Liam WillisExecutive Officer | Liam has spent his entire career associated with the Non-Profit sector, both in the UK and here in New Zealand. He has over 15 years experience working in a variety of fundraising roles, including time with the Institute of Cancer Research in London.
Who We Are
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
Maureen MillerGrants, Trusts & Relationships Fundraiser | With many years' of experience raising funds for cancer charities in New Zealand, Maureen has helped fund numerous patient support, awareness and research projects in her career.
Kristin BernstoneMarketing & Communications Manager | Kristin comes to the foundation 18 years experience in marketing across London and New Zealand. With a career that began in publishing, Kristin moved in to the not-for-profit space supporting a number of charities focused on education and children before joining GCF.
Board Of Directors
Professor Michael Findlay 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)
Anna St GeorgeBoard Member 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.
Tim MilesChairman Tim Miles joined the Genesis Board in November 2016 and is a member of the Company's Human Resources and Remuneration Committee and the Nominations Committee. Tim also served as Chair on the Advisory Boards of Revera Ltd and the CCL Group. Tim began his career with IBM and then joined Data General Corporation rising to Director of Marketing-Asia Pacific. He has had CEO roles with Vodafone NZ and UK; Managing Director of PGG Wrightson; and Spark Digital.
Dr Lorraine ChantrillB.Sc.(Hons) MBBS(Hons) FRACP PhD Dr Chantrill is a Senior Staff Specialist Medical Oncologist and Head of Service for Medical Oncology across the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD), and Area Clinical Director of Clinical Trials. Dr Chantrill treats patients with any cancers of the digestive tract as well as gynaecological cancers and lung cancers. She is a key opinion leader and expert in the field of pancreas cancer and is the current chair of the Australian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group (AGITG).
Dr Ben LawrenceMBChB, MSc, FRACP. Dr Lawrence specialises in caring for patients with gastrointestinal cancers and neuroendocrine tumours, cancer molecular profiling and cancer genomics. Dr Lawrence is heavily involved with research as Head of Oncology and Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland. He is an active member of the New Zealand committee of the Australasian Gastrointestinal Trials Group (AGITG) and was recently Co-Convenor for the Annual Scientific Meeting in Ōtautahi, Christchurch.
Sarah BristowSarah Bristow 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 4 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.
Anthony VriensAnthony 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.
Catherine FosterCatherine Foster 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.
Scientific Advisory Committee
Professor Michael Findlay 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 Clare WallPhD Associate Professor, Academic Director - Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
Dr Iain WardDr Iain Ward is a radiation oncologist at the Canterbury Regional Cancer and Haematology Service, specialising in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer,
Dr Sharon Pattison (MBChB BMedSc(Disn) PhD FRACP) Dr 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
Dr Deborah WrightBMedSc(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.
Professor Jonathan KoeaMBChB, FRACS Clinical Professor of Surgery, at the University of Auckland School of Medicine. Head of the upper gastrointestinal unit at Waitemata District Health Board. Member of American Society of Clinical Oncology, CommNETS, and the NETWORK! Board member of the Australian and New Zealand Hepatopancreaticobiliary Association, and the Hepatobiliary and Surgical Oncology Sections of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).
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.
Patron
Dame Rosie HortonBefore passing away in May 2023, Patron Dame Rosemary Horton DNZM QSO QSM was a philanthropist and mentor for New Zealand charities. Her passion and focus for her charitable work spanned over 40 years. She was the founding Chair of the following: Friends of Aotea Trust, The Aotea Centre Performing Arts Trust, Friends of Starship and Patron of the Starship Foundation, chair of NZ Breast Cancer Foundation and a support to numerous other charitable organisations.
Ambassadors
Lisa ToiFamily Ambassador 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.
Anne HargreavesAmbassador Wife of founding chairman, Paul Hargreaves, Anne has been committed to GICI since the beginning and has attended many of our trans-Tasman conferences. The importance of the role of partners in supporting patients and providing the encouragement and holistic environment in which to face the challenges of treatment is, she feels, often overlooked. Anne, who is a Justice of the Peace, with a BA from Canterbury University, has a background in journalism and public relations. She has served on the committees of a variety of charitable organisations.
Nyree SmithPancreatic Cancer Ambassador In October 2017 I was diagnosed with a malignant tumour in the tail of my pancreas. A distal pancreatectomy together with splenectomy was attempted to remove the cancer. During the operation the tumour found to be far more advanced and surrounding an artery, so could not safely be removed. I was referred for chemotherapy treatment. After 3 months the cancer had shrunk marginally, but enough to have more surgery and chemotherapy. In July 2018 I was declared no evidence of cancer!
Briony O'FarrellAmbassador 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 and recently played a key role in GCF’s “It’s About Time” pancreatic cancer awareness month.
Donate to GCF today
We appreciate any support you can give to help fund clinical research and raise awareness of Gut Cancers.
