Michelle Capobianco

Chief Executive Officer

Since 2016, Michelle Capobianco has led the critical growth of Pancreatic Cancer Canada (PCC) to become a charity with national scope, international influence, and fundraising power dedicated to demanding survival, not sympathy, for Canadians facing this devastating disease. Under her visionary leadership, PCC has doubled its lifetime investment in pancreatic cancer research and overseen the creation of a first-of-its-kind collaborative network connecting top researchers across North America. While the charitable sector grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, Michelle kept her eyes on the future, spearheading the development of Pancreatic Cancer North America, a sister organization to PCC based in the United States that takes a bold approach to improving pancreatic cancer treatment options and care through unexpected partnerships and collaborations. Prior to being with PCC, Michelle was a senior staff member of the MS Society of Canada, preceded by a long-term tenure with the Easter Seals Research Institute. At these organizations, she provided leadership on numerous national new business development ventures, resulting in revenues in excess of $1M per year and a clear increase in brand recognition, employee engagement and a positive charity affiliation for corporate partners.

mcapobianco@pancreaticcancercanada.ca

Amanda Jodoin

Chief Operating Officer

Amanda joined the dream team at Pancreatic Cancer Canada in December 2017. Having spent 20+ years in the not-for-profit sector with incredible organizations like the MS Society of Canada and Three to Be, she brings knowledge, experience and insights that will help PCC elevate our outreach efforts and the achievement of our mission. Amanda is particularly committed to changing the outcomes for people affected by pancreatic cancer because she does not accept that this deadly disease receives a mere 2% of funding while 90% of people die within 5 years of being diagnosed. She is motivated by the PCC team and the people we serve who have been touched by pancreatic cancer to educate, advocate and raise much-needed funding for vital research.

ajodoin@pancreaticcancercanada.ca

Christina Halladay
VP, Mission and Innovation

Christina joined Pancreatic Cancer Canada in May 2024. With over 20 years in the not-for-profit sector, and 10 years in leadership roles in community-based health services, she brings knowledge and vast experience to the role. Christina is passionate about creating and developing innovative programs and services that meet the needs of the client population. Her goal is to ensure that the programs and supports are efficient and innovative, changing and evolving with the times and the populations we serve. Christina has a deep-rooted and personal passion for improving the cancer care experience for both patients and caregivers.

challaday@pancreaticcancercanada.ca

Leigh Godbold

VP, Philanthropy and Business Development

Leigh joined Pancreatic Cancer Canada in March 2024. Over the course of her 20+ year career, Leigh has held leadership roles across the healthcare and social service sectors. Raising funds and awareness at the community and national levels has taught Leigh that real change comes when people are inspired to work together toward a shared vision.  Driven to build relevant, financially sustainable, and impactful organizations, Leigh is excited to be a part of the leadership team at PCC – an organization whose goal is to boldly change the outcome for the world’s toughest cancer while ensuring that those affected by this disease are supported to live with agency and dignity.

lgodbold@pancreaticcancercanada.ca

Beth Ruby

Director, Marketing and Communications

Beth joined the PCC team in May 2023, bringing 20+ years experience in marketing and communications in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. Beth spent eight years as the Director of Marketing for an enterprise software company and prior to that, 11 years working in corporate development and marketing for the Canadian Cancer Society.

In 2018, Beth lost her father-in-law to pancreatic cancer and this personal experience drives her passion and energy to change outcomes for other families impacted by this disease.

bruby@pancreaticcancercanada.ca

Maureen Elliott
Senior Manager, Programs and Support

Maureen joined Pancreatic Cancer Canada in June 2024 bringing professional experience and knowledge gained through her 10+ years in the non-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 two uncles to this deadly disease, Maureen feels a strong personal connection to the mission of PCC and is motivated to find new and innovative ways to support patients and caregivers through our programs.

melliott@pancreaticcancercanada.ca

Julia Yu

Senior Manager, Philanthropy

Julia joined PCC in 2022 with extensive experience in event management and a keen interest in further developing her career in fundraising. Prior to joining the organization, Julia worked at the Writers’ Trust of Canada and the Toronto International Festival of Authors. As the Senior Manager, Philanthropy, Julia is dedicated to making a meaningful impact for those affected by pancreatic cancer and supporting the community of dedicated donors, advocates, and volunteers.

