After recovering from an aggressive form of leukemia called Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia in 2017, Michelle Burleigh founded The Clarity Lab, an organization dedicated to improving the patient experience in the Canadian healthcare system. Michelle advocates for safe and exceptional patient experiences, educates Canadians about how to be proactive in their healthcare and supports healthcare organizations in shifting towards patient-centric tools and solutions.

Michelle currently Co-Chairs the Canadian Immunocompromised Advocacy Network, a coalition dedicated to advocating for immunocompromised Canadians, and the Cancer Action Now Alliance, a coalition dedicated to making cancer a political priority. She also sits on the CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity's Community Advisory Committee, the Roche Canada Co-Creation Council and has been a proud steering committee member for Health eMatters since 2022.

Michelle can be found on most social media platforms, and at www.soyouvegotcancer.ca, and info@theclaritylab.ca.

Brenda was the primary caregiver for her daughter, Rebecca, who passed away from cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Rebecca was diagnosed in June 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic and died June 30, 2021. It was Rebecca’s wish to carry on her fight against cholangiocarcinoma. Brenda and her family formed the Cholangio-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Canada charity to both honour Rebecca and carry out her wishes. Brenda is a retired Registered Nurse.

Dr. Cohen is a gynecologic oncologist at the Victoria BC Cancer Agency. He operates out of the Victoria General and Royal Jubilee Hospitals.

He received his medical degree from The University of Western Ontario and completed his residency training in Edmonton at The University of Alberta. He did further training in Sexual Medicine with Dr. John Lamont at McMaster University in Hamilton. He then practiced in Yellowknife while training in advanced laparoscopic surgery. He also completed a year-long program at the University of Alberta in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture for the medical practitioner. Finally settling in Victoria, he worked as a General Obstetrician Gynecologist for 10 years before completing a two-year fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. He has been practicing as a Gynecologic Oncologist since 2014 in Victoria.

Amanda Conlon is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Circle Back Foundation, a national charity she co-founded with Samantha Schlosser to address the alarming rise of early-onset colorectal cancer in Canada. Amanda’s advocacy is rooted in personal loss—she helped establish Circle Back in memory of her cousin, Adam Joon, who died just nine months after being diagnosed at the age of 44 with stage IV cancer. Adam became an advocate for timely screening and detection prior to his passing at the age of 45. What began as a way to honour Adam’s life has grown into a movement to fund critical research, raise awareness, and create hope for families facing this disease.

With over 20 years of leadership experience in the non-profit and cultural sectors, Amanda brings a proven ability to unite communities, build strategic partnerships, and lead transformative projects. As the former Executive Director of the London Children’s Museum, she successfully led a $23 million capital campaign to create a new cultural and educational destination, demonstrating her capacity to bring bold visions to life.

At Circle Back, Amanda and Samantha lead innovative fundraising efforts such as the Adam Joon Memorial Golf Tournament, national awareness campaigns, and community partnerships. These initiatives are building sustainable funding streams to support cutting-edge research and amplify the voices of young patients and families. Their vision is to create a national granting program guided by medical expertise and lived experience, ensuring that research translates into earlier detection, better treatments, and improved outcomes.

Amanda speaks with both the empathy of lived experience and the strategic insight of a seasoned leader, inspiring action and collaboration in the fight against colorectal cancer.

Dr. Cypel is a Staff Thoracic Surgeon at University Health Network (UHN) and a Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto. He is the Surgical Director of the Ajmera Transplant Center at UHN and Artificial Lung Program at UHN. He received his MD in 1999 and completed his general surgery and thoracic surgery residency program in 2004. In 2005 he started his post-doctoral research fellowship at the Latner Thoracic Surgery Laboratory. During this time, he developed a new method of lung preservation and donor lung repair called Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP). This method is now used clinically in Toronto and in many other centers, and has significantly increased the number of transplantable lungs. He subsequently performed a 3 years fellowship in thoracic oncology, cardiac surgery, and lung transplantation at the University of Toronto. Dr. Cypel has a large number of 1st and senior author peer review publications including high impact journals such as Science Translational Medicine, The New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet. His main clinical interests are in artificial lung devices, Ex vivo and In vivo Lung Perfusion and lung transplantation. Dr. Cypel currently holds the prestigious Canada Research Chair in Lung Transplantation from the Government of Canada and he is the principal investigator in very innovative clinical trials, such as the use of uncontrolled donation after cardio-circulatory death for lung transplantation and in vivo lung perfusion with chemotherapy to treat patients with lung metastases. He is a Member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) and a Fellow from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC).

Jessica Dasler is a stage IV colorectal cancer survivor, patient advocate, and CCRAN’s My Lung Mets and My Advocacy Coach based in North Vancouver, BC. Diagnosed in January 2021 at 37, after her cancer had spread to her lungs and bones, she endured a year of symptoms before finally being properly tested—even as her GI doctor discouraged her from a colonoscopy. Since then, she has undergone over 40 rounds of chemotherapy, colon removal surgery, four lung surgeries, spine and rib surgery, cryoablation, and SBRT. Currently, her only known cancer is in her spine, and she continues to explore treatment options to extend her life and preserve her quality of living.

