The Gatehouse Board of Directors
Linda O’Brien – Co-Chair
Linda joined the Gluckstein Lawyers Team from a boutique litigation firm where she focused exclusively on civil litigation, defending tort litigants. She is now a key member of our Sexual Abuse group with the Jellinek Ellis Gluckstein team advocating solely for survivors of sexual abuse. Over her almost 30 years of practice, Linda has appeared before all levels of courts in Ontario, along with appearances before numerous boards and at private arbitrations. She has been a speaker at many legal events and seminars. She is a graduate of the University of Guelph (Honours B.A. 1991) and the University of Windsor (LL.B. 1994). She was called to the bar in 1996. Linda is proud to be involved in initiatives to promote policies and practices to retain and advance women in law and to continue to serve as a mentor for many students and lawyers. In an effort to continuously give back to the communities she serves, Linda sits on the Board of The Gatehouse since December 2023 and was nominated as Co-Chair on July 8, 2025, and SACHA, two organizations committed to supporting survivors.
Mike Allan – Secretary
Mike is an online marketing consultant who helps organizations align their digital content with the people they want to reach. At The Gatehouse, he shares these skills as chair of the Marketing Working Group, supporting the website and outreach efforts that connect survivors and supporters to vital resources.
Alongside his professional contribution, Mike has been an active volunteer and peer facilitator. He believes deeply in the power of community, and is committed to creating safe spaces where survivors can find strength and support.
Serving on the Board is a way for Mike to give back to a place that has profoundly shaped his own journey, and to help ensure The Gatehouse continues to be a source of hope and healing for others.
Svetlana Sorokina – Treasurer
Guillermo Martinez – Director
Guillermo is a Senior Financial Consultant at IG Private Wealth Management. He is a certified financial planner (CFP) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU). Guillermo provides executives and business professionals with comprehensive financial plans designed to help build a safety net and work towards the achievement of financial goals. Guillermo is passionate about helping others and giving back to the community. He is married and is the proud dad of two daughters.
Patricia Buffone – Director
Patricia is an accomplished Human Resources leader with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals at all levels through complex employee relations, organizational design, leadership coaching, and change management.
A passionate advocate for mental health, wellness, empathy, and kindness, Patricia combines professional expertise with a deep personal commitment to fostering supportive and inclusive communities. She has dedicated much of her time to advancing women’s empowerment by mentoring women of all ages and helping newcomers to Canada find their voice and thrive in new environments.
Patricia serves as a Board Member of the Women’s Centre of York Region and volunteers with Shelter Movers, where she supports individuals and families in transition. When she learned about The Gatehouse, she felt strongly aligned with its mission of supporting survivors of sexual abuse, particularly childhood sexual abuse. Inspired by the power of compassion and community, Patricia is committed to contributing her voice and experience to advance this important work and its impact.
She believes you don’t have to give perfectly to make a difference; showing up, listening, and giving authentically is what truly strengthens a community.
Sam Riley – Director
Sam is a public service professional with over a decade of experience in case management, working directly with individuals navigating complex systems during difficult periods in their lives. Her background spans provincial and municipal public service, along with community-based work focused on justice, governance, and improving the systems meant to support people. Sam holds a Master of Arts in Criminology and Sociolegal Studies from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology from York University, and a diploma in Community and Justice Services from Humber College. She has also completed additional training in areas including adult education, suicide intervention, and Mental Health First Aid.
Sam was drawn to The Gatehouse because of its commitment to ensuring every survivor has a voice, regardless of their background or walk of life. As a member of the Board’s Governance and Strategic Planning Committee, she is focused on helping ensure the organization’s structure and long-term planning are strong enough to support that mission for years to come.
Hilary Mancia – Director
Hilary is working towards her certification as a therapist and has a passion for supporting young people. Through her own transformative experience with a therapist as a young person herself, as well as lived experience navigating the legal system as a survivor, she brings an understanding of how empowering finding your voice can be.
