About Foundation
INSPRING HOPE. ADVANCING SUPPORT. SHAPING TOMORROW.
Who we are
The Centennial Infant and Child Centre Foundation (CICC Foundation) champions the work of Centennial Infant and Child Centre (CICC). Starting as Toronto’s first preschool for children with disabilities, CICC is now a centre of excellence dedicated to building futures, changing lives and strengthening the families of children with special needs by giving them the best start in life.
By developing a diverse community of support, CICC Foundation is dedicated to furthering CICC investment programs that give children with disabilities what they need to build a bright future.
Foundation mission
Empowered by the generosity of our donors, The Centennial Infant and Child Centre Foundation advances a child’s early development by investing in Centennial Infant and Child Centre’s programs, services and capital needs.
Join our community
- Do you have a story about CICC Foundation that you would like to share? Contact us foundation@cicc.on.ca
- Join our mailing list to receive updates and impact reports of CICC’s programs.
Foundation Board of Directors & CDO
Matthew Lee
Director/CICC Foundation Board Chair
Matt joined the CICC Foundation Board of Directors in November 2020.
With over 15 years of financial services experience, Matt is currently Director of Trading at the Canadian Securities Exchange, a stock exchange based in Toronto. At the CSE, Matt is responsible for the business development, market quality and integrity of the equity trading businesses.
Prior to joining the CSE in 2023, Matt spent 4 years at Itiviti (later Broadridge Canada) leading software sales for Canada following 8 years at TMX Group (Toronto Stock Exchange) in progressively senior roles within equities trading. His career at CIBC World Markets after an education at Dalhousie University where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in finance.
Outside of his professional life, Matt enjoys spending time with his family and travelling, while finding time to play golf, squash, curling & baseball. He was born and raised in Toronto and currently lives there with his wife and two young children.
About
Matt joined the CICC Foundation Board of Directors in November 2020.
With over 15 years of financial services experience, Matt is currently Director of Trading at the Canadian Securities Exchange, a stock exchange based in Toronto. At the CSE, Matt is responsible for the business development, market quality and integrity of the equity trading businesses.
Prior to joining the CSE in 2023, Matt spent 4 years at Itiviti (later Broadridge Canada) leading software sales for Canada following 8 years at TMX Group (Toronto Stock Exchange) in progressively senior roles within equities trading. His career at CIBC World Markets after an education at Dalhousie University where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in finance.
Outside of his professional life, Matt enjoys spending time with his family and travelling, while finding time to play golf, squash, curling & baseball. He was born and raised in Toronto and currently lives there with his wife and two young children.
Barney Savage
Director/Board Chair
Barney Savage is a public policy professional with over 30 years of experience in government, the non-profit sector, and mental health and addictions. He currently serves as the interim director of policy and stakeholder relations at the Ontario Association of Social Workers.
Barney was CICC’s interim executive director in 2022, and was impressed by the remarkable work of the Centre’s staff in the pre-school and early intervention community programs.
Barney was raised in Nova Scotia and has lived in downtown Toronto for decades.
About
Barney Savage is a public policy professional with over 30 years of experience in government, the non-profit sector, and mental health and addictions. He currently serves as the interim director of policy and stakeholder relations at the Ontario Association of Social Workers.
Barney was CICC’s interim executive director in 2022, and was impressed by the remarkable work of the Centre’s staff in the pre-school and early intervention community programs.
Barney was raised in Nova Scotia and has lived in downtown Toronto for decades.
Simon Yau
Director
Simon is a communications consultant at CIBC and a freelance journalist. Simon joined the CICC Foundation Board of Directors in 2019.
Simon is passionate about connecting people and sharing stories, with more than a decade of communications, public relations and digital marketing experience spanning the non-profit, government and private sectors. Prior to CIBC, Simon worked at Canada Lands Company (a federal Crown corporation) and March of Dimes Canada.
Simon graduated with a BA in Media, Information and Technoculture from Western University, as well as a journalism degree from Humber College. Simon lives in Toronto with his wife and two young children, who are just as thankful as he is for the opportunity to make a positive impact for so many families via Centennial.
About
Simon is a communications consultant at CIBC and a freelance journalist. Simon joined the CICC Foundation Board of Directors in 2019.
Simon is passionate about connecting people and sharing stories, with more than a decade of communications, public relations and digital marketing experience spanning the non-profit, government and private sectors. Prior to CIBC, Simon worked at Canada Lands Company (a federal Crown corporation) and March of Dimes Canada.
Simon graduated with a BA in Media, Information and Technoculture from Western University, as well as a journalism degree from Humber College. Simon lives in Toronto with his wife and two young children, who are just as thankful as he is for the opportunity to make a positive impact for so many families via Centennial.