As a Patient Partner for BC Cancer and a CCRAN Coach, Jessica supports patients across Canada and internationally, helping them feel informed, empowered, and less alone. She also shares resources and insights on Instagram, offering encouragement and building connections within the cancer community.

Rooted in her love of gardening and forest walks, Jessica finds strength and reflection in nature. She has been married to her supportive husband for ten years and is the proud mother of a seven-year-old daughter, conceived through IVF—a journey that taught her resilience and perseverance, qualities that now guide her cancer fight. Both in her family life and in her community, Jessica is known as a connector, fostering support and bringing people together in North Vancouver and beyond.

Dr. David earned her MD from the University of Toronto where she also completed her residency in Radiology. She then did a fellowship in Interventional Radiology which she completed in 2003. She joined the staff at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto that same year. She holds the rank of Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto in the Faculty of Medicine and is the Fellowship supervisor at Sunnybrook. She served as a member of the Interventional Oncology Emerging Technologies Working Group that secured funding for ablation, TACE and TARE for Ontario patients.

Dr. Paul Dhillon is a rural family physician who practices in Sechelt, British Columbia. He also works as an emergency room doctor and serves as a medical officer in the Canadian Armed Forces reserves.

Dr. Dhillon's medical career includes international work, such as providing aid in Sierra Leone during the Ebola epidemic. He has held leadership positions in various medical organizations and actively advocates for improvements in rural medicine. For his work, he received the Canadian Medical Association's Award for Young Leaders.

He was appointed as the Chief Medical Officer for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. In addition to his clinical and military duties, Dr. Dhillon is an author and an educator in the medical field.

His academic background includes an undergraduate degree in political science, a medical degree, a Master's in Disaster Medicine, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). His professional activities span clinical practice, military service, global health initiatives, and medical administration.

As a palliative care physician and health justice activist, Dr. Dosani is dedicated to advancing equitable access to healthcare for people experiencing structural vulnerabilities like poverty and homelessness. These efforts include founding and leading the Palliative Education and Care for the Homeless (PEACH) Program at the Inner City Health Associates in downtown Toronto, serving as the Medical Director of Kensington Hospice (Kensington Health), a Health Equity Expert Advisor at the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and as a palliative care physician at St. Michael’s Hospital (Unity Health Toronto).

Dr. Dosani shares his passion for palliative care and health equity with learners as an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. As a researcher, he is appointed as an Investigator with the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital’s Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, with a special interest in health system innovation and advancing access to equity-oriented care for structurally vulnerable populations. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Medical Association.

Dr. Dosani has received many awards, including the Meritorious Service Cross for Humanitarianism from Canada’s Governor General, Award for Humanitarianism from the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians and the Early Career Leader Award from the Canadian Medical Association. Dr. Dosani recently received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Ontario Tech University, the Dr. Earl Dunn Award from the University of Toronto, and the Dr S. Lawrence Librach Award from Hospice Palliative Care Ontario. In May of 2025, he was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal, awarded to Canadians whose work strengthens their communities and country.

Dr. Caitlin Dunne is a reproductive endocrinologist and co-director at the Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine (PCRM) and a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC).  She is doubly certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and specializes in fertility, including IVF and egg freezing. Dr. Dunne is a media advocate and current Editor-in-Chief of the British Columbia Medical Journal.

Dr. Craig Earle is Chief Executive Officer at the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, a medical oncologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, a Senior Scientist at ICES, and a Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Dr. Earle originally trained and practiced in Ottawa, after which he spent 10 years – 1998 to 2008 – in Boston at Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Harvard School of Public Health. From 2008 to 2017 he was Director of Health Services Research and Head of Clinical Translation at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research.

Maureen joined Pancreatic Cancer Canada in June 2024 bringing professional experience and knowledge gained through her 10+ years in the not-for-profit and community health sectors. She is passionate about program development and creating accessible, sustainable and adaptable services that put the individual first, bridge gaps in support, and hold space for those reaching out. Having lost too many family members to cancer, she feels a deep personal connection to the patient advocacy community and is motivated to find new and innovative ways to support patients and caregivers.

Liz Ellwood’s journey epitomizes resilience, compassion, and a relentless commitment to positive change. Liz is an Ottawa-based marketing and business development professional with over 18 years of experience in establishing and growing businesses focused on improving the health journey and experience for patients.

Her passion for healthcare stems from real-life experience. Liz’s life took an unexpected turn at age 24 when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, leading her to become a multifaceted entrepreneur and advocate. In the wake of her battle with cancer, Liz founded Fertile Future, a national charity supporting cancer patients in preserving fertility. To date, close to 1,000 fellow cancer patients have found hope and funding through this initiative.

After her own journey to motherhood, Liz founded Fertility Match, one of Canada’s largest egg donation and surrogacy agencies. In doing so, she used her experience to bring a new level or professionalism as well as best in class medical practices to the increasingly vital fertility and third-party reproduction industry, emphasizing her dedication and passion for safely creating families of all kinds across Canada.

Diversifying her endeavors, Liz is also the owner of several Maverick’s Donut Company locations in the Ottawa area. Beyond serving delectable treats, these establishments embody community, joy, and the entrepreneurial spirit that defines Liz’s approach to business.