With research experience in social psychology and an understanding of real world applications, she looks forward to advancing the supports available to survivors within the Gatehouse’s range of services. Hilary strives to bridge the gap between young adults and policy makers to ensure their needs are understood and incorporated.
Hilary can always be found listening to music and believes it can serve as a powerful tool towards healing. She is eager to support the board in the important work of the Gatehouse. Hilary is a welcoming and safe space and hopes you’ll say hello if you see her at the Gatehouse.
Vito Mola – Director
Vito Mola brings more than 30 years of experience in leadership, workplace health and safety, stakeholder engagement, and community service to The Gatehouse Board of Directors. Throughout his career with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), Vito served in various leadership and specialist roles, working collaboratively with employers, government agencies, industry partners, and community organizations to promote safer workplaces, strengthen compliance, develop training initiatives, and support individuals navigating complex workplace challenges. Recognized for his integrity, collaborative approach, and ability to build strong relationships, Vito has dedicated his career to helping people and organizations achieve positive outcomes.
A skilled communicator and problem solver, Vito believes that meaningful change happens through collaboration, education, and genuine human connection. His experience spans vocational rehabilitation, employer account management, prevention collaboration, and risk compliance, providing him with a well-rounded understanding of governance, organizational leadership, and community engagement.
Outside of his professional career, Vito has remained deeply committed to serving his community. He has volunteered with organizations including Heritage Toronto, Flemingdon Food Share Community Gardens, and United Way fundraising initiatives, demonstrating his passion for giving back and supporting causes that strengthen and enrich local communities.
As a Director with The Gatehouse, Vito also serves on the Fundraising Committee and the Transforming Trauma Together Festival Committee. He is committed to helping raise awareness of childhood sexual abuse, building meaningful community partnerships, and supporting sustainable fundraising efforts that ensure survivors continue to have access to compassionate, trauma-informed programs and services.
Vito was inspired to join The Gatehouse because of its commitment to ensuring survivors are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect. He is proud to support an organization that empowers survivors to find their voice, foster meaningful connections, and continue their healing journey while creating lasting change through education, advocacy, and community engagement.
Thank You to Our Outgoing Board Members in 2026
Thank You, Lisa Crooker
On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, students, and the thousands of survivors whose lives have been touched by The Gatehouse, we extend our deepest gratitude to Lisa Crooker for her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment as Chair of the Board.
Since joining the Board in March 2020, Lisa has brought integrity, compassion, and strategic vision to every decision. As Chair, she guided The Gatehouse through a period of growth and opportunity, always keeping survivors at the heart of every conversation. Her leadership strengthened our governance, fostered meaningful collaboration, and helped position the organization for a strong and sustainable future.
Throughout her distinguished career with the Toronto Police Service, Lisa has been a passionate advocate for mental health, community safety, and supporting vulnerable populations. She carried that same dedication into her work at The Gatehouse, championing the voices of survivors of childhood sexual abuse and helping advance our mission of healing, hope, and transformation.
We are profoundly grateful for the time, expertise, and heart Lisa has shared with our organization. Her leadership has made a lasting impact, and her legacy will continue to shape The Gatehouse for years to come.
Thank you, Lisa, for your service, your compassion, and your belief that every survivor deserves to be heard, supported, and empowered. We wish you continued success in your remarkable career and look forward to seeing the positive difference you will continue to make in our community.
Thank You, Carol Smith
On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, students, and the survivors we are privileged to serve, we extend our sincere gratitude to Carol Smith for her dedicated service and valued contributions to The Gatehouse Board of Directors.
Since joining the Board in 2020, Carol has generously shared her knowledge, thoughtful perspective, and genuine commitment to strengthening our organization. Her passion for making a positive impact, both professionally and within the community, has been evident in the care and integrity she brought to her role as a Director.
