Lydia Bugden is Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner at Stewart McKelvey, and Chair of Ovarian Cancer Canada’s Board of Directors. With more than 30 years of experience as a leading corporate and commercial lawyer, Lydia brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Ovarian Cancer Canada.

That patient outcomes haven’t changed in 60 years and inspired by the grace, hope and resilience of women living with ovarian cancer, Lydia was motivated to join our Board of Directors. Through her role as Vice Chair, Lydia aims to use the communication and advocacy skills she relies on as a lawyer to increase awareness and propel ground-breaking research.

“I have a niece who was diagnosed with leukemia at a young age.  She is thriving at the age of 24.  I had a dear friend shocked by a breast cancer diagnosis.  She is past her five-year anniversary and about to settle into a happy and healthy retirement.  In my lifetime, the outcomes for those diagnosed with both leukemia and breast cancer have significantly improved as a result of awareness and much needed research dollars.  I want the same for those currently living with ovarian cancer and for those yet to be diagnosed with the disease.”

Kristy Carscallen is recently retired from her role as the Canadian Managing Partner, Audit for KPMG in Canada. With over 30 years of experience and perspective gained during her 20+ years as a Partner at KPMG, Kristy brings valuable governance and financial knowledge to Ovarian Cancer Canada.

Through her role on our Board of Directors, Kristy hopes to increase awareness of Ovarian Cancer Canada and ensure our financial sustainability.

“I believe everyone has a responsibility to give back to their community. I was attracted to Ovarian Cancer Canada as it is a national organization focused on making improving the lives of so many better by bringing attention and research dollars to ovarian cancer.”

Eric Chiniara is CEO of DECASULT, a construction project management firm dedicated to protecting its clients’ interests. With over 15 years of combined financial management experience in both the public and private sector, Eric bring an expertise to help Ovarian Cancer Canada maximize funding and optimize investments, accelerating the pace at which we achieve our goals.

Along with his perspective on business matters, Eric aims to share his first-hand experience with ovarian cancer and Ovarian Cancer Canada’s initiatives:

“Knowing little about ovarian cancer prior to my wife’s diagnosis in 2020, I had to quickly learn how to navigate the complexities of this disease, as well as the inner workings of our health system in Canada. I was more than relieved once I found Ovarian Cancer Canada (OCC) and the numerous resources at our disposal. But more than the tools that OCC provided us was the community that we found and are now a part of. For this, I will forever be grateful.”

Although just at the beginning of his 3-year term on our Board of Directors, Eric aspires to complete his mandate with a deep sense of satisfaction of the progress made in the battle against ovarian cancer, “It’s hard to predict exactly what that will look like. But I will make it my mission to ensure we move the needle even further, with new tools for earlier diagnosis and additional treatments options.”

Karen Greve Young is the CEO of Futurpreneur. With her extensive experience leading successful, purpose-driven non-profits, Karen brings expertise that will help us achieve meaningful impact for women facing ovarian cancer.

Karen’s connection to our work is deeply personal, stemming from her mother’s diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 1999. “My mother was only 54 years old when she was diagnosed. We were very fortunate to have four and a half “bonus” years with her after her diagnosis – years in which she met my husband, danced at our wedding, and learned that her first grandchild was on his way. However, those were hard years – she was in nearly constant treatment, persevering with style and grace through the typically brutal array of side effects, and she passed away before my son was born. She not only missed becoming a grandmother, but she lost a third of her life, taken from us at the young age of 58.

Karen contrasts this with her mother-in-law’s experience with breast cancer:

“Thanks to advances in treatment, my mother-in-law lived over three decades beyond her original breast cancer diagnosis, becoming the beloved nana to her teenage grandkids. The difference in outcomes between her experience and my mother’s represents an incredible opportunity for Canadians to transform outcomes for women facing ovarian cancer – which can be achieved by catalyzing and funding the lifesaving, patient-centered research that Ovarian Cancer Canada is so focused on.”

Inspired by our vision, Karen believes that after 60 years without change, we can improve outcomes for women diagnosed with this disease, “I dream of the day when deaths from ovarian cancer are zero and I am grateful to be able to contribute to OCC’s vital work making that happen as a member of the Board”.

