Meet The Team
Colorectal Cancer Canada is composed of a board of expert medical advisors, a volunteer Board of Directors, and a dedicated team of CCC staff members. Their collective efforts drive the organization’s mission to prevent, help manage and provide information about the treatments for colorectal cancer with compassion and dedication. We invite you to meet our team.
Colorectal Cancer Canada Team

Barry Stein – President & CEO
Barry D. Stein, B.Com., B.C.L., LL.B., is a Montreal-based lawyer and the president and CEO of Colorectal Cancer Canada and he is passionate about his team’s work to help as many individuals as possible touched by colorectal cancer. A metastatic colon cancer survivor himself since 1995, his landmark legal case set a precedent for out-of-country healthcare reimbursement in Canada. Barry is deeply committed to colorectal cancer advocacy and sits on multiple boards, including Exactis Innovation, CPHIN, Q-CROC, FT3, CANTRAIN, and D2R. He also serves as a patient advisor on international cancer research projects. As a fun fact, he co-founded Anzie Jewellery with his family, turning a fundraising initiative into a thriving international brand.

Bunnie Schwartz – Co-Founder
For the past nine years, Bunnie has been one of the driving forces behind Colorectal Cancer Canada, a continuation of her earlier work as the founder of Colon Cancer Canada. After losing her sister and husband to colon cancer, Bunnie dedicated herself to supporting others affected by this disease. In addition to overseeing our annual Kick-Ass golf tournament and silent auction, Bunnie is the visionary behind Canada’s 40+ Women’s Health and Wellness Conference, “All About You,” which launched in 2023. She plays a key role in fundraising and patient care. Bunnie finds deep fulfillment in her work and loves spending her free time with her children and grandchildren, who bring her the greatest joy.
Carole Brohman– Executive Director
Carole joined Colorectal Cancer Canada as Executive Director just a month before the COVID pandemic, marking an unusual start to her role! With a background in publicly traded corporations, she now finds deep fulfillment in contributing to a not-for-profit organization where patients and their loved ones are at the heart of everything. Seeing the difference the CCC team makes in people’s lives every day warms her heart. A fun fact: Carole was part of a Women’s Dragon Boating Team that won Gold at the World Championship in Hong Kong!
Natasha Bassett-Saltarelli – Senior Director, Programs
Natasha’s passion for helping others began early, as she grew up deeply involved in nonprofit community organizations. After earning her BA in Psychology from Concordia University, she spent 15 years in the private healthcare sector while continuing to volunteer for various causes. Eventually, her desire to return to her nonprofit roots led her to join our team, where she combines her love for healthcare and community work. Natasha connects with local and national partners and volunteers to strengthen our impact, ensuring we provide the best support possible. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her large family.
Holly Collins – Director of Design & Communications
Holly comes to CCC with 20+ years of experience in graphic design and creative direction—shaping brands across industries through design, marketing, and creating national campaigns. Passionate about using creativity for impact, she shifted into the non-profit space to help the meaningful cause of Colorectal Cancer Canada connect with audiences in powerful ways. When not crafting campaigns or refining visuals, you will find her trying to make people smile, spending time with friends and family, creating art or playing music—because good design and great music go hand in hand.
Nicola Hakim – Marketing and Events Director
Nicola brings over a decade of expertise in marketing and event management to Colorectal Cancer Canada. As the driving force behind our fundraising events, Nicola is dedicated to creating meaningful experiences that not only raise critical funds but also bring our community together in the fight against colorectal cancer. Known for being highly organized and energetic, Nicola approaches every project with passion and a commitment to excellence. Outside of work, Nicola enjoys travelling the world with his family and spends time playing drums, soccer, and basketball.
Natalie Smith – Director of Development
Joining CCC in 2023, Natalie brings a wealth of fundraising experience to the organization. After studying Conflict and Human Rights at the University of Ottawa, Natalie worked with international development-focused not-for-profits, before making the move to the healthcare sector. With a particular love for grant writing and storytelling, Natalie is passionate about building successful partnerships and driving impact. On her down time, Natalie can be found hiking or skiing in Banff, Alberta where she resides.
