto-based producer and poet Luke Reece with whom he found a new curatorial entity, in response to the current times, called Mixtape Curations.
DopoLavoro Teatrale (DLT) is an international award-winning company founded in 2006 in Florence, Italy by Artistic Director Daniele Bartolini. DLT is dedicated to audience specific theatre, a form of interactive theatre developed by the company. DLT has been presented in Canada, England, Germany, Italy and India. DLT highlights include: The Stranger 2.0: Above and Below (presented with Istituto Italiano di Cultura and Community Sponsor Villa Charities Inc.), If on a Christmas Night… (Villa Charities Inc., Toronto), Leonardo’s Last Supper (Villa Charities Inc., Toronto), Haunted Weather for a Stranger – First Experiment (Barfuss Theater Berlin; Germany), An Italian Christmas Carol (Istituto Italiano di Cultura Toronto, Canada) The Invisible City (SummerWorks Toronto, Canada), Off Limits Zone (Luminato Festival, Toronto, Canada) Unfinished (Khoj New Dehli, India) Past highlights: The Stranger (presented in Toronto, Canada at SummerWorks Festival, Mumbai at Thespo Festival, Sansepolcro, Italy at Kilowatt Festival, Vancouver, Canada at rEvolver Festival), That Ugly Mess (In the Soil Festival St. Catharines, Canada) Midway Along The Journey of Our Life (Summerworks Toronto, Canada), EveryTimeIStretchMyArm (Natura Dei Teatri, Parma, Italy), and K.i.t.e. (International Festival Fabric Europa, Florence, Italy). Daniele Bartolini is a recipient of the RBC Newcomer Art Access Prize and finalist of the Telus Newcomer Artist Award. The Stranger received a nomination for the Critic’s Award “Premio Rete Critica” from the Italian theatre magazine PaneAcquaCulture for the edition at the Kilowatt Festival. DLT is the current resident company at Villa Charities Inc. DLT was nominated for Outstanding Performance of an Ensemble at the 2019 Dora Mavor Moore Awards. The production of The Stranger 2.0 was nominated as Outstanding Direction and Outstanding Production at the 2020 Dora Mavor Moore Awards. DLT is presenting a new one-on-one creation at the Venice Biennale International Theatre Festival titled The Right Way. dltexperience.com
Michele received her Master’s Degree in French Literature from the University of Aix-en-Provence in 1975 and studied at L’Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris, France from 1976-78. Over the last 40 years, as co-artistic director, she has created, directed, produced and performed in 44 productions in Toronto and has toured 11 countries around the world. Michele won 7 Dora Mavor Moore awards for her work on Chekov’s Shorts and Chekov’s Long. She is proud of her 10 years of teaching acting at Humber College.
Dean graduated from the University of Windsor with an Honours BFA degree in Dramatic Arts in 1976 and immediately traveled to Paris, France to attend the School of Jacques Lecoq. He has created, directed, and performed in 42 Theatre Smith-Gilmour productions and has performed his work in Toronto, across Canada and in 11 countries around the world. Dean has received 2 Dora Awards for Best Director, 2 for Best Actor, 2 for Best Production, and 1 for Best New Play for his work as actor, writer, and director in Chekov’s Shorts and Chekovs Longs…In the Ravine.
Maddalena is a bilingual Italian-Canadian actor and producer, born in Toronto and raised in Rome, Italy. She is a graduate of the Acting Program at The National Theatre School of Canada (NTS). Maddalena wrote, starred and produced the teaser for her web series, La Professoressa – currently in development – which was selected for the Shorts Program of the 2019 Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF) in Toronto. Maddalena works with filmmaker Bruce McDonald and his production company, developing feature films and TV series. Selected Theatre credits: The Nonna Monologues (DopoLavoro Teatrale/Villa Charities) Cassius in CAESAR (Wolf Manor Theatre Collective) Lanolin in The Listening Room (NTS), Gertrude in Hamlet (NTS), Sasha in Orlando (NTS). Selected TV/ Film credits: Sailor (Silent Tower), For Honor (Ubisoft), Sweet Affliction (Jess Lee), Ashram ’69 (Triple 7 Productions), Cinderella (RAI – Italian Television).
April 28, 2020
Daniele Bartolini, VCI’s long-time Artist in Residence to premiere new interactive performance “The Right Way”
TORONTO – August 18, 2020 – Villa Charities is excited to announce it is launching a new national scholarship program for post-secondary undergraduate and graduate students. The Villa Charities Scholarship Program will be available to students of all backgrounds and faiths, who believe in and will help further Villa Charities’ mission to enrich lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage.
The new Villa Charities Scholarship Program will award a total of 16 scholarships valued at $60,000. There are four scholarship programs, with two programs offered through Villa Charities Foundation and two programs offered through George Brown College in Toronto.
These scholarships will be awarded by Villa Charities Foundation to students who are registered, full-time students at an accredited college or university, are Canadian citizens or have permanent-residence status, and are enrolled for the 2020/2021 academic year. Eligible students will be required to demonstrate leadership through community involvement or volunteering, as well as submit a written essay describing how they help further Villa Charities’ mission.
“This scholarship program comes at a critical time for post-secondary students as they are feeling the economic impact of COVID-19,” says Anthony DiCaita, President & CEO, Villa Charities Inc. “Now more than ever, Villa Charities is committed to supporting students in our community, and we hope this financial assistance will be an important first step in ensuring their bright future.”
Applications for the Villa Charities Scholarship Program may be submitted to Villa Charities Foundation beginning April 28, 2020, with a deadline of June 30, 2020. The selection and adjudication process will be conducted by the Villa Charities Scholarship Awards Selection Committee. Scholarships will be awarded through Villa Charities Foundation in September 2020, to go towards tuition for the 2020/2021 academic year.
For more information and to download the application package, please visit villacharities.com/scholarships or contact Cristina Costa, Director of Development, Villa Charities Foundation at 416-789-7011, ext. 321 / ccosta@villacharities.com. There are also opportunities to sponsor or fund a scholarship.
Villa Charities will also work directly with George Brown College to offer two dedicated scholarship programs to full-time students who are enrolled in the following programs:
George Brown students can start applying after September 2020 for the 2020/2021 academic year. Students can apply through the George Brown College’s Awards Office and complete their application on the Stu-View portal.
“I am thrilled that Villa Charities is launching this new initiative to support the youth in our community,” continues DiCaita. “We believe that education is a fundamental pillar of success and long-term prosperity, and therefore any person, regardless of background, is encouraged to apply.”
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI), is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For almost 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent Italian organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo apartments for independent seniors. Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com.
Villa Charities Foundation supports experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. As the charitable arm of Villa Charities, the Foundation provides crucial funding for areas such as senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs. For more information, visit villacharities.com/give.
For further information, please contact:
Jessica Patriquin
MAVERICK
416-640-5525 Ext. 230
jessicap@wearemaverick.com
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
ksloan@villacharities.com
April 27, 2020
TORONTO – April 27, 2020 – For almost 50 years, Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) has been a destination and cultural leader for the Italian-Canadian community in the GTA, with support for senior care the pillar on which it was founded. During the current COVID-19 public health crisis, its top priorities are to keep employees safe, ensure service to patrons, residents and partners, and to do its part in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
COVID-19 Safety Measures at the Independent Seniors’ Apartments
It is a top priority to keep the senior residents safe, and strict protocols have been implemented for residents and visitors to the apartment buildings.
Food Partnerships
Programs for Seniors
Villa Charities is supporting its apartment residents through outdoor fitness classes as well. Fitness instructors from the Columbus Centre Athletic Club are conducting weekly outdoor ZUMBA® classes while residents from Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo can participate in their own home from a balcony or window. VCI is also providing cultural entertainment by arranging for Italian musicians and singers to perform concerts outside of the apartments. Since the residents are unable to attend mass, prayer services will also be held outdoors. The schedule of events is included below or on the Villa Charities website here.
Cultural Performances – Serenata Al Fresco
Bruno Nesci Concert
Friday, May 1, 2020
Claudio Santaluce Concert
Friday, May 8, 2020
ZUMBA® Classes
Tuesday, April 28, 2020 & Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Prayer and Hymn Service
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Fundraising Campaign
Villa Charities has launched a fundraising campaign to support its essential COVID-19 safety measures for the residents at the independent seniors’ apartments. Donations can be made through Villa Charities Foundation at villacharities.com/give.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI), is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For almost 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent Italian organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo apartments for independent seniors. Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com.
Villa Charities Foundation supports experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. As the charitable arm of Villa Charities, the Foundation provides crucial funding for areas such as senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs. For more information, visit villacharities.com/give.
For further information, please contact:
Jessica Patriquin
MAVERICK
416-640-5525 Ext. 230
jessicap@wearemaverick.com
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
ksloan@villacharities.com
March 10, 2020
March 10, 2020 – Villa Charities Inc. is proud to announce its partnership with Eataly, the largest Italian retail and dining experience in the world, as one of its official charities of choice. This partnership provides the two prominent Italian organizations with an opportunity to collaborate on initiatives bringing unique cultural programming and events curated by Villa Charities to Eataly’s customer base and the GTA at large. Eataly will also support fundraising initiatives on-site and off-site to help raise money for Villa Charities.
For almost 50 years, Villa Charities has been a destination and cultural leader for the ItalianCanadian community in the GTA. Partnering with Eataly allows Villa Charities to continue strengthening its partnerships with companies who are aligned with VCI’s mission and who are industry leaders with an enthusiasm to further drive awareness and engagement with the Villa Charities organization.
“We are thrilled about the opportunity to partner with Eataly, a global leader and international food brand,” said Anthony DiCaita, President and CEO, Villa Charities Inc., “Villa Charities looks forward to collaborating and developing interesting programs that will inspire the Italian-Canadian community. We are grateful for Eataly’s support and commitment.”
The first Canadian location opened in November 2019, in Yorkville’s Manulife Centre. Eataly is a bustling Italian marketplace with 50,000 square feet with four restaurants, seven unique food counters, a brewery and a cooking school dedicated to delivering the same high-quality food and drink offered steps away in the full market.
“Villa Charities has been a great friend of Eataly in Toronto from day one. At the core of our relationship is a mutual passion for sharing Italian culture with the broader community, whether it be through food, programming or storytelling,” said Nico Dagnino, Store Director at Eataly Toronto. “Selecting them as a charity of choice was a natural fit for us, and we’re looking forward to the ongoing collaborations that come with our partnership.”
