The Team

, is the founder and first President of the Canadian Hispanic Congress and has also served, among others, on the Boards of the Canadian Ethnocultural Council, the Federal and Ontario Councils on Multiculturalism and Citizenship, the National Association of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women of Canada, Harbourfront Centre, Telefilm Canada, and the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board. For more than 20 years, Ms. Sanchez de Malicki has worked in Television as host, news anchor and independent producer.  She has also worked as the director and producer of multi-award winner Open Experience Theatre and of numerous festivals and conferences. She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her work and altruism from the governments of Canada and Ecuador. Ms. Sánchez de Malicki is the Business Administrator of the Malicki Sanchez Law firm.

specializing in Spanish/English Linguistics and Sociolinguistics, Translation Studies and English as a Second Language. She is also fluent in French and Italian. She is the Coordinator of the Ecuadorean Sociolinguistic Corpus (Proyecto para Estudios Sociolingüísticos del Español de España y América), housed at the University of Alcalá de Henares, Spain. In the past, she has served as President of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (Canadian Chapter) and as a Board Member of the Canadian Association of Latin American and Caribbean Studies. In these capacities, Dr. Gómez has actively promoted Hispanic and Spanish Studies in Canada. In 2012, she received the “10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadian” Award from the Hispanic Business Alliance. She currently teaches Spanish Language, Linguistics, and is the Coordinator of the Linguistics Program. Dr. Gómez’ publications include the coedited books Hacia la cumbre, El yeísmo en España y América, and Diálogos sobre los espacios: imaginados, construidos y percibidos.

Monique is a former Vice-Chair of the Durham Catholic District School Board. She is currently a member of the Board of Trustees and the current Chair of the Finance of the Durham Catholic District School Board. Monique has served on the Boards of Directors of the College or Respiratory Therapists of Ontario, YWCA Durham and continues to serve on the Boards of Directors of various public and private organizations. Monique is the president of the Canadian Hispanic Congress, president of the St. Francis De Sales Catholic Women’s League, current member of the Board of Directors and Fundraising Chair of the Catholic Family Services Durham. Monique is also a presenter on issues social integration of newcomers, education, gender equality, women’s rights, the empowerment of women and global warming and its disproportionate effects on the poor.

Eldy is a change agent to shift power dynamics in relation to the Hispanic / Latin American community.  Focusing on continuous improvement, advocates for marginalized voices and grassroots initiatives.  Eldy is the President of the “Canadian Bolivian Chamber of Commerce” immediate past president of the “Canadian Hispanic Congress” organizations that have allowed her to advocate for racial equity and gender parity, ensuring an inclusive experience for our community. 

Eldy was also the founder of the “Latin American Cultural Association” founding member of “Melodía de Bolivia” and selected member of the Latin American committee in charge of the LATAM pavilion and representation at the 2015 Pan American Games held in Toronto, Ontario.  She also works collaboratively and is a board member for the “Pan American Food & Music Festival” and the “10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians” 

Eldy was born in Bolivia, a small landlocked country in the heart of South America, now lives, works, and plays in Courtice, Ontario with her husband and two boys who are her source of energy and strength.  Eldy loves to travel, which allows her children to discover what they can offer to the world through the continuous improvement of their community and their surroundings.

In Colombia, she worked in design and construction, also she was a professor of history of art and architecture at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and was an advisor in the preservation of constructions declared historical heritage as well as in the preservation of the historic center of Ciénaga Magdalena. After working for 10 years as an architect in both Colombia and Canada, she decided to dedicate herself to promoting art, literature and other artistic expressions through publications, art exhibitions, concerts, literary events, workshops, etc., in addition to promoting and supporting activities of artists and cultural organizations. She directed the Mapalé publishing house from 2004 to 2020. Currently, Silvia continues with the  promotion of literature through literary events and organizing the Ibero-American Book Fair in Canada. www.silviaalfaro.com.