Kaylee, 25 years old from BC, has been living with stage IV metastatic melanoma since she was diagnosed in 2023 after years of being dismissed. Since then, she has learned the importance of speaking up for herself and finding strength in community. She shares her story online to help others feel less alone and to remind people that there’s still joy, humour, gratitude, and love to be found even in the hardest of moments.

Margaret I. Fitch, RN, Ph.D., is a Professor (Adjunct) at the Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, in Canada. She has a background in oncology nursing and psychosocial oncology, including palliative care. She practiced for over 20 years at the Odette Cancer Centre in Toronto where she held the positions of Head of Oncology Nursing and Psychosocial Oncology, and Co-Director of the Psychosocial and Behavioral Oncology Research Unit. Her long-term research focus has been on coping and adaptation of patients/survivors and families across the cancer trajectory.

She has served in clinical, educational, and administration roles within comprehensive cancer centres/networks and has maintained a strong program of research in supportive care in cancer throughout her career of more than 30 years. She has expertise in qualitative and quantitative research and a specific interest in profiling patient and family voices regarding their experience with cancer care as the basis for improving care.

She currently works as an independent consultant for research and program evaluation initiatives. She currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal and is on the Board of Directors with the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology. She is an honorary lecturer at both the University of Rwanda and the University of Nairobi within their respective nursing schools and has on-going lecture responsibilities with nursing schools in Nigeria, Thailand, and Vietnam.

It has been five years since Laura Floyd's lung cancer diagnosis — a milestone that only 1 in 4 lung cancer patients in Canada will reach. Since being diagnosed at the age of 39, she has used her story to raise awareness of both lung cancer and cancer in younger adults, working with organizations such as Lung Cancer Canada, the Anew Research Collaborative, and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer to expand research in these areas, and push for better patient supports and outcomes.

A healthcare leader spanning over fifteen years with a graduate degree in health administration, Shalini has worked in small to large scale public and private healthcare clinics and integrative medicine clinics. During her tenure as a Medical Radiation Therapist, she was challenged daily to adapt to a complex and unpredictable healthcare system, questioning the status quo by aligning herself to quality patient care and supporting health disparities. She was recognized for her contribution to developing and launching the first Head and Neck Cancer Support Program in Vancouver, BC, addressing structural barriers to care. She has recently joined CCRAN as their Research Officer where she supports public policy spaces and a number of research and advocacy initiatives to implement strategic objectives in cancer research and quality care.

Julia (she/her) is a passionate advocate, dedicated traveller, and "stage IV thriver" diagnosed at 33 with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (Her2+). Julia found healing through Rethink’s Stretch, Heal, Grow retreat, and various community programming. She is committed to changing the negative narrative surrounding life with Metastatic Breast Cancer and raising awareness about the disease. With over 15 years of experience in Canada’s charitable sector, Julia has led the delivery of high-impact initiatives focusing on arts & culture, climate action, food insecurity and women’s health. She has spoken on numerous media platforms and fundraisers to inspire change and drive awareness for these important issues. Julia is fueled by her love for adventure and connecting with people. MBC can’t stop Julia from bringing joy, energy, and a zest for life to everything she does.

Robert Grant is an MD/Ph.D. Clinician Investigator at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, also affiliated with the Institute for Medical Science at the University of Toronto, ICES, and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. He is a practicing medical oncologist, specializing in the treatment of pancreatic and biliary cancers. His research focuses on applying artificial intelligence to clinical and genomic data to improve outcomes for people with cancer. He holds several awards, including the Hold'em for Life Professorship and the Marathon of Hope Clinician Scientist Award. He is currently the Principal Investigator of the AIM2REDUCE study, Co-Principal Investigator of the Legresley Biliary Registry, and Co-Lead of the PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative. 

Dr. Hameed completed his residency and Surgical Oncology fellowship at the University of Toronto in 2015. He has an interest in minimally invasive and transanal approaches to gastrointestinal malignancies, organ preservation in the setting of rectal cancer, and surgical innovation to improve surgical safety. He is the clinical lead of the GI cancer program and Division Head of General Surgery at North York General Hospital, which has established a Young Onset and Elder Onset colorectal cancer program.

Eric Hamilton is a Stage IV colorectal cancer patient living in Edmonton, Alberta. He and his wife Jasmine have two children: Byron, aged 12 and Julianne, aged 9. While continuing systemic treatment, he works full-time as a Senior Policy Analyst with the Government of Alberta. Diagnosed with colon cancer at Stage 3 initially in June 2022 at age 41, he underwent a successful colon resection surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Unfortunately, 18 months later, the disease was found to have spread to his liver and nearby lymph nodes. Eric then underwent a liver resection and currently has disease only in the retroperitoneal lymph nodes. He hopes to regain his health in the long term and to be off treatment eventually. Eric understands the young-onset patient experience well. He advocates for aggressive, curative treatments for himself and other under-50 CRC patients who may also have young families, careers, and potentially decades left to live. Despite being in treatment, Eric is determined to make the best of life through camping, cycling, and most recently learning to play the piano.

J. Nadia Headley, BS, MA, is deeply empathetic, kind to a fault, highly energetic and hopelessly optimistic.

Hailing from the most easterly Caribbean Island, Barbados, Nadia is a proud Caribbean woman of African descent, she has also lived in St. Vincent and the USA; studied in Rome, Italy and now calls Canada home.