Toronto marks the 40th location of Eataly around the globe, with other locations including Paris, Riyadh, Tokyo, and San Paolo.
To launch this partnership, Eataly will present talks with Toronto-based visual artists Peter Triantos and Anthony Ricciardi in March and April, as part of their new “Cultura” speaker series at their recently opened restaurant, Trattoria Milano.
A larger exhibition showcasing the works of these artists is on display until April 5th, presented by Villa Charities at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery in the Columbus Centre.
Proceeds raised from fundraising initiatives organized by Eataly, including a program during Italian Heritage Month, will be donated to help support Villa Charities in its mission to celebrate and promote Italian heritage, culture and support for senior care.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI), is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For almost 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent Italian organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo apartments for independent seniors. Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com.
Villa Charities Foundation supports experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. As the charitable arm of Villa Charities, the Foundation provides crucial funding for areas such as senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs. For more information, visit villacharities.com/give.
For further information, please contact:
Jessica Patriquin
MAVERICK
416-640-5525 Ext. 230
jessicap@wearemaverick.com
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
ksloan@villacharities.com
January 28, 2020
TORONTO (January 28, 2020) – Villa Charities is pleased to present concurrent exhibitions of two dynamic Toronto-based artists: Anthony Ricciardi and Peter Triantos, with an opening reception on Thursday, February 6 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. The exhibitions will run at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery in both the Upper and Lower galleries as well as the lobby, through Sunday, April 5, 2020. The art gallery is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is wheelchair accessible. Entry is free.
“Villa Charities is honoured to have the opportunity to engage its community and patrons in such an exquisite visual journey,” says Emanuele Lepri, Executive Director, Cultural Programming, Villa Charities Inc. “Ricciardi’s and Triantos’ work is quixotic, impertinent and beautiful; these pieces showcase the extraordinary power of art as the quintessential means of communication.”
Ricciardi’s exhibition, “We Adore You” showcases his latest series of paintings, which include 30 specially created canvases, two signature sculptures and a hand-painted mural.
“I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to display my work at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,” said Ricciardi. “This collection is driven by enthusiasm, depth of feeling and storytelling to produce art without limits.”
“Dreaming in Colour” by internationally recognized Canadian contemporary artist Peter Triantos brings together 30 abstract pieces. The exhibition features paintings from multiple series including his iconic ‘Jelly Bean’ series, and sought after ‘Napa Valley’ and ‘SP²’ series.
“No two people perceive abstract art in the same way; it’s what their intuition projects on it,” says Peter Triantos. “This is the reason art moves people in such fascinating ways. Like love, it can happen at first sight or develop over time.”
Opening reception: Thursday, February 6 from 6:00PM – 9:00PM
Exhibition dates: Thursday, February 6 – Sunday, April 5, 2020
Location: Upper Gallery, Lower Gallery and Lobby
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave. West, Toronto, ON
Available for interviews at the Opening Night Reception: Anthony Ricciardi, Peter Triantos, and Emanuele Lepri
For more information on the “We Adore You” and “Dreaming in Colour” exhibitions, please visit villacharities.com.
Anthony is a renowned multi-disciplinary artist from Toronto who showcases his canvases, murals and installations internationally. He introduces his diverse audiences to distinctive, vivid and colourful one-of-a-kind masterpieces organized and presented in unique arrangements.
After leaving the comforts and clout of a successful career in the corporate-finance world to pursue his true passion and lifelong dream, the self-taught creator has mastered a talent for inventive colour-mixing and layered creations to elicit enthusiastic reactions and powerful positive emotions.
His large-scale private commission murals and individual artworks have been shown worldwide including Toronto, Montreal, New York, Los Angeles, Brazil, Miami, London and Manchester. His artwork forms part of many important private, corporate and public collections.
Peter is an abstract painter and printmaker who never stops evolving his unique vision. He brings dynamic energy to his process and to expressing his core beliefs: that his art can and should be joyful; that it be passionate and intrinsically beautiful; that he express reflections of life and nature; that he creates thank-you notes to humanity.
Besides Peter’s own galleries in downtown Toronto, his artwork is represented by Art Rental at the Art Gallery of Ontario, HG Contemporary Gallery in Chelsea, NYC and Gallery Biba in Palm Beach, Florida. Peter has participated in exhibitions in Auckland, Seoul, Hong Kong, Basel, New York, Saratoga Springs NY, Miami and Napa Valley, California among many others.
Villa Charities Inc. (VCI), is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For almost 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent Italian organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo apartments for independent seniors. Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. For more information visit villacharities.com.
Villa Charities Foundation supports experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. As the charitable arm of Villa Charities, the Foundation provides crucial funding for areas such as senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs. For more information, visit villacharities.com/give.
For further information, please contact:
Jessica Patriquin
MAVERICK
416-640-5525 Ext. 230
jessicap@wearemaverick.com
Kathleen Sloan, CM
Director, Marketing and Communications
Villa Charities Inc.
416-789-7011 Ext. 309
ksloan@villacharities.com
Director, Villa Colombo Toronto Auxiliary Board
For the past 12 years, Antonina Rasile has played an integral role at Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities as a Community Events Manager. In this capacity, she has been instrumental in developing key strategies to raise awareness of Jumpstart Charity’s mission to remove financial barriers, ensuring that all kids across Canada have access to sports and play. Her efforts have resulted in countless children building confidence and developing essential skills for future growth.
Before her tenure at Jumpstart Charities, Antonina held various positions at Canadian Tire Corporation. These roles included serving as the IT Store Systems Team Lead and contributing significantly within the Corporate Experience Team. Each position allowed her to hone her leadership skills and deepen her understanding of organizational dynamics.
Throughout her career, Antonina has prided herself on being a passionate leader. She is renowned for creating collaborative environments that result in action-driven teams through coaching, mentoring, and fostering respectful connections. Her leadership style not only motivates teams but also ensures that every member feels valued and integral to the collective mission.
Antonina’s commitment to community service extends beyond her professional life. She brings her extensive skills and experience to the Villa Colombo Toronto Auxiliary Board, where she has been a dedicated board member for the past two years.
Director, Villa Colombo Toronto Auxiliary Board
Maria Filice’s retirement has provided her with the opportunity to get involved with community work and meeting people. She is currently involved with Villa Colombo and Villa Charities in general.
Maria has lived in the area since 1969 and has been retired for 5 years. She was a legal assistant/law clerk having practiced in the field since 1973 with a main focus on residential real estate. She became a volunteer at the Villa Gift Shop in January of 2023, devoting two days a week to the shop and occasionally stepping in for other volunteers when they were not available. She also helps in other areas when required.
Maria became a board member of the VCTA in November of 2023 and has come to appreciate the countless hours and devotion the board members provide, in their continuous fundraising efforts for the residents through the various functions they organize.
She hopes that in some small way she can make a difference.
Treasurer, Villa Colombo Toronto Auxiliary Board
Paola is an experienced Bookkeeper with a Bachelor of Business Management and a strong background in managing financial operations for a law firm. With over 30 years of experience in legal accounting, Paola brings a detail-oriented approach to managing accounts, reconciling statements and ensuring tax compliance.
Driven by strong family values and a passion for giving back, Paola volunteered at an Elementary School in Thornhill from 2001 to 2010, helping young readers enhance their literacy skills and foster a love of learning. Along with the reading program Paola was an active member in the Parent Council Committee from 2002 to 2015. This experience inspired a deep commitment to community service which led Paola to join VCTA in 2021 as a board member helping to organize various fundraising events. Paola has recently taken on the role of Treasurer for VCTA.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, baking and gathering with family and friends.
General Secretary, Villa Colombo Toronto Auxiliary Board
Anna Figliano-Bellissimo holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from York University and a French Language Certification from Laval University. She enjoyed a 33-year career as a civil servant with the Province of Ontario, holding various roles including Statistical Reporting and Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.
Anna is deeply passionate about the Italian community and is an active member of the Catholic Women’s League, currently serving as the Service Chair on the Executive Committee at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.
Her dedication to community service highlights her commitment to making a positive impact.
2nd Vice-President, Villa Colombo Toronto Auxiliary Board
Elena has been in Tech for over 20 years in Toronto. She is a successful entrepreneur and overall leader. Her business acumen is paramount to her success, having established the Canadian Computer Education College in the late 1990’s. From there, she started Futuretek Recruiting, and the brand was born. Through Elena, Futuretek has repeatedly been a top 1% company in Canada, making her one of Toronto’s strongest entrepreneurial forces to date. She now gives back to our local community by running Futuretek Academy, a tech company that provides upskilling to new Canadians, and then helps them get jobs in our Toronto tech market. The odd time Elena isn’t working, you can find her playing squash, kayaking, or chilling at her cottage on Lake Erie.
Immediate Past President, Villa Colombo Toronto Auxiliary Board, Villa Charities Inc.
Anna Maria D’Aquila is a retired Bank of Montreal (BMO) employee with a lengthy career spanning numerous roles, from Secretary to Senior Process Manager, Branch Operations. Her dedication and expertise were invaluable during her time at BMO.
She has been a vital part of the Villa Colombo Toronto Auxiliary Board from 2012 to 2023. During her time on the board, she filled the roles of General Secretary and President. Throughout these years, she has played a crucial role in organizing and chairing a variety of successful fundraising events, including Pasta Bingo nights, golf tournaments, fashion shows, and dinner dances.
Currently, she manages the Fusco Family Gift Shop, where she continues to demonstrate her commitment to the community. In her role of Immediate Past President, she provides guidance and support to newer board members.
President, Villa Colombo Toronto Auxiliary Board
Dr. Pinella Buongiorno is a dedicated family physician with extensive experience in both family medicine and long-term care settings. She holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Human Biology and Italian Studies, and a Master of Science from the University of Toronto. Dr. Buongiorno graduated from the University of Ottawa Medical School in 2011 and completed her residency in Family Medicine at the University of Toronto in 2013.
Following her residency, she joined a family medicine practice in Scarborough, where she has provided compassionate care to her patients. In addition to her practice, Dr. Buongiorno works at two Long-Term Care homes in the Greater Toronto Area. She currently serves as the Medical Director of a City of Toronto Long-Term Care home, and as an attending physician at a private Long-Term Care home in Etobicoke.
Dr. Buongiorno is passionate about palliative care and end of life care, and serves on the Divisional Palliative Care Committee within the City of Toronto Senior Services and Long-Term Care sector. In this role, she is actively contributing to the development and implementation of new Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care policies across City of Toronto Long-Term Care homes, ensuring that seniors receive high-quality care during their most critical times.