Jennifer Hollington is an advocate dedicated to increasing awareness about ovarian cancer by sharing her own experience as a survivor. With four years of lived experience and more than 20 years of experience as an Executive in the Canadian Public Service, Jennifer brings a variety of perspectives to Ovarian Cancer Canada.

“What excites me the most is Ovarian Cancer Canada’s work to fund and conduct research and to convene and collaborate with others in the ovarian cancer research community. In my view, research is our best hope to reduce, treat, prevent and ultimately cure ovarian cancer. I still recall the words of my oncologist at my first meeting with him after being unofficially diagnosed: “Ovarian cancer is a tough disease This is true, but perhaps one day—as a result of research being conducted now—oncologists will have more options to offer the newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patient, including a cure. And perhaps one day, healthcare providers will have more options to prevent people from developing ovarian cancer in the first place. I hope to see this in my lifetime.”

In addition to her role on our Board of Directors, Jennifer makes a significant contribution through her blog, Jenesis. Documenting her experience with ovarian cancer, she draws attention to Ovarian Cancer Canada’s advocacy, research and support efforts, enhancing our reputation and amplifying our message.

Dr. Abraham King is Principal Consultant with Ableloft Consulting Services, Founder of Helping Vessels, a non-profit operating in West Africa, and Faculty Member at the University of Manitoba. With his background in healthcare administration, global health delivery, and health informatics, Abraham aims to use his expertise to introduce data-driven strategies that will expand the reach and impact of our work.

“I hope to help Ovarian Cancer Canada significantly reduce the mortality rate associated with ovarian cancer by advocating for earlier diagnosis, better treatments, and increased funding for research.”

In addition to his commitment to women’s health, Abraham was inspired by his own experiences as a cancer survivor: “Having faced the challenges of cancer firsthand, I understand the physical, emotional, and social hurdles that patients and their families encounter. Ovarian Cancer Canada’s mission to support patients and their families while striving for a cure resonates with me. Through my work on the Board, I aim to ensure that every woman affected by ovarian cancer has access to the support, resources, and care she needs, fostering hope and improving the quality of life for patients and their families.”

Dr. Sarah Naomi Shaw is Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Lume Women + Health in Toronto. Motivated by a lifelong commitment to women’s health and her experiences first as a developmental psychologist and then a family physician, Sarah joined Ovarian Cancer Canada’s Board of Directors to help advance change for women affected by ovarian cancer. She hopes to bring her expertise in primary care, women’s health and health-care governance to help Ovarian Cancer Canada bridge between the organization’s goals and the day-to-day realities of the healthcare it is working to improve.

Along with her clinical and health-care leadership perspective, Sarah brings a deep understanding of the systemic challenges women face in having their health concerns recognized and taken seriously. “I am moved by every one of my patients and by a lasting conviction that women deserve to be researched, heard, and cared for better than they have been,” shares Sarah. Through her role as an Ovarian Cancer Canada, Sarah hopes to help create system-level change that reshapes healthcare so women are recognized, taken seriously and cared for the way they deserve.

Liza Sunley, an ovarian cancer survivor since 2002, brings her personal experience and extensive community leadership to Ovarian Cancer Canada’s Board of Directors. Liza’s dedication to the cause began with volunteering in 2003, where she shared her story, organized fundraising events, and chaired the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope in Edmonton. Her work was recognized with Ovarian Cancer Canada’s Peggy Truscott Award of Hope and the YWCA’s Women of Distinction Award. Professionally, Liza serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Edmonton Humane Society, demonstrating her commitment to community service. Her governance experience, including a role on Humane Canada’s Board of Directors, aligns perfectly with her passion for making a difference. Liza’s resilience, personal connection, and governance expertise make her an asset to Ovarian Cancer Canada’s mission.

George Wamala is Director, Regulatory and Government Affairs with Royal Bank of Canada. Motivated by his desire to create change for those diagnosed with ovarian cancer after his mother passed away from the disease, George hopes to use his expertise to support Ovarian Cancer Canada’s federal and provincial advocacy efforts, in order to keep ovarian cancer research a priority and sustain its funding.

Along with his perspective on government relations and advocacy, George supports Ovarian Cancer Canada as an active mobilizer of his community and fundraiser, “I have organized a fundraiser, called Dance for Her, in Ottawa for several years with a few friends of mine who have their own personal connection to the disease. It was our way of honouring our loved ones and helping other women in the future.”