Meet our Leadership Team
Manny Wong
Executive Director
With over 25 years in the charitable sector, Manny Wong has extensive experience in financial management & modelling, program development, fund development, and project management. He has led social enterprise expansions and volunteer-led charities and much in between. As Executive Director at Christie Refugee Welcome Centre, he is dedicated to developing and sustaining wraparound services to expedite the successful settlement of refugees that come to Toronto from around the world.
He holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business and is currently a Board member at Parkdale Project Read and the Toronto Shelter Network, a fundraising & membership committee member at the Toronto Chinatown Land Trust and a volunteer with the United Way of Greater Toronto’s Speakers Bureau.
Kerri Sylvester
Outreach Manager
Kerri Sylvester has been a dedicated member of the Christie Refugee Welcome Centre team since 2002. She began her journey as a weekend relief worker, steadily advancing through various roles within the organization. In 2012, she became the Manager of the Outreach Program, which was created to support families transitioning from the shelter as they continued their initial settlement process in Canada. Under Kerri’s leadership, the Outreach Program has grown from a small team of two staff members providing home visits and crisis support, to a dynamic eight-person team serving approximately 500 clients annually. The program now addresses a range of settlement needs including social isolation, integration challenges, and emergency support.
Kerri holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Toronto Metropolitan University. With over 22 years of experience in the sector, she remains deeply committed to supporting vulnerable populations and fostering inclusive, welcoming communities.
Sandra Gonzalez
Shelter Manager
Sandra came to Canada as a refugee claimant in 2011 and initially lived at Christie Refugee Welcome Centre. Deeply inspired by her experience at the shelter, she continued supporting Christie after moving out by volunteering across several departments. In 2013, she joined the organization as a Children’s Program Worker when Christie launched its first children’s program. She later served as Weekend Supervisor, Children’s Program Coordinator, and Housing and Settlement Worker before assuming her current role as Shelter Manager. Her career reflects steadily increasing responsibility and a tireless commitment to advocate for refugees, grounded in her own lived experience. Sandra holds a bachelor’s degree in International Development from York University and a Project Management Certificate from the University of Waterloo.
Steve Meagher
Director, Centre for Refugee Children
For over a decade, Steve Meagher has been a tireless advocate for refugee claimants and unaccompanied & separated refugee children. His work with Christie Refugee Welcome Centre, first as a Settlement Worker and then as Shelter Manager, and his Founding of the Unaccompanied and Separated Children Network, Co-Founding of the Shelter and Housing Justice Network, and Chairing of the Family Sector Table of the Toronto Shelter Network, Steve is a leading champion for refugees.
By establishing the Centre for Refugee Children, a partnership between Christie Refugee Welcome Centre and FCJ Refugee Centre, Steve has developed and implemented a program dedicated to highly underserved, vulnerable and marginalized unaccompanied and separated children.
Martin Umaru
HR Manager
Martin Umaru has gained over 15 years’ relevant experience in Human Resources working in the non-profits, telecoms, manufacturing, and security sectors. He has also worked across various HR functions such as Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, Performance Management, Employee and Labour Relations, Benefits and Payroll administration as well as Organizational Development.
Martin has a master’s in human resources from the University of Derby England as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Global Business Management from Humber College. He is also a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL), Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) as well as an Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (ACIPD).
Valeria Vasquez
FOOD SERVICES & WEEKEND SUPERVISOR
Valeria brings over 4 years of experience in Canada’s food service industry and over 5 years of clinical experience as a dietitian in Ecuador. Her background spans hospital, long-term care, and clinical settings, with expertise in nutrition management, culinary operations, and overall food service department management.
At Christie Refugee Welcome Centre, Valeria is committed to enhancing residents’ well-being by understanding their individual needs and ensuring they receive nutritious, appealing meals and quality care. Through effective team leadership and a commitment to continuous improvement, she strives to maintain high standards of service and create a welcoming environment where residents feel respected and supported. She is also interested in Quality Improvement, with a focus on improving workflows, team coordination, and operational efficiency within the food service department. Valeria holds a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and a diploma in Food and Nutrition Management from George Brown College. She is also a member of the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management (CSNM).