As a strong advocate for her patients, especially seniors, Dr. Buongiorno is committed to supporting not only the health and wellbeing of her patients but also their families and caregivers. Her dedication extends beyond the medical field, as she is passionate about her Italian-Canadian roots and actively gives back to her community.
Since childhood, Dr. Buongiorno has been an active member of the Italian-Canadian community, and proud supporter of Villa Charities. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Villa Colombo Toronto Auxiliary since 2021, and in November 2024, she stepped into the role of President, excited to continue using her experience and leadership to benefit the community. Through her professional and community involvement, Dr. Buongiorno remains a strong and compassionate advocate for both her patients and the broader Italian-Canadian community.
Director, Villa Charities Inc.
As a second generation Italian Canadian, Laura has always had great appreciation for Italian heritage, culture and language. After graduating from Glendon College in Political Studies, she moved to Italy to complete a specialization in International Law at the University in Calabria and defend her thesis on freedom of religion and consciousness in Constitutional and International Law. In 2012, she completed her J.D and LL.L from the University of Ottawa. Laura became an attorney and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2013. She began practicing law at a boutique cross-border firm specializing in class action litigation in the areas of antitrust/competition, consumer protection and securities law. She became In-House Counsel for a group of renewable energy and sustainability companies prior to joining the Legal and Global Security team at Apple where she is currently employed.
Laura is honoured to sit on the VCI Board of Directors where she can continue to make contributions to the community and to advocate for people’s dignity, ideas and beliefs.
Director, Villa Charities Inc.
Nina is a dedicated public servant, having spent nearly 30 years advancing economic development activities with the City of Toronto. In the first half of her career, she worked in the areas of tourism and event attraction, most notably on the bids to host 2008 Toronto Olympics and the 2015 World’s Fair. A skilled project manager, she was also responsible for delivering high-profile events including the XVI AIDS Conference in 2006, official visits by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the 2010 RBC Canadian Open. More recently, she has had carriage of the innovation portfolio focused on supporting Toronto’s small business and start-up communities both from a policy and programming lens.
Nina is passionate about her Italian culture and heritage and has forged strong ties to the Italian community in Toronto.
Martina Di Gioacchino is the Director of the Capital Program Budgeting and Planning team at Infrastructure Ontario. Her 10 years of experience spans the health care and public sector infrastructure fields, including several years as a Project Manager at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (now Ministry of Long-Term Care).
She holds an honours undergraduate degree from Queen’s University, a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Western University, and an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business.
Martina was Villa Colombo Vaughan’s first ever summer student and has continued a long relationship with the home and its residents through summer placements, volunteer activities, as well as through her private practice. While practicing as a Speech-Language Pathologist, Martina developed and implemented a first-of-its-kind, in-house speech-language pathology program at VCV to better serve its residents.
Martina cares deeply about the well-being of Villa Colombo Vaughan’s residents, families, and staff and she is proud to be serving the home as a member of the Board of Directors.
Director, Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc.
As the Managing Director and Vice President of Communications for Sussex Strategy Group, Danielle helps drive results for the firm and her clients through her creativity and energy. Her expertise in strategy, brand marketing, and public affairs enables her to craft bespoke public relations strategies that advance business objectives.
Danielle has over two decades of experience helping companies navigate complex business challenges. She has partnered with Canadian business leaders to craft thought leadership strategies and delivered high-impact marketing communications plans that drive awareness and support.
Prior to Sussex, she served as the director of operations for a national advertising consortium for two federal campaigns. Danielle worked inside Ontario’s hospital system for over a decade, helping to rename, rebrand and launch public awareness campaigns #MentalHealthisHealth and #SeeWhatCareCanDo. Her career has spanned multiple sectors originally holding public affairs roles in a global pharmaceutical and healthcare pension plan.
She holds an Honours BA from Trinity College at the University of Toronto and her Master’s in Marketing from the University of the Creative Arts in London, UK, focusing on brand purpose. Her work has been recognized by the Canadian Marketing Association, ADCC, Strategy Online, AVA Digital Awards and MarCom Awards.
Outside of work, Danielle is an avid renovator, enthusiastic traveller, and voracious reader – so much so that she was appointed to the Board of the King Township Public Library. In her spare time, she enjoys walking through nature trails with her dog Milo and reluctant daughter.
Director, Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc.
Alisa Carli is a Senior Portfolio Manager with BMO Nesbitt Burns, a division of Bank of Montreal Private Wealth Canada. With over 30 years of financial industry experience, her focus is on the creation and implementation of wealth management services for her affluent clientele. Her goal is to empower clients with comprehensive and customized solutions for complex situations through coordinated and proactive wealth plans. Alisa holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a Licensed Portfolio Manager and has life insurance accreditation. She earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto.
Director, Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc.
Josephine Atri has a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees, and a Certificate in Adjudication for Administrative Agencies, Boards and Tribunals. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 1989 and practiced law for 30 years.
For many years, she was Senior Counsel to the Ontario Ministry of Finance. She was also counsel at Cabinet Office, other ministries and the Financial Services Commission of Ontario prior to that. She specialized in the regulation of insurance and financial services and establishing regulatory agencies, tribunals and other bodies. She has extensive experience in developing and coordinating government bills, regulations and related instruments and briefing and advising senior management, Ministers and Opposition Members. She has appeared before various Committees of Cabinet and of the Legislature, and in every Ontario Court level.
Director, Columbus Centre of Toronto
Andrew Smith is a fitness and leadership coach. He has developed his coaching passion by working with individuals, athletes and facilities for over 40 years. His work with clients and Olympians has seen the actualization of their dreams and goals. His drive and enthusiasm have helped build businesses and develop teams to reach their untapped potential. His knowledge of the fitness industry comes from running a wide variety of clubs and selling commercial exercise equipment in the Ontario and national markets. He has earned a strong reputation for effective strategic planning, motivation to achieve health and fitness goals, knowledge of the body’s physiology and application
to the individual.
He graduated from University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education majoring in Exercise Physiology. He was and is a director/manager with many facilities including The Fitness Institute, The High Performance Specialists, Embody Fitness Clubs and The Longevity Gym and is the Toronto licensee for Leadership Management Canada (LMI). He appreciates the role of leader and is excited to help develop personal change to inspire greater satisfaction and fulfillment of one’s individual health, fitness and career goals.
Ex-Officio (Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre Chair), Villa Charities Inc.
Anthony Messina is the Head of Private Wealth, including the President of Guardian Partners and Managing Director for Guardian Capital Advisors LP. Previous roles at Guardian included President and CEO of Worldsource Securities and Worldsource Financial Management (2018-2021).
Prior to joining Guardian in 2016, he was instrumental in building and growing I3 Advisors, the predecessor to BNY Mellon Wealth Management Canada’s outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) business. During his tenure as President, he served as a member of various global operating, pension, and investment strategy committees, and as director of the Canadian and Cayman Island businesses. Anthony began his career in the financial services industry at Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers). His business experience is broad and includes investment management, venture capital, business and operations management in private and public companies.
Anthony is a graduate of the Schulich School of Business, holds the Chartered Professional Accountant designation and is a CFA® Charterholder. He is active in numerous charities, including as a director of Villa Colombo Vaughan. He is also a member of the MacKay CEO Forums, a leading CEO peer learning organization.
Director, Villa Charities Inc.
Mauro brings extensive senior financial, operational and growth leadership experience, along with a curiosity and appreciation for people’s perspective, and a passion for tackling complex challenges and fostering success. After attaining a CPA, CA designation while with the real estate and construction team of what is now PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Mauro has spent over 25 years in various COO, CFO and similar roles with accounting, law, real estate, healthcare and marketing communications firms ranging from mid to large size, both for- and not-for-profit. He enjoys translating challenges and desires into direction, and aligning strategy, motivators and action to drive results.
As a proud ambassador and beneficiary of the incredible achievements and examples set by his parents and their fellow immigrant Italian community, Mauro joined the Villa Charities Inc. Board to help ensure that future generations of the Italian and broader community can look back in a similar way on what we achieve and the examples we set today.
In addition to serving as a board member, Mauro serves as Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee.
Past Chair / Secretary, Villa Charities Inc. / Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery
After his call to the Bar in 1983, Santo began his practice in the core areas of family law and civil litigation. In 1993, he became one of the three founding members of Bianchi Presta LLP, and in October 1994, he was appointed and remains a standing agent for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada for Newmarket. When not volunteering his time on behalf of Villa Colombo and Villa Charities, Santo is a passionate sports fan, enjoys cooking and espionage novels, and is still trying to break 100 in his occasional rounds of golf.
In addition to serving as a board member, Santo is a member of the Villa Charities Nominating and Governance Committee and the Villa Charities Audit and Asset Management Committee.
Ex-officio (Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Chair), Villa Charities Inc. / Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery
Ben Vozzolo has been on the Villa Colombo Toronto board since 2018 and is also a member of the Nominations & Governance, and Quality & Risk committees. Currently, he serves as 2nd Vice-Chair.
Ben has 24 years of experience in the healthcare sector in various roles in hospitals and healthcare agencies. He is currently the Executive Director of Fontbonne Ministries, Sisters of St. Joseph, Toronto, a social services agency serving vulnerable populations, seniors and people experiencing social isolation.
Ben’s volunteer work has been in the community health and social services sector and he is passionate about building healthy communities where everyone belongs. Ben is also a member of the Board of Directors of Pugalug Pug Rescue, a dog rescue charity in Toronto.
In addition to serving as a board member, Ben holds the position of Chair on the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Board. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Cultural Committee.
Ex-Officio (Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Chair), Villa Charities Inc.
Angela Gauthier holds Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts degrees from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Education from the Université d’Ottawa. She is fluent in both of Canada’s official languages, as well as Italian.
During her 41 years as an educator and teacher, Mrs. Gauthier has also held the positions of Associate Director of Education, Superintendent of Human Resources, Superintendent of the family of schools and education officer at the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) for the development of provincial assessment and has been a school principal for English and French language schools.
Mrs. Gauthier has been a member and Chair of the Board of Directors of “Catholic Crosscultural Services”, an agency of the Archdiocese of Toronto which provides resettlement services to immigrants and refugees. She has also sat on the Board of ICFF (Italian Contemporary Film Festival) for three years. Mrs. Gauthier is very passionate about quality Long Term Care for Seniors and in particular about the seniors in Villa Colombo Toronto. She brings her skills and experience in Communications, Board governance, strategic planning, management, and senior leadership to the Board of Villa Colombo. Mrs. Gauthier states that her retirement has provided the opportunity to volunteer and give back to the community and to spend more time with family, especially her grandchildren.