As Editor-in-Chief of Kiddo Magazine, a bilingual children’s magazine, Ms. Wesso promotes and enhances the knowledge of the Spanish language and dissemination of the Latin American culture to new generations of Spanish-speaking Canadians through this magazine.

An architect, Interior designer, graphic designer and a passionate business and cultural visionary,

Ms. Wesso is an inspiration who motivates fellow immigrants to integrate as a means to succeed in their new life in Canada.

With her experience as a radio host under her belt, Marcela has participated in a wide range of corporate, social and community events. Fluent in English and Spanish Marcela brings her energy and enthusiasm to keep the audience engaged.

Her experience in the Latin American community in Toronto started in 1989 as a member of dance groups representing Ecuador – Bolivia and Chile. As a performer she learned about the culture, the meaning of the dances, the costumes and the work involved in the presentation of each performance.

Marcela has always been involved with the Spanish Speaking community in Toronto, either performing with the folkloric groups, or as a member of different organizations.

For over 15 years, she was a Director of Las Flores Charitable foundation. She is currently the President of the Latin American Scholarship Foundation, an organization that grants Scholarships to youth of Hispanic Origin. Marcela represents her community as a Director in the Bolivian Canadian Chamber of Commerce with an Operations and Communications/Media role.

She is also a volunteer at Gaucha Argentina Love for Humanity and a Board Member at the Center For Spanish Speaking People.

Handles:

Instagram #carlalovesart and Wharapo_Totonto and Souladdikts

Facebook bands: Latintrain, Souladikts, Wharapo _Toronto.

Offers a refreshing sound with his masterful play of various flutes as well as most of the native musical instruments of Latin America. He has established himself as a phenomenal musician though noteworthy performances at: The Beaches International Jazz Festival Toronto’s First Night, Toronto Fiesta, Mariposa Festival, Festival Mundial de Folklore Drummondville Quebec, Festival of parry Sound, The International Concert for Peace in Colombia and the World Youth Festival in Russia. His crisp and emotionally provocative music is known to rivet multifarious audiences.Giovanni’s passion for music, particularly playing the autochthonous instruments of Latin America, compels him to want to share his knowledge and profound understanding of them as well as the music that can be played with them and the musicians who delight in regaling audiences with the enchanting sounds they create with them.http://Giovannilatinmusic.weebly.com.

Music and arts have always been an integral part of her life, from an early age she decided to study singing in different genres from ballads to classic rock and chanting.

A multi-talented artist, Carla was born with a beautiful voice and a love for writing, creating art and acting. This inspired her to make arts in general her life’s greatest journeys. She is constantly performing all across the GTA. As an art instructor Carla works with Visual Arts Mississauga as well as HIspanic Canadian Arts and other associations.  Carla’s mission is to bring joy through her performances and arts.

Handles:

Instagram #carlalovesart and Wharapo_Totonto and Souladdikts

Facebook bands: Latintrain, Souladikts, Wharapo _Toronto

He first worked as a Post-doctoral fellow at the Ontario Cancer Institute, and then as a Research Scientist at Connaught Laboratories in Toronto.

In 1991 he started his own laboratory at the Sunnybrook Research Institute. He is currently a Senior Scientist in this Institute, and a  Professor in the Dept. of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto. 

One of the main research achievements of Dr. Filmus has been the discovery of a protein called Glypican-3 (GPC3). This protein is produced by liver cancer cells but not by normal liver cells. Consequently, the detection of GPC3 is currently used worldwide for the diagnosis of liver cancer. This diagnostic test has been patented and licensed to an American biotech company. In addition, more than 40 pharmaceutical companies are currently targeting this protein with the goal of developing novel therapies for this very lethal cancer. Dr. Filmus has been acting as a consultant for several of these companies.

Dr. Filmus has received several grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the National Cancer Institute of Canada. He has been invited to present his work at numerous international Meetings, and at many Universities around the world. 

Dr. Filmus is a continued supporter of the Hispanic community. For example, from 2009 to 2013, he was on the board of directors of the Canadian Hispanic Congress.

