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New Cultural Events

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NEW CULTURAL EVENTS

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Ballo Liscio

  • Wednesdays, September 13 – December 13, 6:30pm

The Italian tradition of Ballo Liscio continues throughout the fall season, every Wednesday* in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery at the Columbus Centre. Bring friends, partners, or come on your own and enjoy these popular social dancing nights featuring live musical performances by Sam Saverino and Bruno Nesci.

Bruno Nesci

  • Wednesdays, September 13, 20, October 4, 11, 18, November 1, 8, 29, December 6 & 13

Sam Saverino

  • Wednesdays, October 25, November 15 & 22

Price:
A ‘PAY WHAT YOU CAN’ EVENT
(Donations welcome at the door)

*No Ballo Liscio on September 27.

Ballo Liscio

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre

 

Presented in partnership with Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartment Corporation (ICBSAC).

 

Funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Divina Commedia letta e interpretata da Manuele Morgese

  • Thursday, September 21, 7:30 – 9:00pm
Italian theatre actor Manuele Morgese will read and interpret five Canti from Dante Alighieri’s “Divina Commedia”. Please note this lecture is in Italian.

Price:
FREE

Divina Commedia_Lectura Dantis Sept 21 2023 website image

Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre

 

Presented in partnership with Teatro Zeta and Società Dante Alighieri Toronto.

Sicilia Terra D’Amuri

  • Monday, September 25, 7:30 pm

The traditional dances of Sicily come to life through this captivating performance and interactive workshop from the Sicilian folk group Viginti Millys, whose mission is to preserve and revive their cultural significance.

 

Thanks to the rediscovery of various local dances from their own research, the ensemble’s talented 12 dancers and 3 musicians in traditional Sicilian dress bring to life various dances typical to regions of the island.

 

Price:
A ‘PAY WHAT YOU CAN’ EVENT
(Donations welcome at the door.)

Cu ti lu Dissi (song originally performed by Rosa Balistreri)
I Curtiggiari (song of wives gossiping among themselves)
Raspa (performance and interactive workshop for this typical Central American dance imported by Americans in the 1940s)
The Moon in the Middle of the Sea (a courtship dance)
Scottis (a typical dance of our Madonie mountains)
Ciuri Ciuri (a traditional song)
A Sciatamarra (typical dance of the municipality of Caltavuturo)
Brianti Knights and Saracens (a tale of the invasions in Sicily)
4 Steps (typical dance of Tortorici plus workshop, in which guests can participate)
Snail (Sicilian Tarantella)
Vitti na Crozza (traditional song)

Register Now
Sicilia Terra D'Amuri

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre

 

Presented in partnership with Viginti Millys.

One Night with the King

  • Friday, October 6, 8:30pm

Bruno Nesci & The Dreamers Show Band take you in a time machine back to 1968 and throughout the 1970s to experience the timeless music of the ‘King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’. 

 

Known around the world as one of the Top Elvis Tribute artists, Bruno Nesci proudly holds the distinction of being the only Canadian to place in the Top 5 at the 2022 Ultimate Elvis Contest at Graceland. 

 

Don’t miss this unforgettable Elvis tribute concert that promises to be a memorable night of music and nostalgia.

Price:
$50.00 

$45.00 (Seniors) 

Cash bar onsite 

Buy Tickets
One Night with the King

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre

Pasta Making Classes

  • Tuesdays, October 3 – June 4, 6:30 pm

Join Chef Anthony Sestito on a culinary journey through the Italian tradition of fresh pasta making. Each class explores the art of creating different pastas, from making fresh dough using the “well” method, the importance of resting, and choosing the right flours. Each class ends with participants savouring the final pastas paired with various sauces.

 

Class duration varies between 75 and 90 minutes.

Egg Dough, Shapes of Central/Northern Italy

  • Tuesday, October 3, 6:30 pm

Learn about making fresh egg dough through a demonstration of some simple, yet significant shapes and styles, focusing on handmade pasta shapes using minimal tools. Pasta shapes include Fettuccine, Pappardelle, Farfalle, Garganelli and Soppressine.

 

Beginner Class
Final dish: Tagliatelle al funghi 

Eggless, Shapes of Southern Italy

  • Tuesday, November 7, 6:30 pm

Learn about making fresh eggless dough through a demonstration of some simple, yet significant shapes and styles of eggless pasta made using minimal tools and focusing on handmade pasta shapes. Eggless pasta shapes include Cavatelli, Orecchiette, Fileja and Lorighittas.