In addition to serving as a board member, Angela serves as an Ex-Officio on the Villa Charities Inc. Board.
Ex-Officio (Villa Charities Inc. Chair), Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre
Joseph Arcuri, CPA, CA, is the Chief Financial Officer of NRStor. He has been a Director of BioSyent Inc. since 2018 and is currently Chair of the Audit Committee and Disclosure Policy Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Arcuri started his professional career with PriceWaterhouseCoopers within its assurance group and later was president of AOL Canada. Joseph is a passionate Senior Account Executive with 29 years of experience working collaboratively with seniors, employees, members, partners, government and other vested stakeholders.
In addition to serving as a board member, Joseph holds the position of Chair on the Villa Charities Board and the Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation & Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation Board. He serves as Treasurer on the Villa Charities Foundation Board and an Ex-Officio on the Columbus Centre Board and the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Board. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Nominating and Governance Committee, the Villa Charities Audit and Asset Management Committee and the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee.
Pina Falbo is a seasoned business and retail professional, with greater than 20 years of experience in luxury retail, technology and not-for-profit companies and organizations.
Pina has contributed her strategic and tactical managerial, operational, sales, marketing, fundraising, events planning and human resource talents to large corporations, as well as start-up and private enterprise organizations. Organizations have included Holt Renfrew, Danier Leather, Saks Fifth Avenue, Chanel, Veretta Fashion Imports and MMX Retail as well as consulting services to Mircom Technologies Ltd.
With a passion for giving back, Pina has also been an active community participant. Pina holds considerable board and committee experience in the not-for-profit and philanthropic sectors. She is a current board member for Villa Charities Vaughan and a past director of the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce. She was appointed to the City of Vaughan Canada 150 Task Force and has participated in numerous committee and events including as co-chair of the Mackenzie Health Volunteer Association Annual Gala and fundraising for The Schulich Heart Centre for Sunnybrook Hospital, The Look Good Feel Better Charity for Women with Cancer, 2 Kids with Love (Mexico) and The Fred Victor Homeless Shelter.
Pina earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from York University and has a Certificate in Human Resources Management from Seneca College with a current pursuit of a Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. Pina is a resident of Vaughan and is married with two wonderful teenage boys.
In addition to serving as a board member, Pina is also a member of the Villa Charities Nominating and Governance Committee.
Past Chair, Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre
Secretary, Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc.
Anthony Moscar, Naturopathic Doctor, BSc (Hons) has worked in healthcare for over 10 years. Having started his career in direct patient care, he has since provided leadership support to the Napanee Community Health Center. Returning back to his community to provide leadership in home and community care, he is passionate about ensuring quality, equitable healthcare delivery for everyone.
Anthony is a long-time resident of the area and remembers fondly when he learned to cook at Villa Colombo in a youth program and later as a teen travelling to Italy with Centro Scuola. In the past he also served on the Villa Charities Board of Governors.
Ex-Officio (Villa Charities Inc. Chair), Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc.
Joseph Arcuri, CPA, CA, is the Chief Financial Officer of NRStor. He has been a Director of BioSyent Inc. since 2018 and is currently Chair of the Audit Committee and Disclosure Policy Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Arcuri started his professional career with PriceWaterhouseCoopers within its assurance group and later was president of AOL Canada. Joseph is a passionate Senior Account Executive with 29 years of experience working collaboratively with seniors, employees, members, partners, government and other vested stakeholders.
In addition to serving as a board member, Joseph holds the position of Chair on the Villa Charities Inc. Board and the Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation & Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation Board. He serves as Treasurer and Ex-Officio on the Villa Charities Foundation Board and as Ex-Officio on the Columbus Centre Board, the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Board and the Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre Board. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Nominating and Governance Committee, the Villa Charities Audit and Asset Management Committee and the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee.
Director, Villa Charities Foundation
Vice-Chair, Columbus Centre of Toronto
Marianne is an Elementary Guidance Counsellor with TCDSB. She also taught core French for eight years. Prior to this, she had a twenty-year career in Hospitality where she was Director of Business Development for Dynamic Hospitality and Entertainment Group. Marianne is passionate about the Italian community. She is a graduate of University of Toronto and completed her Bachelor of Education at Tyndale University. She has been a board member of NCIC, CIBPA Education Fund and CIBPA where she held the position of President. Over the years, Marianne has been actively involved with VCI’s cultural events, including Villa d’Arte and La Befana, as well as the Cultural and Food and Beverage Committees. Marianne is currently Vice-Chair of the Columbus Centre. She also served as an Ex-Officio on the Villa Charities Inc. Board for a few years.
In addition to serving as a board member, she is also a member of the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee and the Villa Charities Cultural Committee.
Chair, Columbus Centre of Toronto
Mario Fiorucci is an entrepreneur, lawyer & technology expert. As a serial entrepreneur, Mario has been through the start-up, growth, and acquisition of companies in retail, e-commerce and real estate development. He has been awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by the Toronto Business Development Centre, Excellence in Corporate Responsibility Award by ECR, and inducted into the Ontario Hostelry Institute as a fellow, among other recognitions. As a lawyer, he practiced at McCarthy Tétrault in the area of corporate law with a specialty in technology-related companies. He holds degrees in Computer Science, Physics, and Law. Mario credits his work ethic, passion for life, and family priorities to his Italian roots, with both of his parents having emigrated to Canada with nothing but a dream for a better life. Mario joined the Columbus Centre Board in 2022 and hopes to use his knowledge and experiences to keep the Columbus Centre a vibrant part of the community in line with the Villa Charities mission.
In addition to serving on the board, Mario serves as an Ex-Officio on the Villa Charities Inc. Board.
Director, Villa Charities Foundation
Paul is the founder and Executive Chairman of Sussex Strategy Group, with over 30 years of experience in government relations and public affairs. He specializes in advising clients in the healthcare, life sciences, infrastructure, and transportation sectors, using his relationship-building skills to help them succeed at all levels of government.
Paul has played pivotal roles in transforming a downtown Toronto hospital into a cutting-edge healthcare, research, and education facility and guiding a national rail company through a major infrastructure project approval process. He continues to advise clients on policy, politics, and corporate strategy.
Before launching Sussex, Paul was a trusted advisor to cabinet ministers at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill, providing expertise in crisis communications, stakeholder relations, and issues management.
Paul’s commitment to charity and community service has been publicly recognized with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal and the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award. He has chaired the Boards of the Columbus Centre of Toronto and Reach for the Rainbow and served as the Ontario Campaign Chair for Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Currently, he serves on the Campaign Cabinet for Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital.
Paul holds an Honours BA in Public Policy and Administration from York University.
Outside of work, Paul enjoys testing recipes for his outdoor pizza oven, spending time with family, and improving his golf game.
Joseph Arcuri, CPA, CA, is the Chief Financial Officer of NRStor. He has been a Director of BioSyent Inc. since 2018 and is currently Chair of the Audit Committee and Disclosure Policy Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Arcuri started his professional career with PriceWaterhouseCoopers within its assurance group and later was president of AOL Canada. Joseph is a passionate Senior Account Executive with 29 years of experience working collaboratively with seniors, employees, members, partners, government and other vested stakeholders.
In addition to serving as a board member, Joseph holds the position of Chair on the Villa Charities Board and the Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation & Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation Board. He serves as an Ex-Officio on the Columbus Centre Board, the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Board and the Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre Board. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Nominating and Governance Committee, the Villa Charities Audit and Asset Management Committee and the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee.
Secretary, Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation / Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation
After his call to the Bar in 1983, Santo began his practice in the core areas of family law and civil litigation. In 1993, he became one of the three founding members of Bianchi Presta LLP, and in October 1994, he was appointed and remains a standing agent for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada for Newmarket. When not volunteering his time on behalf of Villa Colombo and Villa Charities, Santo is a passionate sports fan, enjoys cooking and espionage novels, and is still trying to break 100 in his occasional rounds of golf.
In addition to serving as a board member, Santo is also a member of the Villa Charities Nominating & Governance Committee, Villa Charities Audit and Asset Management Committee and Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee.
Treasurer, Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation / Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation
Sandro D’Ercole is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant with over 40 years of senior management experience. His breadth of knowledge ranges from real estate construction, asset management, property management, client reporting, leasing to cash management, finance, financial reporting, and accounting. He is currently the Executive Vice President and CFO of a private equity company.
In addition to serving as Treasurer on this board, Sandro holds the position of Treasurer on the Villa Charities Inc. Board and Chair on the Villa Charities Audit and Asset Management Committee. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee.
Chair, Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation / Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation
Joseph Arcuri, CPA, CA, is the Chief Financial Officer of NRStor. He has been a Director of BioSyent Inc. since 2018 and is currently Chair of the Audit Committee and Disclosure Policy Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Arcuri started his professional career with PriceWaterhouseCoopers within its assurance group and later was president of AOL Canada. Joseph is a passionate Senior Account Executive with 29 years of experience working collaboratively with seniors, employees, members, partners, government and other vested stakeholders.
In addition to serving as a board member, Joseph holds the position of Chair on the Villa Charities Inc. Board. He serves as Treasurer and Ex-Officio on the Villa Charities Foundation Board and as Ex-Officio on the Columbus Centre Board, the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Board and the Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre Board. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Nominating and Governance Committee, the Villa Charities Audit and Asset Management Committee and the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee.
Past Chair & Secretary, Villa Charities Inc.
After his call to the Bar in 1983, Santo began his practice in the core areas of family law and civil litigation. In 1993, he became one of the three founding members of Bianchi Presta LLP, and in October 1994, he was appointed and remains a standing agent for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada for Newmarket. When not volunteering his time on behalf of Villa Colombo and Villa Charities, Santo is a passionate sports fan, enjoys cooking and espionage novels, and is still trying to break 100 in his occasional rounds of golf.
In addition to serving as a board member, Santo holds the position of Secretary on the Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation & Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Nominating & Governance Committee, Villa Charities Audit and Asset Management Committee and the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee.
Treasurer, Villa Charities Inc.
Sandro D’Ercole is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant with over 40 years of senior management experience. His breadth of knowledge ranges from real estate construction, asset management, property management, client reporting, leasing to cash management, finance, financial reporting, and accounting. He is currently the Executive Vice President and CFO of a private equity company. Sandro serves as Treasurer on the Villa Charities Inc. Board.
