Abrigo Staff and Board

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Staff Members

  • Ana Machado

    Counsellor

  • Anderson Salvador

    PAR Program Counsellor

  • Cidalia Pereira

    VAW Counselling Team Lead

  • Gila Raposo

    Co-Executive Director

  • Dazy Pimentel

    Transitional Housing Support Counsellor

  • Gerald Luciano

    Manager, Fundraising and Communications

  • Liliana da Cunha

    PAR Counsellor

  • Marilia dos Santos

    Counsellor, Seniors Program Coordinator

  • Paula De Jesus

    Co-Executive Director

  • Luciana Pache de Faria

    Gender-based Violence Team Lead

  • Rosana de Rezende

    Intake Counsellor

  • Rosane Fernandes

    Receptionist

  • Rui Oliveira

    PAR Program Counsellor

  • Teresa Emmanuel

    Youth Outreach Counsellor

  • Valeria Sales

    CDI Counselling Team Lead and Volunteer Coordinator

Leadership and Commitment

The leadership and commitment demonstrated by Abrigo’s Board of Directors and staff members is unparalleled in the social service community in Toronto. We are forever grateful for their unwavering desire to serve and care for the individuals and families that turn to Abrigo for assistance.

Board of Directors
  • Arnon Melo
  • Carla Neto
  • David Pereira
  • Deyan Kostovski
  • Joyce Contreiras dos Santos
  • Lena Barreto, Chair
  • Jessica Raposo
  • Frederica Gomes
  • Susy C. Henriques
Biographies of Abrigo Board Members

Arnon Melo

Arnon immigrated to Canada from Taquarituba, Brazil in 1990, and 12 years later he founded Mellohawk Logistics. With offices in Miami and Mississauga, Mellohawk Logistics is an international freight forwarder and a specialist in worldwide transportation and logistics services.

Arnon’s story and the success of Mellohawk is deeply rooted in the belief that the most valuable resource of a company or a community are its people. The dynamic team at Mellowhawk is almost entirely comprised of new immigrants. As a proud Brazilian Canadian Arnon regularly gives back to the community through generous sponsorships and a flourishing internship program.

He brings to Abrigo not only a passion for community but board experience. He is a two-time elected member of the Brazilian Citizenship Council of Ontario (CONCID) and part of the Professional Advisory Committee for Seneca College and a member of the National Board of Directors for the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA).

Carla Neto

Carla Neto is a strategic thinker and transformational leader with over 25 years of experience in the field of gender equity and women’s rights sector. She is the Executive Director at Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke, where she manages Counseling services, Housing and Transitional Supports Services, Parenting programs, Girls-focused programs and Life Skills Drop-in programs. Prior to coming to Women’s Habitat, Carla managed the YWCA Toronto Women’s Shelter and Transitional Housing and Support Program for over 10 years.

Carla believes that service delivery must support capacity, resiliency building and sustainability for the women and their dependents seeking services as well as be in alignment with strategies to end gender-based violence. Carla is a transformational leader with effective problem-solving abilities and a mentor with the ability to build strong and creative teams by fostering a culture of collaboration, diversity and inclusion.

She has a Bachelor of Social Work from Ryerson University and is working on obtaining an IMBA in Leadership. She is a mother of three adult children and a grandmother of an eight-year old boy.

David A. Pereira

David A. Pereira is the 2020-21 York University Faculty of Education Postdoctoral Fellow in sexuality, gender and education and a Centre Fellow at the Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies at the University of Toronto. He is a graduate of the Department of Social Justice Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.

From 2018 to 2020, David served as director of the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office at the University of Toronto, coordinating and delivering education, support, conflict resolution and investigating complaints for the entire university community – students, staff, faculty and librarians across the university’s three campuses.

David is an award-winning scholar and frequent guest speaker at conferences, workshops and symposiums.

Deyan Kostovski

Deyan is the founder of Strongbow Strategies, a boutique consulting firm that specializes in communications, stakeholder and community engagement as well as the planning and execution of public events such as media availabilities, press conferences, product launches and public policy announcements. As an independent consultant, Deyan has provided strategic council to healthcare organizations, research firms, start-up companies and nongovernmental organizations. His international consulting experience includes work at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and as an advisor to foreign investment agencies, along with companies and organizations in Southeast Europe and the Caribbean.

As a believer of giving back to the community, in addition to Abrigo, Deyan has volunteered with Spread the Net, Canadian Macedonian Place Foundation and local youth groups.

Joyce Contreiras dos Santos

Anilde Joyce Contreiras dos Santos is originally from Angolan and today lives in Toronto. Joyce currently works as a Condominium Manager. Her education background is in Business Administration from George Brown College.

Joyce is the first female president of the Angolan Community of Ontario (ACO), elected in August 2023. As the president of the ACO, Joyce has engaged in many community activities such as the collection of data to update the community demographics and organized many community events.

Joyce is committed to upholding her ancestral culture and traditions and between 2003 to 2016 she was titled as the “Voice of the Community” by Face Kianda magazine. Joyce worked as a volunteer on the Miss Africanada commission representing its culture and the name of Angola in that competition until 2007. Joyce was also a proud member of the Mama Muxima Choir Group participating of many community events that represent the Angolan culture at the Santa Helena Church masses monthly, organized the first children's show for the Angolan community and created activities for Angolan children.

