At the York Catholic District School Board’s (YCDSB) Inaugural Board Meeting, held on Monday, November 17, 2025, Maria Iafrate, Trustee for Richmond Hill, was acclaimed Chair of the Board and Jennifer Wigston, Trustee for Vaughan Area 3: Ward 3, 4, 5, was elected Vice Chair of the Board.
Chair and Vice Chair elections are held annually at the YCDSB’s Inaugural Board Meeting in November. Chair Iafrate has been a YCDSB Trustee since 2018 and served as Vice Chair for three years before being appointed Chair of the Board. Vice Chair Wigston has also been a YCDSB Trustee since 2018 and will continue to serve as a Regional Director of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA).
Chair Iafrate was nominated by Angela Saggese, Trustee for Area 1: Ward 1. Trustee Saggese said Chair Iafrate has had an indelible impact on the YCDSB through her leadership, which is focused on a commitment to service, the integrity of policy and the need for strong financial stewardship.
“I’m grateful that my fellow Trustees have entrusted me with this important role,” said Chair Iafrate. “I have had the privilege of working alongside families, staff members and Trustees to ensure our students receive the best education possible. Together, we have accomplished a lot, and I look forward to getting much more done.”
Vice Chair Wigston was nominated by Angela Grella, her fellow Trustee for Vaughan Area 3: Ward 3, 4, 5. Trustee Grella said that Vice Chair Wigston is a dedicated advocate for Catholic education at both the YCDSB and OCSTA, where she offers a balanced perspective grounded in faith, integrity and service.
“Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work alongside many in the YCDSB as a committee chair and vice chair,” said Vice Chair Wigston. “As Vice Chair of the Board, my focus will be on working through challenges in a way that brings people together and supporting the YCDSB in meeting its Multi-Year Financial Recovery Plan targets.”
Before the election, Director of Education John De Faveri thanked Elizabeth Crowe and Maria Iafrate for their service as Chair and Vice Chair over the previous year, and added, “To all our Trustees, I look forward to continue working with you in the best interests of Catholic education and the many people enriched by it. Thank you for your continued dedicated service to the York Catholic District School Board.”