Carlos Aranha es un artista contemporáneo de gran éxito, reconocido mundialmente por sus excepcionales habilidades en pintura, escultura orgánica e instalación de arte ambiental. Con más de 30 años de experiencia como artista profesional, Carlos ha creado una amplia obra que se puede encontrar en prestigiosos museos de arte y colecciones privadas de todo el mundo. Como artista canadiense/ecuatoriano, Carlos se inspira en su entorno multicultural y el mundo natural, infundiendo a su arte una perspectiva única que es a la vez personal y universal. Su trabajo se caracteriza por un uso audaz del color, formas orgánicas y una profunda conexión con el medio ambiente.

She has two BAs, in Business Management and Marketing, and has a graduate diploma from NCT in International Business. She is Director of Communications at MIREMS LTD and has a shipping courier business in Ecuador. She is member of Toastmasters International Club and she is passionate about languages and speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, and basic French and German.

After her thirty-year career at PPG/PGW as a Financial Analyst, Internal operations auditor, she joined IG Wealth Management as a Consultant, later teamed up with Executive Financial Consultants in their Private Wealth Management practice as an Associate Consultant. Lody and her family participate in an annual Volleyball tournament, supporting the Heat Wave Sick Kids foundation.

Lody lives in the Kawartha Lakes region with her husband Fabian and their dog Panda. She has 2 adult children Andrew, Adrian and daughters-in law Maral, Julie and a 3 year old grandson Benicio.

Mr. Berrio has a Specialization in Public Works Management from the Escuela de Administración de Negocios – EAN (School of Business Administration).

Mr. Berrío has Diplomas in Project Management, in Government Contracting, in Border Integration, and in Foundations of  Human Rights.

Professionally, he has worked as Project Manager and as Director of Project Auditing.

Francisco has worked as a teacher, professor and lecturer at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá D.C., Universidad Piloto de Colombia in Bogotá D.C., Universidad Santo Tomas de Aquino in Tunja-Boyacá, at the Chamber of Commerce in Duitama and the Chamber of Commerce in Santa Marta.

Governor (E) of the Government of Norte de Santander.

Francisco has also held public offices such as:  

Secretary of Departmental Planning – Government of Norte de Santander.

Secretary (E) of Departmental Highways and Transportation – Government of Norte de Santander.

Coordinator of Construction and Maintenance Group, National Offices – Colombian Agricultural Institute – ICA.

Advisor to the Airport Infrastructure Directorate. Airport Master Plans, Studies, Projects and Supervisions – Unidad Administrativa Especial de Aeronáutica Civil U.A.E.A.C. (Special Administrative Unit of Civil Aeronautics).

A respected litigator, Mr. Malicki, enjoys an excellent reputation with the courts, other lawyers, and his clients.

Mr. Malicki is fluent in English, Polish and Spanish and has been a dynamic volunteer in both the Polish and Hispanic communities.

He has chaired and served on the Boards of numerous organizations including as President of the Canadian Polish Millennium Fund, The Canadian Polish Congress, World Polonia, and several others. For close to 4 decades, he has served as legal counsel and provided pro-bono legal services to the Canadian Hispanic Congress and other not-for profit organizations. He is a passionate bibliophile and philatelist. Mr. Malicki is the principal lawyer of the Malicki Sanchez Law firm established since 1959.

He holds a PhD in Human Development from the University of Toronto and a Master’s in Developmental Psychology from Illinois State University. His main interest is in programs for children and young people that promote optimal life courses in health, learning and behavior.

His experience in these programs has been linked to countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Alfredo promotes neuroscience applied to education, preventive practices, support and training programs for parents, collaborative interdisciplinary work, and sustainable development. Alfredo has worked as a consultant in various international organizations including UNICEF, UNESCO, Inter-American Development Bank, Brookings Institution, Christian Children’s Fund-Canada, and Founders’ Network. He has several international publications including an encyclopedia on child development, books and scientific articles. He currently works as an independent consultant and is a university professor.