 

Beginner/Intermediate Class
Final dish: Cavatelli with sausage and rapini

Various Shapes

  • Tuesday, December 5, 6:30 pm

Learn about making fresh egg dough and creating some simple, yet significant filled pasta shapes and styles, including Spinach & Ricotta, Butternut Squash & Ricotta, traditional Tortellini filling, and a traditional Piedmontese meat filling. Learn different types of fillings and their pairing with shapes such as classic square Ravioli, Cappelletti & Cappellacci, Triangoli/Fazzolletti, Balanzoni, Tortellini, and Agnolotti del Plin. 

 

Intermediate Class
Final dish: Cappellacci di Zucca, with sage, pine nuts & pancetta

The Shapes of Sardinia

  • Tuesday, February 6, 6:30 pm

Learn about making fresh pasta shapes from Sardinia. An in-depth demonstration of filled pasta shapes typical of the cuisine of Sardinia, including Malloreddus, Spizzulus, Lorighittas and Culurgiones. 

 

Intermediate/Advanced Class
Final dish: Culurgiones with Tomato & Basil

Lasagne alla Bolognese

  • Tuesday, March 5, 6:30 pm

Learn about making fresh spinach pasta dough through a demonstration of the very traditional way of making lasagne from Bologna. Participants will learn how to prepare the sheets and the sauces, the importance of layering, and will assemble their own lasagne to take home.

 

Beginner Class

Final dish: Each guest will have a piece of lasagne that has been cooked from the main kitchen in the interest of time.

Ricotta Gnocchi

  • Tuesday, April 2, 6:30 pm

Learn about making fresh Ricotta gnocchi through a demonstration of some simple variations as well as the difference between Ricotta and a traditional potato gnocchi. Learn handmade pasta techniques using minimal tools.

 

Beginner Class
Final dish: Ricotta gnocchi con pomodoro

Cannelloni

  • Tuesday, May 7, 6:30 pm

Learn about making fresh cannelloni pasta through a demonstration of different fillings and their variations for large, filled pasta.

 

Intermediate Class

Final dish: Spinach & Ricotta cannelloni con pomodoro

Semolina Trofie 

  • Tuesday, June 4, 6:30 pm

Learn about making fresh eggless dough through a demonstration of the techniques of making semolina trofie as well as some other dough variations.

 

Intermediate/Advanced Class

Final dish: Semolina trofie con pesto 

Price:
$55.00 (per class)
Drinks not included.

Buy Tickets
Pasta Making Class

Location:

Columbus Room, Columbus Centre


In collaboration with Pastaio.

Opera è Vita

  • October 19 – December 12, 7:30pm

Explore the captivating world of Italian opera with two of the most accomplished voices on the stage today.

International soprano Sara Papini and acclaimed tenor, multi-instrumentalist and composer Romulo Delgado lead this new interactive concert lecture series about Italian opera, featuring live performances, audience participation and special guest appearances.

This new series will explore famous composers, legendary singers, and reveal behind-the-scenes secrets including an introduction to vocal technique and the psychology of singing opera.

Renata Tebaldi: The Voice of an Angel

Sara Papini with guest pianist

  • Thursday, October 19, 7:30pm

The great conductor Toscanini called Italy’s own Renata Tebaldi’s voice “la voce d’angelo” (“the voice of an angel”) and La Scala Music Director Riccardo Muti called her “one of the greatest performers with one of the most extraordinary voices in the field of opera”.

 

Sara Papini takes us on a journey through the life and grace of this remarkable singer and the impact she made on the world of opera. Join us and discover the glories of bel canto, through the reign of this legendary soprano.

How to Conduct Opera

Romulo Delgado with special guest, Maestro Denis Mastromonaco

  • Thursday, November 16, 7:30pm

The conductor on the podium is undoubtedly one of most recognizable figures in classical music and opera. However, what exactly are they doing? How does a conductor translate their vision into glorious sounds?

 

Romulo Delgado is joined by one of Canada’s most experienced conductors, Maestro Denis Mastromonaco and special guests.  This engaging concert lecture will uncover the magic behind those waving hands that can create the beauty, excitement, passion, tragedy, sadness and inspiration that opera has to offer.

Passion for Puccini

Sara Papini & Romulo Delgado with guest pianist

  • Tuesday, December 12, 7:30pm

Giacomo Puccini, regarded as the greatest and most successful composer of Italian opera after Verdi, created masterpieces that are among the most frequently performed and recorded of all operas.
What is it about his music that has an immense ability to reach our deepest emotions?

