CCAS Leadership
CCAS Executive Team
Priscilla Manful, CEO
Priscilla became CEO of the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CCAS) in 2022, the first Black CEO in its history. With over 20 years in social services, including 17 at CCAS, she champions equity and innovation in child welfare. She led the pilot of the One Vision One Voice Africentric Wraparound Program, the HARP model, and the Male Engagement Worker pilot. Priscilla revitalized CCAS’s Catholic identity through annual Catholic retreats. Born in Ghana, she holds a degree in English and Law from KNUST, a BSW and MSW from York University, and an Executive Leadership Certificate from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. A dedicated leader, she continues driving transformative change for children, youth, and families. Learn more about Priscilla Manful, CEO >
Dionne Martin, Director of Service
Dionne Martin is the Director of Service at the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CCAS), where she has served in various roles since 2001, including frontline, supervisory, and senior leadership positions. With over 30 years of experience in child welfare—including time at Windsor-Essex and Toronto CAS—Dionne brings deep knowledge and compassion to her work with children, youth, and families. She holds a BSW and MSW and completed executive training at the Rotman School of Management. A dedicated community member, Dionne served on the board of Dreams & Wishes Children’s Charity and is guided by her strong faith and family values.
Clara Secnik, Director of Information Technology, Admin and Chief Financial Officer
Clara is the Director of IT, Administration, and CFO at the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CCAS) and CFO of the Catholic Children’s Aid Foundation (CCAF). With extensive executive experience in municipal government, healthcare, and child welfare, she drives financial stewardship and operational excellence. Passionate about service, she has volunteered as a Big Sister and is currently the Vice Chair of a Catholic nursing home. Clara holds a CPA and MBA, reflecting her commitment to lifelong learning. Dedicated to organizations with a broader societal mandate, she plays a key role in advancing CCAS’s mission and impact.
Demetre Rigakos, Director, Human Resources and CHRO
Demetre is the Director of Human Resources & CHRO at the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CCAS), leading talent acquisition, labour relations, and workforce planning. With extensive experience in public administration and non-profits, he has driven major change initiatives, negotiated collective agreements, and enhanced employee engagement. His Learning and Organizational Development Strategy earned national recognition. Previously, he held senior HR roles in Aurora and Vaughan. A strategic leader committed to excellence, Demetre holds multiple professional certifications and advanced leadership training, ensuring innovation and best practices in HR to support a positive workplace culture.
Kate Schumaker, Director of Quality, Strategy and Planning
Kate is the Director of Quality, Strategy & Planning at the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CCAS), bringing over 25 years of child welfare experience in frontline practice, academia, and policy development. She helped shape provincial child welfare policy and contributed to the Commission to Promote Sustainable Child Welfare. At CCAS, she leads strategy, innovation, and evaluation, collaborating with academic partners and sharing expertise globally. Kate holds a PhD and MSW from the University of Toronto and a BA (Hons) in English Language and Literature from Queen’s University. Passionate about social justice, her research has focused on trauma-informed practice and poverty reduction.
Learn more about
Priscilla Manful, CEO
Our Board of Directors is made up of volunteers from the community with a variety of experiences who are dedicated to our mission in keeping children safe and strengthening families. The Board meets 8 times a year to ensure that we are meeting our standards of service to children and families, and discusses programs and services, policy, and administrative issues. CCAS’s Annual General Meeting of Members is held each year in June.
2025/26 Board of Directors
- His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo, Metroplitan Archbishop of Toronto, Honourary Guest
Executive Committee of the Board
- Chair - Vanessa Cocco
- 1st Vice Chair - Kevin Crigger
- 2nd Vice Chair - Vacant
- Treasurer - Tara Tinmouth
- Secretary - Priscilla Manful (Non-Voting)
- Past Chair - Elizabeth McGee
Board Members
- Antonio (Tony) Ciciretto
- Carol Comissiong
- Susanne DesRochers
- Geoffrey (Geoff) Grayhurst
- Anita Lall
- Jaime Libaque
- Phil Lindsay
- Erin Metzler
- Andrea Smart
- Dr. Agnes Thomas
- John Voutsinos
Member, Board of Directors
Application for Member, Board of Directors
Who We Are
The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CCAS) is a not-for profit agency funded by the province of Ontario, with an operating budget of $79.6M. Operating under section 72 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA), we have a legal mandate to keep children, from birth to 18, safe from abuse and neglect.
The CCAS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for the agency’s opera!ons and the CCAS Board of Directors is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organization.
CCAS is currently seeking nominations to its Board of Directors starting January 2025. Applicants should have a passion for child welfare and a strong desire to support CCAS’ mission of, on behalf of the Catholic community, providing social services that protect children and strengthen family life.
We are committed to having Board representation that is reflective of the diversity of Toronto and encourage all qualified individuals to apply, people from equity-deserving groups, particularly Black, Indigenous, Latin, Francophone peoples, and others who share our values and contribute to fostering an inclusive and diverse organization.
Role of the Board of Directors
As one of up to sixteen (16) Board Directors at CCAS, you will be responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the corporation. The Board’s key functions are:
- Strategic planning
- Quality and performance measurement and monitoring
- Financial oversight, including risk identification and oversight
- Oversight of management through the selection and supervision of the CEO
- Stakeholder communication and accountability
- Governance, including legal compliance
With an understanding of equity, Truth and Reconciliation and the ability to integrate such into practice, Members of the Board shall be fully supportive of the mission, vision and values of CCAS and they shall reflect this support in their Board and Committee work and in how they represent the organization externally.
Your Experience and Skills
To support a wide variety of strategic and governance challenges, one or more of the following in-depth experiences and skills are highly valued:
- High-level Board of Directors experience
- Government Relations/Funding expertise
- Knowledge of Ontario’s Child Welfare/Social Services
systems - Finance leadership
- Experience in strategic planning and implementation
- Quality Assurance/Performance Management expertise
- Proficiency in Media and/or Public Relations
- Legal/Legislation/Regulatory experience
- Expertise in Risk and Compliance Oversight
- Direct Catholic Community Involvement or experience
In addition, you have:
- An appreciation for the distinct roles of governance and management
- Strong strategic thinking, good listening, and excellent teamwork skills
- The ability to make sound decisions based on the analysis of the information received and to maintain solidarity with the Board’s decisions
- Availability for active participation in the work of the Board and Committees (commitment of 6 to 10 hours per month, per Board member)
- Extensive governance experience and/or an Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) designation considered assets
To learn more about CCAS’ mission, vision, values and work, please visit: https://torontoccas.org/
Board positions are on a volunteer basis. Applicants must be a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church, live or work in the City of Toronto and be able to commit for a minimum of three years.
Interested individuals are invited to submit their cover letter and resume highlighting their experience and motivation to be on the Board. Tell us why you want to be part of CCAS and this Board of Directors.
Applications can be sent to:
ccasboardrecruitment@torontoccas.org
Deadline is Friday, March 7, 2025.
CCAS Friends Council
Application for the CCAS Friends Council
To join the CCAS Friends Council for the September 2024-June 2025 year, download, complete and return the form before August 2, 2024. You will be notified in September 2024 regarding the status of your application and of the meeting dates for 2024-2025.
If you have any questions about this form or process, please contact Colleen Gauthier, Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer, at 416-395-1503 or by email at c.gauthier@torontoccas.org.
We thank you in advance for your interest and look forward to how this new initiative can help to benefit our services to the children, youth and families we serve!
Once you’ve completed the form, please return to Colleen Gauthier, Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer by email at c.gauthier@torontoccas.org.
