Mario Cortellucci

The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario re-appointed Mr. Cortellucci to the Board for a two-year term, effective October 20, 2025. Mr. Cortellucci was previously appointed to the Board for a three-year term, effective October 20, 2022. 

Mario Cortellucci was born the rural farmland of Abruzzo, Italy. In search of opportunity, his father decided to immigrate to Canada. Mario, along with his mother and siblings, immigrated and reunited in Toronto a year later in 1962. The next few years were spent working at the local car wash and pizza shop all while adapting to a new language and living in a foreign country. Mario later began working in concrete and drain part-time during the summers and on weekends. In 1971, Mario and his brother founded Cortelli Construction Ltd, operating out of their home in Downsview, Toronto. Mario’s continued determination, vision, and work ethic has culminated in numerous successful businesses within the GTA and beyond.

In 2011 Mario, as President and Founder of Cortel Group along with his oldest son Peter, launched The Expo City community – a project that spearheaded the new downtown Vaughan and the flagship development of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. 

His philanthropic efforts have benefited numerous causes including education for children and youth in need, health care facilities, the outdoors and First Nations communities.

Mario Cortellucci is the Founder and Chairman of the Universal Youth Foundation, a Canadian registered charity, whose vision and goal are to provide educational assistance to children and youth in need, throughout the world.

Mario has been honoured with the Merit of Brotherhood award at the 2nd Annual “Spirit of the Community” event; and is the recipient of the first CIIM Entrepreneurial Award of Excellence. In 2008, Mr. Cortellucci was installed as the Grand Prior of Canada for the Knights Hospitallers of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights of Malta (Ecumenical Order).

Mario assisted the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters to build a Cultural Centre and Wildlife Museum in Peterborough called Mario Cortellucci Hunting and Fishing Heritage Centre.

Along with his family Mario has provided vital funds to the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and the Mario & Nick Cortellucci Hospice Palliative Care Centre of Excellence.

He was also recognized by the Government of Italy for his sponsorship of Casa Italia, a permanent exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario promoting Italian Art and Culture. The Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, a research institute in the University of Toronto, awarded him a Doctorate of Letter in Mediaeval Studies. He is the recipient of the Order of Ontario and the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal.

Mario’s community involvement includes serving as a McMichael Canadian Art Collection Board of Trustees, as a St. Michael Foundation Board Member, and past Durham College Foundation Board of Director. More than 60 years after coming to this great country, with dreams and hopes to have access to its services and opportunities, Mario is now blessed to be a part of building these same services and opportunities for others in York Region.