 

Sara Papini and Romulo Delgado lead this exciting concert lecture, sharing insightful observations on the composer as well as performing some of the most famous arias and duets from his iconic operas.

Price:
$20.00 Adults (Per event)

$15.00 Seniors & Students (Per event)

Buy Tickets
Renata Tebaldi

Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre

From Italy with Love

  • Friday, October 20, 7:30 – 8:45pm
Back by popular demand, Beatrice Carpino (singer) and Adolfo De Santis (pianist) return to Villa Charities to share the heartfelt music of Italy that they love! The duo will perform a selection of popular Italian songs, Neapolitan songs, and favourites by legends Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.
Buy Tickets

Price:
$20.00 Adults 

$15.00 Seniors/Students

From Italy with Love

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre

I Don’t Exist…Therefore I Am.
Italian Immigrants and the Identity Question

  • Thursday, October 26, 7:00 – 8:00pm

What does it mean to be Italian? Is it language? Where one lives? One’s customs or culture? And is there such a thing as a “national identity”?

Join Professor Donato Santeramo for a lecture that explores these intriguing questions and related issues. Through the medium of film, Prof. Santeramo will unravel these complexities and delve into the idea of what it means to be Italian.

Register Now

Price:

A ‘PAY WHAT YOU CAN’ EVENT 

(Donations welcome at the door.)

I Don’t Exist…Therefore I Am.

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre

Italian Christmas Baking Contest

  • Wednesday, December 6, 6:30 – 8:30pm

As part of our Ballo Liscio night with musical guest Bruno Nesci, we invite you to bring your homemade Italian Christmas dessert and take part in our Traditional Italian Dessert Contest for your chance to win a prize, as selected by our judging panel. Share your traditional desserts such as Panforte, Struffoli, Scalilli and Turdilli with fellow community members and enjoy a slice of Panettone, courtesy of ICBSAC and Villa Charities!*

Register Now

Price:
FREE
*First-come, first served, while supplies last.

Placeholder

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre

 

Presented in partnership with Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartment Corporation (ICBSAC).

Funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Italian Heritage Month

  • June 1 – June 29, 2023

Experience the vibrant and captivating essence of Italian culture and heritage as the Columbus Centre transforms into a hub of excitement during Italian Heritage Month in June!

 

Villa Charities presents a month-long series of entertaining events, showcasing the artistry and talents of Italian-Canadian performers. Experience engaging cultural programs, art exhibitions, music concerts, literary events, comedy shows, and commemorative gatherings.

 

For detailed information and registration, please visit villacharities.com/ihm.

Learn More
Italian Heritage Month

Chestnut Festival / Sagra della Castagna

  • Wednesday, November 8, 6:30 – 8:30pm

Join us for our next sagra community event to enjoy complimentary chestnuts* in celebration of San Martino, courtesy of ICBSAC and Villa Charities. The evening coincides with our popular Ballo Liscio nights, with social dancing and a live musical performance by Bruno Nesci.

Register Now

Price:
FREE

*First-come, first served, while supplies last.

Placeholder

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre

Presented in partnership with Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartment Corporation (ICBSAC).

Funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Salsa for Seniors

  • Wednesdays, July 5 – July 26, 5:45pm

Join us for ‘Salsa for Seniors’ at the Columbus Centre! Dance your way through FREE Salsa lessons presented by TD Salsa in Toronto Festival, with the best professionals in Toronto and around the GTA. Join us on Wednesdays, from July 5 to 26 at 5:45pm then stay afterwards for Ballo Liscio and show off your newly acquired skills! Lessons are for seniors of all ages, no experience needed. 

Price:

FREE

Salsa for Seniors

Location:

Columbus Centre Courtyard, Columbus Centre

Presented in partnership with TLN.

Sagra degli Speducci / Speducci Day

  • Sunday, July 9, 11:30am

We invite you to join us for our next sagra community event to enjoy complimentary speducci and live music by Sam Saverino.

Children’s Entertainment & Carnival Ride

Face Painting

Beer/Wine Patio (Payment Required)

Traditional Italian Porchetta & Hot Dog Lunch* (11:30am to 1:30pm)

Speducci* (11:30am to 1:30pm)
Pizza* (11:30am to 1:30pm)

Gelato Cart*

Live Auction of a Wheel of Parmigiano & Raffle

*First-come, first served, until supplies last.