jyu@pancreaticcancercanada.ca

Scott Nisbet

Senior Manager, Operations

After 22 years of working for Toronto’s NOW magazine as Office Manager, Executive Assistant and occasional contributor, Scott wanted to explore a meaningful opportunity in a new industry. Scott comes to Pancreatic Cancer Canada having witnessed the disease firsthand, when a close friend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Scott’s personal experience is one of the many reasons he is proud to be part of an amazing team that is driven to make a difference for pancreatic cancer patients and their loved ones.  Fun time for Scott usually involves family, friends, movies, wine and napping (often in that order) or working on his next piece for the horror film interest website he shares with a friend.

snisbet@pancreaticcancercanada.ca

Michelle Marrelli

Senior Philanthropy Officer

Michelle joined Pancreatic Cancer Canada in June 2024. With over 15 years of retail management and sales experience, Michelle is transitioning into the not-for-profit sector, fundraising for a mission she believes in and hopes to make a difference! She is excited to channel her skills and expertise for initiatives that uplift communities and address vital health issues by fulfilling both her professional aspirations and personal values. As an experienced Diversity, Equality, Equity, and Inclusion ally, she is deeply committed to fostering environments where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. Michelle is passionate about raising much needed funds for pancreatic cancer research, while building PCC’s community of donors and volunteers.

mmarrelli@pancreaticcancercanada.ca

Rob Weir
Specialist, Signature Events

Rob has dedicated nearly 30 years of his career to developing and coordinating events that help people make a difference. Through his work at Heart & Stroke Foundation, Baycrest Foundation and other Canadian charities, these events encourage the best in people whether they are volunteering, raising funds or sharing their stories.  Rob is excited to take on the signature event roster at Pancreatic Cancer Canada to add value through his learned experience, roster of celebrity connections and an unrivaled creative flair.  These events are a meaningful way to increase awareness and raise crucial funds while having fun with a direct goal to improve the rate of pancreatic cancer survival.

rweir@pancreaticcancercanada.ca

Victoria Izzio-Meloche

Digital Communications Specialist

Victoria joined PCC in 2022, bringing a combined background of customer service and online content creation. She is dedicated to raising the voices of those affected by pancreatic cancer, and boldly educating others.

Having spent nearly 8 years at Sun Life Financial as a Customer Care Representative & Digital Services Specialist, Victoria developed a passion for relationship building and empathetic communication. Her diploma in Journalism from Conestoga College also assisted her in the creation of her own lifestyle blog, which she uses to connect with and support her community in Ottawa.

Victoria is a pop culture trivia buff, avid thrift shopper, and donut connoisseur. She loves to make memories with her husband, son, and two cats; Penny, and Parmesan.

vizzio-meloche@pancreaticcancercanda.ca

Naheed Qumruddin

Finance and Database Specialist

Naheed comes to PCC with eight years of experience in gift processing, managing donor records, database maintenance and analytics, financial reporting, and reconciliation. Before joining PCC, Naheed worked at Special Olympic Ontario, LOFT Community Services, Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation, and Children Cancer Foundation. She has a Diploma in Accounting and Payroll from CDI College, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Karachi, and a Blackbaud Certification in Raiser’s Edge (bCRE). Naheed joined PCC in early 2021 as our Finance and Database Specialist and is responsible for processing donations, tax receipting, Raiser’s Edge NXT administration, reconciliation, and reporting.

nqumruddin@pancreaticcancercanda.ca

Melissa McGillivray

Development Coordinator

Melissa joined Pancreatic Cancer Canada in March 2024. They recently graduated with a degree in Human Rights and Equity Studies from York University. During their time at York, Melissa worked in the university’s fundraising department and became passionate about raising funds for people in need. They are excited to join PCC and work towards the shared vision of raising the survival rates of pancreatic cancer. Melissa enjoys spending time with their partner, playing video games, and cuddling with their four cats: Joker, Masa, Miko and Lexa.

mmcgillivray@pancreaticcancercanda.ca

Laurie Ellies

Co-Founder

Laurie co-founded the Pancreatic Cancer Canada Foundation in 2006. A decade earlier her mother had tragically passed away from pancreatic cancer only four shorts weeks after being diagnosed. Laurie currently works as a volunteer on special projects for PCC. She is passionate about and inspired by meeting pancreatic cancer patients and their families. She is particularly excited about our PancOne™ research project and the hope it holds for the future.