Our Board of Directors

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Even though she is originally from Argentina, Lorena grew up in Brazil, where her family still resides.

She holds a degree in Human Resources, teaching and training adults. Lorena’s passion for leadership started in 1998 when she was managing a training cargo department for Dangerous Goods at TAM Brazilian Airlines, and played a pivotal role as part of the Committee for Latin America overseeing Dangerous Goods cargo.

In 2002, destiny took Lorena to Canada, initially to improve her English skills and advance her career in the Airline Industry. However, fate had a surprise for her in Toronto, where she learned she was expecting a child.  

Bryan, her son, was born at 27 weeks of gestation, weighing only 880 grams – a tiny, healthy, resilient baby. Yet, just 10 days later, he faced a severe sepsis infection blood infection, leaving him with numerous complications, including hydrocephalus ( water in the brain) cerebral palsy, blindness, seizures and the necessity of being fed through a g-tube.

In the face of these challenges, Lorena had to give up everything she had dreamed of, on her career and family in Brazil, and decided to stay in Canada where she could access the specialized support required to care or her son’s complex needs.

When Bryan turned 4 years old, he started attending a school for the blind at High Park, and  Lorena started a full-time role working at RBC in 2007 to provide a better quality of life for her family. As a single mom, juggling work, doctor appointments and emergencies was not easy, but Lorena has gotten strength and support from the community.

Recognizing the critical gaps in support for individuals like Bryan who reached adulthood, she took action. When Bryan turned 18 years old, Lorena founded a non-profit organization called “Dance to Shine”, that hosted monthly dance nights for young adults and youth. These events featured a DJ with Down Syndrome, offering an inclusive and joyful space.

The lack of support in the system is a real problem, with no affordable or specialized programs for kids, like Bryan, with complex needs.

In 2022, Lorena co-founded a non-profit organization called Bryan’s Place alongside 3 like-minded mothers,  creating a vibrant community dedicated to supporting parents of special needs children and their remarkable kids.

In July 2023, Bryan’s Place achieved charitable status. This milestone has ignited Lorena’s excitement for the future, as Bryan’s Place will be able to grow and support the special needs community with affordable programs such as respite, resources for families, funding and other programs like moms camp and holiday celebrations.

Maria is originally from the Dominican Republic. She holds a dentist's degree and also graduated from developmental services work (DSO) and personal support work (PSW ) degrees. 

In 1996, Maria came to Canada with her son Brayan, who has autism and developmental delay. Her motivation? To provide better opportunities for her son.

Seven years later, Maria welcomed her second child, Michael, who faced health challenges of his own, including developmental delay due to growth hormone deficiency. As a single mother, she put her life on hold to dedicate herself in full to her children.

Today, Maria is a part of "Bryan’s Place," an organization offering support to families with special needs. Her story is a testament to a mother's boundless love and her commitment to a brighter future for all families.

Maria Ramirez's journey embodies courage, love, and sacrifice, showing us that a mother's love knows no limits.

Lorena, originally from Mexico City, built her career in Business Administration with a specialization in the Printing industry. Over the years, she gained extensive experience managing Engineering, Graphic Design, and Structural Design departments, leading multidisciplinary teams and complex production workflows. Today, she applies her organizational and analytical strengths as a bookkeeper, payroll specialist and Microsoft specialist in Toronto, Canada.

In 2013, Lorena’s second child, Luisa, was born in Montreal under challenging circumstances. After a difficult birth, Luisa faced significant health complications, prompting the family’s move to Toronto in 2015 in search of better medical care, therapies, and resources for both Luisa and her older sibling.

Luisa was initially diagnosed with cerebral palsy in Mexico. In 2018, she received a further diagnosis of GAND syndrome (GATAD2B-associated neurodevelopmental disorder), a rare genetic condition. Despite developmental delays, autism, and ongoing medical complexities, Luisa continues to thrive and bring joy to her family. She reached a major milestone at the age of three when she began walking.

Inspired by her daughter’s resilience and the challenges her family has navigated, Lorena envisions creating a lifelong learning environment where Luisa can grow, learn, and connect with peers in a supportive, joyful, and inclusive setting.

In May 2022, Lorena took a significant step toward this vision by establishing Bryan’s Place with other 4 moms, an initiative dedicated to supporting children with similar developmental and medical challenges. Bryan’s Place also aims to empower families as they navigate the unique and often overwhelming journey of raising children with complex needs.

 My journey has been shaped by resilience, compassion, and a deep commitment to creating opportunities and supporting others.

Originally from Brazil, I began my professional journey in early childhood education, working in daycare environments between 2000 and 2006. Those years strengthened my passion for caregiving, supporting children, and helping families. I later earned a post-graduate degree in Business Administration, which opened the door to the corporate world, leadership, recruitment, and people development.