Price: FREE

 

*No registration required. Maximum capacity of 200 people, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register Now
Speducci - Lamb Meat Skewers

Location:

Columbus Centre Courtyard, Columbus Centre

 

Presented in partnership with Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartment Corporation (ICBSAC).

 

Funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Italian Movie Nights

  • Thursdays, July 6 – August 31, 6:30pm
Join us every Thursday from July 6 to August 31 for your weekly ticket to hit movies from Italy with a spectacular lineup of English subtitled films from some of the most acclaimed names in Italian cinema.

Luciano Pavarotti: The Voice of Opera (La voce dell’ Opera)  

Romulo Delgado with guest pianist

  • Tuesday, June 20, 7:30pm

A vocal phenomenon in the world of opera, Luciano Pavarotti stands as a legendary singer with an immense personality full of charisma and humanity. Esteemed tenor, composer and multi-instrumentalist, Romulo Delgado along with Sabatino Vacca on piano present this concert lecture with a focus on Pavarotti’s vocal technique.

 

While Pavarotti’s singing has and continues to receive widespread praise from fans and critics alike, can this be solely attributed to genetics? Or was he a consciously competent singer, who over the years acquired an incomparable vocal technique?

Renata Tebaldi: The Voice of an Angel

Sara Papini with guest pianist

  • Thursday, October 19, 7:30pm

The great conductor Toscanini called Italy’s own Renata Tebaldi’s voice “la voce d’angelo” (“the voice of an angel”) and La Scala Music Director Riccardo Muti called her “one of the greatest performers with one of the most extraordinary voices in the field of opera”.

 

Sara Papini takes us on a journey through the life and grace of this remarkable singer and the impact she made on the world of opera. Join us and discover the glories of bel canto, through the reign of this legendary soprano.

How to Conduct Opera

Romulo Delgado with special guest, Maestro Denis Mastromonaco

  • Thursday, November 16, 7:30pm

The conductor on the podium is undoubtedly one of most recognizable figures in classical music and opera. However, what exactly are they doing? How does a conductor translate their vision into glorious sounds?

 

Romulo Delgado is joined by one of Canada’s most experienced conductors, Maestro Denis Mastromonaco and special guests.  This engaging concert lecture will uncover the magic behind those waving hands that can create the beauty, excitement, passion, tragedy, sadness and inspiration that opera has to offer.

Passion for Puccini

Sara Papini & Romulo Delgado with guest pianist

  • Tuesday, December 12, 7:30pm

Giacomo Puccini, regarded as the greatest and most successful composer of Italian opera after Verdi, created masterpieces that are among the most frequently performed and recorded of all operas.
What is it about his music that has an immense ability to reach our deepest emotions?

 

Sara Papini and Romulo Delgado lead this exciting concert lecture, sharing insightful observations on the composer as well as performing some of the most famous arias and duets from his iconic operas.

Price: FREE in the Columbus Centre courtyard or from VIP seating on Caffe Cinquecento’s patio.

Register Now
Speducci - Lamb Meat Skewers

Location:

Columbus Centre Courtyard, Columbus Centre

 

Co-presented by Villa Charities and ICBSAC.

Taste of Italy

 

A Gastronomic Journey Through the Peninsula

 
Villa Charities’ popular Taste of Italy series continues as we take a gastronomic journey through the Italian peninsula. Indulge in delicious authentic Italian dishes prepared by Executive Chef Luciano Schipano. Savour new flavours each month as we journey through the regions of Italy.

Upcoming Dinners

Taste of Rome

  • Friday, April 21, 7:00pm

 

Antipasto – Starter

Porchetta su Crostone di pane e Pecorino, carciofi saltati e Ricottina su lesso di cicoria

Toasted bread topped with porchetta and pecorino, sautéed artichoke, mini ricotta on steamed dandelion

 

 

Primo – First Course

Tortiglioni al sugo con coda alla vaccinara

Tortiglioni pasta tossed in a slow cooked tomato sauce and oxtail

 

 

Secondo – Entrée

Saltimbocca di vitello con prosciutto e salvia, patate e asparagi

Traditional Prosciutto and Sage Veal Saltimbocca with a side of potato and asparagus

 

 

Dolce – Dessert

Crostata Ricotta e visciole

Roman ricotta tart with cherries

Buy Tickets

Price:

$100.00 (Per dinner)

(Inclusive of tax and booking fees)

Price includes complimentary wine during dinner service. Additional wine, beer, mixed and soft drinks will be available for an additional cost.

