Board Chair
Sarah Banks
Sarah works at RBC as a Human Resources Business Partner for Personal & Commercial Banking and Financial Planning. Over the last 15 years Sarah held a variety of HR roles including Performance Enablement, Recruitment Strategy and Employee Relations. She is known for making ideas happen and unlocking people potential. Mentorship has played an important role in Sarah’s life and that has fueled her passion to give back, with over 14 years of combined volunteer service with Big Brothers & Sisters. She started as the Chair for Big Bunch, moved into the In-school mentoring program, and was a Big Sister for many years before joining the Board in 2019. She also volunteers for the Toronto Regional Immigration Employment Council as a Career Coach, mentoring newcomers to Canada. Outside work and volunteering, Sarah enjoys travel and enjoying the great outdoors with her husband, 4 kids and dog.
TREASURER
Cherie Finnerty
Cherie Finnerty is a Chartered Professional Accountant with a passion for corporate environmental responsibility and sustainable business practices. Cherie, works as one of the financial leaders at Pinchin Ltd, which operates in Canada as an environmental and health and safety consultant. Cherie’s commitment to corporate responsibility goes beyond compliance with regulations and she is a strong advocate for adopting innovated technologies and practices to maximize operational efficiency. As a Board member, Cherie brings a wealth of experience that drives transformative change. Outside of her professional endeavors, Cherie is dedicated to giving back to the community and actively participates in charitable initiatives.
Past Chair
Angel Massey-Singh
Angel Massey-Singh is the Corporate Operating Officer (COO) of Making Waves Swim Schools found across the GTA. Throughout her career, she has been a senior leader at regional, national and global levels, working in corporate, NFP and private organizations. She rallies teams, builds communities and dedicates time to creating inclusive company culture. Angel was introduced to BBBS in 1998 through volunteering as a Big and has served the organization in various capacities since then. She is passionate about the wellbeing of children and youth.
Director
Emmanuel Koudoumnakis
Manny is a VP and Market Manager with TD Private Wealth Management where he currently leads a team of Private Bankers and Private Trust professionals. He has over 25 years’ experience in the banking industry holding various positions throughout his career. Manny and his team work with families that have complex needs such as Investment Planning, Will and Estate Planning, Private Banking, Succession Planning and Legacy Planning. Manny has a Certified Financial Planner Designation and has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto.
As a resident of Peel, he looks forward to giving back to his community. As a supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel, Manny was excited join the Board in early 2017.
Director
Angie Rehal
Angie Rehal is a retired public servant after a 34 year with the Federal Department of Justice working in the Immigration Law Division as a Paralegal. She is active in community work and has volunteered with Peel Board, Canadian Cancer Society, ONE Walk, Sikh International Film Festival and various peel schools as part of the Parent Council and many other agencies. Angie currently sits on the Board of Directors of Seva Foodbank as Vice Chair and also participates in many other community initiatives. In her spare time, she runs a small business (Angie’s Golden Ghee) creating flavored organic ghee. Angie is the proud mom of two adult sons. Since retiring, Angie has taken up hiking and travelling. Angie also enjoys spending time with her dog Mello, walking, reading and coffee dates.
Director
Clarissa Da Costa
Clarissa is the General Counsel at GN Johnston Equipment Co. Ltd, Canada’s largest sales and service provider of material handling equipment and has oversight for all legal matters across Canada. As a passionate advocate for diversity and innovation, Clarissa has always been active both personally and professionally to foster and drive such initiatives and was a leading member in her previous organizations, DuPont and John Deere, to promote women in leadership. Clarissa and her husband Harry have three boys, who love sports especially ice hockey.
Director
Jay Mian
Jay currently works as a National Account Manager for Bonduelle and has been in the food sales industry for approximately 22 years. He has worked in various areas including account management, strategic planning, accounting, and financial planning and analysis. Jay graduated from the MBA program at Wilfrid Laurier in 2010 and went on to obtain his CMA designation in the same year.