Patil Mksyartinian – Senior Manager, Programs
Patil brings her passion for public health and research to Colorectal Cancer Canada, where she develops educational materials and conducts research projects to improve outcomes for colorectal cancer patients. She holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of Waterloo and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Health Sciences from Western University, both completed in 2022. Patil is deeply committed to advocating for the health needs of vulnerable populations and advancing early cancer detection. Outside of work, she enjoys biking, painting, attending theatrical shows, and volunteering for various causes.
Laurence G. Desrochers – Patient Support Specialist
Laurence is a social worker based in Montreal with a deep passion for accessible mental health support and fostering genuine community connections. As a Patient Support Specialist at CCC, Laurence is committed to providing compassionate assistance and advocacy for patients and their families. In her spare time, Laurence enjoys spending time outside in nature, hiking in the sun or in the snow, as well as sharing a good meal in good company with her loved ones.
Chelsea Butler – Patient Support Specialist
Chelsea is a Registered Social Worker with over ten years of experience in the human services field. Chelsea’s current role is to provide individual and group support to individuals affected by cancer, and she is also a private practitioner providing counseling to individuals with a variety of needs. Some of Chelsea’s specialties include trauma, grief and loss, chronic illness, child development, program development, and working with Indigenous communities. Chelsea is the recipient of several social work scholarships as well as several service excellence awards. Chelsea is passionate about advocacy, policy change, social justice and wellness and has been deeply involved in activities that reflect these passions.

Iris Karry – Program Manager
Iris is a Program Manager at Colorectal Cancer Canada, where she is dedicated to advancing various programs as well as patient education and awareness initiatives. She holds a degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology from McGill University and a Project Management Certificate from the University of Toronto. Outside of her professional endeavors, Iris can be found hiking trails with her family, practicing Iyengar yoga, or at the movies.
Magda Field – Communications & Administrative Specialist
Since joining Colorectal Cancer Canada in 2020, Magda has taken on various roles, eventually becoming our Communications and Administrative Specialist. In this role, she collaborates closely with the Marketing and Events team on key projects like PFYT and KAGT, while also managing our internal communications. With a background in Public Relations and Marketing, Magda brings valuable expertise to everything she does. A fun fact: Magda is also a Naturopath, dedicated to helping clients achieve their best selves.
Board of Directors
Colorectal Cancer Canada is led by a volunteer Board of Directors. Our board includes colorectal cancer patients and business professionals. All members of our Board of Directors reside in Canada.
Barry D. Stein
President & CEO
Montreal, QC
Garry Sears
Secretary
Ottawa, ON
Sarita Benchimol
Board Member
Montreal, QC
Martin Gosselin
Board Member
Montreal, QC
Ellen Walker-Matthews
Board Member
Kelowna, BC
Melvin Mogil
Board Member
Toronto, ON
Alan Peters
Board Member
Toronto, ON
Vito Curalli
Board Member
Toronto, ON
Medical Advisory Board
Colorectal Cancer Canada (CCC) is kept up to date of the latest medical advances in the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer by an expert Medical Advisory Board.