As a Social Development Specialist, having served as the youngest United Nations Coordination Officer in Latin America and the Caribbean, Nadia is committed to improving education. As a visionary, nonprofit leader she has seen the ins and outs of nonprofit start up and intimately understands the challenges faced on the impact level. She has added many transferable skills as the Strategic Director of her social enterprise, Twenty One Fourteen Consultancy Services, making her service offering highly comprehensive to women led businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Nadia holds many titles but the most important are Mom to two intelligent girls and Wife for over a decade to a loving husband. Through her book, Embracing the Valley, Nadia is grateful for the willingness and opportunity to share her story so that others would be inspired to thrive through their difficult moments in life. Nadia currently serves as the Executive Director of The Women’s Centre of Halton and is a Ph.D. student in the Leadership and Policy program at Niagara University.

Joan Heatherington has been a Nurse Practitioner within Gastroenterology for over 20 years. In that role she has operationalized a specialty clinic working with individuals living with inflammatory bowel disease; participated in development of triage guidelines for gastroenterology and endoscopy; and provided bedside consultation at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre for individuals presenting with various GI and liver complaints.

She works with multidisciplinary teams to develop treatment plans and is an advocate for shared decision-making and patients' experience in healthcare.

Katie Hulan is a marketing professional and advocate for lung health. Diagnosed with Stage IV ALK Positive lung cancer at 33 years old, Katie's journey has taken her from living in Toronto to now Victoria, BC, offering her unique insights into provincial cancer care experiences. She uses her experience to better lung health and patient experiences across Canada, and is a board member of ALK Positive Canada. When she is not working or advocating, you’ll find her out hiking, exploring new areas and things to do, being part of her community, or spending time with friends and family.

Dr. Kevin Jao is an adjunct professor at the Université de Montréal and a hemato-oncologist at the Hôpital du Sacré Coeur de Montréal. He is the medical oncology lead of the thoracic oncology team and the current director of research in hematology and oncology.

He has a master’s degree in Immunology and HIV from McGill University. He went on to obtain his medical degree from the Université de Montréal, and specialized in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology. He completed a fellowship in thoracic oncology at the Princess Margaret Cancer Center.

He is also the current co-chair of the Lung Cancer Canada Medical Advisory Committee.

Dr. Kassam is a Staff Medical Oncologist at the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre in Newmarket, Ontario, specializing in the treatment of Thoracic, Gastrointestinal, Neuroendocrine and Genitourinary malignancies. He is also the Skin Cancer Lead Oncologist for the Centre and serves as the Centre's Immunotherapy and NGS expert, where he has been instrumental in developing the Molecular Diagnostics department at Southlake Regional Health Centre.

Dr. Kassam is currently the Medical Director of research at the Southlake Regional Health Centre, where he has consolidated research activities at the Centre and also facilitates further research in the areas of Cardiology, Medicine and Intensive care. He is also the head of Oncology Research at the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, where he has brought several international Phase III randomized trials to the centre. Dr. Kassam is currently the Primary Investigator on several open and in-progress trials at the Cancer Centre.

Harjeet Kaur is a Stage IV rare blood cancer survivor, patient advocate, and speaker, passionate about breaking stigma and advancing equity in cancer care. Diagnosed as a young immigrant in Canada, she transformed her challenges—including chemotherapy, fertility loss, and early menopause—into a purpose-driven mission to support others.

She is the Co-Founder of Chai and Hope, a South Asian peer-support initiative that creates safe spaces for patients and families while addressing cultural stigma surrounding cancer. Through this online platform, she empowers individuals to share their stories and access community-driven healing.

Harjeet collaborates with organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society, Wellspring, Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC), and the Arthur J.E. Child Cancer Centre PFAC to ensure patient voices are included in research, education, and policy.

In addition to her advocacy, Harjeet shares her journey through her social media platform @hk_thriver, blending healing, awareness and storytelling to inspire resilience and hope. She is committed to amplifying diverse perspectives in cancer care and building inclusive communities of support.

Dr. Krishnamurthy’s patients are her motivation for research. There is a large unmet need for new therapies in cancer. Novel drug development through early phase clinical trials is an integral part of cancer care. Dr. Krishnamurthy completed a second phase 1/drug development fellowship as part of my training because she thought it was so crucial for cancer care. During her fellowship, she had the privilege of attending the AACR-ASCO Clinical Research Workshop at Vail which was a great opportunity for learning. Dr. Krishnamurthy is a GI oncologist with an interest in T cell-based therapies. In line with her interest, she holds the position of associate director of Early Phase Clinical Trials in Solid Tumor Cell Therapies at Roswell Park. T cell-based therapies are relatively new avenues of treatment that have shown great promise in hematologic malignancies and now in certain solid tumors. Roswell Park is on the forefront of this research, and she is very excited to be a part of the team. Within her role, Dr. Krishnamurthy is involved in opening cell therapy clinical trials for solid tumors and managing solid tumor patients receiving cell therapies. Her commitment to her patients is to work toward developing better cancer therapies.

Peter is a seasoned advocate, speaker, and media professional dedicated to amplifying patient voices and advancing critical conversations around health, mental wellness, and social equity. As a cancer survivor and LGBTQ+ advocate, he brings over 15 years of experience in public speaking, patient advocacy, and community outreach. His work spans leadership roles in national organizations, impactful media engagements, and frontline advocacy supporting those affected by cancer and intimate partner violence.