My life took a profound turn when I lost my husband in 2017. In the midst of grief, I chose to pursue a new chapter and moved to Canada, determined to rebuild my life with purpose. While establishing myself in a new country, I remained connected to my passion for people, families, and community.

While studying at Business Excellent College in Canada, I secured my first opportunity as a Recruiter, marking the beginning of a new professional chapter. Over the years, my experience expanded into Global Recruitment, Career Strategy, Career Mentoring, and Business Mentoring, allowing me to help professionals and entrepreneurs discover their potential, position themselves strategically, and create new opportunities.

Giving back to the community also became an important part of my journey. In January 2025, I began volunteering at a local Daily Bread Food Bank, where I experienced firsthand the power of community, service, and human connection.

In May 2025, I joined Bryan’s Place as Program Coordinator, a role I held for one year, until May 2026. During that time, I had the opportunity to work closely with children and families while supporting programs, staff, volunteers, and community initiatives. More importantly, I fell deeply in love with the mission and the cause behind Bryan’s Place.

That experience gave me a broader perspective on the organization’s potential. I realized that Bryan’s Place had an incredible mission and an opportunity to expand its visibility, community impact, partnerships, events, and fundraising initiatives with the support of professionals bringing different areas of expertise.

For that reason, after completing my year as Program Coordinator, I decided to transition from the operational side of the organization and continue supporting Bryan’s Place in a more strategic capacity as a Board Member.

Today, as part of the Board, I contribute primarily to events, community outreach, partnerships, fundraising initiatives, and promoting the organization and its mission to a broader audience. My goal is to help Bryan’s Place grow its presence in the community, create meaningful connections, and reach more people who can support and benefit from its work.

My professional and personal journey has taught me that purpose is often found at the intersection of our experiences, our skills, and our willingness to serve others. Today, I continue dedicating my energy to mentorship, community building, volunteering, and nonprofit advocacy, using my professional network and experience to connect people, opportunities, and causes that can create lasting impact.

Pavni Sachdeva is a compassionate community advocate, multimedia journalist, and nonprofit 

leader with extensive experience in youth engagement, trauma-informed advocacy, 

communications, and community development. Originally from India, she moved to Canada in 

2025, bringing with her a deep passion for people-centered work and grassroots impact.

She believes empathy is one of her greatest strengths, allowing her to connect with individuals 

from all walks of life with care, understanding, and authenticity. 

During peak-pandemic, in 2021, Pavni founded and led NGO Dhanak, a social impact 

organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable and marginalized communities. As Founder & 

CEO, she led a global network of over 200 volunteers while developing programs focused on 

empowerment, inclusion, and meaningful social change. 

Her passion for community care is deeply personal. Raised by a Special Educator with over two 

decades of experience working with children with special needs, she grew up in environments 

centered around inclusive care. From an early age, she was exposed to working alongside 

children with diverse developmental and behavioral needs that shaped her compassionate

people-centered approach to leadership and support work.

Alongside her nonprofit work, Pavni built a career in media as a multimedia journalist and

broadcast reporter, using storytelling to amplify underrepresented voices. She also ran a 

marketing agency for two years, specializing in branding and digital outreach.

Pavni has also contributed to international advocacy and leadership initiatives, including serving 

as a member of G100 MAC and participating in a United Nations and Government of Korea 

collaborative youth leadership forum focused on policy development, resilience-building, and 

inclusive community engagement.

She holds a Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) and a Post-Graduate specialization in Victimology, 

where she trained in legal aid and the justice system, trauma-informed practice, crisis 

intervention, victim advocacy, and community services.

She is honored to be part of Bryan's Place — an organization whose commitment to dignity and 

inclusion strongly resonate with her own values. At the core of Pavni’s work, she brings warmth, 

emotional intelligence, and genuine care into every space she works in.

- DOB is June 30 2019

- He is a Labrador/Golden Retriever cross

- started SJA in August 2023

- He is a very gentle and loving boy.  Like most Labs he loves his food.  He enjoys meeting people and seems to excel with children as he is very calm demeanor. Besides Bryans Place he is regular visitor to Kipling Acres, St Georges School and Pearson Airport.

Gordon grew up in the Halton Hills countryside. As a young boy, he learned the value of helping neighbours when the call came. Recognizing that one of the most rewarding gifts in life is helping others in need. Whether big or small, these acts bring us together as a community. Gordon’s mission is to promote this spirit of caring and give a voice to Bryan’s Place in the world.

“I deeply admire the dedication of parents and caregivers, as their work is a 24-hour job filled with endless challenges. Their struggle is real, and it’s crucial that we provide the support they need. It’s a pleasure for me to be part of such a worthy cause and to make a difference in the lives of young people.

Witnessing the strength and perseverance of those around me has inspired me to advocate for increased resources and assistance for families and caregivers. Through Bryan’s Place, I aim to foster an environment where every child and family can thrive, knowing they have a community that stands behind them. Let us come together to support one another, uplift those in need, and build a brighter future for everyone.”