Sukrit Ganguly
Director
Sukrit joined the CICC Foundation Board of Directors in July 2023. He is a trained Chemical engineer, obtaining his undergraduate and Masters degree from the University of Toronto. He started his career in in the oil and gas industry before pivoting to Capital Markets at TD Securities. He has held roles in sales and origination functions before becoming an equity derivative trader.
Sukrit lives in Toronto with his wife and four children, one of whom has attended CICC’s preschool program. The wonderful help and care that the CICC personnel provided his son was a key factor in Sukrit wanting to get involved with the Foundation. He hopes to be able to leverage his experience in helping the Foundation meet its goals now and in the future.
About
Sukrit joined the CICC Foundation Board of Directors in July 2023. He is a trained Chemical engineer, obtaining his undergraduate and Masters degree from the University of Toronto. He started his career in in the oil and gas industry before pivoting to Capital Markets at TD Securities. He has held roles in sales and origination functions before becoming an equity derivative trader.
Sukrit lives in Toronto with his wife and four children, one of whom has attended CICC’s preschool program. The wonderful help and care that the CICC personnel provided his son was a key factor in Sukrit wanting to get involved with the Foundation. He hopes to be able to leverage his experience in helping the Foundation meet its goals now and in the future.
Abishan Thevaraj
Director
Abishan joined the CICC Foundation Board of Directors in June 2024.
Abishan has over 10 years of experience working in the banking and capital markets sector. He currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for BMO InvestorLine where he is responsible for oversight over the broader finance function including reporting, forecasting, planning and capital management. Prior to joining BMO, he worked at PwC in their Banking & Capital Markets practice where he audited financial institutions and private equity firms.
Abishan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Toronto and is a qualified Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and a CFA Chaterholder.
Outside his professional career, Abishan enjoys spending time with family, travelling and working out.
About
Abishan joined the CICC Foundation Board of Directors in June 2024.
Abishan has over 10 years of experience working in the banking and capital markets sector. He currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for BMO InvestorLine where he is responsible for oversight over the broader finance function including reporting, forecasting, planning and capital management. Prior to joining BMO, he worked at PwC in their Banking & Capital Markets practice where he audited financial institutions and private equity firms.
Abishan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Toronto and is a qualified Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and a CFA Chaterholder.
Outside his professional career, Abishan enjoys spending time with family, travelling and working out.
Praneil Ladwa
Director and Treasurer
Praneil Ladwa is a senior financial services executive with over 25 years of global leadership experience in brokerage, wealth management, and banking innovation. Most recently, Praneil was Head of Canada’s largest independent broker, Questrade Inc. Prior to Questrade, Praneil has also held senior roles at CIBC and RBC Financial Group. Praneil brings a wealth of experience in Risk Management, Financial Management, Vendor Management, Product and Program Management disciplines and has served on a number of other boards and advisory committees.
Praneil holds a MBA from the University of Phoenix and an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from Toronto Metropolitan University and is also a certified PMP. Praneil resides in Toronto with his wife, two young daughters and their adopted cat from Barbados.
About
Praneil Ladwa is a senior financial services executive with over 25 years of global leadership experience in brokerage, wealth management, and banking innovation. Most recently, Praneil was Head of Canada’s largest independent broker, Questrade Inc. Prior to Questrade, Praneil has also held senior roles at CIBC and RBC Financial Group. Praneil brings a wealth of experience in Risk Management, Financial Management, Vendor Management, Product and Program Management disciplines and has served on a number of other boards and advisory committees.
Praneil holds a MBA from the University of Phoenix and an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from Toronto Metropolitan University and is also a certified PMP. Praneil resides in Toronto with his wife, two young daughters and their adopted cat from Barbados.
Melissa Syme
Chief Development Officer
Melissa Syme has been working in leadership within the charitable sector for over 25 years with a focus on development, marketing and communications.
Her focus has always been on social justice, equity, and inclusion. Throughout her 25 years, she has been in leadership with youth and children’s organization including a children’s mental health not for profit.
Melissa has a full life with her two children and husband. She really enjoys taking time to spend with friends, travelling and having lazy days at the cottage.
About
Melissa Syme has been working in leadership within the charitable sector for over 25 years with a focus on development, marketing and communications.
Her focus has always been on social justice, equity, and inclusion. Throughout her 25 years, she has been in leadership with youth and children’s organization including a children’s mental health not for profit.
Melissa has a full life with her two children and husband. She really enjoys taking time to spend with friends, travelling and having lazy days at the cottage.
Centennial Infant and Child Centre Foundation
1580 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M4T 1Z8
Phone: 416.935.1200
Email: foundation@cicc.on.ca
Charitable Number – 894082437RR0001