Alumni of Victoria College (AVC) Mission
Build a strong relationship between Victoria College and its diverse alumni by engaging, informing and connecting them to the College’s ethos, history and identity.
2022–2023 AVC Executive Slate of Officers
President: Vito Labate Vic 0T0
Vice President: Diana Lawrence Vic 8T8
Past President: Jordan LoMonaco Vic 1T8
Members of the Executive
Nancy de Vera Vic 1T1
Arturo Martinez Peguero Vic 1T2
Benjamin Bongolan Vic 0T9
Abigail Brown Vic 9T9
Mahmoud Bitar Vic 1T6
Jaclin Simonetta Vic 1T6
Mimi O'Handley Vic 1T6
Ige Egal Vic 0T9
Susan Cui Vic 1T6
Richard Vien Vic 9T3
Student Liaison Chairperson & VUSAC Representative
Sooyeon Lee, VUSAC President
TBC, VUSAC Academic Commissioner
VWA Representative
Diane Dyer Vic 6T2
Friends of the Library Representative
Kathryn Cumming Vic 7T4
Members at Large
Akash Goel Vic 1T1
Ex-Officio Members
President of Victoria University: Dr. Rhonda McEwen
Principal of Victoria College: Prof. Angela Esterhammer Vic 8T3
Permanent Class Executive President: Mollie Sheptenko 2T2
Chair, Governance and University Affairs Committee of the Victoria University Board of Regents: Julia Zarb Vic 9T0
Executive Director, Alumni Affairs & Advancement: Louise (Huntingford) Yearwood Vic 8T6
Secretary: Helena Herscovici, Alumni Affairs Officer
Vito Labate, President
Vito Labate is vice president and global industry marketing leader at the Capgemini Group. With more than 20 years of progressive, international experience, he leads a global team of marketing and communications professionals around the world, responsible for marketing, communications, brand and advertising strategies. Vito’s experience includes leading teams in North America, Europe and Asia.
Vito is a volunteer mentor to new employees of the firm and has been the executive sponsor of employee groups focused on emerging innovation in the workplace. He has sponsored and judged hack-a-thons focused on social good initiatives as well.
Vito is the president of the Alumni of Victoria College (AVC) and has served as an executive of the AVC since 2020. He graduated from the University of Toronto, Victoria College in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Political Science and subsequently completed a Master of Arts Degree in English at the University of Toronto in 2001.
Diana Lawrence, Vice President
Diana Lawrence is associate vice-president, communications at New Hampshire’s Dartmouth College. A former reporter for The Toronto Star, Diana has held a variety of positions in communications at Chatelaine magazine, United Way of Greater Toronto, Landmark College, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Vermont Academy and Dartmouth. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the University of Toronto and a Master of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies and Creative Writing from Dartmouth. A self-confessed Tudorphile, she lives (and gardens) in southern Vermont.
Jordan LoMonaco, Past President
Jordan graduated from the University of Toronto at Victoria University in 2018, with an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Statistics and History & Philosophy of Science. She credits Victoria College, and the endless support she received from the people she met there, for her academic, personal and professional growth and success, and is very passionate about giving her time and support back through mentorship with Vic Ready and the Alumni of Victoria College.
Jordan identifies as a "jack of all trades, master of none" type of person, and has worked and volunteered in almost every sector, constantly searching for where she can best convert her privilege to help make a difference in the spaces and environments she occupies. Her strengths lie in her love of art and skill with numbers, which she currently applies as a senior business intelligence analyst at Financeit, as a freelance researcher at Women’s College Hospital, and as a podcast co-host for Imperfect Eco-Hero to bridge the gap between data and storytelling.
Abigail Brown, Member of the Executive
With 20 years of experience in writing, PR and marketing communications, Abigail Brown is currently director of marketing and communications with a provincial regulatory body and professional association. She has also held director and other senior leadership positions for hospital foundations, contributing to their strategic planning and successfully leading marketing and community engagement activities to raise awareness, nurture existing donors and attract new donors. With a passion for storytelling–—particularly in the not-for-profit space—Abigail has also worked with Ovarian Cancer Canada, Plan International in Canada, Community Living Ontario, and United Way (Toronto), with a senior manager role at Scotiabank to round out her experiences. In addition to ongoing professional development, she holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English and Sociology from the University of Toronto.