In addition to serving as a board member, Sandro holds the position of Chair on the Villa Charities Audit and Asset Management Committee and Treasurer on the Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation & Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation Board. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee.
Chair, Villa Charities Inc.
Joseph Arcuri, CPA, CA, is the Chief Financial Officer of NRStor. He has been a Director of BioSyent Inc. since 2018 and is currently Chair of the Audit Committee and Disclosure Policy Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Arcuri started his professional career with PriceWaterhouseCoopers within its assurance group and later was president of AOL Canada. Joseph is a passionate Senior Account Executive with 29 years of experience working collaboratively with seniors, employees, members, partners, government and other vested stakeholders.
In addition to serving as a board member, Joseph holds the position of Chair on the Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation & Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation Board. He serves as Treasurer and Ex-Officio on the Villa Charities Foundation Board and as Ex-Officio on the Columbus Centre Board, the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Board, and the Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre Board. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Nominating and Governance Committee, the Villa Charities Audit and Asset Management Committee and the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee.
Director, Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre
As a passionate doctor, mother and health enthusiast, Dr. Claudia teaches those around her to embrace a lifestyle that promotes a sound body, mind and spirit. She is a true advocate for living a healthy lifestyle and is dedicated to spreading knowledge, insight and motivation to others on how to achieve optimal health. As a busy mother, wife and entrepreneur she is most aware that the journey toward living your best life requires commitment. Her goal is to help anyone she can feel confident about their health. She believes we are all entitled to health and wellness we just need the right tools, knowledge and team.
Not only is Dr. Claudia a Chiropractor, but she also owns and operates two multidisciplinary clinics in Vaughan, Ontario, The Centre for Health and Rehabilitation and The Centre for Health & Performance. Both clinics offer a wide variety of services ranging from chiropractic, physiotherapy, naturopathy, registered massage therapy, acupuncture, podiatry as well as nutrition counselling. Her clinics are your one-stop shop for a total health overhaul. As a way of giving back to her community, Dr. Claudia is a committee member of Waves of Changes for Autism, a charity foundation that helps children and their families who are affected with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She wholeheartedly gives of her time to help the foundation raise money that goes directly to helping the children get the help they need.
Her latest project has been the work she is doing on her radio show ‘The Wellness Prescription’ with Dr. Claudia that airs every Saturday at 10 am on 105.9 The Region. This show is Dr. Claudia’s way of sharing tips, information and motivation for living your best life. She chats weekly with experts, authors and brands that offer insight for making the changes you need to reach optimal health. You can also hear her weekly ‘Wellness Wednesday’ tips on 105.9 The Region during your afternoon drive home. Wherever you are in your health journey, Dr. Claudia is there to get you to the next level.
Director, Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre
Antoinette is an executive with over 40 years of experience in the residential, commercial, industrial, and retail sectors of real estate. She has managed property assets for both private and institutional investors. Her experience includes involvement in budgeting, planning, zoning, construction and all aspects of marketing sales and administration.
During her career, she has engaged extensively with various government agencies at the municipal and provincial level.
For the past 12 years, Antoinette has served as a volunteer on the Board of Directors of a private retirement home for 130 plus residents. As a result – oriented, hands-on team player, with experience in negotiations, project management, HR management and strategic planning, she brings a broad range of skills to any committee or board.
Vice-Chair, Villa Charities Inc.
Tony is a retired automotive executive whose career spanned over 40 years with experience in Manufacturing, Engineering and Human Resources across Canada and the US. He is Italian (Calabria) born, raised in Montreal, educated at McGill University in Engineering, and now living in Toronto with his wife of 43 years. Tony was well known for his progressive leadership and his commitment to an enterprise’s continuous improvement by the engagement, empowerment, and inclusion of its human resources. He was also recognized as a key contributor in transforming organizations into high-performance ones and creating effective labor/management relationships.
Being retired has allowed Tony the time to give back to the Italian community by serving on the Columbus Centre and Villa Charities Boards. He also enjoys spending more time with friends and family…especially his three daughters and 7 grandchildren.
In addition to serving as a board member, Tony holds the position of Vice-Chair on the Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation & Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation Board and Chair on the Villa Charities Nominating & Governance Committee.
Treasurer, Villa Charities Inc.
Sandro D’Ercole is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant with over 40 years of senior management experience. His breadth of knowledge ranges from real estate construction, asset management, property management, client reporting, leasing to cash management, finance, financial reporting, and accounting. He is currently the Executive Vice President and CFO of a private equity company. Sandro serves as Treasurer on the Villa Charities Inc. Board.
In addition to serving as a board member, Sandro holds the position of Chair on the Villa Charities Audit and Asset Management Committee and Treasurer on the Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation & Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation Board. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee.
Vice-Chair
Pasquale (Pat) Minicucci has dedicated his entire working life and career to the financial services sector and to the communities he has lived and worked in. He has more than 33 years of experience in the banking field spanning across Canada, the Caribbean & parts of Central America. He has held a variety of senior executive positions with two major Canadian Banks. Pat is a graduate of McGill University where he obtained his Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Marketing. He is a Fellow of the Institute of the Canadian Bankers Association and was awarded the FICB designation, and a graduate of the prestigious Advanced Management Program (AMP) from Harvard Business School, Harvard University. He is also a graduate of the Director’s Education Program from the Rotman School of Business, University of Toronto and the Institute of Corporate Directors, having been awarded the ICD.D designation.
Pat has been actively involved in the communities he has worked and lived in, both in Montreal and Toronto, for a number of organizations over the years, including President & Chair of the Canadian Italian Business Professionals Association of Montreal (CIBPA), past President & Chair of the National Federation of Canadian Italian Business and Professional Associations and past Chair of the Major Gifts Committee of the York Central Hospital Foundation, and Providence Healthcare Foundation. As a board director, he brings an exceptional understanding of organizational effectiveness, and the complex issues facing CEO’s, executive teams and boards in today’s ever-changing landscape. He brings vast experience as a board director having served on numerous for-profit and non-profit organizations over the years. In June of 2012, Pat was awarded Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his service to the communities of Greater Montreal and Greater Toronto
over the years.
In addition to serving as a board member, Pat holds the position of Vice-Chair on the Villa Charities Board and
Chair on the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Resources
Committee and the Villa Charities Nominating and Governance Committee.
Director, Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre
Dr. Kristin Terenzi, B.Sc., M.D., F.C.F.P. graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Toronto and continued her studies at the University of Western Ontario in the Faculty of Medicine. She became a Doctor of Medicine; Cum Laude in 1991 and has belonged to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honours Medical Society from 1991 to the present day. Dr. Terenzi practiced medicine at the Family Practice Residency, University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Medical Centre from until 1993. From there she opened up a private practice in Ontario and continues to work from it today. Dr. Terenzi was also a Board Member of the Tema Conter Memorial Fund from 1995 to 2006. Since 2004 she belongs to the College of Family Physicians of Ontario Fellowship. She has served on this Board since 2017. From 2020 to present day she became part of the Planning Committee, Hypertension Canada, and in 2021to the present day she joined the Planning Committee, C-Change Guidelines.
Secretary, Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre
Piera A. Segreto received an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from York University with a double major in Law & Society and Psychology in 1999. In 2004 she graduated with a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the bar in 2005.
Piera began her practice as an associate, and then was a partner in a reputable and well-known litigation firm until 2022, when she ventured off to establish Segreto Law.
Piera enjoys all aspects of litigation. She has appeared and successfully tried jury and non- jury cases and argued complex motions at the Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Justice and appeals at the Divisional Court. She has also appeared before various government tribunals including the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, the Employment Insurance Commission, the Ontario Labour Relations Board and the Financial Services Commission of Ontario/Licence Appeal Tribunal. Piera prides herself on being a formidable advocate for her clients and uses common sense and logic, along with her in depth knowledge of the law, to obtain the best outcome for her clients.
Over the course of her career, Piera has been a member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, Advocates’ Society, Medico-Legal Society of Toronto, Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association and the Ontario Bar Association. She is an active member in the community and enjoys participating in and supporting local events. She is also a proud member of the Villa Colombo Vaughan Board of Directors. Piera is fluent in Italian, and conversant in Spanish.
Chair, Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre
Anthony Messina is the Head of Private Wealth, including the President of Guardian Partners and Managing Director for Guardian Capital Advisors LP. Previous roles at Guardian included President and CEO of Worldsource Securities and Worldsource Financial Management (2018-2021).
Prior to joining Guardian in 2016, he was instrumental in building and growing I3 Advisors, the predecessor to BNY Mellon Wealth Management Canada’s outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) business. During his tenure as President, he served as a member of various global operating, pension, and investment strategy committees, and as director of the Canadian and Cayman Island businesses. Anthony began his career in the financial services industry at Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers). His business experience is broad and includes investment management, venture capital, business and operations management in private and public companies.
Anthony is a graduate of the Schulich School of Business, holds the Chartered Professional Accountant designation and is a CFA® Charterholder. He is active in numerous charities, including as a director of Villa Colombo Vaughan. He is also a member of the MacKay CEO Forums, a leading CEO peer learning organization.
Ex-officio (Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre 1st Vice-Chair), Villa Charities Inc.
Pina Falbo is a seasoned business and retail professional, with greater than 20 years of experience in luxury retail, technology and not-for-profit companies and organizations.
Pina has contributed her strategic and tactical managerial, operational, sales, marketing, fundraising, events planning and human resource talents to large corporations, as well as start-up and private enterprise organizations. Organizations have included Holt Renfrew, Danier Leather, Saks Fifth Avenue, Chanel, Veretta Fashion Imports and MMX Retail as well as consulting services to Mircom Technologies Ltd.
With a passion for giving back, Pina has also been an active community participant. Pina holds considerable board and committee experience in the not-for-profit and philanthropic sectors. She is a current board member for Villa Charities Vaughan and a past director of the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce. She was appointed to the City of Vaughan Canada 150 Task Force and has participated in numerous committee and events including as co-chair of the Mackenzie Health Volunteer Association Annual Gala and fundraising for The Schulich Heart Centre for Sunnybrook Hospital, The Look Good Feel Better Charity for Women with Cancer, 2 Kids with Love (Mexico) and The Fred Victor Homeless Shelter.
Pina earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from York University and has a Certificate in Human Resources Management from Seneca College with a current pursuit of a Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. Pina is a resident of Vaughan and is married with two wonderful teenage boys.
