MJ DeCoteau, MA Executive Director

MJ DeCoteau was 18 years old when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and 22 when the disease claimed her mom’s life. She knew she should be taking steps to find out more about her own risk factors. Yet, when she picked up breast health pamphlets at her doctor’s office, they seemed scary and overwhelming. Troubled by the fact that although breast cancer awareness is strong, far too many smart young women and men still do not know the facts about the disease, MJ was inspired to gather together passionate, energetic and creative people to help found Rethink Breast Cancer.

MJ has a Masters Degree in Literary and Cultural Studies and a background in PR and print media. Over the years, she has developed and managed several new and successful fundraising and awareness campaigns for breast cancer, including bringing the world famous Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign to Canada. Together with Alison Gordon, MJ’s had to learn about running a business on the fly. Through her work with the cause she has developed a network of friends that have been affected directly and indirectly by breast cancer. She is eager to find creative forms of engaging young people with the breast cancer cause.

As Executive Director, MJ is responsible for the overall direction, management, fundraising strategy and creative vision of the charity. In 2004, MJ was featured in Maclean’s Magazine’s Honour Roll, as one of 10 Canadians who made a difference. In 2006, she was profiled by Chatelaine Magazine for an article featuring Ten Women They’d Like to See Run the Country.

Alison Gordon, MA VP, Strategy, Marketing and Communications

While doing a PhD in cultural studies/sociology, Alison shifted gears and started a career at Zig Inc. where she worked with one of the country's top creative advertising teams as a Strategic Planner. She became passionate about the breast cancer cause while working on and providing the strategy for a groundbreaking, award winning breast self-exam awareness campaign.

As a founding board member of Rethink Breast Cancer, as well as Director of Marketing and Communications, Alison has been integral to the vision and growth of the charity. Using marketing savvy to engage a younger generation of women and men in the cause, Alison, along with Rethink's Executive Director Mary-Jo DeCoteau, has been recognized for "thinking differently" in their approach to education and fundraising - including being named Marketing Magazine's top ten marketers. Alison has partnered with some of Canada's top companies such as Gap, Revlon, Roots, and LG Electronics to create innovative cause marketing programs. Alison brings a keen interest in women's health issues and the desire to find fresh, progressive ways to communicate about them.

Nikki Byrne, Manager, Campaigns, Development & Communications

After studying Anthropology at McGill University , Nikki spent a year and half traveling the globe. Finally settling down in Toronto she spent three years in commercial production and a year in marketing before realizing that she would prefer to apply her skills to serve a greater good. Nikki loves the challenge of getting people under 40 involved in philanthropy. Before joining the Rethink staff, Nikki spent a lot of time organizing fundraising events for several local charities and was involved with Rethink as a volunteer for many years. She is also passionate about women’s health issues and is excited to be helping Rethink expand support for the cause by reaching women like her, who do not necessarily have an immediate family connection to breast cancer but need to know the facts.

Nikki comes to Rethink having completed a Fundraising and Volunteer Management program at George Brown. She brings a detail oriented, project management mind to the Rethink table, helping the charity bring to life (on time and on budget) it’s innovative and creative campaigns and programs.

Katie Gillespie, Senior Project Manager

Katie joined Rethink Breast Cancer with a passion for the breast cancer cause, and years of experience in project management. Prior to joining the Rethink Team, Katie spent six years in an account management role at john st. Advertising, working on accounts ranging from packaged goods to entertainment to pharmaceuticals, and successfully project managed numerous multi-media campaigns.

Katie’s introduction to Rethink came through the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign by being a Fashion Targets Friday Champion while still at john st. She spent time volunteering for other charitable organizations and learned a great deal about the challenges of running successful fundraising and marketing campaigns. Katie is inspired by the potential charitable organizations have to make a positive impact on the lives of the people they support. Katie is excited to focus her efforts towards Rethink’s mission and will use her strengths in management to help Rethink take their already successful fundraising initiatives and support programs to the next level.

Katie has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Kinetics from The University of British Columbia and has worked internationally as an outdoor educator, white water canoeing and caving guide, and organic goat cheese farmer.

Maura Young ACMA, Director, Finance and Administration

Maura joins Rethink after working in management accounting roles in manufacturing, retail, financial services and IT consulting companies in the UK and Canada for 17 years. Most recently she was a Finance Manager in Accenture responsible for project accounting and worked closely with Senior Executives and consultants on large scale external project implementations.

Breast Cancer awareness has always been a passion and a cause for her with a mother and aunt who passed away from the disease and she herself being a survivor of just over two years. She first became involved with Rethink a survivor and then a volunteer.

Maura is Irish and lived in the UK for 8 years before moving to Canada 10 years ago. She holds the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants designation from the UK.

Lindsay Grange, Manager, Events and Volunteer Relations

After graduating with an art history degree from Dalhousie University, Lindsay returned to Toronto and continued her education by taking a post graduate diploma in corporate communications. In 2002, she began her career in fundraising and events at the MS Society of Canada. During that time, Lindsay planned a number of fundraising events including the Toronto Super Cities Walk for MS. Lindsay also spent a year at the Canadian Cancer Society managing the fundraising department in the Central Toronto Area. In addition, Lindsay has a certificate in jewellery design from George Brown College and worked as a private label production coordinator at a Toronto boutique.

Lindsay has always had a passion for the not for profit world and has been volunteering for the past ten years. Lindsay was been involved with a number of charities including the Aids Committee of Toronto, Camp Oochigeas and the MS Society of Canada.

Lindsay comes to Rethink Breast Cancer with a number of years experience in fundraising, a passion for the cause and a love for fashion and design. As Project Manager, Fundraising, Lindsay looks forward to planning unique events that will help raise funds and increase awareness of the Rethink Breast Cancer mission.

Tanya Baker, Office Manager & Donor Relations Coordinator