Taste-of-Italy

Location:

Ristorante Boccaccio, Columbus Centre

 

Unassigned tables of 10 guests on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Photos shown are for illustration purposes only. Dishes and/or ingredients may vary due to availability and are subject to change without notice. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Pasta Making Classes

  • Tuesday, May 16, 6:30pm

Learn how to make fresh pasta and taste it with delicious sauces at the end of each session!

Caffe Cinquecento will be open to purchase wine

and other beverages. If you choose to bring your own bottle of wine, a $5 corkage fee will apply

Semolina Trofie Class

  • Tuesday, May 16, 6:30pm

Learn about making fresh eggless dough including the process beginning from the “well” method, the importance of resting and choosing the right flours. An in depth demonstration of the techniques of making trofie as well as some other dough variations.

 

Final dish: Semolina trofie with pesto sauce.

 

SOLD OUT

Price:
$50.00 (Per event)

Drinks not included.

Sold Out
Pasta Making Class

Location:

Ristorante Boccaccio, Columbus Centre

 

In collaboration with Pastaio.

For more information, please contact:

 

Joshua Clemenger
Arts & Culture Coordinator
Email: jclemenger@villacharities.com

Villa Charities Inc.
901 Lawrence Avenue West
Toronto, ON M6A 1C3
Tel: 416-789-7011
Fax: 416-789-3951

NEWSLETTER

Copyright 2021 – Villa Charities Inc. – Villa Charities Foundation Charitable Registration No: 89337 0767 RR0001

Santo Veltri (ICBSAC)

Past Chair / Director, 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 also a member of the Villa Charities Nominating & Governance Committee, Villa Charities Resources Committee, Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee and Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Campus Revitalization Committee.

Nick Torchetti

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.

Armando Cristinziano

Director

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.

Mary Venezia

Secretary

Mary has been a Director of the Columbus Centre Board since 2014 and 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.

Carlo Crozzoli

Treasurer

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 Boards of Demand Power Group and DUCA Financial Services Inc. and serves as an advisor to Five 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.

Joseph Arcuri

Chair, Villa Charities Inc. / Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery & Seniors Apartments Corporation / Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation Board of Directors

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 Resources Committee, the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee and the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc Campus Revitalization Committee.

Laura Salvatori

Director, Villa Charities Foundation

Laura Salvatori is currently General Counsel at Anson Funds, a hedge fund with offices in Toronto and Dallas. In this role, 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.

Nina Perfetto

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.

Aldo Cundari

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. In 2013, 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 Villa Charities Board of Governors and currently sits on the Villa Charities Foundation Board.

Toni Varone

Secretary (Lifetime Member), Villa Charities Foundation

For over 30 years, Toni Varone has been part of the Villa Charities family. As former President 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 a member 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 addition to serving on the board, Toni is also a member of the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Campus Revitalization Committee

Sam Ciccolini

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 Villa Charities Foundation and is also a Member of the Hockey in Canada Hall of Fame Board Selection Committee.

Edward Sorbara

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.

Catherine (Rina) Tiberini

Ex-officio (Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre Vice-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 Vice-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, the Villa Charities Resources Committee, and the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Campus Revitalization Committee.

Mario Fiorucci

Chair

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 serves as an Ex officio on the Villa Charities Board.

Maria Orsini

Ex-officio (Columbus Centre Chair), Villa Charities Inc. / Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery

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 Columbus Centre Board Chair and sits on the Villa Charities Nominating and Governance Committee and the Villa Charities Resources Committee.


In addition to serving on the board, Maria holds the position of Chair on the Columbus Centre Board and is a member of the Villa Charities Nominating and Governance Committee and the Villa Charities Resources Committees.

John Hendriks

Ex-officio (Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Chair), Villa Charities Inc. / Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery

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.

 

In addition to serving as a board member, John holds the position of Chair of the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Board and is a member of the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Campus Revitalization Committee.

Angela Gauthier

Ex-officio (Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. 1st Vice-Chair), Villa Charities Inc. / Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery

Angela Gauthier holds a 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 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 currently serves as Chair of the CCS Board of Directors. 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 holds the position of 1st Vice-Chair on the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Board.

Marianne Corigliano

Ex-officio (Columbus Centre Vice-Chair), Villa Charities Inc. / Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery

Marianne is an Elementary Guidance Counsellor with TCDSB. 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 has been a board member of NCIC, CIBPA Education Fund and CIBPA where she held the position of President. She is also Treasurer of the Toronto Elementary Catholic Teachers North York Sub-Unit. Marianne is currently Vice-Chair of the Columbus Centre. 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.


