Magellan Community Charities – Board of Directors
Manuel DaCosta
Manuel founded Viana Roofing and Sheet Metal in 1984 and currently employs over 100 staff mostly from Portuguese background, which is a construction and restoration company undertaking industrial, commercial and residential work. He has also founded JDC Property management group in 2001, which is a development and property management company, in construction and management of commercial and residential buildings, including condominium and residential properties. In 2011 he founded SIT Properties to develop and manage commercial and residential properties, with emphasis, also in the entertainment industry. Manuel is the original founder and builder of the Portuguese-Canadian Walk of Fame, which was created to recognize Portuguese-Canadians who have made substantial contributions to the enhancement of Portuguese culture within Canada. The Portuguese -Canadian Walk of Fame just celebrated its 7th year.
John P. Ferreira
John is a real estate lawyer in Toronto whose practice involves real estate acquisitions, dispositions and financings. He has been a director of the Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business and Professionals, the Portuguese Canadian Lawyers Association, and a number of other community organizations. Most recently, John served as a director on the board of the Deposit Insurance Corporation of Ontario, until its merger with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario. John is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and Oxford University.
Vitor Fonseca
Most of Vitor’s career has evolved in the finance and real estate areas. He is currently Vice President and Treasurer of Romspen Investment Corporation, a non-bank commercial real estate lender with a $3 billion portfolio. Currently Chairman of the audit committee of Canntab Therapeutics, Inc (medical cannabis) and Nuran Wireless Inc. (telecommunications), both publicly traded. Former COO of Retirement Life Communities, Inc., a private developer, and manager of retirement homes. Former chairman of the audit committee of Enwave Energy Corporation, a privately held Toronto-based district energy company and, Mission Ready Solutions Inc, a publicly-traded supplier of specialized equipment and services to the US military. Vitor holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Business, a CPA-CGA designation and is a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Ulysses Pratas
Ulysses has founded Presteve Foods in 1979, and is the leading, vertically integrated harvester, processor and distributor of wild-caught, freshwater fish and other specialty seafood in North America. Since May 2015, Ulysses partnered with Purewater Foods of the Founders Group of Food Companies in order to provide resources to further expand the company. Ulysses remains active in the company as its executive director and as the driving force in building new sources of supply. Ulysses has also contributed many hours of support and collaboration in the Portuguese community, in support of new immigrants and executive member of the Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business and Professionals.
Elizabeth Mendes
Elizabeth is a public policy professional who currently serves as Public Policy Associate at Airbnb Canada. From 2013 to 2016, Elizabeth was the Senior Policy Advisor for Ministry of Finance in Province of Ontario, and from 2016 to 2018, she was the Director of Policy & Budget for the Ministry of Finance in the Province of Ontario. Elizabeth provided strategic advice to the Minister and Chief of Staff as well as liaised with the Premier’s Office, Deputy Minister’s Office, and ministry staff to coordinate the work of the ministry and deliver on the Minister’s mandate. She also played a key role in the development of the Government of Ontario’s Budget and Fall Economic Statement. Elizabeth is an active member of the Portuguese Canadian community. Elizabeth was also a member of the Board of the Portuguese Canadian Walk of Fame Board of Directors, which honours those of a Portuguese background who have made an impact and significant contribution to the advancement of Portuguese Canadian Culture in Canada.
Sergio Ruivo
Sergio Ruivo is a Chartered Accountant and Licensed Public Accountant with more than 30 years experience in public accounting, industry and management and tax consulting. He has spent several years within industry in senior financial roles, before moving into the commodity sales tax consulting field and returning to the practice of public accounting, primarily serving the needs small to medium sized businesses, in particular businesses in the Portuguese and ethnic business communities.
Sergio is a past President, Treasurer and current Vice-President of the Federation of Portuguese Business and Professionals (FPCBP) and has been on the boards of various other community organizations over the years. His combination of business experience and professional expertise in accounting and taxation ensure that the maximum level of value and insight is delivered to every client interaction. He is focused on bringing a high level of professionalism to his practice and ensuring that his clients achieve sustainable long-term success within the broader Canadian business context.
Charles Sousa
(On Leave)
Charles is the former Minister of Finance and Member of Provincial Parliament for Ontario. Charles delivered six budgets and oversaw nine agencies including LCBO, OLG, OSC and WSIB, four of the largest entities in the country. He was also President of Treasury Board, Minister of Citizenship & Immigration, Minister of Labour, and lead the Toronto 2015 Pan-Am Games. Prior to entering politics, Charles enjoyed a 20-year commercial banking career with RBC Royal Bank; and, he owned & operated an asset based lending firm. Charles earned an MBA from Ivey School of Business at University of Western Ontario, an Honours BBA from Wilfrid Laurier University, graduated top of class as a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers and attained his ICD.D at the University of Toronto Rotman’s School of Business’ Directors Program. Among his many awards, Charles received the Order of Portugal and Queen’s Jubilee Medals.