Who We Are
Founded in 1978, the BCNA is a non-partisan organization of volunteer residents, who are committed to improving and preserving the distinctive character of our neighbourhood. We are here to enhance, to engage and to represent our diverse neighbourhood by facilitating partnerships, programs and services.
What we Do
- Promote, foster, and protect the public, social, cultural and economic interests of residents in our area served by the Association.
- Protect individual interests through the collective action of members of the Association.
- Gather information concerning development proposals and proposed changes to relevant legislation, such as the official plan and zoning by-laws, and represent and protect the interests of the residents to the appropriate municipal, provincial and other bodies.
Please visit the various sections of our website and come back often as we keep the site current with important information for Members and potential Members.
Meet Our Team
Board
JOHN MELINTE
BCNA President
John Melinte immigrated to Canada in 1987. After graduating from the University of Toronto, he lived all over the city and eventually settled down in the Bayview-Cummer neighbourhood with his family in 2008. An actuary with 25 years of experience, John is also an entrepreneur and has been involved with several startups and charities in various unrelated fields, including technology, real estate and medical travel.
John initially became involved with the BCNA out of concern for one specific issue, but decided to stay on in order to try to continue the good work that the past president and board of directors had already started in the community prior to his arrival.
John believes in dialogue, good communication, and enjoys a laugh. He tries to stay calm in stressful situations and solve problems collaboratively.
In his free time, John enjoys spending time with his family, travel, food and being an avid fan of combat sports.
DANIEL LEE
BCNA Vice President
Daniel Lee’s bio will be updated shortly
MARK AMADOR
BCNA Vice President
Mark Amador grew up in California’s Silicon Valley near San Francisco working for many high tech firms including McAfee, Symantec, Seiko, CA (Computer Associates) and the famed Xerox PARC. Most recently he was Senior Vice-President at Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions where his passion for real estate was inspired by managing & selling corporate holdings. In 2009 he moved to Toronto to pursue a full time real estate career joining Re/Max Realtron Realty Inc. where he later obtained his broker licence. In 2010, Mark launched Team Amador which eventually evolved into the Re/Max Realtron Smart Choice Team Brokerage in 2016, which he co-founded.
Mark has a keen focus for investment and enjoys working with developers to create desirable residential additions to the community. His passions are martial arts, in which he holds a 7th dan in the art of Jung SuWon, photography, scuba diving, philanthropy and living a meaningful life.
NATASHA MANSOURI
Special Board Member
Natasha Mansouri is a seasoned educator specializing in architecture, urban planning, and fine woodworking with nearly three decades of teaching experience across diverse age groups, backgrounds, and various educational settings. Additionally, Natasha boasts over a decade of hands-on work experience as a designer, project manager, and assistant researcher. Natasha holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Architectural Engineering and Urban Design, along with a Bachelor of Education in Technological Studies, complemented by a variety of other diplomas and certificates. Regarding her personality traits, she exhibits a strong inclination towards conscientiousness and orderliness. Among Natasha’s volunteer work and service to the community, she designed 200 homes free of charge for less fortunate families between 1993 and 1998. She served as a board member of the Upper Canada Skating Club from 2012 to 2014 and extended her assistance through volunteering at the North York Harvest Food Bank from 2019 to 2020. She is a member of the North York Gardening Club. Natasha joined the BCNA in early 2023. Natasha takes pleasure in gardening, swimming, baking, and reading. She is also deeply committed to nurturing a sense of community, marked by profound respect and gratitude for elders, along with a strong sense of responsibility for the next generation. Natasha and her family have proudly called Willowdale their home since 2004. Their front garden earned them a notable achievement in 2017, as it emerged victorious in the Residential Environmental category of the North York Front Garden Contest.
SHALINI SETHI
Treasurer
Shalini Sethi is the Finance Officer for the AGE-WELL Network. She is responsible for the effective and efficient financial administration of the network’s research funding and business development activities. Shalini works closely with financial analysts and managers in Research Financial Services at UHN, the network’s host institution to ensure day-to-day operations are carried out in accordance with the established accounting principles, institutional, network and funding agencies’ policies, and objectives.
Our History
The BCNA’s area is bounded in the north by Steeles Avenue, in the south by the hydro concession, in the west by Willowdale Avenue, and in the east by Bayview Avenue.
The area started to change from farming to residential in the 1930s and had a significant boost from returning soldiers in the late 1940s. We have a commemorative plaque in Wedgewood Park commemorating the return of the veterans.
The area has strong links with the pioneering past as Cummer Avenue was the road to the mills on the Don River. There were seven mills between Steeles Avenue and Finch Avenue. Many of the streets are named for notable members of the area; Cummer and Risebrough to mention only two. Our area is affected positively by its central location on rapid transit and easy exit to cottage country.