Rethink Breast Cancer Announces New Staff and Appointments
In our mission to help young women concerned about and affected by breast cancer, Rethink Breast Cancer is proud to announce our new staff and appointments to expand our innovative education, research and support programs: Katie Gillespie -Senior Project Manager; Lindsay Grange-Project Manager, Events and Fundraising, Maura Young-Director of Finance; Beverly Siskind-Office Manager and Donor Relations Coordinator. Alison Gordon has been promoted to Vice President, Strategy, Marketing and Communications. Rethink welcomes back Nikki Byrne in her role as Project Manager, Campaigns. We are sad to announce the departure of our long time Finance Director Allison Gryspeerdt who has been integral to the development of the operations at Rethink. It is also a so long (but not goodbye!) to our amazing Programs Officer Jenny McVean who is off on a travelling adventure.
“We are excited about the talented people we’ve added to our team because they bring great resources for our growing events and programs” says Mary-Jo DeCoteau Executive Director, Rethink Breast Cancer. “Our growth will allow us to continue to take a groundbreaking approach to all aspects of the breast cancer cause”.
Alison Gordon MA VP, Strategy, Marketing and Communications
As a founding board member of Rethink Breast Cancer 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 brings a keen interest in women's health issues and the desire to find fresh, progressive ways to communicate about them.
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.
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.
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 Project Manager, Events and Fundraising
After graduating from Dalhousie University, Lindsay 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 is excited to merge her creativity and love for events as the Project Manager, Fundraising at Rethink Breast Cancer.
Beverley Siskind Office Manager and Donor Relations Coordinator
Beverley comes to Rethink as a woman who has worn many hats.
Starting her career off as a legal secretary and then spending the next number of years raising her family and being involved in the fashion retail business she has always had a keen eye in organizing and helping people to dress themselves and organize their homes/office.
Early in her twenties Beverley became an active member of the Toronto Hadassah Wizo the largest Jewish women’s organization in Canada and with a membership of 3000 women in Toronto.
Rising in the ranks Beverley has been the chair of many events including chairing the annual bazaar and hosting a one time event with President Bill Clinton raising money for women and children in Israel. She is a past president and remains active on the board of the Toronto executive.
Click here to see full Bio's of all the Rethink Team!
