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SEC Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors help us find solutions and guide our strategic direction to ensures financial accountability transparency in reporting to the public.

Don Smith

President

Don has been the President of Blue Veil Charity since its inception in 2006 and is also one of the organization’s founders. With 50 years of entrepreneurial experience in the wholesale/retail industry, he brings valuable insights to the board. Don’s academic background includes Business Administration & Marketing Management studies at Ryerson University, contributing to his success in business and entrepreneurship.

For over 40 years, Don has been an esteemed employee at Loblaw, holding leadership and management positions overseeing both youth and adult staff. His commitment extends to his church community, where he has been actively involved since 1982, particularly in ministering to youth through faith formation programs.

Don’s dedication extends to the Sara Elizabeth Centre, where he is beloved by participants. During his time off, he volunteers to drive SEC participants on field trips throughout the community, showcasing his patience, kindness, and compassion. At SEC, Don brings not only his extensive managerial experience and diverse, transferable skills but also his genuine love for working with youth, especially young adults with special needs and abilities.

Cris Smith

Executive Director

Cris Smith, the Founder and Executive Director of Blue Veil Charity, not only brings her vision and passion for operating a day program for young adults with special needs but also extensive marketing knowledge. Graduating from Ryerson University in 1978 with a degree in Business Administration & Marketing Management, Cris has been an active member of St. Benedict’s Parish since 1982, contributing to youth and adult ministries as a Salesian Cooperator.

A pioneer member of the Salesian Cooperators in Toronto in 1990, Cris served as Coordinator for six years, overseeing the production and editing of the quarterly magazine, the Salesian Cooperator Magazine. In 2000, she initiated the support group, Sara’s Corner, dedicated to parents with babies facing special needs challenges. In 2006, Cris founded Blue Veil Charity and later established its umbrella organization, the Sara Elizabeth Centre.

With 45 years of practical experience in various roles in the marketing and advertising industry, Cris utilizes her educational background to serve as the Executive Director and Treasurer of the organization. An approved retreat facilitator, she dedicates her time to planning and preparing diverse programs and retreats at the Sara Elizabeth Centre, ensuring they are inclusive, arts-based, educational, and socially integrated for youth and adults with exceptionalities. Cris considers founding Blue Veil Charity/Sara Elizabeth Centre and becoming a published author of two books, “Let the Spirit Fly Wherever It Takes You” and “The Heart of Listening,” among her greatest career achievements.

 
 

Dino DiMatteo

Chair of the Board

Dino contributes extensive fundraising and foundation experience, drawn from his tenure as Sales Manager in various corporations since 1995. For the past 13 years, he has served as the Chair of the Board for the Sara Elizabeth Centre. In addition to fulfilling his responsibilities in this leadership role, Dino actively supports our fundraising initiatives. Utilizing his adept negotiating and customer service skills, he secures numerous donations and prizes for our charity.

Cathy Turco

Vice Chair of the Board

Cathy currently holds the position of Executive Assistant to the Associate Director of Education at the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board. She plays a crucial role in various committees at both school and board levels and actively engages in the Caledon community. As a dedicated parishioner at St. Patrick’s Church in Wildfield for 31 years, Cathy integrates her Christian values into her professional endeavors, charitable initiatives, and social outreach projects, including her involvement in Hope for Haiti.

Cathy serves as an Executive Board member and Vice Chair of the Sara Elizabeth Centre, a registered charity focused on supporting the social inclusion of children, youth, and young adults with developmental and/or physical disabilities through educational arts-based programs. Following the birth of her daughter with developmental disabilities, Cathy and her husband recognized the significance of advocating for their child. Equally important to them was instilling values of inclusion and acceptance in their son.

With her daughter serving as one of God’s most precious gifts, Cathy’s faith has been profoundly shaped. She often serves as a keynote speaker at local events, passionately advocating for parents raising children with special needs.

Mary Rinaldi

Board of Director / Secretary

Mary contributes over 25 years of expertise as a Graphic Designer to our charity. She earned her degree from Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology and initially worked as a Freelance Graphic Designer for a decade. Subsequently, Mary dedicated over 18 years to the York Catholic District School Board. Her approach involves employing images, symbols, or words to devise creative and systematic solutions for problem-solving or achieving objectives.

A seasoned creative professional, Mary generously volunteers her skills to produce original digital designs for SEC, incorporating various elements. Since SEC’s inception in 2006, Mary has been an integral part of the Board of Directors. Additionally, she has actively engaged with her Richmond Hill community for the past 30 years, including serving as Treasurer and Faith Committee Chair of the Parent Council Committee at her children’s school for six years.

Mary remains an active parishioner at Our Lady Queen of the World, contributing as a facilitator for various Ministry groups and utilizing her graphic design talents to support capital fundraising campaigns. In her role as a Graphic Designer, Mary plays a pivotal part in shaping and executing SEC’s advertising fundraising campaigns, managing social media presence, and maintaining brand identity. Leveraging her extensive experience and knowledge, Mary ensures the creation and design of all marketing materials for SEC’s programs, enhancing communication and organization for more effective engagement with SEC clients.

Lucy DiFede

Board Member

Lucy serves as the Branch Manager at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), one of Canada’s “Big Five” banks. Graduating with a degree in Accounting and Finance from Ryerson University, she possesses a solid understanding of business goals and objectives. Over the past 40 years, Lucy has held numerous senior leadership roles within CIBC.

Embracing the philosophy that “If you can believe it, you can achieve it,” Lucy applies this mindset to both the career aspirations of her employees and the financial goals of her customers. She attributes her success to remaining open to new ideas and feedback through transparent communication.

In her current role, Lucy actively contributes to making a positive impact on the lives of those she interacts with, both within the workplace and notably at SEC. Leveraging her extensive experience in the business and banking sectors, she shares best practices with fellow SEC Board members while embracing new initiatives along the way.

Sandra Liaros

Board Member

Sandra currently holds the position of Store Front Manager at Shoppers Drug Mart in Stouffville. With over two decades of experience in this managerial role, she has been responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the store and its staff. Actively engaged in her community, Sandra serves on the board of trustees for the Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library, where she contributes as a member of the human resource and fundraising committees. Additionally, she volunteers during federal and municipal elections, gaining valuable experience in dealing with municipal Councillors.

In her role with our charity, Sandra not only contributes her managerial skills and processing procedures but also brings a wealth of experience in strategic planning, project management, human resources, finance/budgeting, public relations and advocacy, fundraising, and governance. Her objective is to make a positive impact on the lives of the young adults attending SEC by sharing the extensive experience she brings to the table.

Rosina Di Felice

Board Member

As a recently appointed Board Member, Rosina brings her extensive experience in marketing and social media to SEC.

Born in Toronto 54 years ago and raised in Montreal, Rosina pursued her education at McGill University, earning a BCom in ’87 with a double concentration in Marketing and Finance. With a career spanning large media advertising agencies such as McCann Erickson, Initiative Media, Saatchi + Saatchi, and Starcom, she served as a Senior Planning Manager for 20 years. Currently, she utilizes her marketing and social media expertise as an Ambassador/Administrator at Salt + Light Catholic Media Foundation.

A parishioner at St. Benedict Parish since 1999, Rosina was inducted as a Salesian Cooperator on December 9, 2018. Throughout her parish volunteer history, she has served as a Catechist for Confirmation and participated in various committees, including the Golf Committee, Fundraising/Finance, and Synergy Committee. Presently, Rosina remains an active member of her parish, serving as a Lector and Liturgy of the Word for Children Leader. Additionally, she volunteers her talent and experience as the Parish Facebook and Instagram Page Administrator and Parish Photographer.