Peter is passionate about bridging gaps in healthcare access and fostering meaningful change through strategic storytelling and public engagement.

Yuan Lew, M.Sc., MBA, PMP, is a passionate advocate for cancer research and healthcare accessibility. Following a diagnosis of Stage IVB EGFR cancer in 2022, she leverages her educational background in immunology, business, and project management to champion better access to precision medicine and lung cancer screening. Having navigated various roles in life sciences research, from academia to private equity to biotechnology, Yuan understands the intricate landscape of cancer care and precision medicine. She was a coordinator and current member of the Patient Working Group for the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centre Network, driving the implementation of precision medicine across Canada. She is also a Patient Research Advocate Program alumni (STARS PRA) by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).

Dr. Lofters is a scientist at the Women's College Research Institute (WCRI), adjunct senior scientist at ICES, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. She is the Medical Director at the Peter Gilgan Centre for Women’s Cancers at Women’s College Hospital in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society. She also holds a CIHR Applied Public Health Chair in Advancing Health Equity in Cancer Prevention and Screening. Her research program focuses on improving the quality of care in cancer screening and prevention, particularly for populations that experience marginalization, through a variety of methods, including community-partnered approaches.

Dr. Mairi Lucas is a medical oncologist in BC Cancer Surrey treating people with breast and gynecological malignancies. She completed her fellowship in Breast medical oncology at BC Cancer Vancouver. She is committed to furthering medical education with a Diploma in Health Professionals education and interest in research completing a research degree focusing on tumour infiltrating lymphocytes in breast cancer.

Cassandra is the Chief Research Officer at the Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network (CCRAN). She leads and contributes to CCRAN’s patient-focused and evidence-based initiatives to provide support, education, and advocacy for colorectal cancer and other tumour-type patients and caregivers, as well as those at risk of developing the disease. Cassandra has a clinical background as a Medical Radiation Technologist in addition to a graduate degree in health studies and leadership. She has worked in both patient-facing and project management roles and led the start-up of two nuclear medicine programs which improved access to diagnostic imaging in her community. She is passionate about health quality and improving the patient experience and is honoured to have the privilege of supporting, educating, and advocating on behalf of cancer patients.

Dr. Megan Mahoney is the Director of Scientific Affairs and Training Programs at BioCanRx, a federally funded, not-for-profit organization dedicated to transforming cancer into a curable disease through the advancement of immunotherapy. With over 12 years of experience in the health research sector, Megan  brings strategic leadership to the development and execution of complex, multi-disciplinary programs that accelerate the translation of cutting-edge science into clinical impact. In her current role, Megan oversees BioCanRx’s $36.6M translational research portfolio, guiding the progression of promising immunotherapies from bench to bedside. Her role includes designing strategic funding initiatives, advising on research direction, engaging with international experts who provide oversight to BioCanRx’s research program, and engaging the BioCanRx research community and ecosystem stakeholders to strengthen Canada’s translational and commercialization capacity in biotherapeutics. In her role,
Megan also co-chairs the scientific agenda of BioCanRx’s annual scientific conference program.  

Megan also leads BioCanRx’s national training program, which equips the next generation of scientists, translational researchers and patient partners with the skills needed to advance biotherapeutic development, and ultimately build a sustainable life sciences ecosystem.

Prior to joining BioCanRx, Megan served as Operations Manager at the Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre Virus Facility at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, where she supported the development and manufacturing of viral vectors and vaccines for early-phase clinical trials.

Christopher is a 41-year-old, 3-time cancer survivor, father of two and husband. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Management Degree, graduating with High Honours. He worked for 15 years in Business Management & Operations, primarily as General Manager. He also worked in the public service space for 4 years as the publicly elected Toronto District School Board Trustee for Humber River – Black Creek, also sitting as the Vice-Chair of the Board. In this role, Christopher was awarded the Canadian Heraldic Platinum Jubilee Award for Outstanding Community Leadership. After 6 months of volunteering with CCRAN, Christopher now works as a member of the team, in the role of National Patient Programs Manager. He also supports the My Cancer Coach Patient Program as a Young Adult Coach.

Lianne Mantla-Look is an Indigenous nurse from Behchokǫ̀. Tłı̨chǫ is Lianne’s first language. Her bilingualism helps improve the healthcare experience for Indigenous people who speak Tłı̨chǫ. As a nurse, she sees gaps in communication between providers and patients, even with a family translator. When she provides care to people whose first language is Tłı̨chǫ it means that people are better able to give informed consent, ask important questions, and feel heard. Providing care in someone's first language can mean that patients aren’t as confused or afraid of complicated procedures and medications. It helps them to be more willing to engage with the care they need.  After being diagnosed with stage IA stomach cancer at the age of 34, Lianne is 10 years cancer free. She lives in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories with her husband and her daughter.

Trudy Matwiy began her health career over 20 years ago in Nursing. She graduated and stepped into the Nurse Practitioner role in 2014 with the Department of Hepatology at the Foothills Medical Centre. She transitioned to Rural Primary Care in 2021, which has led her to become the Director of Primary Care for the Nurse Practitioner Association of Alberta in 2025, helping to pave the way for the nurse practitioner primary care program. With past expertise in hepatology and palliative care, combined with rural primary care experience, she was invited to provide feedback and input into the Alberta Provincial Cancer Pathways through Cancer Care Alberta.

