Meet Our Staff

Throughout the years, many wonderful people have served our organization. VOBOC has always been
blessed with finding the right people at the right time that bring the right skills to carry our mission
forward. Today the team is composed of:

Mark Pantrey
Mark PantreyExecutive Director
Mark has extensive experience in business development, strategic planning,
communications and community relations. He joined VOBOC most recently
from The Salvation Army, National Recycling Operations, one or the largest not-
for profit organizations in Canada. Mark also served on the Salvation Army’s
Advisory Board of Quebec for seven years, an organization dedicated to Social
Services throughout Canada. Mark was inspired by the clarity and focus of
VOBOC’s mission and programs, and he looks forward to developing new
approaches, new relationships and new ideas to support our Adolescents and
Young Adults.
Hibah Hammoud
Hibah HammoudProgram Coordinator
Hibah always aspired to work for a non-profit organization where she can positively impact people’s lives. At VOBOC, she strives to bring joy to AYAs who are in the midst of some of life’s most difficult situations. She manages our many programs. Her attention to detail and her creativity make our Vo-Pak backpacks the best they can be and each Last and Special Request memorable. Hibah has previously worked in marketing roles for various corporations. Currently, she is very involved in her kids’ school as the head of the fundraising committee and she volunteers for organizations that promote volunteer action and social assistance.
Bettina Miessl
Bettina MiesslLiaison Coordinator
Bettina is a professional social worker, member of the OTSTCFQ since 2015. She comes to us with a background in mental health, disability and client/patient advocacy. She has worked in both the public sector and the community grassroots sphere. Her experience with crisis intervention and support services have equipped her to be a strong resource for anyone navigating challenging times. Bettina is grateful for the opportunity to support and equip AYAs with cancer throughout their treatment journey.
Julia McDonald
Julia McDonaldSocial Media and Communications Assistant
Julia has just graduated from Carleton University with a degree in Global and International Studies specializing in Global Inequalities and Social Change with a minor in History. She is passionate about working and helping her community and is thus hoping to head off to do a Master’s of Social Work within the next few years. During her time at Carleton, she became very involved with and held executive positions with the Rotaract Club of Ottawa South, Climate Action Carleton, and Alpha Omicron Pi. Julia is passionate about working toward creating a more equitable world at the international, domestic, and local levels and has spent time working and volunteering for shelters, a Fair Trade organization, and human rights organization. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to true crime podcasts, finding new places to add to her travel bucket list (and travelling), and spending time with friends and family.

Meet Our Founder

Doreen Edward
Doreen EdwardFounder
In 2001, Doreen recognized the non-medical needs of cancer patients, collaborated with the Health Care Teams to address the needs, thus creating VOBOC. Doreen’s vision and years of leadership and has built advocates and supporters across the communities.

Meet Our Board Of Directors

Janice Murray
Janice MurrayPresident
Experienced pharmaceutical industry executive, chartered professional accountant, ICD.D. designation and expertise in non-profit Board membership.
Lena Gabriel
Lena GabrielDirector, Secretary
Experienced trilingual Senior Consultant, HR Transformation & Change Management at KPMG, chartered professional in human resources and retired professional Canadian athlete. Expertise in the non-profit industry supporting adolescents and young adults with cancer.
Livio Di Francesco
Livio Di FrancescoDirector, Treasurer
Vice President and General Manager, Paladin Labs Inc. and a member of the Ordre des comptables en management du Québec.
Liz O’Hagan
Liz O’HaganDirector
Retired Assistant Head Nurse of the Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Royal Victoria Hospital, dedicating 37 years in cancer care.

Our Medical Advisory Board

Dr Petr Kavan
Dr Petr KavanHematologist, Medical Oncologist
Associate Professor of the Department of Oncology
Director of the Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program, McGill University
Dr Gerald Batist
Dr Gerald BatistMedical Oncologist
Director, Department of Oncology at Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital,
Director, McGill University Centre for
Translational Research in Cancer
Chair, Department of Oncology, McGill University
Dr Michael Paluma
Dr Michael PalumaHematologist, Medical Oncologist
CIUSSS de L’Est de Montreal, University of Montreal
Jewish General Hospital, McGill University
Dr Rayan Kaedbey
Dr Rayan KaedbeyHematologist, Internist
Director of Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Program and Apheresis Unit,
Department of Hematology,
Jewish General Hospital, McGill University

Some of our Volunteers