Our Team
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 PancONE, 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.
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. Amanda is a proud mom and wife which inspires her dedication to this work.
Amy Lewis
Vice President, Partnerships and Development
Amy joined Pancreatic Cancer Canada in 2017, after having spent over 12 years at the MS Society of Canada in various fundraising roles. She is responsible for revenue development across the organization, including corporate partnerships, events, and philanthropic giving. Amy is passionate about relationship building and finding unique and creative ways of working with partners and donors. She finds great value in putting her skills to work for such an underfunded form of cancer. In her spare time, Amy enjoys traveling and spending as much time as possible outdoors with friends and family.
Ali Hodgins
Director, Development
Ali joined the PCC team in August 2018, bringing a wealth of experience managing every kind of major fundraiser: from galas and golf tournaments to cultivation events and community walks, Ali has planned it all. While in earlier roles at the Canadian Cancer Society and the MS Society of Canada, Ali became inspired by how events can bring together a whole community to create positive change. In her role as Director, Development, Ali strives to create those same experiences for Canadians affected by pancreatic cancer by overseeing PCC’s national event portfolio and fostering relationships with fundraisers and partners from coast to coast. When she’s not meeting participants at an event or strategizing for the next big campaign, Ali enjoys spending time with her family, trying new cuisines, being outdoors, and playing soccer — but not all at the same time.
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.
Beth lives in Montreal with her husband Jon, kids Sam and Charlotte and dog, Obi. She enjoys spending time watching her kids play sports, relaxing at the cottage and cooking (and eating) delicious meals.
Amy Fishleigh
Director, Programs and Services
Amy joined PCC in 2022 with nearly two decades experience in Public Health where her work focused on research, community engagement, policy development and advocacy. Amy has a passion for building partnerships and collaborating with organizations to positively impact health and wellness outcomes. She is dedicated to utilizing her skills and years of experience working alongside the dynamic PCC team to increase the unjust survival rates of pancreatic cancer.
In her spare time, Amy enjoys reading, baking and watching her girls play soccer. Her daily source of inspiration comes from her husband Mike and their beautiful girls Myla and Reagan.
Julia Yu
Manager, Events and Community Development
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 Manager, Events and Community Development, Julia is dedicated to making a meaningful impact for those affected by pancreatic cancer and supporting the community of dedicated donors, advocates, and volunteers. Julia is a self-proclaimed foodie and can often be found either thinking about food, talking about food, or trying the latest restaurants.
Isabelle Siciliano
Manager, Major Gifts
Isabelle joined PCC in 2022 bringing with her extensive experience in development both professionally and personally – from volunteering on small passion projects to leading six figure campaigns. Having spent several years in the arts sector, Isabelle recognized her passion for fundraising while championing the importance of arts education for young people at Young People’s Theatre.
Although she has worn many hats in fundraising, Isabelle loves meeting new people and making connections. She is dedicated to forging strong and prospering relationships and is thrilled to be able to do so for such a worthy cause like pancreatic cancer, with a remarkable team that is driven and determined to raise the survival rate.
Scott Nisbet
Operations Manager
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.
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 three cats; Porkchop, Penny, and Parmesan.
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.
Lisa Becar
Coordinator, Development
Lisa joined PCC in 2022, after five years of working in special events for public and nonprofit organizations such as Living Arts Centre, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto International Film Festival, and Hot Docs Canadian Documentary Festival. She has provided exceptional customer service to patrons while working with these organizations as well as in the private sector. Lisa is excited to join PCC in the fight to raise the rate of pancreatic cancer survival and looks forward to doing her part in making a difference. In her spare time, she is working toward a certificate at George Brown College in Graphic Design. Lisa is a movie and TV show lover as well as a fan of all things geeky. She loves being creative and enjoys spending time with her fur-baby, Pippin.
Kelly Graham
Executive Assistant
Kelly joined PCC in 2023 after many years working as an Executive Assistant in Public Service, Advertising/Marketing & Communications, as well as producing for broadcast television. She prides herself on providing exemplary EA support to executives and their teams, and looks forward to assisting in making a difference for Pancreatic Cancer patients and their loved ones.
Kelly is very creative and enjoys making jewellery and bead embroidery designs. She is also a big fan of films and TV, especially Sci-Fi, and spending time with her fur-babies, Charlotte and Georgy.
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.
316-4211 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M2P 2A9
Toll Free: 1-888-726-2269
info@pccf.ca
Charitable Registration Number 84870 1967 RR0001