In addition to serving as a board member, Pina also holds the position of Vice-Chair on the Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre Board. She is also a member of the Villa Charities Nominating and Governance Committee.
Treasurer, Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre
Joline Moore holds a CPA, CA designation with over 7 years of experience. She is currently the Manager, Financial Policy at Metrolinx. Joline graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and a Graduate Diploma in Accounting, and holds a CPA, CA designation. Her breadth of knowledge ranges from public sector, not-for-profit organizations and private companies.
Director, Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc.
Antonio (Tony) Turco is a founding partner of CPST Law LLP and its related patent and trademark agency firm, CPST Intellectual Property Inc. He is a lawyer and trademark agent. He began his career and was a partner at the international law firm Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP.
Antonio’s practice focuses on litigation related to intellectual property rights, including disputes related to patents, copyright, trademarks, industrial designs, and trade secrets. He also provides strategic advice related to the protection and commercialization of intellectual property. On the commercial side, he also assists clients in commercial transactions involving intellectual property and technology, such as financing and licensing.
Secretary, Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc.
Anthony Moscar, Naturopathic Doctor, BSc (Hons) has worked in healthcare for over 10 years. Having started his career in direct patient care, he has since provided leadership support to the Napanee Community Health Center. Returning back to his community to provide leadership in-home and community care, he is passionate about ensuring quality, equitable healthcare delivery for everyone.
Anthony is a long-time resident of the area and remembers fondly when he learned to cook at Villa Colombo in a youth program and later as a teen travelling to Italy with Centro Scuola. He is thrilled to serve on the Villa Charities Board of Governors beginning May 2021.
Director, Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc.
Loriana is an innovative Finance and HR leader with a proven track record of designing, developing, and delivering successful cost-effective, high-performing HR and Financial system solutions. After graduating from Ryerson University, Loriana articled with Deloitte and obtained her CPA-CA. In 2004 she also obtained her Certified Human Resource Leader (CHRL) professional designation. Her business experience has afforded her many opportunities to learn about the consumer goods, music & entertainment, luxury hotel management and service provider industries. At present, Loriana currently serves as the Payroll Director for Sysco Canada Inc.
Loriana has been on the Villa Colombo Toronto board since 2017. She currently serves as Chair of the Governance committee and is a member of the Finance committee.
In addition to serving on the board, Loriana is also a member of the Villa Charities Nominating & Governance Committee and the Villa Charities Cultural Committee.
Vice Chair, Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc.
Dino is the Director of IT for Pliteq Inc. – a leading innovator of products engineered and manufactured with material diverted from landfills. Prior to joining Pliteq, Dino was the co-founder of Konverge Digital Solutions Corporation – an award-winning software development company.
Dino has led large international projects spanning the globe, cultures, and languages. With more than twenty-five years of consulting experience in both marketing and business software solutions, he has proven to excel at matching business software solutions with appropriate technology. Using this unique insight has enabled Dino to inspire his teams and successfully deploy organization-enabling projects for some of the world’s largest financial, manufacturing and IT organizations.
Growing up and still living in the community, Villa Charities has been an integral part of Dino’s life experiences, and he welcomes the opportunity to help grow the organization for both our esteemed elderly and our future generations.
Dino is an avid cyclist, skier, and tennis player, and is also a great cook (in his own mind). He enjoys travelling and spending time with his wife and two teenage sons. Dino is also a member of the Board of Directors of Silstar Foundation – an organization dedicated to helping families affected by lung cancer.
Director
Leader with broad Canadian and US financial management and operations experience and government agency
financial and management analysis. Practical, articulate, and creative with a proven ability to find innovative
solutions to complex business problems, through cohesive team building. Her present position is Chief Financial
Officer of one of the largest teacher’s union organization. Rosanna also serves as the Chair of the Finance
committee.
Treasurer, Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc.
Frank Anderson, FCPA, CPA is a retired Executive and Professional Accountant. Frank obtained a degree in Social Economics from the University of Glasgow and then earned his CA designation from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. Subsequently, he was elected a Fellow of CPA Ontario. During his career as a professional accountant, Frank was involved in audit engagements, M&A advisory work and profitability improvement initiatives while at Arthur Andersen for Canadian and International clients. During the Financial Crisis, Frank was the Vice-Chairman, Financial Administration and Operations for DundeeWealth Inc.
Frank’s board activities have included being a Board member and Chair of the Audit Committee of DundeeWealth Inc., O&Y REIT, InnVest REIT, and Counsel Corp. He also served on the Boards of JDRF Toronto Chapter, the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews, the Canadian Centre for Diversity, University of Toronto Press, and Bridgepoint Health Foundation and is Past Chair of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. Currently, he is a Governor of the Portage Foundation, a member of the Development Committee of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario and a Board member and Chair of the Audit Committee of National Diabetes Trust, an affiliate of Diabetes Canada.
In addition to serving as a board member, Frank is also a member of the Villa Charities Audit and Asset Management Committee.
Immediate Past Chair, Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc.
Ben Vozzolo has been on the Villa Colombo Toronto board since 2018 and is also a member of the Nominations & Governance, and Quality & Risk Committees.
Ben has 24 years of experience in the healthcare sector in various roles in hospitals and healthcare agencies. He is currently the Executive Director of Fontbonne Ministries, Sisters of St. Joseph, Toronto, a social services agency serving vulnerable populations, seniors and people experiencing social isolation.
Ben’s volunteer work has been in the community health and social services sector, and he is passionate about building healthy communities where everyone belongs. Ben is also a member of the Board of Directors of Pugalug Pug Rescue, a dog rescue charity in Toronto.
Director, Villa Charities Inc.
Joseph is a seasoned Vice President and business owner with multinational importing, exporting, and manufacturing experience in the food industry. Private Label expert and cross-functional team leader experienced in negotiations and pricing strategy. Credentials from Seneca College and Quantum Shift (Ivey School of Business), member of CIBPA since 2011.
Joseph is a Past Chair of the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Board and has served as a member of the board since 2007.
Director, Columbus Centre of Toronto
Anna Iafrate is the current Chair of Culture at Columbus Centre, and in the past was a member of the Athletics Committee. Anna is an Office Administrator with an employment consulting firm in Toronto, specializing in the placement of senior financial and business professionals. She lives in the neighbourhood and has been involved as a Columbus Centre board member for 18 years. Anna was a key member of the organizing committee for the first Villa d’Arte fundraising event held at Villa Colombo.
In addition to serving as a board member, Anna is also a member of the Villa Charities Cultural Committee.
Ex-Officio (Columbus Centre Chair), Villa Charities Inc.
Mario Fiorucci is an entrepreneur, lawyer & technology expert. As a serial entrepreneur, Mario has been through the start-up, growth, and acquisition of companies in retail, e-commerce and real estate development. He has been awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by the Toronto Business Development Centre, Excellence in Corporate Responsibility Award by ECR, and inducted into the Ontario Hostelry Institute as a fellow, among other recognitions. As a lawyer, he practiced at McCarthy Tétrault in the area of corporate law with a specialty in technology-related companies. He holds degrees in Computer Science, Physics, and Law. Mario credits his work ethic, passion for life, and family priorities to his Italian roots, with both of his parents having emigrated to Canada with nothing but a dream for a better life. Mario joined the Columbus Centre Board in 2022 and hopes to use his knowledge and experiences to keep the Columbus Centre a vibrant part of the community in line with the Villa Charities mission.
In addition to serving as a board member, Mario also holds the position of Chair on the Columbus Centre Board.
Secretary, Columbus Centre of Toronto
Anna D’Orazio-Sgro is an educator who has worked extensively in social services and community outreach as a manager of a community service agency assisting families in downtown Toronto. She has also been an instructor of child development at Ryerson University and educational psychology at York University as well as a liaison between the universities and students in community placements. She was a consultant for COSTI Immigrant services and assisted in developing a training program for new Canadians.
She has been a Columbus Centre board member for four years and is also a member of the Family Council of Villa Colombo Toronto and the Villa Colombo Toronto Family Support Group.
Director, Columbus Centre of Toronto
Armando Cristinziano has been a Columbus Centre member for the past 23 years. He is retired with over 32 years in Education. He started his career as a French and Italian High School teacher, with the North York Board of Education, and for the last 17 years, he was promoted as the District-Wide Co-ordinator for Classical, International and Native Languages for the Toronto District School Board. Armando was also very involved in developing curriculum materials for the Ontario Ministry of Education. He has a lot of experience working with community groups, and in particular with the Italian Canadian community in view of language and culture and brings this genuine passion to the Columbus Centre Board.
In addition to serving as a board member, Armando is also a member of the Villa Charities Cultural Committee.
Secretary, Columbus Centre of Toronto
Mary has been a Director of the Columbus Centre Board since 2014 and most recently began her role as Secretary in 2020. She brings with her over 20 years of experience with the Province of Ontario in senior management roles running large-scale, public-facing operations across the Province, to Ontario citizens and businesses. Her areas of expertise include leading in the areas of: operations/service delivery, customer service, contact centre management, outreach and education, strategic planning, operational policies and partnerships as well as leading numerous transformational projects. She has worked for various ministries including Finance, Attorney General and Government and Consumer Services and over the years has received multiple awards for quality service and achieving excellence.
Before joining the public service, Mary worked in the legal field as a licensed paralegal with the Law Society of Upper Canada, now the Law Society of Ontario. As a paralegal, she worked for law firms, ran her own business and taught paralegal courses through business colleges. Her educational background includes studies in music, law and business administrative studies.
In addition to serving as a board member, Mary is also a member of the Villa Charities Cultural Committee.
Treasurer, Columbus Centre of Toronto
Carlo is a corporate director and senior executive with 30 years of experience in large companies as well as entrepreneurial start-ups. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and has earned the Institute of Corporate Directors designation, ICD.D, through the Rotman School of Management.
Carlo has served on the Columbus Centre Board of Directors since 2019 where he holds the position of Treasurer and is part of the Executive Committee. He is also on the Board of DUCA Financial Services Inc. and serves as an advisor to Give Points Ventures Inc. Carlo has previously served as the senior executive in charge of strategy, mergers and acquisitions and project development and as the Chief Risk Officer at a large Ontario-based energy company. Through these experiences, he brings to the Columbus Centre Board expertise in strategy development and execution, collaboration and consensus-building and financial and risk management.
In addition to serving as a board member, Carlo is also a member of the Audit and Asset Management Committee.
