About About Kids Cancer Care Our Board

Our Board

Meet the board!

Our volunteer Board of Directors helps set strategy and provides financial oversight at Kids Cancer Care, helping fulfill our mission.

Chair

Dean Duffin


I am fortunate and grateful to be husband to my dynamic and successful CMA wife Kelli and father/hockey coach to three amazing kids! Professionally I am CEO of Linear Logistics, a start-up company based here in Calgary. The fast pace of the logistics industry and the growth of our organization keeps my work life very interesting and engaging. However, our family life was changed forever in the fall of 2015 when our middle son Samuel, aka Sammy the Soldier, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia.

The amazing doctors at the Alberta Children’s Hospital had to change Sammy’s treatment from a more standard chemo and radiation protocol to a stem cell transplant. Fortunately, his older brother William, and hero in our family, was a match and was able to donate his blood system to his little brother! They are both well and thriving today, but the fear this created and meeting other families and the loss they face due to cancer led us to become involved in childhood cancer advocacy and fundraising for people facing this battle.

Our first experience with the amazing work of Kids Cancer Care was when we were on our first of hundreds of overnight stays at the hospital, where they were hosting their weekly Pizza Nights for parents and children on unit one. Since then, we have learned more about Kids Cancer Care and its commitment to supporting families in all facets of the fight against cancer. Our kids have also been to their SunRise day camps in the city, Camp Kindle, the Christmas Carol and many other amazing events. We are also very proud of, and grateful for, the advocacy Christine and the Kids Cancer Care team were able to do to get Alberta children access to CAR-T Therapy recently. It is an honour to be able to give back to this amazing organization.

Fun Facts

Favorite movie? 
The Usual Suspects.

Favorite ice cream? 
Mint Chip.

Spirit animal? 
Wolf.


Director

Bryan Arthur


First and foremost, I’m a father to two amazing boys and am a husband to my wonderful and supportive wife Carla.  I spent my early years in Vancouver, but have been in Calgary for nearly 30 years. I strongly believe in giving back to the community and doing all we can as citizens to make our city a better, safer, healthier, and happier place for everyone. I am part of Kids Cancer Care to help in whatever small way that I can to positively impact kids and their families going through a terrible time in their lives. 

For nearly 15 years I’ve been involved in the executive search industry. In 2008, I helped build, and then lead, a boutique search firm, eventually selling it in 2016 after receiving numerous accolades including Alberta’s Best Workplaces and the PROFIT 500 list from Canadian Business magazine multiple years in a row.

I’m fortunate that I love my career and am excited to get out of bed and go to the office every day.  After the sale of our firm, I stayed on and act as Managing Partner of DHR International for Calgary, and Western Canada, a leading global executive search firm.  As a member of the Industrial and Advanced Technology practice groups I lead executive search assignments across various industries throughout North America.

I hold a Bachelor of Commerce degree, and am a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR). I also hold a certificate from Cornell University from the Advanced Program for Executive Search Consulting, and have graduated from the Not-For-Profit Director program through the Institute of Corporate Directors.

In addition to Kids Cancer Care I am currently on the Board of Directors of Vertigo Theatre and am on the United Way Cabinet. I am a past Director of the Human Resources Association of Calgary (HRAC), and the Past Chair of Champions Career Centre, as well as a number of private corporations.

Fun Facts

Something quirky about you?
I have more LinkedIn connections than anyone else in Canada; over 30,000 1st degree.

Dogs or cats?
Dogs, definitely dogs.

Best read?
The Internet. I only have a few pages left!


Treasurer

Ellen Breen


I was born and raised in London, Ontario and attended Queen’s University in Kingston. After graduation, I began working at KPMG in Ottawa and four years later moved to Calgary. Orignally, we were only going to stay in Calgary for three years but we’re still here! I am a partner at KPMG working in Audit Quality and Risk Management. My husband Rick and I have four boys who are mostly grown up, and combined we have more than 50 “man years” of being hockey parents. 

I’m fortunate to be at a time and place in my life and my career where I have time to give back to the community. As a family, we believe that you get more out of anything when you put more into it, and giving time to great organization in Calgary is important. My husband was a High Hopes participant a few years back, and keeping my feet firmly on the ground also seems like a good idea. Kids Cancer Care is a wonderful organization and I feel honoured to be part of it.