Abigail believes strongly in giving back to the community and volunteering. In the past, she has volunteered for local charities, including youth and women's shelters, and currently volunteers in kids programs and fundraising events for a church in midtown Toronto. Abigail treasures her years of learning at the University of Toronto. She is a proud Victoria College alum and, along with her current volunteer position on the Alumni of Victoria College Executive, has also volunteered in a number of initiatives supporting Victoria University students, including mentoring programs and events.
Susan Cui, BA, MBA, Member of the Executive
Susan graduated in 2016 from Victoria College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations and Economics. She also completed the Vic One Lester Pearson Stream during her first year, which gave her a stimulating and intimate learning environment and unparalleled access to thought-provoking leaders. Following graduation from Victoria College, Susan embarked on a brief but exciting career in politics as a woman of a visible minority, where she had the opportunity to both organize political campaigns on the ground and work in the public service directly in support of key decision-makers in the Government of Ontario. Although she no longer works in politics, she continues to support young women in politics through her involvement in the PC Women in Politics Association.
At Victoria College, Susan enjoyed participating in the annual Victoria College Frosh Week and was part of orientation planning as a frosh leader and orientation executive. Her motivation to sit on the Alumni of Victoria College is to represent and increase the voice of younger Victoria College alumni (“Vickies”) within the greater alumni community.
Jaclin Simonetta, Member of the Executive
Jaclin graduated from Victoria College in 2016. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in neuroscience and molecular genetics. Jaclin was enrolled in the Vic One Stowe-Gullen Life Sciences program in her first year at Victoria College and was part of the Victoria College Dragon Boat Team throughout her degree. Some of Jaclin's fondest memories at Victoria College are the Commuter Orientation and Frosh Week, where she met many of her friends whom she remains close with today. Jaclin joined the Alumni of Victoria College to help alumni like herself connect, as well as inspire current Victoria College students through the mentorship program and networking events. Jaclin currently works at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research as a Research Operations Analyst, and in her spare time enjoys running and trying new fitness classes.
Diane Dyer, VWA Representative
Diane studied modern languages and literature at Victoria College where she learned the value of defending her beliefs and setting boundaries. Graduate work and an academic career followed, and after early retirement, she devoted more time to her diverse volunteer work, including that at the Gardiner Museum on the Victoria campus. A recipient of the University of Toronto’s Arbor Award and Victoria College’s Silver V Award, Diane served on the Victoria University Senate for many years and the University of Toronto’s College of Electors as a Victoria representative. Diane now she serves as President of the Victoria Women’s Association (VWA), which she currently represents on the Alumni of Victoria College. Founded in 1897 to raise money for a student residence for women (Annesley Hall) after Victoria’s move from Cobourg five years earlier, the Association welcomes everyone to its lectures, raises money for an annual bursary and contributes funding to other student causes. Diane and the VWA invite you to be part of a friendly organization that is inclusive and multigenerational in its support of Victoria College and all its students.
Sooyeon Lee (she/her), VUSAC President
Sooyeon is president of the 2022-2023 Victoria University Students’ Administrative Council (VUSAC). She is currently completing a double major in psychology and criminology and sociolegal studies, with an intended graduation year of 2023. As the 2022-2023 VUSAC president, Sooyeon’s involvement with VUSAC, student life and governance has been the most rewarding aspect of her time at Victoria College. Throughout her time with the Alumni of Victoria College, she hopes to represent current students' voices and develop links between students and alumni. In her remaining time at Victoria College, she looks forward to continuing to foster a welcoming, warm and engaging community.
Mollie Sheptenko, Class President
Mollie Sheptenko is proud to sit on the Alumni of Victoria College in her position as class president. She is excited to represent the Victoria College Class of 2T2 on the Alumni Victoria Executive and to maintain the class community through professional alumni events and social gatherings.
During her time at Victoria College, Mollie was involved in a variety of Victoria College and campus groups, including Commuter Dons, Caffiends, Vic Athletics, Love146, and Big Spoon Lil Spoon (U of T Chapter). Mollie also participated in research opportunities, including TeamWork and Jackman Scholars-in-Residence. She is thankful to have had the opportunity to participate in these extracurriculars and for the connections they allowed her to foster.
Presently, Mollie is working as a communications and consultancy specialist with the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women. She also spends her time volunteering with the Michigan Abolitionist Project and continuing her research with the Bodies Through Time Jackman Scholars-in-Residence project.