Mrs. Laura Sluce – President

Laura is a Chartered Professional Accountant with significant experience in public accounting. Laura is a Partner at Ernst & Young LLP, where she specializes in providing professional services to a wide variety of public, private and not-for-profit organizations.

Laura joined the Board of Directors in 2015 and most recently served as Vice-President prior to being appointed President in 2022. Laura also volunteers for Community Living Mississauga as a member of the Quality Management Committee. A resident of Mississauga since 2009, she and her husband, Victor, have two sons, Aidan and Patrick.

Get to know a bit more about Laura here.

Laura Sluce 2019
Pran Kirtani 2019

Mr. Pran Kirtani – Vice-President

Pran is a licensed professional engineer in Ontario and is working with National Compressed Air Canada as their Director of Sales. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with additional qualifications in Management and IT. Born in India, he has travelled widely around the world and has an impeccable professional record. With his knowledge and expertise, he has been helping his clients and partners in all corners of the globe for over two decades. In addition to his outstanding professional achievements, he also takes special interest in music, poetry and movie making. Collaborating with other passionate local artists, he has been involved in creating thought provoking music and videos in the Hindi language. Pran is a resident of Mississauga since 2005 where he lives with his wife Reema, son Mayank and daughter Sakshi. This is Pran’s third term on the Board of Directors.

Mr. Greg Symons – Vice President

Greg’s involvement with Community Living Mississauga began in 2000 when he was awarded the mandate to manage the Community Living Mississauga Foundation investment portfolio. As a Director and Portfolio Manager for ScotiaMcLeod, Greg specializes in designing and implementing strategies to enhance and sustain their client’s financial future. This includes developing cohesive total financial solutions which include financial planning, estate planning and insurance risk analysis.

Greg’s interest in Community Living Mississauga expanded over the years and he has committed a great deal of his time as a volunteer with Community Living Mississauga chairing the Annual Golf Classic and also serves on the organization’s Annual Tribute Dinner Committee. Greg and his children, Michael and Gillian, have been residents of Mississauga since 1982. This is Greg’s second term on the Board of Directors.

Get to know a bit more about Greg here.

Greg Symons 2019
Kevin Porter

Mr. Kevin Porter – Treasurer

Kevin earned his Canadian Institute of Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA Canada), CA designation in 1986 and opened his own full-time practice as a Chartered Professional Accountant in 1993. With a primary focus on companies that are privately held and owner/managed, Kevin provides a full range of accounting and assurance services as well as corporate and personal tax and planning services. Kevin has also served as an instructor for The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario (now Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario) and has served as both an instructor and technical case reviewer for the School of Accountancy. Kevin continues to give back to the community in a variety of capacities. This will be Kevin’s first term on the Board of Directors.

Ms. Holly Pellizzer – Secretary

Holly first became involved with Community Living Mississauga over 13 years ago when she was looking for work and was referred to the Employment Resource Centre. Since then, Holly maintains a busy schedule working at Cineplex as well as Whole Foods. She enjoys being active and involved in her community. She was an active member of the Leadership group, enjoys the arts, listening to live bands, attending museums and travelling with her family. For more than 30 years, Holly has lived with her family in Mississauga. This is Holly’s third term on the Board of Directors.

Get to know a bit more about Holly here.

Holly Pellizzer 2019
Dorothy Martel 2019

Mrs. Dorothy Martel – Past President

Dorothy has lived in Mississauga since 1992, moving to the GTA from Montreal. Dorothy was a member of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board’s Special Education Advisory Committee for numerous years initially as a member at large and then as a representative for Learning Disabilities Mississauga. Dorothy was also a Board Member for the Unity for Autism Foundation charity. Dorothy is always looking to give back and participate in her community. Now retired Dorothy and her family are enjoying spending more time together. This is Dorothy’s third term on the Board of Directors.

Get to know a bit more about Dorothy here.

Mr. Paul Brum

As a lifelong resident of Mississauga, Paul has taken every opportunity to engage in his community. He enjoys new experiences, particularly meeting others through personal interests such as cooking, barbecuing, bike riding, working out and spending time with family and friends. To enhance his passion for cooking, Paul attended Mohawk College in Hamilton and Humber College in Toronto. Paul has also been employed in the food services industry. Paul is a staunch advocate for inclusion of all people and has been involved in public speaking opportunities. This is Paul’s first term on the Board of Directors.

Photo of Paul Brum
Heather Cassells

Ms. Heather Cassells

Heather is a partner with Kain Family Law LLP in Mississauga. Heather has practiced exclusively in the area of family law for over 10 years, and has extensive experience representing clients at the Ontario Court of Justice, Superior Court of Justice, and in alternative dispute processes such as mediation and arbitration. Heather works closely with her clients to advise them on a wide variety of family law matters, including high conflict parenting matters as well as complex property and support issues. Heather resides in Toronto with her husband, her son, and their two dogs. She is looking forward to the opportunity to give back to the Mississauga community. This is Heather’s first term on the Board of Directors.

Mr. Rick North

Rick has resided in Mississauga for over twenty years. He spent his entire business career working in the field of International Transportation, most recently as the Executive Vice President of The Cavalier Group of Companies (Bolton, Ontario). Rick has served on the Board of the Transportation Sales and Marketing Association for 8 years and was awarded the “Outstanding Service Award” in recognition of his contributions to the association and development of professionalism in the industry. Rick also served on the Board of the ATA American Trucking Association, Sales & Marketing Council for 5 years. Now retired after 46 years in the industry, Rick has been volunteering with Community Living Mississauga’s Annual Golf Classic. Rick is married to Monique and has two children, Emily & Will along with two grandchildren that reside in Vancouver B. C. This will be Rick’s second term on the Board of Directors.

Rick North 2019
Board Photo of Jessica

Ms. Jessica Portelance

Jessica was born in Etobicoke and has resided in Mississauga her entire life. She attended West Credit Secondary School. During the summer she participated in a Teen Activity Program offered by Community Living Mississauga.  It was an experience which resulted in a greater appreciation of the role the organization plays in the Mississauga community.

Jessica went on to Humber College where she successfully completed a (CICE) Community Integration Cooperative Education course Jessica has been a part-time employee at Starbucks for the past nine years. Jessica currently sits on the Rights Committee and is proud to represent her peers. Maintaining a busy lifestyle, she enjoys spending time with family and particularly likes travel.  Jessica is very creative and loves to share her artwork with family and friends. Jessica is looking forward to serving her first term on the Board of Directors.

Mr. Craig Ross

Craig is a partner with Pallett Valo LLP and is the practice group head of the firm’s Wills, Estates & Trusts Practice. Craig’s expertise has been consistently recognized by the Best Lawyers in Canada and Lexpert Professional Directories.

Craig has significant experience assisting families with children who have disabilities. In addition to the Board, Craig sits on the Rights Review Committee. Craig is also a regular speaker and writer on subjects of estate planning and planning for beneficiaries who have a disability. This is Craig’s second term on the Board of Directors.

Craig Ross 2019