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.

Mirtha Orihuela has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s in administration in Mexico, and is Chartered Professional Accountant in Canada.

She has worked professionally, both in the private and public sectors at the municipal and state levels in Mexico and Canada; she has more than 25 years of experience in management, accounting, and taxation.

Mirtha immigrated to Canada in 2007 looking of new experiences and opportunities for personal and professional development. In 2015 she completed her certification in Management Accounting, and since, she is an active member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario and Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada.

She currently has her own accounting and tax firm in Toronto Ontario Canada, the services she offered includes double taxation consulting services between countries such as Mexico, and other countries with Canada, tax and accounting consulting to corporations and individuals.

She is also volunteer of two non-for-profit associations

Mirtha Orihuela es Contadora Publica (CP) egresada del Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Cuernavaca, Maestra en administración por la universidad del Estado de Morelos y Contadora Certificada en Canadá. Profesionalmente se ha desempeñado, tanto en el sector privado como en el público a nivel municipal y estatal en Mexico y en Canada; cuenta con más de 25 años de experiencia en administración, contabilidad e impuestos.

Mirtha emigró a Canadá en el 2007 en busca de nuevas experiencias y oportunidades de desarrollo personal y profesional. En 2015 concluyo su certificación en contabilidad, y es miembro activo del Colegio de Contadores de Ontario y de Canada.

Actualmente tiene su propia firma de contabilidad e impuestos en Toronto Ontario Canadá, ofreciendo servicios de consultoría en doble tributación entre países como México, y otros países con Canadá, impuestos y contabilidad a corporaciones e individuos.

Además, es voluntaria de dos asociaciones sin fines de lucro.

Camila Mendes is a Board Director at Bryan’s Place and a passionate advocate for inclusion, community engagement, and family support. Originally from Brazil and now proudly calling Canada home, she brings experience in administration, customer service, and program coordination, along with a genuine commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Through her volunteer work at Bryan’s Place, Camila has supported operations, participant programs, volunteer coordination, and community initiatives. Her dedication to creating welcoming and inclusive spaces has strengthened her belief that every individual deserves opportunities to thrive, belong, and reach their full potential.

As a member of the Board of Directors, Camila is committed to supporting the organization’s mission, promoting meaningful partnerships, and helping Bryan’s Place continue to grow its impact on individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Camila believes that compassion, collaboration, and service are the foundation of strong communities, and she is honoured to contribute her time, experience, and leadership to the Bryan’s Place family.

PSW | CDSW | Office Administration | Disability Support Worker

My name is Jennifer Caparelli. I was born in Canada and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. I graduated in Canada in three fields: Office Administration, Personal Support Worker (PSW), and Community and Developmental Services Worker (CDSW).

I am a proud mother of two beautiful children. My son Arthur, born in 2016, has special needs, and we spent an entire year together at SickKids Hospital. This life-changing experience inspired me to write my book, 36 Minutes, sharing our journey, challenges, and hope to inspire and support other families facing similar situations.

Today, I dedicate my career to supporting individuals with disabilities, helping them grow, develop new skills, build confidence, and reach their full potential.

I see ability, not disability. I believe everyone deserves to feel loved, respected, safe, and included.

My personal journey taught me the true meaning of patience, compassion, and unconditional love.

For me, caregiving is more than a job. It is my passion, my purpose, and something I do with my whole heart.

Juliana Poda is a marketing and communications professional with a background in Advertising and Marketing Communications, Event Management, content creation, and community engagement.

At Bryan’s Place, she serves as the Marketing Coordinator, working closely with the team to strengthen the organization’s digital presence and community outreach. Her role includes coordinating marketing activities, delegating social media content, supporting campaign planning, maintaining and improving website content, and organizing grant application materials and supporting information.

Her experience includes social media management, digital content, event promotion, partnership communications, brand storytelling, and campaign coordination. She is especially skilled at turning ideas, programs, and community initiatives into clear, engaging communications that help people understand the work and impact behind an organization.

Juliana believes nonprofit marketing should do more than promote services. It should build trust, create visibility, strengthen community connections, and help meaningful programs reach the people who need them.

At Bryan’s Place, she is proud to use her marketing skills to support the organization’s mission, highlight its programs and community, and contribute to its continued growth.

- 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.