Jay joined the Big Brother Big Sister of Peel Board of Directors in January 2021 and has been on the finance committee since 2014. He has been a BBBS volunteer since 2014 and joined Big Brothers Big Sisters through his passion for working with youth and as a way to give back to his community.
Jay recently moved from Peel and currently lives in Cambridge, Ontario with his wife and three children. Jay is very passionate about travelling and has been to over 20 countries. He also enjoys spending time outside hiking and exploring nature and he became a PADI Scuba Diver in 2014.
Director
Cecile Hammond
Cecile Hammond is a Deputy Chief of Police with York Regional Police. Throughout her 24-year career, she has served in variety of investigative and operational roles. Currently, she oversees the Support Branch which includes Operational Command, Support Services, Information Services and Community Services. She is committed to developing a culture of ethical leadership and creating a respectful and equitable work environment as the executive sponsor for two internal committees working to enhance the professionalism and inclusivity of our workplace.
Cecile is dedicated to community service and enhancing community partnerships. She is a member of the Ontario Women in Law Enforcement Advisory Committee and is actively engaged in her role as the executive sponsor for Canadian Blood Services. At the national level, she sits on the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Ethics Committee. She is also the executive sponsor for the National Peace Officers’ Run to Remember, in honour of fallen officers.
Cecile holds a bachelor of arts degree from York University and is the recipient of the Governor General Exemplary Service 20-year medal. She is a member of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and holds a Police Executive designation with the Ontario Municipal Management Institute. Cecile remains passionate about professionalism, teamwork, fitness and friendship. She is actively involved in several sports, including hockey and soccer.
Director
Karen Lemoine
Karen is a government and community relations professional who has worked in local government and the post-secondary sector at Sheridan College, the Region of Peel and City of Brampton. She holds certifications in Project Management and Change Management, as well a master’s degree in Exercise Sciences from the University of Toronto.
Karen is valued for her collaborative leadership style and ability to bring people together across departments and sectors to have a positive impact on complex organizational and community priorities. She strives to improve the broader systems and policies that support healthy, sustainable, and prosperous communities, and cares deeply about contributing to meaningful community change. Karen and her husband live in Peel and have two children that keep them very busy in the hockey rinks across the GTHA all year long.
As a resident of Peel eager to volunteer locally and lend her skills, Karen joined the board in 2022 to help contribute to the organizations’ continued strategic growth and positive impact within the community.
Director
Sean Henry
Sean is a Lawyer and an Adjudicator. He has been a Senior Policy Advisor for Legal Issues with OMERS, a Team Manager with the Law Society of Ontario, and a Policy Advisor with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. He holds an LLB, an MBA and an Honours BA. Sean is also a proud Big Brother for four years and counting.
Director
Bernadette Farag
Bernadette worked in Osmow’s restaurants for 10 years before seeking to expand her horizons elsewhere. After working her way up in a marketing agency, she fell in love with the field and went back to Osmow’s as a one-person marketing department at the time. At Osmow’s, she oversees the plant where the food is produced, as well as managing the Human Resources and Marketing departments.
Bernadette was instrumental in Osmow’s franchising efforts, contributed to the rebranding of Osmow’s, and created the first Osmow’s commercial. She successfully secured Norman Powell and Fred VanVleet for the company’s first-ever TV commercials in 2019, the year the Raptors became champions.
The Osmow family created the Osmow’s Hope Fund charity, where 100% of the proceeds go directly to the cause. In 2023, Bernadette travelled to Zambia to provide on-the-ground support, focusing on feeding children in their educational environments which is an ongoing initiative. She also works with homeless shelters and food banks throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Bernadette strongly believes in making a difference in the world by creating sustainable solutions.
After being a big sister for 10 years herself, Bernadette inquired to become a board member in hopes of making a bigger impact for the BBBS Program. Bernadette is dedicated to giving back and provides a wealth of experience in various capacities. Outside of her professional career, she loves spending time with her family, playing volleyball and travelling.