- We Can Support People
Pegasus provides adults with developmental disabilities meaningful activities and community engagement to facilitate growth, dignity, and choice.
Pegasus is a grassroots organization founded in 1994 by a small group of women to address a community need – adults with developmental disabilities who were finishing school had few options for continuing to learn and to adopt adult roles in their community. Increasingly, these citizens and their families lived in fear of finishing school instead of looking forward to building their futures.
The founding members, meeting for the first few years in Marie’s dining room, overcame many obstacles as they created a service organization that really works for people. Their families and friends, and the wider community, offered growing support as Pegasus gradually became a full fledged member of the Toronto developmental service community. They formed key partnerships, notably with Parks, Forestry, and Recreation, City of Toronto.
These intrepid volunteers who formed the Founding Board of Directors were Sally Grieve, Allison Masters, and Janice Murphy, who lent their skills and uncommon commitment along with Margaret Ewing, Barbara Johnson, and Marie Perrotta, who additionally were experienced parents of young people who needed support.
Pegasus was driven by the philosophy that all citizens are entitled to the opportunity to participate in the life of their community, to make their own contributions, and to grow as individuals. Pegasus from the start put structures and systems in place that would facilitate inclusion, support families, and support participants to make personal choices and plans for their lives.
A warm community welcome gave Pegasus the opportunity to play a role in strengthening our community, showing that society is more robust when its members know and understand each other.
As Executive Director and Founding member,
Marie Perrotta guided the growth of Pegasus from 1993 to 2016. She safeguarded its vision and philosophy even as the organization grew and met increasingly complex demands.
As Pegasus grew, a team of staff and volunteers brought expertise to the organization in many areas. Together they ensured high quality supports, accountability, and sustainabilty at all levels. In 2016 Pegasus was well poised to meet the future.
In 2001 the Pegasus store became an arm of the service organization, adding unique opportunities as well as stability..
Pegasus, and Marie, received many honours. On receiving the Citizen of the Year Award in Beaches/East York in 2004, Marie stated that “this award is a gift to all of us who have worked to make Pegasus part of our community and I am thrilled to accept it on our behalf.”
Board Member
Scott has been on the Board of Pegasus for 13 years. His late son, Gavin, was at Pegasus for
20 years and is remembered through the Gavin Burns Memorial Fund. Scott is a retired urban planner and professional economic developer. He practiced planning consulting for 30 years and was originally with the City of Toronto Planning Department. Scott was a member of the Advisory Committee on Planning, Design and Real Estate to the National Capital Commission in Ottawa and the past President of the Simcoe Chapter of Lambda Alpha – an international honorary land economics group.
Secretary
Shae-Lynn joined the board in the beginning of 2024. As someone who is on the autism
spectrum, and has previous volunteer experience of as a Board Director at Markham Fair, she brings a unique point of view to the board. Shae-Lynn is an activist in her community for treating
people with disabilities equitably in the workplace, and hopes to get a better understanding and become more knowledgeable of the accommodations people with disabilities need, and how to best support them.
Board Treasurer
A seasoned entrepreneur with over 15 years of expertise in driving operational excellence,
financial management, and strategic leadership, complemented by a robust background in e-commerce. With an engineering background and an Executive MBA from Rotman School of
Management, Ehab brings a unique blend of technical insight and business acumen. Residing in Mississauga, he is a devoted father to three children, including a resilient son on the Autism Spectrum.
Vice Chair
Joel joined the Board in 2022. He is a partner with a labour and employment law firm where he practices management-side labour, employment and human rights law. Joel has had a lifelong interest in disability services, having grown up with an autistic younger brother who has greatly benefitted from services like those offered by Pegasus. He lives in the east end with his wife and brand new baby boy.
Board Member
Currently retired, Jacqueline is a lawyer by training and has many years of experience
managing investigations into government regulation and compliance. Through this role, and as a parent of an adult son with a developmental disability, she has gained extensive knowledge of the developmental services sector. Jacqueline’s previous board experience includes 10 years on the Board of Directors of a not-for-profit agency which provided training and support for individuals seeking employment. As a parent of a long-time participant of the SH Armstrong program at Pegasus she knows firsthand the incredible service that Pegasus provides and is proud to be contributing to their ongoing success.
Board Chair
Megan has a BA in History and French and an MA in Canadian History. She’s been working in the educational publishing industry for 20 years, most recently as Director, Publications at a not-for-profit publisher of math resources. Her main focus is clear communication that enables equitable access to learning. Her late older brother, Gavin, was a participant at Pegasus for 20 years.
