L'Arche Toronto Homes Inc. Board of Directors

As a registered Occupational Therapist, Doreen has 25 years of health care experience in hospital and community settings which includes direct patient care, clinical informatics and professional practice leadership. Presently, at Ontario Health, she participates in the development and implementation of the provincial electronic health record. Doreen’s connection with L’Arche Toronto began with her role as a live-in assistant. She has been a friend of the community since then, maintaining relationships with core members and attending community events. Doreen is an active member of her church and faith community, engaged in faith formation and stewardship ministries. She also pursues ongoing learning and dialogue in areas of well-being and resiliency, positive psychology, creation care, and climate change action and justice.

Ted Hyland is a lawyer working and living in Toronto. Ted has had a long standing relationship with L’Arche, including living for a period of time in one of the L’Arche Toronto homes.

Therese recently retired from her Senior Finance role at Sinai Health System (formerly Mount Sinai Hospital) in Toronto after a very fulfilling 30+ year career. Through successive promotions from Manager to Senior Director of Finance, she experienced the many complex facets of Finance in a government funded acute care teaching and research hospital. She was involved in many areas ranging from controllership functions, to operating and capital budgeting, internal and external audit, and special projects. Through her role of hospital finance liaison for the Sinai Health Foundation, she also had a bird’s eye view of the intricacies of fundraising. Given her tenure, solid leadership skills and corporate knowledge, she was a sought-after Finance resource within the organization. Her vast experience and senior level knowledge afforded her the opportunity to prepare and present material at the Board Committee level for many years.

The building blocks of Therese’s successful career at Sinai Health System began with a French primary and secondary education in Toronto, where she was born. This was followed by a BA at the University of Toronto where she quickly developed an interest in all things financial. She immediately pursued her professional accounting designation (CPA, CMA 1986) which afforded her some experience in the for-profit world. Beginning with external audit at Clarkson Gordon (now Ernst & Young), internal audit around the world at PPG Inc (a US glass company), she then embarked on her healthcare Finance journey at Queen Elizabeth Rehabilitation hospital in Toronto.

Therese has always been known for her unique laugh and sense of humor. She is currently enjoying discovering what retired life looks like for her, while pursuing long standing interests of, cycling, kayaking, cottaging, travelling, theatre, ballet and family.

Bronwyn Hannelas joined the L’Arche Toronto community as a live-in assistant over a decade ago and has remained connected ever since. She has a joint MA in Public and International Affairs from York University and Masters in Local and Regional Public Administration from the University of Strasbourg France. She works as a Senior Economist with the Regional Municipality of Durham and lives in Durham with her husband and children.

Mohammad Waliul Islam is a social worker and accessibility consultant since 1996. Hailing from a small town in Bangladesh, he grew up in a middle class family, the youngest of 10 siblings. His passion for people and travels have exposed Mohammad to diverse societies where he has seen people struggle, including their struggle to survive.

Having completed a Master’s degree in Management and Human Resource Management, Mohammad began his career under WFP and European Support Venerable Women (UVGD).

He has worked closely with United Nation agencies such as UNDP,WFP,UNHCR, Unicef, European Union ,DFID, Oxfam – GB, Care Bangladesh, DANIDA , Microsoft, Bangladesh Government agencies, Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP), and PRAIDA (Montreal). Mohammad has been the recipient of a recognition letter from the United Nations for his work on policy changes combating violence against women.

Mohammad has worked with various stakeholders, including adolescents and adults, and has been involved in a range of key societal issues such as the empowerment of women, life skills development, gender equity, disability rights, education for sex workers and refugees. He has studied the impact of rural and crop management on farmers and has also developed concrete solutions to accessibility barriers in employment.

Mohammed continues to be inspired by his family, which includes a wife and two sons.

Danielle Hidber joined the L’Arche Toronto community over a decade ago. She has held many roles within L’Arche, including Live-in Assistant, House Leader, Life Skills Facilitator and Program Leader.  She has a Developmental Services diploma and a Specialized Academic Certificate in Indigenous Studies. She is excited to continue supporting L’Arche Toronto in its mission to make known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities and foster an environment in community that responds to the changing needs of our members

Most of Richard’s 25-year legal career has been spent with the provincial government addressing the legal issues of adults incapable of managing their property or personal care.  Prior to his legal career, Richard worked full time as a support worker with adults with intellectual disabilities.  Richard’s prior governance board involvement included Central Toronto Youth Services and Richard’s academic background has played a vital role in shaping his outlook and career.  He earned degrees in Religion at McGill University and Harvard Divinity School as well as Law at the University of Toronto and Harvard Law School.  Richard recently joined the Master of Arts in Ministry and Spirituality program at Regis College, University of Toronto.

Ken is an FCPA with over three decades of investigative and forensic accounting experience, including providing expert testimony on numerous matters in Canada as well as serving as an Arbitrator on financial matters. He was a partner in Grant Thornton, which he and his team eventually left to form a boutique firm. He has extensive experience in conflict situations, bringing calm, patience and insight.

A younger Ken worked in construction in Winnipeg, in a shop building sailboats in Cape Breton, on a blueberry farm in New Brunswick, on a carrot farm in Nova Scotia, and he spent a winter building a log cabin.

Ken is one of the founders of the non-profit Association of Certified Forensic Investigators and a past Director and President. He is a past Director of Community Education Services, a charity providing scholarships to rural Kenyan students.

Over the past four years, until her recent death, Ken supported a sister with dementia, taking her on weekly “Tuesday Adventures”. When she entered palliative care their time together increased greatly.

Ken is interested in the opportunity to serve in a community that serves others.