Steve Jones President & CEO
A senior executive with communications, operations, marketing, government relations and human resources experience, Steve also possesses a proven personal commitment to the charitable sector. Prior to joining the Foundation, Steve served as Vice-President, Marketing and Communications for Promotivate LP, one of the most successful promotions/marketing companies in North America. With Siemens Canada for 11 years, he was part of the senior management team as Senior Vice-President, growing the Siemens brand in Canada while leading the Communications, Government Relations, H.R. and Strategic Planning groups. In addition to recently completing a two year term as Chairman of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Steve has served on the boards of several non-profit organizations, including the Jays Care Foundation, the Argos Foundation, Big Brothers of York Region, the Easter Seal Society and East Metro Youth Services.
Helene Vassos COO and National Director
Helene has been involved in the Not For Profit Sector for the past 22 years. During this time, she has held senior positions both at the Provincial and National level. In her involvement with the ALS Society ofCanada, Helene served as National Executive Director, Director of Fund Development and Director of Finance and Administration. A collaborative, collegial, and consummate professional, Helene works closely with donors and volunteers. She has a genuine interest in developing cohesiveness, synergies and partnerships within multi-level type organizations, and has worked with various grass root level committees and national Boards. As president and CEO of HMV Consulting Inc., Helene worked with public and private sector clients assisting them with Special Events and Marketing. Helene is an active volunteer leader in her community; she has served on the Parent Advisory Committee of the TDSB, and has Chaired School Councils. She has been instrumental in the development of an anti-bullying campaign, a morning snack program for 350 high school students, and has established a successful annual golf tournament raising over $420,000 for high school athletics.
Rocco Fazzolari Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Rocco leads the Finance and IT team and is responsible for financial reporting, strategic planning, treasury, information systems, tax compliance, risk management, and general administration. An accomplished professional with experience across many industries and functions, he recently returned from Australia where he worked with the Sydney Opera House. Previous roles include Director of Business Analysis & Planning for Lavalife and Director of Marketing and Communications for the AustralianCollege of Applied Psychology. Rocco is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto. Rocco will also lead the research initiatives that take place at the foundation by overseeing PCC'sResearch program.
Rebecca von Goetz Executive Vice President
Rebecca brings the private sector experience of marketing to the Foundation. Her background includes many years on the agency side of several large and independently owned communications firms, working with a numerous clients in the retail, telecommunications and healthcare sectors. Rebecca has also been a leader in her community, chairing committees aiding charities such as Goodwill. Rebecca will lead the effort to raise awareness of prostate cancer through PCC marketing initiatives. She manages Movember from the PCC side and leads the Human Resources department as well. Dr. Stuart Edmonds Senior Vice President, Research Stuart brings an impressive and vast set of skills to our Research Department. In his role at PCC, Stuart will spearhead the research strategy focused on understanding the cause of, as well as, the treatment and cure of prostate cancer and oversee PCC’s research programs. Under his guidance, PCC will lead significant and measurable progress in improving the quality of life of prostate cancer survivors. Prior to joining Prostate Cancer Canada, Stuart was the Director of the Research Advisory Group of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, an independent organization funded by the federal government to implement the first pan-Canadian cancer control strategy. He also served as Executive Director of the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance. By encouraging and facilitating collaboration among Canada’s major cancer research funding agencies, Stuart provided leadership in developing Canada’s first national cancer research strategy and convening the first Canadian Cancer Research Conference. Stuart was also the Director of Research Programs at the former National Cancer Institute of Canada and the Director of the Canadian Prostate Cancer Research Initiative where he developed and successfully launched a number of new research programs while also implementing many new operational initiatives. Stuart holds a doctorate in pharmacology from Oxford University and a bachelor of science in biochemistry from Swansea University.
Debra Bond-Gorr, CFRE Vice President, Philanthropy
Debra Bond-Gorr, CFRE, joined Prostate Cancer Canada as Vice President, Philanthropy in 2011 and is responsible for all of PCC’s philanthropic initiatives and activities as well as donor recognition and stewardship programs. Debra brings with her over 25 years of experience in both for-profit and not-for profit sectors where she lead marketing, communications and philanthropic programs to success. Prior to joining PCC, Debra served as the President and CEO of the Humber River Regional Hospital Foundation and the Executive Director of Advancement, Alumni Relations & Communications for Hart House at the University of Toronto. Debra is recognized for successful collaborations across a broad spectrum of constituencies, planning and executing strategies that lead to growth, innovation and transformational change.
Jamie Howe Director, Direct Marketing
Jamie is a specialist in direct response fundraising and marketing. He has more than 20 years of experience providing strategic leadership to a large number of charitable organizations from both the agency and the client perspectives in the planning and management of integrated marketing programs. Jamie is directing the development and management of direct marketing fundraising solutions for Prostate Cancer Canada, using his multi-channel direct marketing experience and communications skills to fundraise and help to build the Prostate Cancer Canada brand.
Susan Langlois Director, Research Programs
Susan Langlois, RAC, EMBA is Director of PCC’s Research Programs. Susan is responsible for management of the Grants and Awards, Research Networks and Partnerships, Patient and Public Education, Research Symposia and is the foundation’s liaison with the Scientific Medical Advisory Board. Susan participates in the foundations strategic planning and is a member of the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance Board, the Executive Committee of the International Cancer Genome Consortium and the Australian-Canadian Prostate Cancer Research Alliance. Over the past 16 years, Susan held Vice President positions in Regulatory, Quality and Clinical Affairs at both Vasogen Inc. and Hemosol Inc. She has worked at 3 Canadian pharmaceutical companies, including 20 years as Director Regulatory Affairs at Connaught Laboratories, focused on the research, development, manufacture and commercialization of diagnostic and therapeutic medical devices, and drug and biologic products for global distribution. Ms. Langlois has also been involved in the formulation of over 25 regulatory strategies and clinical trial plans.
Tom Fischer Director, Finance & Regulatory Affairs
Tom is a graduate of the Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario with an honors degree in Business Administration. Tom has held various senior financial management roles in the for profit sector. Prior to joining PCC Tom was Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Development with Siemens in Canada where his role was to acquire within Canada and the US small to medium sized operations to fill strategic gaps within the building automation, fire and life safety and security business sectors.
Peter Mallette Director, Atlantic Region Peter joined Prostate Cancer Canada as Director of the Atlantic Region in December of 2010. Previous to that, Peter spent 33-years in broadcast journalism as a television news anchor, reporter, and producer for CTV News in both Ontario and Nova Scotia. As director of PCC Atlantic, Peter leads a team of three people who are raising money and awareness about Prostate Cancer, and strengthening and growing the Prostate Cancer Canada support group network throughout the Atlantic region. Peter’s team includes Business Development manager Michael Kydd and Community Development Manager Carol Murray. The PCC Atlantic office is managed by Rosanna White. Peter is a prostate cancer survivor – having been diagnosed in September of 2005.
Susan Graham Walker Director, Strategic Development
Susan Graham Walker joined PCC as Director of Strategic Planning and Special Projects in 2010 from the position of Senior Associate with KGI, specializing in strategic planning in the hospital and association sector. Before that she spent nearly 25 years in the voluntary and not-for-profit sector culminating in executive positions with the ALS Society of Canada and the ALS Society of Ontario. Susan has also worked in the area of community development. Susan is known as a strategic thinker, skilled facilitator, workshop presenter and writer. She has a proven track record in building organizations, rationalizing structures, budgeting and administration, training staff, developing boards, and planning and implementing communications, advocacy and fundraising initiatives.
Maureen Rowlands Director, Support Services