The Gatehouse Board of Directors
Lisa Crooker – Chair
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
Carol Smith – Director
Carol is a Financial Advisor in partnership with Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network. She has been providing financial services to her clients who are individuals or business owners since 2004. Carol’s expertise is in socially responsible investments and she is certified through the RIA (Responsible Investment Association). She is also the host of Green Drinks Mississauga, an environmentally focused monthly networking event for people who are passionate about sustainability. In her spare time, Carol enjoys music and plays several instruments. She is excited to be on the Board of the Gatehouse as she believes the work being done is important and looks forward to learning and contributing in this role.
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.
Hilary Mancia
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.
Thank You to Our Outgoing Board Members in 2025
The Gatehouse extends our heartfelt thanks to three exceptional individuals whose leadership, dedication, and service have left an indelible mark on our organization:
Sabra Desai, outgoing Chair of the Board, has been a guiding force in advancing our mission with compassion, vision, and a strong commitment to justice and equity. Her leadership has helped shape a stronger, more inclusive future for survivors.
Gigi Cantalupo, Treasurer for over 10 years, has provided steadfast financial guidance and support. Her careful stewardship has been essential to ensuring the sustainability of our programs and services.
Nimilni Perera, with over 7 years of service, brought thoughtful insight and deep care to her role on the Board. Her dedication to trauma-informed, survivor-centered support has helped strengthen our impact.
We are deeply grateful for their years of volunteer service and for the legacy they leave behind. Thank you for being champions of healing, hope, and change.
— The Gatehouse Team
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.