Board of Directors

Kristy Côté is the Postgraduate Medical Education Manager for the Family Medicine, FM-PGY3 Emergency Medicine, Family Practice Anesthesia & FM-Enhanced Skills, Pediatrics, Anesthesiology and Public Health Preventive Medicine programs at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Having completed her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree through Laurentian University, her Masters of Arts & Integrated Studies degree through Athabasca University and her doctorate in Rural and Northern Health at Laurentian University, Dr. Côté is a strong advocate for health research in the North. Her doctoral thesis focused on the lived experiences of Francophone prostate cancer patients from Northeastern Ontario and her ongoing work with NOSM centers on postgraduate medical education and resident wellness within Northern Ontario. Kristy is an active member of the Council of Ontario Faculties of Medicine & Family Medicine (COFM & FM) Committee and the Family Medicine National Education Administrators (FMNEA) Committee.

Dr. Côté is committed to ongoing research and continuous quality improvement initiatives through provincial and national interdisciplinary collaborations within the postgraduate medical education domain in areas including, but not limited to, resident wellness, postgraduate medical education curriculum development, Family Medicine Triple-C curriculum evaluation and needs assessment projects related to the training of educational leaders in Family Medicine and Royal College speciality programs. Kristy is a strong supporter of our Northern Ontario community and a very proud wife and mother to three wonderful children.

Gregg is the Regional Geology Manager for Glencore in Sudbury and has been on the Northern Cancer Foundation Board since 2017.  Gregg is a strong supporter of the work of the NCF and is a member of the Governance Committee of the Board.

Shayne Smith is the General Manger of BM Metals Services Inc., one of Northern Ontario’s fastest growing industrial service providers and a member of the Milman Industries group of companies.  Shayne is a graduate of Laurentian University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in both Law and Justice and Psychology, an Honors Diploma In Law and Justice, as well as, a Master’s in Business Administration. Shayne is a long-time supporter of the NCF and was one of the principals in the development of the Scrap Cancer campaign which has raised over $100,000 within the first three years since its inception. Shayne is an active member of the community and supporter of many local groups and organizations.

Ronald Chrysler is a chartered accountant who is actively involved in the local community.  He currently serves as the Treasurer of the Northern Cancer Foundation.  Previously, he was the Vice-President, Administration at Laurentian University, Secretary of the Board of Governors of Laurentian University as well as member of Board of Directors with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Mac is a local Sudbury lawyer who is with the firm Sinclair and Sinclair.  Mac has been the secretary of the NCF Board of Directors since 1996 and is also a member of the Executive Committee.  Mac is a strong community advocate for local cancer care.

Maureen Lacroix has a long history of leadership in establishing health services in the community. Maureen not only assisted with the development of the Cancer Centre, she also co-chaired the largest fundraising campaign in the history of Sudbury, the Heart and Soul Campaign raising money for the Health Sciences North (HSN). Additionally, Maureen was instrumental in the development of the Chair in Cancer Research, in partnership with HSN, the Cancer Centre and Laurentian University. Maureen is the past chair of the Laurentian University Board of Governors and past member of the Board of Directors for the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Hermann Falter is a retired full professor of Chemistry at Laurentian University.  He received his BSc from Laurentian University in 1964 and went on to complete his PhD at the University of Cincinnati in 1968.  Hermann has been a member of the NCF Board of Directors since 1998 and continues to serve as an important liaison between the University’s scientific community and the Cancer Centre’s career scientists.

Christine Harvey is the contract manager for BM Metals Services and the Milman Industries Group of Companies. In addition, she manages the marketing activities for the Group. Christine has successfully completed the Business Administration program at Cambrian College and has received her Honours Bachelor of Commerce and Masters in Business Administration from Laurentian University. Christine is an advocate of supporting local organizations and initiatives. She believes that great accomplishments and advanced research doesn’t just come from big cities. She believes it also comes from deep rooted cities like Sudbury where all of its community members strive together to reach a common goal of community advancement and national recognition by supporting its local organizations.

Ben Demianiuk is the Director of Housing and Food Services at Laurentian University. He graduated from Laurentian with both a Bachelor of Commerce (SPAD) and a Masters of Business Administration. Ben volunteers with the Terry Fox Run, the Arthritis Society and also sits as Treasurer on the Board of Directors with Meals on Wheels (Sudbury).