When Trudy is not busy working, she can be found volunteering with Special Olympics Alberta and spending time with her husband and two boys.

Cynthia Mitchell is a dedicated patient advocate based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in September 2021, she has since transformed her experience into a platform for advocacy. As a patient partner, mentor, and speaker, Cynthia collaborates with various organizations and charities to raise awareness and support for those affected by cancer. Her special interests lie in molecular testing and research, particularly how these areas intersect with advocacy and equitable access to care. Through her efforts, Cynthia hopes to inspire and empower others facing similar challenges.

Eddy Nason is the Director for the Health Knowledge Area at The Conference Board of Canada. In this role, he spearheads the efforts of the health team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, relevant, and impactful research and products to clients and stakeholders within the health sector.

Prior to joining The Conference Board of Canada, Eddy accumulated 20 years of experience at the intersection of health, science, public policy, and research, with a particular focus on research impact. During this time, he collaborated with national and international think tanks such as the Institute on Governance and RAND Corporation, as well as research funding organizations like the Ontario SPOR SUPPORT Unit and Genome Canada. Eddy has provided guidance to policymakers, health system managers, private sector partners, and not-for-profit stakeholders on a wide array of health issues, ranging from health human resources to drug plan management, to patient-partnered clinical research.

He is internationally recognized as an expert in research impact, having served as Program Director for the International School on Research Impact Assessment, contributed to the development of the precursor to the ResearchFish research impact system, authored the influential CAHS framework for ROI in health research, and has advised research systems across the globe.

Dr. Aparna Parikh, MD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a leading gastrointestinal oncologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center, where she directs the Colorectal Medical Oncology Research Program and the Young Adults Colorectal Cancer Program. She is internationally recognized for her expertise in gastrointestinal cancers, particularly colorectal cancer, and is a former member of the NCCN Guidelines Committee for Colorectal Cancer and a current member of the NCI Colorectal Task Force.

Dr. Parikh is renowned for her pioneering work in liquid biopsies and circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), leading transformative research to improve the detection of residual disease, treatment response, and drug resistance. She is also co-founder and CEO/Chief Scientist of Reversing Early Recurrence, a non-profit initiative focused on harnessing the power of minimal residual disease to bring more curative therapies to patients. She also serves as Director of the Global Cancer Care Program at MGH, where she is dedicated to advancing cancer care access, equity, and education in low- and middle-income countries, including through the innovative POETIC fellowship program for oncology training in Sub-Saharan Africa. With a robust clinical trial portfolio and a commitment to both patient care and research, Dr. Parikh is a respected clinician, researcher, and advocate for equitable cancer care worldwide.

Meg Pfeifer (BSW, RSW) is a counselor with CancerCare Manitoba’s patient and family support services’ Hope and Healing Program in Winnipeg. Graduating with her Bachelor of Social Work from Booth University College (2024), she gained experience in geriatric and palliative care environments during her degree. It was always Meg’s dream to work in healthcare. Meg was drawn to the field of psychosocial oncology after her own personal experience with cancer: in 2017, Meg’s husband was diagnosed with Adrenocortical Carcinoma at the age of 38. He passed away December 18, 2018. Social work soon became a natural fit for Meg while navigating her grief and pursuing a career. Meg’s passion is that every person who receives a diagnosis, and every one supporting those with cancer, know they are not alone, that their feelings are valid and that they get the help they need.

Stephen is the Director of Advocacy for the Canadian Cancer Society. In this role, he oversees issue-based campaigns, public engagement, and drug access issues. He is passionate about health policy and prior to CCS, he spent much of his career in politics and government to advance health outcomes in communities throughout Canada. Stephen has worked in various roles at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and the House of Commons, along with spending time in the Ontario Public Service. He is a former Director at Durman Community Health Centre, and former co-chair of the alliance for a Tobacco Free Ontario and Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance. Stephen holds an MA in Political Economy with an MBA in progress and is Accredited in Public Relations (APR) through the Canadian Public Relations Society. He lives in Ajax with his partner Jessica and their two boys.

Dr. Srinivas Raman is a staff radiation oncologist at BC Cancer Vancouver and a clinical associate professor in the division of radiation oncology, University of British Columbia. He serves as the lung tumour group chair at BC Cancer, and his research interests are centered in applying imaging biomarkers to predict outcomes in lung cancer, and evaluating technological and pharmacologic strategies to mitigate radiotherapy toxicities in lung cancer.

Samar Saeed is an accomplished healthcare leader with over 14 years of experience in nursing and clinical operations. Currently the Clinical Services Manager at William Osler Health System, Samar oversees the Outpatient Oncology services across multiple sites, leading a diverse team of professionals. Known for driving strategic improvements, Samar has led major initiatives including clinic renovations, extended service hours, and new models of care — all while maintaining operational excellence and budget control.

Samar holds an Executive MBA in Innovation Leadership from the University of Fredericton and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in Psychology from Toronto Metropolitan University. A member of the RNAO and recipient of the Hazel McCallion Award for Sustained Improvement, Samar remains a committed advocate for quality, innovation, and excellence in healthcare.

