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:

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.
Alana Bourque
Alana BourqueAccountant
Alana is a professional accountant and joined VOBOC in 2019.  She has a background in corporate
accounting, tax and treasury for several community-based organizations.  Alana is the Accountant at
VOBOC and also assists with programs and fundraising.  She enjoys helping others, making a difference
and is grateful to be part of the VOBOC team.
Niki Vossos
Niki VossosSocial Media and Communications Assistant
Niki is a commerce student at the John Molson School of Business (Concordia), majoring in marketing. Her contribution to VOBOC began through the volunteer program. She is very passionate about marketing, and highly involved in student life at Concordia. Niki provides communication and social media support for VOBOC.
Shane Thompson
Shane ThompsonGrant Writer
Shane is an experienced grant writer who has worked in the nonprofit space for the better more than six
years. He also has been involved in municipal politics and holds a Sociology degree from Concordia
University.
He has been personally affected by the difficult situation that many young people find
themselves in when they are diagnosed with cancer. He is very grateful to be a part of an organization that has such a strong impact in Montreal.

Meet Our Founder

Doreen Edward
Doreen EdwardFounder
In 2001, Doreen recognized the non-medical needs of young cancer patients. She engaged with the Hospital Oncology Health Care Teams to identify and address their needs in a tangible way. First, offering weekend getaways as a diversion and then developing the Vo-Pak backpack to engage young patients in their cancer journey. This became the core of the VOBOC Foundation. Doreen’s vision and years of leadership has built advocates and supporters across 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.
Tanya Narang, MBA
Tanya Narang, MBAExecutive Director
Tanya is an experienced leader with years of experience in employee wellness, operational and strategic management and community engagement. She is inspired by VOBOC’s mission to equip, engage and empower adolescents and young adults with cancer and is committed to collaborating with our partners to reach and support all Montreal AYAs in treatment to improve their experiences and health outcomes.
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.
Dennis Vossos
Dennis VossosDirector
Marketing professional with experience in several consumer packaged-goods industries working in both digital and traditional marketing. Dennis is pleased to serve as a committee member and fundraiser for
VOBOC.
Susan Bolduc
Susan BolducDirector
Susan Bolduc is an advisor in the areas of organizational design, human resource management and compensation. Susan’s passion driving business results with strategic HR management. Susan now splits her time between golfing, tennis and helping her clients drive their business.

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