Executive Directors

Judith Boda-Lázár

PRESIDENT

I was born in Cluj-Napoca, in the heart of Transylvania, and came to Canada in 1991. I am the proud mother of two Hungarian-speaking adult boys, for whom the preservation of Hungarianness has always been a priority.

I have been volunteering in the Hungarian community for more than 15 years.Since 2018 (with a one-year break) I have been working as a member of the Hungarian House Board, and before that I supported the work of the organisation as Secretary General. Cultivating the Hungarian community and culture has always been a matter close to my heart since I have been living in Canada. As a child, the Hungarian House of Toronto was our first stop when my family and I came here and an enthusiastic volunteer helped us a lot. That is why I feel it is my duty to give something back to the Hungarian House and to the Hungarian people.

In recognition of my work I was awarded the Silver Cross of Merit of the Hungarian State, which is a great honour for me. This community is part of my life and I will do my utmost to preserve our values and traditions for future generations.

Dr. András Botond Fecső

VICE-PRESIDENT

Andras immigrated to Canada with his family in 2009. He is active in the local Hungarian community,as well as the Orban Balazs Society, and the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Parish. His professionalism extends beyond remedy and patient treatment to nurturing, developing and strengthening Hungarian culture in the diaspora. He spends his free time with his family and friends. Andras also enjoys travel and various excursions.

Zsuzsa Szalma

HOME

1968 I arrived in Canada with my parents a few days before Christmas. We spent our first Canadian New Year's Eve at the Hungarian House on Collage Street. I did my high school and university studies here in Toronto, majoring in biology and chemistry. My parents were active members of the Hungarian House of St. Clair, and are still perpetual members to this day. In 1981, I opened my travel agency, Travel Expressions Ltd. and we have been serving the Hungarian Diaspora in Toronto ever since. I am the mother of two adult children. It is important for me to continue to maintain the Hungarian House, following in my parents' footsteps.

Zsófia Halmai

Finance Director

My name is Zsófia Halmai. I was born in Budapest and emigrated to Canada with my family in 2010. After graduating from college in 2019, I started my own accounting business. I love being an active member of the Hungarian community and helping out wherever I can. I am the treasurer of the Balázs Orbán Society and an accountant at St. Elizabeth Hungarian School.

Attila Szőllősi

Janitor

Ildikó Bán

Director of Public Relations

I am Ildikó Bán, wife and happy mother of two beautiful daughters. I am a mechanical engineer by education. I have been living in Toronto for 27 years. 20 years I worked in research at the nuclear power plant. 5 years I have been working at Canada Post as a shift supervisor. I have been the Director of Public Relations at the Hungarian House for several years. I also organize the Hungarian House museum. I am an active member of the Balázs Orbán Society.

Csilla Papp

Press and Media Director

I was born in Budapest, I graduated from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungarian History. During my doctoral studies I worked at the editorial office of Élet és Tudomány, where I gained experience as a columnist and science journalist. I arrived in Canada in 2017 and since then I have been an active member of the Hungarian community and I consider it my mission to participate in the preservation of Hungarian culture and identity in Toronto.

Antal Anikó

Director of Education

My name is Antal Anikó Zsuzsanna. I was born in Nyíregyháza. I am a Hungarian-French teacher. During my career I had the opportunity to teach Hungarian language and literature, French language from the youngest age group to adults. In addition to teaching and researching the history of literature, music is an important part of my life, and I am currently an active violist in several Toronto orchestras.

Károly Kristóf

Director of Youth and Sport

In 1989, during the "Iron Curtain" era, I emigrated to Toronto from Csíkszereda.
I work as an electrical engineer and am actively involved in the local Hungarian community. I support events at the Hungarian House, the St. Elisabeth Roman Catholic parish and the Kodály Orchestra, where I currently dance.

I have also previously managed part-time competitive football and hockey teams after obtaining the necessary coaching qualifications. Since childhood, sport has been central to my life and I still play football and hockey regularly, as well as other sports where possible.

My aim is to involve the local Hungarian community, especially the young people, in active sports life. I would like to introduce them to different sports so that they can learn a healthy lifestyle and pass it on to the next generation - because "a healthy body is a healthy soul!"