Filomena is the President and CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network (‘CCRAN’) – a patient-focused organization championing the health and wellbeing of Canadians touched by colorectal cancer and others at risk of developing the disease. Her undergraduate and graduate work lie in the biological sciences and educational studies. As a caregiver to her father, who was afflicted with and succumbed to metastatic cancer, his journey has served as the impetus for the founding of CCRAN, one month post his passing in August of 2006.

The past nineteen years have been dedicated to the cause of supporting, educating, and advocating on behalf of colorectal cancer patients and caregivers, to improve patients’ quality of life and longevity by furnishing evidence-based information and access to unique and novel patient programs. She has been working closely with valued health care professionals across the continuum of colorectal cancer care to ensure content acumen in the management of colorectal cancer. She is humbled to be published alongside world-renowned experts in areas such as biomarkers, colorectal cancer management, PROs and PROMs, early age onset cancer, promoting national LDLT efforts, and promoting CGP across tumour types.

Filomena is a strong proponent of HTA patient evidence submissions since the inception of pCODR, ensuring the patient voice is captured and well incorporated into her HTA patient evidence submissions across multiple tumour types, as CCRAN has recently expanded its patient-focused mandate outside of the colorectal cancer space. She continues to be a passionate advocate for the Canadian cancer patient and their caregiver to help reduce the burden of cancer in Canada.

Shannon Lee Simmons is an award winning Certified Financial Planner, speaker, bestselling author of four books, Chartered Investment Manager and founder of the New School of Finance.She is a personal finance writer for the Globe and Mail as well as CBC Radio’s Metro Morning money columnist.

Dr. Stephanie Snow is a staff Medical Oncologist at the QEII hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia, treating thoracic and GI malignancies. After pursuing undergraduate training at McGill, she completed her training at Dalhousie, where she is now a full professor in the Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Snow has a strong interest in Medical Education and is Vice Chair of the Royal College Medical Oncology Examination Board. From a research perspective she is involved in clinical research, is Associate Editor of the peer reviewed journal Current Oncology and has been widely published in prominent journals. Dr. Snow is active in patient advocacy, serving as the Immediate Past-President of Lung Cancer Canada, and sits on the medical advisory committees of several other patient advocacy groups in colorectal and gastric cancer.

Dr. Alan Spatz is a professor of pathology and oncology at McGill University, the Chief of the Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), and the Medical Director of Optilab Montreal-MUHC, an integrated network of labs affiliated with McGill's hospitals. He is also director of the Molecular Pathology Center at the Lady Davis Institute (LDI)/Jewish General Hospital of Montreal, and of the “X chromosome and cancer” research lab at the LDI.

Dr. Spatz received his medical education at Sorbonne University in Paris, France, and worked at the Gustave Roussy Cancer Institute in Villejuif, France, from 1994 to 2008.

Dr. Spatz serves on the boards and steering committees of several international and Canadian research organizations, including the WIN Consortium (winconsortium.org), Exactis Innovation (exactis.ca), and the Canadian BEAT-cancer coalition for advanced molecular diagnostics. He is currently co-chair of the Correlative Sciences Committee of the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) and the president of the Oncology Committee of the Quebec Network of Molecular Diagnostics (RQDM). He was chair of several clinical research organizations, including the Melanoma group of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), the Pathobiology group of the EORTC that he founded, the Melanoma committee of the CCTG, and was president of the French division of the International Academy of Pathology.

Dr. Spatz’s research focuses on cancer biomarkers and the role of X chromosome-related haploinsufficiency in cancer progression. He has published more than 230 peer-reviewed articles and books in highly ranked journals, including Nature Medicine, Nature Cancer, Nature Cancer Reviews, The Lancet, Science Translational Medicine, Science Immunology, Annals of Oncology, and Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Mary has worked in Oncology since 1997. She currently works with AYA survivors of pediatric cancer. She is part of the AYA Canada wide group of providers.

Dani is an oncology social worker, cancer researcher and young adult, colorectal cancer survivor. She is a proud program manager at Young Adult Cancer Canada in beautiful St. John's, Newfoundland. She has completed her MSW with Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at University of Toronto, as well as her BSW and BA in English Literature with York University. Her experiences with the health care system and support of Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) led her to explore a career in psychosocial oncology. Dani has previously worked for Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Her research interests are in AYA issues, especially in sexual health after cancer, palliative care, and quality of life.

Chantale was born and raised in Winnipeg and is an accountant during the day. During her free time, she is the board chair of AYA Can – Canadian Cancer Advocacy, which is a peer-led national charity that advocates for adolescents and young adults (AYA) affected by cancer. She also sits on the Management Committee of 3CTN, the CAPO Advocacy Committee, and is one of the Patient/Family Representatives on the CCRA Advisory Board, as well as a co-lead for one of the ACCESS matrices. She is also involved with various CancerCare Manitoba patient advisor groups.

Chantale was diagnosed in 2017 with Stage IV Appendix Cancer after pursuing fertility to try to have a second child. She underwent 4 rounds of chemotherapy and then an intense HIPEC surgery. Unfortunately, a recurrence was spotted in the fall of 2024, and Chantale had another HIPEC in February 2025. Chantale is very busy in the evenings with her active 11-year-old son, her husband and their dog Charlie.