Ex-Officio (Villa Charities Inc. Chair), Columbus Centre of Toronto
Joseph Arcuri, CPA, CA, is the Chief Financial Officer of NRStor. He has been a Director of BioSyent Inc. since 2018 and is currently Chair of the Audit Committee and Disclosure Policy Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Arcuri started his professional career with PriceWaterhouseCoopers within its assurance group and later was president of AOL Canada. Joseph is a passionate Senior Account Executive with 29 years of experience working collaboratively with seniors, employees, members, partners, government and other vested stakeholders.
In addition to serving as a board member, Joseph holds the position of Chair on the Villa Charities Inc. Board and the Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation & Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation Board. He serves as Treasurer and Ex-Officio on the Villa Charities Foundation Board, and as Ex-Officio on the Columbus Centre Board, the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Board and the Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre Board. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Nominating and Governance Committee, the Villa Charities Audit and Asset Management Committee and the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee.
Laura Salvatori is Principal and General Counsel at Anson Funds, a hedge fund with offices in Toronto and Dallas. Laura advises on all legal aspects of the funds’ operations, regulatory and structuring matters in both Canada and the United States. Prior to joining Anson, Laura held the role of General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Human Resources of Match Marketing Group, a leading North American, private-equity owned marketing agency. Prior to Match, Laura was Vice President, Assistant General Counsel at Goldman Sachs in New York City, where she advised on corporate governance matters and prior to that, was on the Investment Banking Legal team. Laura also worked as a securities law attorney at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP’s New York City office, and articled in Ontario at Stikeman Elliott LLP in Toronto. She is admitted to practice in both New York State and Ontario.
Laura holds a Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business. She is a member of the New York State Bar’s Securities Regulation Committee, Women General Counsel of Canada and a board member of the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association.
Director, Villa Charities Foundation
Nina is a Partner with Fogler Rubinoff LLP where she practices corporate commercial litigation. Her practice is concentrated on complex litigation matters and contract disputes for large corporate clients. In addition to proceedings in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Appeal, Nina maintains a significant arbitration practice which includes many shareholder and partner disputes in closely held corporations, partnerships and joint ventures.
She has appeared before all levels of Court in Ontario and has acted as counsel in matters involving shareholders’ rights and remedies including authoring the paper “Using the Oppression Remedy to Resolve Family Business Disputes” published in the Annual Review of Civil Litigation, and has worked extensively on litigation matters involving issues related to the Ontario Business Corporations Act and the Canada Business Corporations Act. Nina has also acted as counsel in, real estate litigation, and accountants’ negligence claims.
In addition to acting for her clients on litigation matters, Nina is also a close and trusted advisor to her clients and is often called upon to assist and advise in connection with her clients’ businesses, operations and strategic planning. In many cases, she has become a vital and instrumental resource to her clients, a stabilizing force during challenging periods, and a reliable source for connecting her clients with industry players to create synergies.
Nina is an active volunteer in her community and is the past Chair of Villa Charities, a not-for-profit organization which she has been involved with since 1989, and sits on their Foundation Board. She is also the Vice-Chair of the St. Michael’s College School Board of Directors. In addition to her volunteer work, Nina is also involved in a variety of pro bono legal work, including acting as a supervisor of the University of Toronto Moots. Nina is actively involved in the firm’s mentoring program, a past member of Fogler Rubinoff’s Executive Committee and a mother of two boys.
Director, Villa Charities Foundation
After completing his studies at L’Istituto Europeo di Disegno in Rome, Italy, Aldo Cundari quickly established himself in the marketing field in Canada. By 1980, he had created the foundation for what would become Cundari Group Ltd. Today, Cundari is Canada’s most globally awarded independent agency. Their work has been recognized around the world at Cannes, the Cassies, One Show, by the UK’s Directory Ranking and is the only Canadian agency to have two campaigns on WARC’s 100 smartest marketing campaigns in the world.
Aldo is the author of the book Customer-Centric Marketing: Build Relationships, Create Advocates, and Influence Your Customers. Published by Wiley in 2015, the book provides a comprehensive game plan on succeeding in today’s new marketing landscape by focusing on the customer.
Still very much in touch with the fine art community, in 2013 Aldo, along with another business partner, revitalized and reopened the Toronto School of Art after its doors closed in 2012. The alternative, not-for-profit art school established itself as one of the most distinguished alternative art schools in the city and now continues to be a landmark in the arts community as one of the largest independent Art Schools in Canada.
Aldo is a CMA Chartered Marketer (CM). Aldo has served as chief judge of the World Globe Awards from 2000-2008 and in 1998, was included in Marketing Magazine’s “Power List: The 100 Most Influential People in Canadian Communications.” In 2006, he became a Fellow of the QuantumShift program at the Ivey Institute for Entrepreneurs. In 2008 and 2009, Aldo was selected as one of Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneurs of the Year. In 2010 he was appointed to the board of directors of the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) and was also awarded CIBPA Professional Excellence Awards. He has served as Judging Chair of the CMA Awards, and co-chair of the CMA 2012 and 2013 Summit. In 2013 he was appointed to the board of directors of the Institute of Communication Agencies (ICA) and served until 2016. In 2016 Aldo was appointed as Chair of the Ryerson Marketing Advisory Council, and 2018, Aldo was appointed as the CMA’s Board of Directors Chair.
Aldo has been associated as a volunteer of Villa Charities for over 26 years. He served on the Villa Colombo Board of Governors from January 1996 – December 2007. From 2015 to 2019, Aldo served as the Chairman of the Villa Charities Board of Governors and currently sits on the Villa Charities Foundation Board.
Secretary (Lifetime Member), Villa Charities Foundation
For over 40 years, Toni Varone has been part of the Villa Charities family. As former President and Chairman of Columbus Centre and Villa Charities, Toni’s foresight, leadership and philanthropic commitment has set a standard in volunteer work. He has been involved in virtually every phase of the development and operations of the Villa Charities family, including VITA Community Living Services.
More recently, Toni was involved with the Villa Colombo expansion and construction of the Orey V. Fidani Wing at Villa Colombo Services for Seniors and offered his expertise in the realization of the Villa Colombo Vaughan as the Chair of the Development Committee and Co-Chair of the Construction Committee.
His ongoing dedication continues to inspire. To acknowledge his valuable contribution, Villa Charities was pleased to name the foyer in Columbus Centre, “Piazza Toni Varone” in 2004. As well, Toni was a recipient of the prestigious Heart and Hand Award in 2007, Villa Charities’ highest honour for its volunteers.
As owner of The Varone Group, Toni overlooks an array of Toronto businesses specializing in hospitality, home building and property ownership. Still, he has found time to play a critical role in Villa Charities for close to thirty years. Toni was recently named Commendatore of the Italian Republic.
In December 2023, Toni was appointed to the Senate of Canada as an independent senator for Ontario by the Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon.
Vice-Chair, Villa Charities Foundation
Sam Ciccolini was 12 years old in 1956 when he, his mother and two brothers landed at New York’s Ellis Island before travelling to Toronto to join his father and two older brothers who had come to Canada six years earlier.
Mr. Ciccolini and his younger brother Max soon found work delivering newspapers in the early morning before heading off to school. At night, the brothers worked at a pharmacy.
In 1968, Mr. Ciccolini and his older brother Frank started what today is Masters Insurance Limited. After serving as a Senior Partner of Masters Insurance with offices in Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa and Windsor, New York and Florida, Mr. Ciccolini has turned over the day-to-day operation of the business to the next generation of the Ciccolini and Corby family.
Mr. Ciccolini serves on boards and committees representing Financial Institutions, Hospitals, Disaster Relief Efforts, Churches, Municipal Initiatives, Sports Groups and Social Agencies. In recognition of his service to the community, Mr. Ciccolini was awarded The Order of Ontario in 1999, with The Order of Canada in 2005 in a ceremony on Parliament Hill Rideau Hall. Awarded the Order of Vaughan in 2016, The Commander of the Order of the Star of Solidarity Medal from the Republic of Italy in 2008 and vested with the Honourary Doctorate of Law Degree Honouris Causa from Assumption University of Windsor in 2008.
On most weekends, Mr. Ciccolini can be found at dozens of activities and events across the GTA and York Region, always with a kind word of encouragement.
Mr. Ciccolini currently serves as Vice-Chair of Villa Charities Foundation and is also a Member of the Hockey in Canada Hall of Fame Board Selection Committee.
Treasurer (Lifetime Member), Villa Charities Foundation
Edward K. Sorbara was born in Toronto in 1943 and attended De La Salle High School before studying at St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto. Armed with a Bachelor of Commerce, Mr. Sorbara attended the University of Chicago where he graduated in 1967 with a Master of Business Administration.
Upon returning to Toronto, Mr. Sorbara joined the family business, now known as The Sorbara Group. The Sorbara Group’s major activities include property investments (an industrial and apartment rental portfolio), land development and related consulting, industrial construction, low rise and condominium housing.
Mr. Sorbara currently serves as Treasurer of the Villa Charities Foundation – a branch of Villa Charities responsible for providing continuous, reliable financial support for the affiliate organizations of Villa Charities which provide social assistance, cultural development and recreational programs to the general community.
In recognition of the family’s dedication and financial support of Villa Charities, a wing at Villa Colombo Toronto was officially renamed The Sam and Grace Sorbara Wing in 2004.
Mr. Sorbara and his wife Marisa have four children and live in Toronto.
Chair, Villa Charities Foundation
Nick Torchetti has been involved with Villa Charities since 1978 when he was a member of the Columbus Centre Youth Advisory Board. Nick has since served as Chair of the Board of affiliated Villa Charities organizations Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation, Columbus Centre of Toronto and Villa Charities Inc. He currently serves as Chair of the Board of Villa Charities Foundation.
Over the last more than twenty-five years, Nick has also served in a volunteer capacity with numerous other community and health care organizations, including serving as Chair of the Board of The Kensington Health Centre (formerly The Doctors Hospital) and founding Chair of the Board of The Kensington Eye Institute.
Nick currently also serves as Director, Treasurer and Chair, North America Region, of Interlaw Ltd., an international network of independent law firms and as a Director of Geox Canada Inc., a shoe and clothing retailer.
Since graduating from law school in 1983, Nick has spent his entire career practicing law with the Toronto firm of Aird & Berlis LLP where he has previously served on its Executive Committee and where he is currently a senior partner in the Corporate and Commercial practice and leads the Private Business Services Group. Nick’s work consists of providing strategic advice to privately owned businesses, including in respect of acquisitions, dispositions and reorganizations related to succession and exit planning matters.
Nick has been married to Josephine for more than thirty-five years and they are the proud parents of David, Jesse and Lea.