Carol’s background in financial planning and her commitment to socially responsible investing reflect her deep belief in creating stronger, healthier communities. Throughout her time with The Gatehouse, she supported our mission with compassion, curiosity, and a willingness to contribute wherever she could make the greatest difference.
We are grateful for the time, expertise, and dedication Carol has given to The Gatehouse over the past several years. Her service has helped strengthen our organization and support our vision of ensuring that every survivor of childhood sexual abuse has access to hope, healing, and community.
Thank you, Carol, for your generosity, your leadership, and your commitment to The Gatehouse. We wish you continued success in your professional and personal endeavors and know that you will continue making a meaningful difference wherever your journey takes you.
Thank you to outgoing Chair Sabra Desai – for her 10+ years of service on The Gatehouse Board of Directors from 2015-2025.
Sabra, thank you for your visionary leadership as Chair of the Board. Your commitment to justice, equity, and survivor-centered advocacy has been instrumental in shaping the path forward for The Gatehouse.
Sabra Served as Chair of the Board from 2020-2025
Sabra is a Kellogg Fellow, registered social worker, psychotherapist and transformational educator consultant specializing in working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds using culturally appropriate approaches and understandings of mental health and well-being to personalize therapy. She works with individuals and/ or couples to process through their difficulties by integrating Emotion-Focused, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and mindfulness. Her approach is multidisciplinary and anchored in the values of a strength-based client-centered framework. Sabra strongly believes that every person has the ability and strength to work through difficulties with help. Her international work included providing therapy to couples and individuals living with HIV/AIDS focusing on guilt, shame, and betrayal. She also provided organizational training and community capacity building on issues related to human rights, newcomer integration, health and mental health. Sabra had a long academic career which has included teaching social work part-time at both York University, Ryerson University and most recently as a former faculty in the School of Social and Community Services at Humber College. Her publications include writings in the areas of youth issues, violence against women, diversity, and inclusion. In her community work, she collaborated with a group of women to advocate for a shelter for women and children survivors of family violence which led to the establishment of Interim Place, the first shelter in Peel Region. Most recently, in collaboration with Humber College and community-based partnerships, she initiated a Mental Health Community of Practice for staff working with youth to enhance support, knowledge, skills and provide networking opportunities. She has received several awards for advocacy, social justice and education including the 2015 YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for Education.
Gigi, your steadfast stewardship as Treasurer for over 10 years has provided a strong financial foundation for our work. Your diligence and care behind the scenes have ensured that we could continue offering life-changing support to survivors.
Nilmini Perera – Director Term ended June 2025
Nimilni, your 7+ years of service have been marked by integrity, compassion, and a consistent drive to improve outcomes for those impacted by childhood sexual abuse. Your contributions have left a lasting legacy.
progressive Canadian and International experience across a broad
range of industries. She is a thought leader with strong influencing and
communication skills and a proven track record of effectively working
with all organizational levels. Nilmini graduated with a Master of Arts, in
Psychology. She started her corporate career in Toronto and then moved
to Asia in 2006 to take on several International Leadership positions. Her
career has led to broad exposure in retail, finance, hi-tech and the life
sciences market sectors. Besides her corporate contributions, she is
also a passionate individual with a strong commitment to contributing
in the volunteer sector. Her experience includes working with
organizations such as Meals on Wheels, March of Dimes, Easter Seals as
well as Boards related to the Creative Arts, Women, Diversity, and New
Immigrants. Since returning home to Canada in 2018, Nilmini continues her own journey of transformation to an independent Executive Coach and Organizational Transformation/Innovation Consultant. She is a Certified Executive Coach with the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches
(WABC)and International Coaching Federation (ICF). Nilmini is passionate about helping others to achieve their full potential, pursue their dreams, and make a difference in society. She continues to be active in the voluntary sector, where she participates in several Boards in Ottawa and Toronto. She loves traveling, classical music, ballet, the arts, history and most of all, is the proud mother of 2 children.