Teresa is a fourteen-year stomach cancer survivor. Teresa was diagnosed in 2011 with Stage IIB adenocarcinoma and had a laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy followed by chemo and radiation. At the time, there was very little in the way of support or awareness for this disease. Teresa was determined to change that. In 2016, she and Katy Kosyachkova co-founded My Gut Feeling - Stomach Cancer Foundation of Canada the first and only volunteer-led non-profit organization dedicated to those who are on the stomach cancer journey. Teresa also has Lynch Syndrome, a genetic condition which puts her at high risk for many types of cancer. To date, she has survived nine different cancer occurrences.

Teresa has 30 years of experience in the non-for-profit world, and 15 years of governance, strategic and administrative experience in the cancer sector directly. Through her patient advocacy she has brought the patient voice to the forefront by being a member of international research projects, being a member of various patient advisory boards and a speaker at national and international conferences. Most importantly, her volunteer work with My Gut Feeling for the past 8 years has allowed her to support patients, survivors and caregivers so that no one has to go through this journey alone. Teresa holds an Honours BA in History and Literature from the University of Toronto. She is married and lives with her husband in Toronto.

Dr. Lianne Trachtenberg is a registered Clinical and Health Psychologist in Toronto, Ontario. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of Toronto, with a primary focus in Psychosocial Oncology. Dr. Trachtenberg later completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University Health Network (UHN) where she designed and implemented an online group therapy for women with breast or gynecological cancers experiencing body image-related distress and sexual dysfunction. She has co-authored a book chapter in the Handbook of Positive Body Image and Embodiment on women with cancer and has published several peer-reviewed publications in this area. Through her work and public appearances, she hopes to empower women to openly discuss the impact of cancer on their identity, relationships and overall quality of life. Dr. Trachtenberg currently has an established private practice offering psychotherapy services to patients across Ontario.

Dr. Perri Tutelman is a Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary where she holds the Chair in Transdisciplinary Digital Mental Health. Her research is centred at the intersection of psychosocial oncology, pain, and digital mental health and is focused on developing novel patient-oriented interventions to support the wellbeing of children, adolescents, and young adults diagnosed with cancer. She works closely with patient partners to co-design research that addresses what matters most to patients and their families. Dr. Tutelman co-led the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Priority Setting Partnership initiative together with AYA CAN to establish the Top 10 research priorities for adolescent and young adult cancer in Canada.

Executive Director of the Quebec Cancer Coalition and working in the field of patient advocacy since 2008, Eva Villalba is dedicated to improving healthcare systems, particularly for people affected by cancer. Her expertise in health policy and healthcare management, coupled with an MBA and an M.Sc. in Health Transformation, enables her to advocate and lead initiatives that place patients at the centre of healthcare systems. Passionate about value creation, learning health systems, and developing strategic partnerships, she is an internationally recognized expert in value-based healthcare (VBHC) and advocates for co-construction at all levels, for and with patients.

Dr. Lauren Walker is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Departments of Oncology and Psychology at the University of Calgary. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology in 2013 and completed a Clinical Fellowship specializing in Oncology and Sexuality in 2015.

Dr. Walker established the University of Calgary’s Oncology Sexual Health Lab in 2015 and maintains an active research program in sexual health. She has written 60 peer-reviewed articles on psychosocial and sexual adaptation. Her research role is currently funded by the Daniel Family Leadership Chair in Psychosocial Oncology.

From 2015-2019, Dr. Walker led the Tom Baker Cancer Centre’s OASIS (Oncology and Sexuality, Intimacy & Survivorship) Program. She is the Director and co-founder of the Androgen Deprivation Therapy Educational Program, designed to support prostate cancer patients undergoing hormonal therapy.

She also runs a group practice specializing in sexuality and intimate relationships in Calgary, offering in-person and virtual sex therapy services. When she’s not doing research, seeing clients or supervising mentees, she can be found sharing and translating sex science for the public on Instagram: @drlaurenwalker

Dr. Gary Wild is the Senior Gastroenterologist at the Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology at McGill University Health Centre. He serves as Program Chair, Fundamentals of Medicine and Dentistry in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University.

Michele Wright is the Manager, Patient Support Programs, at Lung Cancer Canada. After obtaining her degree in Developmental Psychology and Sociology at the University of Toronto, Michele has worked in health care supporting patients for over 20 years. Her previous roles include Patient Care Coordinator for Heart and Lung Transplant at SickKids Hospital in Toronto. She values a person-centered approach and seeks to empower patients to take a partnership role with their health care providers. During the pandemic, she moved to rural Tottenham, ON, with her husband and bulldog, where they make maple syrup and raise bees.

Austin holds a M.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from UBC, where he worked to develop Pharmacokinetic models which better align with human physiology. In addition to his educational background, Austin also has a strong background in teaching, previously acting as a teacher on call for the Abbotsford School District. Austin has been the Support Services Manager since September 2024, where he blends his backgrounds to assist PCFC in education, awareness and advocacy roles for individuals and support groups across the country. Outside of work, Austin is a firm believer in physical activity, where he plays and sits on the executive board for the Abbotsford Rugby Football Club.