Orlando Da Silva

  • Orlando Da Silva has been a prominent trial lawyer for 24 years. He started practice at one of Canada’s largest law firms. After 11 years, five years as a partner, Orlando moved to the public sector to lead the Corporate-Commercial Litigation Team at the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, where he represented Ontario in critical litigation including Indigenous treaty and land claims.
  • During his term in 2014 – 2015, Orlando led the profession across Canada in a mental health anti-stigma campaign by speaking publicly about his own suicide attempt, how he survived and how, despite his illness, he’s led a successful and rewarding life. His message has reached over six million people.
  • For his efforts, Orlando was named by Canadian Lawyer Magazine as one of the 25 most influential lawyers in Canada in 2015. In 2016, the Law Society of Ontario honoured Orlando with its highest award, the Law Society Medal. That same year, CBC Metro Morning nominated Orlando as the Torontonian of the Year and the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health presented Orlando with its bi-annual Transforming Lives Award. In 2017, the Ontario Bar Association presented Orlando with its highest honour, the Distinguished Service Award. And in 2018, the OBA Public Law Section recognized Orlando’s distinguished career with the Tom Marshall Award of Excellence for Public Sector Lawyers.
  • YMHC has worked with Orlando for over 5 years. Orlando served a short time on our Board of Directors until his recent move to Ottawa.

Frank Zechner

  • Barrister & Solicitor
  • YMHC worked with Frank Zechner to get incorporated as a charitable non-profit organization with the Canada Revenue Agency. It took almost two years. We received registered status on February 5, 2018.
  • Frank is one of Ontario’s few lawyers that focuses on environmental and construction law issues including environmental audits and assessments, management of toxic substances, contaminated site clean ups and construction excavation practices.
    He has been a sole legal practitioner since early 1999 primarily in the areas of environmental, regulatory and construction law.
  • Frank has earned a reputation as an effective results oriented contributor to several major industry and professional associations. His continuing contribution provides him with the network to source information which may not otherwise be readily available to other legal practitioners.

Janet Bojti

  • Janet is a retired school board professional. She taught English as a second language to adult refugees and worked in a Job Search Training Program for immigrants and refugees at the Toronto District School Board. She has been a community activist for many years with the anti-apartheid movement, campaign for public education and with the Canadian Union of Public Employees. Janet is also a grandmother to a boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
  • Janet is one of the founders of YMHC and has worked with us since the beginning. She has been a crucial support in event organizing, human rights promotion and all activities of YMHC.

Judy Campney

  • Judy has been a member of YMHC for approximately five years. She has provided much support to the development of YMHC and all of our activities.
  • Judy is a retired business person and has many years of lived experience of youth mental health issues. She participates in many community activities in Cobourg, Ontario.