Fun Facts

Favorite movie?
How the Grinch Stole Christmas – the orignal cartoon!

Best read?
Any mystery/thriller that I can curl up on the couch with.

Favorite ice cream flavour?
Tigre Tail.

Favorite travel destination?
Anywhere with my family! 


Director

Angelo Cultrera


I am the Chief Operating Officer at Tundra Process Solutions Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Wajax. We are a value add Western Canadian distributor of industrial process equipment for industries such as oil and Gas, petrochemical, mining, forestry, municipalities, and many others.

I joined Tundra in April 2009​ to start up the Power Division. One of our core values is giving back which I live by every day. Looking back there are so many career highlights, but the one that stands out the most was when I participated in the Kids Cancer Care High Hopes Challenge.

Born and raised in Calgary, I grew up in the donut shop business (Country Style Donuts). We moved to Lethbridge for my high school years when my parents bought a few shops. In grade 11 chemistry class I started dating my high school sweetheart Tammy and we have been together ever since. We’ve been together for 28 years and married for 18. Tammy and I have two amazing children Apollo (13) and Abella (10). I cherish our family time and love camping, travelling and flyfishing.

Fun Facts

Something quirky about you?
I love sending out my daily Snap Chat. It’s a terrific way to send a small message like “Good morning, have a great week, etc.”  My longest Snap Chat streak is 1,972 days.

Dogs or cats?
Dogs.

Bucket list item?
Take the family on a tour of Europe.



Director

Dania Filippetto


I am the proud mom of twin boys and the founder and president of Rangeland RV & Trailer Sales Ltd, which just celebrated 20 years of being open! One of my favourite things is helping RVer’s build memories with their families and friends in the great outdoors of Alberta. I am also passionate about mentoring and coaching my team members to grow both professionally and personally. 

We have grown so much from our first corner lot many years ago. We have been in the Top 50 RV Dealer’s in North America for five years running and the Top Forest River dealership in Alberta. I have sat on a number of boards including the RVDA of Alberta Board of Directors, where I was present for two of my eight years with them. I have also sat on the RVDA of Canada Board of Directors and was nominated for Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in 2016.

When I was first introduced to Kids Cancer Care over 18 years ago, I was so moved by what founder and CEO Christine McIver had created. She inspired me to create a fundraiser at our RV Show each year that sends kids to Camp Kindle. Over the years we have raised over $300,000! On the board, I hope to help make a difference in making the journey towards a cure come true. I am excited to connect Kids Cancer Care with many of my community and business connections here in Alberta!

In my spare time, I love to spend time with my boys and well as camp, golf, travel and cook!

Fun Facts

Something quirky about you?
I like my french fries with mayonnaise on them. 

Favorite ice cream topping?
No topping, mint chocolate chip is my go to.

Bucket list item?
Tour through the Greek Islands.


Director

Kelly Hill


As Vice President of Information Technology at Keyera, I have the privilege of leading an amazing team and being part of a fantastic company. I really enjoy working in IT as it is always evolving and changing and keeps me challenged, learning, and growing. I’m also proud to work at a company that encourages volunteering by giving paid days off to employees to get involved with community organizations in the communities in which we operate.

Now that my kids are older, I have more time to focus on giving back. We, thankfully, have not had to deal with a sick child but have had family and friends who have. We have been supporters of Kids Cancer Care for years, attending the Parents’ Quest for the Cure galas and my husband and daughter spent many amazing evenings at the Dad and Daughter Gala. I am so impressed with the programs and supports that Kids Cancer Care provides and I am excited to be part of this outstanding organization. In addition to Kids Cancer Care, I also serve on the board of the McDougall House Foundation.

I have lived in Calgary almost my whole life. I have worked in energy for over 25 years and have only worked with two companies. I am a second-generation midstreamer; my dad worked at a number of the facilities that Keyera now owns. 

Fun Facts

Favorite ice cream topping? Salted caramel.

Dogs or cats?
Cats – we have a wonderful rescue cat, Walter!  He has his own Instagram following.

Best read?
Spy or mystery novels are my guilty pleasures. My favourite book for fun lately has been The Thursday Murder Club.


Director

Dr. Lucie Lafay-Cousin


I am pediatric oncologist at the Alberta Children’s Hospital and an associate professor in the Department of Oncology and Pediatrics at the University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine.  