Joyce also hosted Angolidade TV, being a key member of her community and taking information to the people by hosting events and interviewing community figures. Joyce was the Secretariat for Culture and Events of the Association of Young Militants in Canada between 2011 to 2020. Organizing the Peace Festival several years in a row and lectures for the community.

Besides dedicating part of her life to serving the community, she is married to an amazing and supportive husband who is an entrepreneur and supports her unconditionally. They have been married for 15 years and have three beautiful daughters aged 15, 10 and 3, and their children are the reason why they work so hard.

Lena Barreto

Lena has a track record of being an exceptional performer at the Royal Bank of Canada. She began her career at the bank in 1988 and as the banking industry evolved so too did Lena’s role. Over the years she has held numerous positions and is currently the Community Manager in the Toronto West Community Hub. She takes great pride in being able to interact with her clients and the communities she serves. This hands-on approach allows her to better understand their needs and more importantly develop customized solutions that have a lasting impact. She is a passionate coach who is constantly investing in her staff, looking for ways to simplify the process, creating an engaging working environment and supporting her teams to exceed goals and expectations.

Born in Portugal, her family moved to Canada when she was six years old, originally settling in Toronto, she now calls Mississauga home. Helping others and volunteering has been a constant in Lena’s life, she is inspired by helping others prosper. This has been the motivating factor for her volunteerism that supports local communities as well as organizations that promote the Luso-Canadian culture.

Jessica Raposo

Jessica Raposo was born and raised in Toronto and is the daughter of immigrant parents from Portugal. She grew up and still lives and works in Little Portugal, a community that she is very connected to and proud to be a part of.

Currently, Jessica works for the Bank of Montreal as a Senior Relationship Manager in Business Banking for over 23 years. Jessica started part-time while attending then Ryerson University and worked her way up. She is enthusiastic about helping people fulfil their dreams of owing their own business. Many of the new business owners are new to Canada and helping them achieve their goals and being able to support their families while helping create more jobs for our Canadian economy gives Jessica a true sense of pride. Her achievements have been recognized by her community and peers and Jessica has won “Conference of the Stars” two years in a row, a prestigious acknowledgment within the bank recognizing the top performers.

Prior to her current role, Jessica worked as an Early Childhood Educator, after having graduated from George Brown College with an ECE Diploma. Jessica loves to spend time with her husband and two beautiful children exploring the outdoors and taking in the sights and sounds of the city. Her volunteer work takes her to her children’s school, food banks, fundraising for Kids Help Phone, CAMH and the United Way.

Frederica Gomes

Frederica Gomes is a Portuguese-speaking immigrant who has lived in Toronto's Portuguese community since 1990. She is an academic and public policy professional with extensive expertise in social, health, and immigration policy. Frederica holds a PhD in Policy Studies, an MA in Immigration and Settlement Studies, and a BA with Honours in Women's Studies.

Frederica’s academic career includes research and teaching positions at the University of Toronto and Toronto Metropolitan University. Her research interests focus on equity and access within healthcare systems, social services, and immigrant communities.

In her transition to public service, Frederica has held various roles in the Ontario government. Her work has included contributing to the development of the Health Equity Impact Assessment tool, supporting the government’s response to a class action lawsuit from the developmental services sector, and playing a key role in pandemic planning for congregate care settings during COVID-19. Most recently, she has overseen policy matters related to long-term care and retirement homes across Ontario.

Frederica’s commitment to improving social equity and her deep understanding of diverse communities shape her impactful work in both academia and public policy.

Susy C. Henriques

Susy Henriques is a seasoned financial professional and the Branch Manager at Scotiabank’s Eglinton and Caledonia location in Toronto. Born in Toronto and raised in Portugal until age 16, Susy has a rich appreciation for both her cultural heritage and Canadian roots.

With an impressive 35-year career at Scotiabank, Susy has consistently showcased her expertise in financial planning and investment strategies, providing invaluable advice to countless clients and their families. In recognition of her professional excellence, Susy received the “Women’s Courage Award” from the Endless Possibilities and Hope Development Organization on October 28, 2017.

During the pandemic, Susy’s exceptional leadership earned her team the “Best of the Best” and she was honored as the “Best Manager in Midtown Toronto”. In 2022, Susy’s branch received the “Top Midtown Award”, and she was individually honored with the “Culture Catalyst Award” for fostering a positive and dynamic work environment.

Susy’s leadership was recognized in 2023 with the “Best Branch of the Year” and “Best Manager of the Year” awards. On June 28, 2024, she was awarded the province of Ontario 10-Year Volunteer Service Award for her contributions to the Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business and Professionals (FPCBP).

Beyond banking, Susy is dedicated to volunteering, she was a long-time Board member of the FPCBP and she has raised funds for United Way, Reach for the Rainbow, Baycrest, and local charities. Susy recently supported the Abrigo Center’s 2024 fundraising gala and collaborated with Portuguese Olympian Rosa Mota to support Doctors Hospital.

Susy lives in Toronto with her husband and two daughters, who share her passion for volunteering. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities like tennis and biking, and loves traveling with her family, including a memorable cross-country trip from the west to the east coast of Canada.

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