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.

Quinto Annibale

Ex-officio (Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre Chair), Villa Charities Inc. / Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery

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.


In addition to serving as a board member, Quinto holds the position of Chair on the Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre Board and the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Campus Revitalization Committee.

Dr. Gina Valle

Director, Villa Charities Inc. / Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery

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 and Chair on the Villa Charities Cultural Advisory Council.

Nebo Orazietti

Director, Villa Charities Inc. / Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery

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 the 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 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 Resources Committee and the Villa Charities Nominating and Governance Committee.

Tony Costa

Vice-Chair

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 labour/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 five grandchildren.


In addition to serving as a board member, Tony holds the position of Secretary on the Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation & Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation Board and Chair on the Villa Charities Nominating & Governance Committee.

Pasquale (Pat) Minicucci

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.

Santo Veltri

Past Chair / Director, 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 also a member of the Villa Charities Nominating & Governance Committee, Villa Charities Resources Committee, Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee and Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Campus Revitalization Committee.

Anna D’Orazio-Sgro

Director

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 three years and is also a member of the Family Council of Villa Colombo Toronto and the Villa Colombo Toronto Family Support Group.

Anna Iafrate

Director

Anna Iafrate is a past 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.

Sandro D’Ercole (ICBSAC)

Treasurer

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 a board member, Sandro holds the position of Treasurer on the Villa Charities Board and Chair on the Villa Charities Resources Committee. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee.

Dr. Kristin Terenzi

Director

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 1991 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 2021 to the present day she joined the Planning Committee, C-Change Guidelines.

Joseph Arcuri (ICBSAC)

Chair, Villa Charities Inc. / Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery & Seniors Apartments Corporation / Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation Board of Directors

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 Resources Committee, the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee and the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc Campus Revitalization Committee.

Santo Veltri (VCI)

Past Chair / Director, 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 also a member of the Villa Charities Nominating & Governance Committee, Villa Charities Resources Committee, Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee and Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Campus Revitalization Committee.

Sandro D’Ercole (VCI)

Treasurer

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 a board member, Sandro holds the position of Treasurer on the Villa Charities Board and Chair on the Villa Charities Resources Committee. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee.

Joseph Arcuri (VCI)

Chair, Villa Charities Inc. / Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery & Seniors Apartments Corporation / Casa Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation Board of Directors

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 Resources Committee, the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee and the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc Campus Revitalization Committee.

Dr. Claudia Machiella

Director

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, 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.

Martina Di Gioacchino

Director

Martina Di Gioacchino is the Director of the Capital Program Budgeting and Planning team at Infrastructure Ontario. Her 10 years of experience spans the healthcare 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.

Antoinette Benedetto

Director

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 levels.
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.

Tony Costa

Vice-Chair 

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 7 grandchildren.


In addition to serving as a board member, Tony holds the position of Secretary on the Villa Charities Board and Chair on the Villa Charities Nominating & Governance Committee.

Sandro D’Ercole

Treasurer

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 a board member, Sandro holds the position of Treasurer on the Villa Charities Board and Chair on the Villa Charities Resources Committee. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee.

Pasquale (Pat) Minicucci

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.

Piera A. Segreto

Director

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.

Joseph J. Fusco

Past Chair

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. Joe has been a member of the board since 2007, most recently serving as Chair of the board. In addition to serving as a board member, Joe is also a member of the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Campus Revitalization Committee.

Anthony Messina

Director

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.

Pina Falbo

Secretary

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.

Joline Moore

Treasurer

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.

Antonio Turco

Director

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.

Anthony Moscar

Director

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.

Loriana Iadipaolo

Director

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 memb

Dino Bozzo

Director

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.

Rosanna Arduini

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.

Frank Anderson

Treasurer

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 and 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 Resources Committee.

Ben Vozzolo

2nd Vice Chair

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 is also a member of the Villa Charities Cultural Committee.

Joseph Arcuri

Chair, Villa Charities Inc. / Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery

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 assurancne 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. He serves as an Ex Officio on the Columbus Centre Board, the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. Board, the Villa Colombo Seniors Centre Vaughan Inc. Di Poce Centre Board and the Villa Charities Foundation Board. He is also a member of the Villa Charities Nominating and Governance Committee, the Villa Charities Resources Committee, the Villa Charities Strategic Planning Committee and the Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc Campus Revitalization Committee.