I did my medical training and fellowship in pediatric oncology in Lille and at the Institut Gustave Roussy in Paris. I completed a three-year fellowship in pediatric neuro-oncology at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto before joining the Alberta Children’s Hospital in 2006.

My primary area of clinical research is in pediatric brain tumours, with a specific interest in embryonal CNS tumours of early childhood such as medulloblastoma, atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour (ATRT) and choroid plexus tumours.

I am the past chair of the Children’s Oncology Group clinical trial ACNS 1221 for desmoplastic medulloblastoma in young children. I developed the Canadian registry of Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumors. I am also interested in intracranial germ cell tumors and the long-term follow-up of survivors of brain tumours.


Director

Jack Maslen


I work as a lawyer at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP where I carry on a commercial litigation practice. In 2022, I became a partner of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. I have been a practicing lawyer for 10 years. During that time, I have worked internationally in the Middle East and in London. I also earned a Master of Law from the University of Oxford.

I was introduced to Kids Cancer Care and Camp Kindle about 15 years ago by a childhood friend who himself survived cancer. Since then, I have supported Kids Cancer Care by participating in its annual cycling event. I cannot think of a worthier use of time than to support kids who have been dealt this horrible disease. The challenges these kids and their families face, and overcome, make them true heroes and inspirations.

Fun Facts

Something quirky about you?
That is a very long list, including the emergency Dijon mustard stash I keep in my office drawer.

Best read?
Something from CS Lewis. British wit is difficult to beat.

Bucket list item?
Cheer on Canada at the Olympic Games someday.


Director

Erica Young


Erica leads ENMAX Energy and is accountable for ENMAX’s competitive energy businesses including electricity generation, retail and customer operations, wholesale commodity trading and commercial programs.

ENMAX Energy provides electricity, natural gas and customer care services to approximately 747,000 customers throughout Alberta and maintains a 1,522 megawatt generation portfolio made up of 86 per cent natural gas and 14 per cent wind.

Prior to her current role, Erica Young was Chief Legal, Commercial and Regulatory Officer for ENMAX. Since joining ENMAX in 2016, she has continuously led the legal and regulatory teams. She has also led government relations, public policy, corporate secretary, shareholder relations, ESG and Indigenous relations, corporate development and strategy teams across the ENMAX companies. Erica has 25 years of legal, regulatory and transactional experience in private practice and in-house roles, primarily focused in the energy industry. Prior to joining ENMAX, Erica served as SVP, General Counsel at NaturEner Energy Canada, where she was responsible for legal, regulatory and commercial matters in Alberta and for cross-border transmission. Erica also served as General Counsel of Total Energy Services, a TSX-listed oil and gas services company. She began her career in the Toronto office of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, where she had a diverse corporate, securities and governance practice.

Erica holds a Bachelor of Arts and Education from Lakehead University, a Law Degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and an Advanced Certificate in U.S. Energy Law from the UC Berkeley School of Law. Erica also completed the Advanced Finance Program at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. In addition to her role at ENMAX, Erica serves on the board of Electricity Canada and the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta.

Fun Facts

Favorite ice cream topping? 
I prefer ice cream with all of the deliciousness mixed right in – nuts, bits of cookie, berries, chocolate swirl, etc. – rather than just poured or sprinkled on top. Also, I don’t think I have ever met a flavour of ice cream that I did not like. (Is there such a thing as bad ice cream???)   
 
Dogs or cats?
We got our first pet two years ago – a mini goldendoodle that my son named Rocket. We have had lots of fun with him. Having a dog definitely gets us outside walking a lot more than we did pre-puppy.
 
Something quirky about you? 
My early jobs included topping pizzas at a local pizza joint and operating kiddie rides at a (non-travelling) amusement park. I’m lucky to love the job I have now, but you can learn something valuable from every job you do!  
 


You are Welcome Here: Diversity and Inclusion

Kids Cancer Care is a place of belonging and acceptance for children and families affected by cancer. We value diversity and the different perspectives and innovative thinking it brings. We like to surround ourselves with creative, kind, and passionate people and we welcome all qualified persons regardless of differences in physical or mental ability, gender identity or sexual orientation, cultural or religious beliefs, or ethnic origins. We realize that what makes us unique makes us remarkable. We believe in the power of diversity and are dedicated to creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment at all levels of the organization.