Dr. Pierre Major – Medical Oncologist and Chair of CCC Medical Advisory Board,
Hamilton Regional Cancer Center, Hamilton, ON
Dr. David Armstrong – Gastroenterologist,
McMaster University Medical Centre, Hamilton, ON
Dr. Shady Ashamalla – Surgical Oncologist,
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON
Dr. Oliver Bathe – Surgical Oncologist,
Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Calgary, AB
Dr. Gerald Batist – Medical Oncologist,
Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC
Dr. Sylvie Bourque – Medical Oncologist,
Fraser Valley Cancer Centre, Surrey, BC
Dr. Robin Boushey – Surgical Oncologist,
The Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Centre, Ottawa, ON
Dr. Christine Brezden-Masley – Medical Oncologist,
St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON
Dr. Ron Bridges – Researcher,
University of Calgary,Gastrointestinal Research Group, Calgary, AB
Dr. Margot Burnel – Medical Oncologist,
Saint John Regional Hospital, Saint John, NB
Dr. Sami Chadi – Surgical Oncologist,
Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Toronto, ON
Dr. Eric Chen – Medical Oncologist,
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON
Dr. Zane Cohen – Director of Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases,
Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON
Dr. Bruce Colwell – Medical Oncologist,
QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NS
Dr. Christine Cripps – Medical Oncologist,
The Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Centre, Ottawa, ON
Dr. Robert Dinniwell – Radiation Oncologist,
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON
Dr. Sam Elfassy – Gastroenterologist,
St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Toronto, ON
Dr. Mary Jane Esplen – Psychosocial Oncologist,
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON
Dr. Margaret Fitch – Clinical Epidemiologist,
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON
Dr. William Foulkes – Geneticist,
Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC
Dr. Steven Gallinger – Surgical Oncologist,
Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON
Dr. Carman Giacomantonio – Surgical Oncologist,
QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NS
Dr. Sharlene Gill – Medical Oncologist,
BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC
Dr. Duane Hartley – Physician,
Charleswood Medical Clinic, Winnipeg, MB
Dr. Robert Hilsden – Researcher,
Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute, Calgary, AB
Dr. Paul Karanicolas – Surgical Oncologist,
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON
Dr. Yoo Joung Ko – Medical Oncologist,
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON
Dr. Michael Kolber – Physician,
Edmonton, AB
Dr. Monika Krzyzanowska – Medical Oncologist,
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON
Dr. Calvin Law – Surgical Oncologist,
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON
Dr. Becky Lee – Naturopathic Physician,
Marsden Centre, Vaughn, ON
Dr. Sender Liberman – Surgical Oncologist,
Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC
Dr. Eric Marsden – Naturopathic Physician,
Marsden Clinic, Vaughn, ON
Ms. Celestina Martopullo – Psychosocial Oncologist,
Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, AB
Dr. Andrea McCart – Surgical Oncologist,
Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON
Dr. David Mulder – Thoracic Surgeon,
Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC
Ms. Fiona O’Shea – Palliative Medicine Physician,
Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre, St. John’s, NL
Dr. Terry Phang – Surgical Oncologist,
St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC
Dr. Geoff Porter – Surgical Oncologist,
QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NS
Dr. Daniel Rayson – Medical Oncologist,
QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NS
Dr. Carole Richard – Surgical Oncologist,
CHUM-Hôpital Saint-Luc, Montreal, QC
Dr. Daryl Roitman – Medical Oncologist,
North York General Hospital, Toronto, ON
Dr. Andrew Scarfe – Medical Oncologist,
Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB
Dr. Lucas Sideris – Surgical Oncologist,
Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montreal, QC
Dr. Andrew Smith – Surgical Oncologist,
Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON
Dr. Stephanie Snow – Medical Oncologist,
QE11 Hospital, Halifax, NS
Dr. Jennifer Spratlin – Medical Oncologist,
Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB
Dr. John Srigley – Pathologist,
Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga, ON
Dr. Deborah Terespolsky – Geneticist,
Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga, ON
Dr. Jean-Luc C. Urbain – Radiologist,
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston Salem, NC
Dr. Ramses Wassef – Surgeon,
CHUM-Hôpital Saint-Luc, Montreal, QC
Dr. Petra Wildgoose – Family Physician,
Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto, ON
Dr. Clarence Wong – Gastroenterologist,
Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, AB
Dr. Rebecca Wong – Radiation Oncologist,
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON
Dr. Huiming Yang – Healthy Living and Medical Director, Screening,
Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB
Dr. Rami Younan – Surgical Oncologist,
Hotel Dieu, Montreal, QC