Carla Neto, Executive Director
Carla Neto has served as Executive Director of Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke since October 2021, bringing over 30 years of experience in social services and the public sector. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Public Sector Executive Leadership Certificate from the Smith School of Business. Her leadership is grounded in intersectional feminist, anti-racist/anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction approaches.
A transformational leader, Carla has strengthened Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke’s focus on skills development, client sustainability, and prevention programs for boys and young men, while rebuilding a strong, equity-centered organizational culture. She is the recipient of the Ontario Government’s 2023 Black Heritage 365 Award and the Spirit of Schlifer 2024 Award and continues to advocate for systemic solutions to end gender-based violence and advance women’s safety and housing security.
Lina Almanzan, Director of Philanthropy
Lina Almanzan began her career in IT in 1995 and has since worked across multiple industries, including proposals, ERP systems, turn-key projects, supply management, media, and advertising. As an experienced project manager, she leads Women’s Habitat’s Philanthropy and Engagement teams and oversees the organization’s IT needs. She holds a B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering with a major in Systems and a Fundraising Management Certificate from Ryerson University, giving her a unique and highly valuable skill set. Deeply connected to the community, Lina is especially proud to support and engage with the Spanish-speaking community she serves.
Sheila Barro
Sheila brings over 15 years of non-profit finance and controllership experience to Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke, with a background that spans financial analysis, budgeting, reporting, and senior finance leadership. As a CPA and PMP, she is committed to strong financial stewardship, effective financial controls, and ensuring accountability to our Board and funders.
Sheila believes that sound financial systems and responsible resource management are essential to sustaining programs that support women and children. She is passionate about using her skills to strengthen organizations that provide safety, healing, and opportunities for those most impacted by violence and inequality.
Alicia Whyte, Manager of Residential Services
Alicia Whyte is a trauma counsellor with over 12 years’ experience supporting survivors of sexual violence, gender-based violence, intimate partner violence & human trafficking . She completed the Assaulted Women’s and Children’s Advocate Counsellor program with George Brown College. She works from a client centered, anti-racist anti-oppressive, intersectional lens, where harm reduction is always imbedded. Alicia believes that these philosophies are not only critical in the work but also to embrace as a lifestyle. She has worked with several organizations including TRCC/MWAR providing crisis line counselling, court support, face to face peer counselling, Take back the Night & SAAM Committees, training facilitator as well as Aura Freedom International as a trauma counsellor. Alicia has advocacy and activism in her soul, she has strong leadership skills which she uses to empower those around her and is committed to working herself out of a job by supporting the eradication of GBV, smashing the patriarchy and the stigmas surrounding sexual violence, GBV, IPV and HT
Christine Boeck, Manager of Community Programs and Services
Christine Boeck, LL.B., M.S., manages the Outreach Division at Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke, including the Women’s Trauma Counselors, Child Youth and Family Clinical Counselor, Transitional and Housing Support Worker, Housing Support Worker, Young Men’s Trauma Counselor, and Young Women’s Trauma Counselor, relief staff, and students completing internships. In this role, she also collaborates with organizations in the community, helps write and manage grants, and participates in, and chairs, various committees in the Violence Against Women Sector. Her background includes working in law, social services, public health, academia, and youth sports in Canada and the USA. A certified piano teacher and fitness instructor, Christine incorporates sports and music as protective factors in youth programming to help to ameliorate the toxic stress associated with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). A former competitive athlete, she is also on the Triathlon Ontario Board of Directors as Secretary for 2025-2026.
Leslie Burrow, Manager of Human Resources
Leslie Burrow B.A and post graduate of Human Resources Management, manages Human Resources at Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke, including the recruitment of staff and students, labour relations, employee relations, performance management and policy development. In this role, she also collaborates with organizations in the community that support marginalized women to find employment, partners with post-secondary institutions to support students to gain hands on experience working in our agency and supports WHE advocacy initiatives. Her background includes supporting Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke for many years as a volunteer and working in the for profit legal, architectural and design sectors as well as technology start-ups.
Esperança Panzo, Facilities Supervisor
Esperança (Pancha) Panzo, Facilities Supervisor
Esperança Panzo, BABH, MBA – A dedicated facilities professional blending academic expertise with experience in social services, hospitality, and property management to create trauma-informed, safe, and empowering spaces where women and families can heal, grow and thrive.
Pancha has over 20 years experience working in social services, having performed various roles supporting people impacted by poverty, substance use and mental health challenges, HIV AIDS as well as gender-based violence, in community health clinics as well as VAW shelters.
Pancha’s experience in facilities management spans over five years managing commercial facilities, where attention to detail drives her quality improvement mindset while also prioritizing health and safety.
Her experience in Hospitality, Human Resources and Instructor, influenced her client-centered approach.