What We Do
Our team of committed professionals is passionate about making a positive change and creating an everlasting impact for all New Zealanders affected by gut cancers, dedicating their professional expertise and personal time to help achieve our mission.
The Gut Cancer Foundation team is supported by an equally dedicated board of trustees and an expert group forming our Scientific Advisory Committee who oversee our research funding and provide expert advice on all other aspects of our strategic priorities.
Our Team
Kristin Bernstone
Chief Executive Officer
Kristin brings broad experience across communications, public engagement, stakeholder relationships and project delivery, including more than four years helping shape the growth of Gut Cancer Foundation. As CEO, she leads the Foundation’s strategy and operations while continuing to oversee public outreach and key projects, working with health professionals, community organisations and sector partners to improve information, support and outcomes for patients and whānau.
Maureen Miller
Grants, Trusts & Relationships Fundraiser
With many years' experience raising funds for cancer charities in New Zealand, Maureen has helped fund numerous patient support, awareness and research projects in her career.
Laura Kelly
Digital Marketing Specialist
Laura’s passion and expertise ensure GCF content helps patients and whānau learn about gut cancer symptoms and risks, while connecting them to trusted support and resources.
Monique Jackson
Partnerships & Philanthropy Manager
Monique brings her experience to GCF to build genuine partnerships that create impact and purpose.
Candice Gemmell
Support Nurse
Candice is a registered nurse with a background in intestinal failure, general surgery, and complex nutrition support. She works alongside patients and whānau to provide meaningful support, guidance, and connection.
Board of Trustees
Co-Chair: Anna St George
Co-chair Anna has a long history in the advertising industry and company ownership. She is an expert in marketing and communications, in particular media strategy, digital marketing.
Co-Chair: Antony Vriens
Co-chair Antony has over 20 years experience across in both medicine and insurance, across New Zealand, Australia and Asia. A doctor by training, he has spent his career specialising in health and health outcomes. He also holds an MBA from the University of Auckland and is currently a professional director and strategy adviser.
Professor Michael Findlay (retired)
MBChB, FRACP, MD Chair of Oncology, University of Auckland Head, Discipline of Oncology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland Director, Cancer Trials New Zealand, University of Auckland Service Clinical Director Research, Auckland District Health Board Regional Cancer & Blood Service Board member, Cancer Society Auckland and Northland Scientific Advisory Board member, Australasian GI Trials Group Board Chair, Canopy Cancer Care (healthcare facility)
Catherine Foster
Catherine is a governance professional with experience working across public and not-for-profit organisations. She has a BA in Political Science and History with a Post Graduate Diploma in Māori Business. Her industry experience spans the arts, culture, heritage and health sectors. She also has experience working in and implementing co-governance arrangements. Catherine is currently Head of Governance and Executive Services for Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, leading through the organisation and Board’s establishment phase and significant organisation transformation.
Geoff Parnell
B.Bus, FAICD, FGIA, FAIM
Geoff is the Chair of the Australasian Gastrointestinal Trials Group (AGITG) (T/as GI Cancer Trials). He is an oesophageal cancer survivor and is an experienced business executive and company director with extensive and diverse experience across a wide range of organisations and stakeholders. Geoff is a collaborative leader and team member with a focus on strategic and critical thinking. He currently consults in the residential and commercial strata and facilities management sectors through his private company Aqumen Pty Ltd, as well as considerable non-executive directorships. He is involved as a community member on a number of trials that GI Cancer Trials is conducting, and is a Patient Advocate with Ferronova. Geoff is also a tutor with Open Universities Australia through, a Fellow of Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.
Sarah Bristow
Sarah is an experienced media executive who has worked in journalism and news production both in New Zealand and Australia for more than 20 years. This includes four years as Director of News, running the Newshub newsroom for Warner Bros. Discovery. She is passionate about raising awareness of gut cancers after losing her father-in-law, uncle and grandfather to pancreatic cancer. Sarah is also personally affected as she has the breast cancer gene (BRCA2), which increases her risk of developing certain cancers, including pancreatic.
Scientific Advisory Committee
Let us introduce you to our Scientific Advisory Committee
Tūtaki mai ki tō mātou Kōmiti tohuhtohu pūtaiao
Chair: Associate Professor Sharon Pattison
(MBChB BMedSc(Disn) PhD FRACP) Committee Member Senior Lecturer, Department of Medicine (Dunedin) - University of Otago; Medical Oncologist, Southern District Health Board; Executive Committee Member, New Zealand Society for Oncology (NZSO); Executive Committee Member and Project Oversight Committee Member, Commonwealth Neuroendocrine Tumour Collaboration (CommNETs); Member, AGITG; Member, ASCO; Member, ESMO
Professor Michael Findlay (retired)
MBChB, FRACP, MD Chair of Oncology, University of Auckland Head, Discipline of Oncology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland Director, Cancer Trials New Zealand, University of Auckland Service Clinical Director Research, Auckland District Health Board Regional Cancer & Blood Service Board member, Cancer Society Auckland and Northland Scientific Advisory Board member, Australasian GI Trials Group Board Chair, Canopy Cancer Care (healthcare facility)
Dr Kate Clarke
Dr Kate Clarke is an experienced medical oncologist who completed her medical training in Otago, Wellington and London. She has a holistic approach and is passionate about patient-centered care, and believes patients can and should play an active role in their healthcare. Her clinical experience covers a broad range of solid tumour malignancies with special clinical interest in bowel cancer, and upper gastrointestinal cancers. Kate is immediate past president of NZSO (New Zealand Society of Oncology), current co-chair of GISIG (the gastrointestinal special interest group) and a committee member of AGITG (Australasian Gastrointestinal Trials Group). Kate has been an active participant in several Gutsy Challenges and is passionate about advocating for improved access to clinical care and trials in Aotearoa.
Dr Karyn Paringatai
Karyn is a lecturer in Te Tumu – School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies at the University of Otago and a part of the research team that identified the CDH1 genetic mutation prevalent in whānau Māori and has been instrumental in reducing screening thresholds for Māori.
Dr Deborah Wright
BMedSc(Hons), MBChB, PhD, FRACS Colorectal Surgeon and Senior Lecturer, Department of Surgical Sciences (Dunedin) – University of Otago. Member Lower GI Working Party, AGITG. Executive Committee Member New Zealand Association of General Surgeons.
Dr Iain Ward
Dr Iain Ward is a radiation oncologist at the Canterbury Regional Cancer and Haematology Service, specialising in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer.
Ambassadors
Lisa Toi
Lisa Toi’s family has been seriously impacted by GI cancers. Her mother died at the age of 49 years from bowel and liver cancer. Her father is now living with metastatic bowel cancer. Lisa decided to have a colonoscopy at age 44 years and was told by her doctor that they would likely find something due to her family history. How right he was! Diagnosed with large flat pre-cancer lesions known as polyps, she knows she has had a lucky escape. Lisa encourages all those with a family history of a GI cancer to talk to their doctor and not be scared of having tests.
Briony O'Farrell
After losing her father to pancreatic cancer in 2019, Briony has become a passionate advocate for those affected by pancreatic cancer. She has established the Pancreatic Cancer Aotearoa / New Zealand (PCANZ) support group for pancreatic cancer patients and their loved ones.
Donate to GCF today
We appreciate any support you can give to help fund clinical research and raise awareness of gut cancers.