Ex-officio (Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre Chair), Villa Charities Inc. / Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery
Rina Tiberini holds a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree from the University of Toronto where her areas of study included Economics, Finance and Actuarial Science. However, during a summer job position in a completely unrelated industry, she was exposed to and became passionate about the planning, development and construction industry.
Upon graduation, she declined a lucrative offer of employment from one of the major banks and joined a small development/construction firm where her analytical skills and tenacity allowed her to become well versed in the industry. Rina was the past Board Chair of Villa Colombo Vaughan.
In addition to serving as a board member, Rina holds the position of Chair on the Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre Board. She is also a member of the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee and the Villa Charities Audit and Asset Management Committee.
Past Chair, Columbus Centre of Toronto / Director, Columbus Centre of Toronto
Maria Orsini is the EVP Finance and Administration at Cundari. For more than 33 years, she has been responsible for Finance/Accounting Human Resources and Administration. Prior to working at Cundari, she was a Financial Analyst for Kraft General Foods, and Assistant Treasurer and Senior Accountant for Nestlé Canada. Maria graduated from the University of Toronto majoring in Economics and Accounting. She is a member of ICD and received the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Board Effectiveness Program certificate.
Maria was Chair of the Centered-on Children Daycare Board 1993-1995 and sat on the Toronto BIA Marketing Committee from 2008-2015. She is currently the past Chair of the Columbus Centre Board.
In addition to serving on the board is a member of the Villa Charities Nominating & Governance Committee and the Villa Charities Audit and Asset Management Committee.
Director, Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc.
John Hendriks is President of INFORMTEC, a boutique Health Care Clinical Informatics consulting firm. Previously John was a Partner with DINMAR Consulting and was responsible for developing the Health Care Information Technology practice in the Toronto area and managed Clinical Information System sales internationally. John has more than 25 years of experience as a senior health care executive in the public and private sectors. John’s background includes Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, one of Canada’s leading teaching and research facilities, where he served as Sr. Vice President Medical Programs and Chief Information Officer.
John’s experience includes directing the development and implementation of Hospital clinical and financial reporting systems for the Province of Alberta Ministry of Hospitals and Medical Care and developed the data and technical architecture and systems strategy for the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services.
John is a graduate of Dalhousie University (B. Commerce), has a Certificate in Health Administration from the University of Saskatchewan and is a Certified Member of the Canadian College of Health Care Executives. John is active in Health Informatics in Canada and is a Past President of Canada’s Health Informatics Association (COACH). He has served on a number of Boards and Committees that focused on developing the scope and standards for national health information applications.
John became a board member in June 2019 and has served as a Past Chair. He is also Chair of the Strategic Planning Task Force and the Quality & Risk Committee.
In addition to serving as a board member, John is a member of the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee.
Chair, Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc.
Angela Gauthier holds Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts degrees from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Education from the Université d’Ottawa. She is fluent in both of Canada’s official languages, as well as Italian.
During her 41 years as an educator and teacher, Mrs. Gauthier has also held the positions of Associate Director of Education, Superintendent of Human Resources, Superintendent of the family of schools and education officer at the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) for the development of provincial assessment and has been a school principal for English and French language schools.
Mrs. Gauthier has been a member and Chair of the Board of Directors of “Catholic Crosscultural Services”, an agency of the Archdiocese of Toronto which provides resettlement services to immigrants and refugees. She has also sat on the Board of ICFF (Italian Contemporary Film Festival) for three years. Mrs. Gauthier is very passionate about quality Long Term Care for Seniors and in particular about the seniors in Villa Colombo Toronto. She brings her skills and experience in Communications, Board governance, strategic planning, management, and senior leadership to the Board of Villa Colombo. Mrs. Gauthier states that her retirement has provided the opportunity to volunteer and give back to the community and to spend more time with family, especially her grandchildren.
In addition to serving as a board member, Angela serves as an Ex-Officio on the Villa Charities Inc. Board.
Ex-officio (Columbus Centre Vice-Chair), Villa Charities Inc.
Marianne is an Elementary Guidance Counsellor with TCDSB. She also taught core French for eight years. Prior to this, she had a twenty-year career in Hospitality where she was Director of Business Development for Dynamic Hospitality and Entertainment Group. Marianne is passionate about the Italian community. She is a graduate of University of Toronto and completed her Bachelor of Education at Tyndale University. She has been a board member of NCIC, CIBPA Education Fund and CIBPA where she held the position of President. Over the years, Marianne has been actively involved with VCI’s cultural events, including Villa d’Arte and La Befana, as well as the Cultural and Food and Beverage Committees. Marianne is currently Vice-Chair of the Columbus Centre.
In addition to serving as a board member, Marianne holds the position of Vice-Chair on the Columbus Centre Board and is also a member of the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee and the Villa Charities Cultural Committee.
Past Chair, Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre
Quinto Annibale practices municipal, land use planning and development law. He has over 30 years of experience as an advocate, appearing before the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (formerly the OMB) in hundreds of cases. He has practiced his entire career as a lawyer at Loopstra Nixon.
Mr. Annibale is passionate about improving healthcare for seniors and the community at large. In addition to his involvement at Villa Colombo Vaughan, Quinto has held many other volunteer positions both at community and provincial levels. He is also the Vice-Chair of the LCBO Board of Directors.
Director, Villa Charities Inc.
Gina’s parents were born in a small town in Calabria, southern Italy. Before they were 25 years of age, Domenico & Giuseppa moved to Canada and built a new life here. Gina understood the responsibility that came with that decision. Gina Valle completed her PhD in Education & Multicultural Studies from OISE/UofT, and went on to found Diversity Matters where she works closely with communities, corporations, schools & governments to make Canada a more equitable society. She is a writer, producer, director, editor and educator. The Privy Council appointed Dr. Valle to the board of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. She is a VCI Director and is also on the board of UofT’s College of Electors. Over the last 20 years, Dr. Valle has held numerous volunteer positions in the Italian-Canadian community. In recognition of her work in diversity, Gina received the Ordine al Merito and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. Domenico & Giuseppa’s legacies live on in Gina’s children.
In addition to serving as a board member, Gina holds the position of Chair on the Villa Charities Cultural Committee.
Director, Villa Charities Inc.
In September 2016, Nebo retired from a 35-year career in the public sector and now devotes his many acquired professional skills to volunteering for community groups. He has an extensive range of experience in local municipal planning, the non-profit housing and physician health care service sector, having worked for the Region of Peel and the Province of Ontario.
Beginning at Region of Peel, he was a member of the Regional Planning Department and Peel Non-Profit Housing Corporation for six years. His responsibilities were preparing policies and reports for Regional Council on housing needs, densities, building activity and the annual report for the Peel Non-Profit Housing Corporation. In 1986, he joined the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to develop and administer the social housing programs, including mortgage financing and approval of capital and operational budgets. During his 15 years in this Ministry, he worked closely with many providers, including Villa Charities, in the development of Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo. From 2001 to 2016, he was responsible for the management of specialist physician payments for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. In this capacity, he was responsible for the development and implementation of service contracts with specialist physicians and physicians in primary care models. His largest service contract was the Emergency Department Alternative Funding Agreement, which amounted to $450M, encompassing 2,600 physicians.
In addition to serving as a board member, Nebo is a member of the Villa Charities Audit and Asset Management Committee and the Villa Charities Nominating and Governance Committee.
Vice-Chair, Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation / Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation
A retired automotive executive whose career spanned over 40 years with experience in Manufacturing, Engineering and Human Resources across Canada and the US. He is Italian (Calabria) born, raised in Montreal, educated at McGill University in Engineering, and now living in Toronto with his wife of 40 years. Tony was well known for his progressive leadership and his commitment to an enterprise’s continuous improvement by the engagement, empowerment, and inclusion of its human resources. He was also recognized as a key contributor in transforming organizations into high-performance ones and creating effective labor/management relationships.
Being retired has allowed Tony the time to give back to the Italian community by serving on the Columbus Centre and Villa Charities Boards. He also enjoys spending more time with friends and family… especially his three daughters and 5 grandchildren.
In addition to serving as a board member, Tony holds the position of Vice-Chair on the Villa Charities Board and Chair on the Villa Charities Nominating & Governance Committee.
Vice-Chair, Villa Charities Inc. / Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery
Pasquale (Pat) Minicucci has dedicated his entire working life and career to the financial services sector and to the communities he has lived and worked in. He has more than 33 years of experience in the banking field spanning across Canada, the Caribbean & parts of Central America. He has held a variety of senior executive positions with two major Canadian Banks. Pat is a graduate of McGill University where he obtained his Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Marketing. He is a Fellow of the Institute of the Canadian Bankers Association and was awarded the FICB designation, and a graduate of the prestigious Advanced Management Program (AMP) from Harvard Business School, Harvard University. He is also a graduate of the Director’s Education Program from the Rotman School of Business, University of Toronto and the Institute of Corporate Directors, having been awarded the ICD.D designation.
Pat has been actively involved in the communities he has worked and lived in, both in Montreal and Toronto, for a number of organizations over the years, including President & Chair of the Canadian Italian Business Professionals Association of Montreal (CIBPA), past President & Chair of the National Federation of Canadian Italian Business and Professional Associations and past Chair of the Major Gifts Committee of the York Central Hospital Foundation, and Providence Healthcare Foundation. As a board director, he brings an exceptional
understanding of organizational effectiveness, and the complex issues facing CEOs, executive teams and boards in today’s ever-changing landscape. He brings vast experience as a board director having served on numerous for-profit and non-profit organizations over the years. In June of 2012, Pat was awarded Queen
Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his service to the communities of Greater Montreal and Greater Toronto over the years.
In addition to serving as a board member, Pat also holds the position of Chair on the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee and Vice-Chair on the Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation & Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation Board. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Resources Committee and the Villa Charities Nominating and Governance Committee.
Past Chair & Secretary, Villa Charities Inc.
After his call to the Bar in 1983, Santo began his practice in the core areas of family law and civil litigation. In 1993, he became one of the three founding members of Bianchi Presta LLP, and in October 1994, he was appointed and remains a standing agent for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada for Newmarket. When not volunteering his time on behalf of Villa Colombo and Villa Charities, Santo is a passionate sports fan, enjoys cooking and espionage novels, and is still trying to break 100 in his occasional rounds of golf.
In addition to serving as a board member, Santo holds the position of Secretary on the Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation & Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Nominating & Governance Committee, Villa Charities Audit and Asset Management Committee and the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee.