Growing up in Montreal, Bev’s dad instilled in her the importance of giving back. That personal philosophy followed Brisco throughout her life. Although Bev was an active helper as her children were growing up, it was during her career at Sears Canada that volunteering became a lifelong passion for her.  As a long-time employee and department manager, Brisco was the store representative for the Sears Ontario Drama Festival. She also helped organize the Sears Roundup in partnership with Better Beginnings Better Futures, and many other programs that Sears associates participated in within the community.

Bev has a deep commitment to the Northern Cancer Foundation. That journey began when her husband, Hilary, was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. His terminal illness took the couple’s path to the Northern Cancer Centre, where they experienced the compassionate care of a dedicated team of medical professionals and volunteers.  Brisco joined the Northern Cancer Foundation board in 2013. Their mantra, ‘Raised Here Stays Here’, is particularly meaningful to Brisco, who believes strongly in local initiatives.

Bev is also very active with other organizations in the community. Her work with the McCulloch Hospice, Sudbury Seniors Advisory Panel, Home Hospice North, the Sudbury Business and Professional Women’s Club, the Greater Sudbury Library Board, Bell Park Advisory Panel and others keeps her busy every day.

Debbie is the Chief Financial Officer for the Sudbury Credit Union. In that role she is   responsible for overseeing the financial and technical success of Sudbury Credit Union. Debbie is a dynamic member of the senior management team, contributing regularly to the strategic direction of the organization. Debbie has been a member of the Northern Cancer Foundation Board of Directors since 2014 and also serves on the Finance and Audit Committees.

Len Leclair is a retired miner and a proud Sudburian.  Len is a very active member of Branch 553 of the Royal Canadian Legion and has been responsible for a strong and vibrant partnership between the Legion and the Northern Cancer Foudnation.  Len has been a member of the Board of Directors for over 10 years and is a member of the Marketing and Fundraising Committees.

Helene is the Associate Dean in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Architecture at Laurentian University.  Helen has been on the Northern Cancer Foundation Board of Directors since 2013 and is a member of the Grants and Allocations Committee.  Helene has a strong commitment to supporting and advancing local cancer research.

Darryl is the founder and former CEO of the Northern Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. (NORCAT). He has served on a number of committees and boards relating to technology. He was a member of the Premier’s Ontario Science and Innovation Council (OISC) and is presently a member of The Leaders’ Roundtable on Commercialization of The Conference Board of Canada and the Ontario Minerals Industry Cluster-Commercialization Working Groups.

Having worked with government agencies such as the Canadian Space Agency and NASA, as well as over 80 private sector companies, NORCAT has developed or adapted over 200 technologies and assisted over 30 small company starts.

Samantha Kuula is a strategist fueled by curiosity and the desire to build an engaged and science-literate community, working to equip people to understand the changing world. Samantha started her career at SNOLAB over 10 years ago and is now the Chief Business Officer leading the Corporate Services Division. She holds degrees in Biology and Science Communication with additional formal training in Strategic Planning, Crisis Communications, Project Management, and Risk Management. She is currently completing a Master’s of Science in Technology and Innovation Management at Wilfrid Laurier University. At SNOLAB, Samantha manages the internal and external-facing corporate services including EHS, Finance, IT, HR and Education & Outreach . As part of the senior leadership team, she also heads large internal projects, manages the User Support group that assists all International facility users and has been appointed chair of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion task force.

Samantha sits on two volunteer boards as well as dedicating time as a pet therapy dog handler and soccer coach. Samantha is a partner to Kevin and parent to Rebecca and Cecily.

Anthony Keating is an award-winning Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) who has served in fundraising leadership roles over the past 14 years with Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Kids Help Phone, Seneca College and the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. John’s, Newfoundland. Most recently, he served as Campaign Director, Major Gifts, at The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation in Toronto where he successfully co-led a $50 million research campaign to completion a year ahead of schedule, and was also responsible for raising millions of dollars for Malignant Hematology priorities.  In 2010, he received the “New to Fundraising Professional of the Year” award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Anthony is an active community member who has volunteered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. John’s, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation, and is currently a Director with the Roberta Bondar Foundation.

In Anthony’s role he will oversee each of the three Foundations, and the Volunteer Association.  He will also supervise HSN’s Volunteer Services and serve on the senior leadership teams of HSN and HSNRI, ensuring a strong alignment with health care needs in Northeastern Ontario.

Tannys Laughren is the current Executive Director of the NCF.  A graduate of Laurentian University, she has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce.  She served as Executive Director of the Students’ General Association at Laurentian University, and is a member of the teaching staff within the school’s commerce program.  Laughren was named one of Northern Life’s 30 Sudburians to Watch in 2003, and continues to be an active volunteer within the community.