Office Team

Geoff Eaton

Geoff is a two-time cancer survivor and the founder and Executive Director of Young Adult Cancer Canada. He has first-hand experience attending support groups with people who are closer in age to his grandparents than to him. Geoff is responsible for the strategic direction of the organization and his own experiences help him ensure YACC's vision remains focused on the well-being of the young adults dealing with cancer in Canada. 

Geoff is currently serving on the National Survivorship Working Group, a Canadian Partnership Against Cancer initiative, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Cancer Control Advisory Committee.

He spends personal time riding his motorcycle with his wife, Karen; playing "jungle-gym Daddy" with his daughters, Adia and Mira; watching Penguins games with baby Kane; staying healthy with weight training and hockey; and chasing that sometimes elusive state of "balance."

Direct line: (709) 579-7327

Recent posts by geoff

Our 2011-2012 Annual Report is online (Organization blog)
August 13, 13 years ago (Geoff's blog)
Driven by death (Geoff's blog)
Keyin Tech student cuts of 14 years worth of growth (Shave for the Brave News)
Patient-centred: You must be present with your patient (Geoff's blog)

Lesley Morrissey

Lesley is a graduate of Memorial University's Bachelor of Commerce (Co-operative) program. She has been happily employed at Young Adult Cancer Canada since January 2007, first as Program Director and now as Managing Director. Lesley is responsible for the internal operations of the organization and for keeping Geoff focused – this is a full time job in itself. Lesley is very proud of the YACC’s work and is looking forward to the future in this very exciting position.

Recent posts by lesley

Introducing our new Office Manager, Tracy Carberry (Organization blog)
Take a minute to meet Stacey and Juanita (Organization blog)
YACC welcomes new Director of Fund Development (and another boy!), Frank Healey (Organization blog)
Transparency is our way of life, not just a necessity (Organization blog)
YACC volunteer Kristina Roche shines! (Organization blog)

Karine Chalifour

Karine is a graduate of Universite du Quebec a Montreal in Social Work and Psychology. She manages the delivery of the organizations key programs: Retreat Yourself, Survivor Conference, young adult workshops, and the public education program. Karine is outgoing, loves music, a good meal with friends and family, and never gets tired of looking at the ocean! She also loves to travel and is dreaming of a Safari in Africa and a road trip in the Grand Canyon. She feels privileged to be part of the YACC team and mission.

Direct line: (709) 700-1973

Recent posts by karine

Are you the supporter of someone with metastatic cancer? (Organization blog)
Happy anniversary…to me (Organization blog)
Book launch in Montreal (Organization blog)
41 weeks, really? (Organization blog)
Retreat mode (Organization blog)

Beth Cranston

Beth is a graduate of Mount Allison University’s Bachelor of Arts and Memorial University’s Performance and Communications Media programs. She started at YACC (then RealTime Cancer) as Communications Coordinator in May of 2007. Now as Director of Special Events and Initiatives, Beth leads fund development and third party events, including the Shave for the Brave and The Climb, in cooperation with other staff members. She coordinates the Touch Yourself, Trust Yourself public education program and provides other operational and program support as needed.

While not working, Beth sings and plays for various choirs in the area. She keeps busy working on her house, playing with her kitties, and seeking outdoor adventures whenever and wherever possible!

Direct line: (709) 700-1979

Recent posts by beth

Thanks for all the love, Holyrood! (Organization blog)
The hair had to go at OCIO (Shave for the Brave News)
YACC gets it, even when “it” isn’t cancer (Organization blog)
New Shave site coming soon! (Shave for the Brave News)
Shaving Levi’s Mullet (Shave for the Brave News)

Angie Barrington

Angie is a graduate of Memorial University’s Bachelor of Arts program where she studied English and Folklore. While at university, she worked at the Muse, Memorial University’s student newspaper, and as the Atlantic Board Director for Canadian University Press. These experiences uncovered her affinity for sharing information and getting to know people—two skills that are very useful for Young Adult Cancer Canada’s Communications Coordinator/Storyteller.

At YACC, she is responsible for managing blogs, distributing promotional materials, producing videos, and anything else involving the public’s awareness of YACC. She is always looking for ways to share stories from our young adult survivor community in order to help decrease feelings of isolation, build a stronger peer support network, and celebrate one another.

Direct line: (709) 700-1975

Recent posts by angie

Are you our next Fund Development Coordinator? (St. John’s) (Organization blog)
From $1M to $4.4M? (Geoff's blog)
Wrapping up Seven for Seven: Conquering Kilimanjaro (Organization blog)
We’re hiring an Office Assistant! (St. John’s) (Organization blog)
Hey St. John’s—we need volunteers! (Organization blog)

Frank Healey

Frank is a graduate of Memorial University's Bachelor of Commerce Honours program.

He brings with him a great big mixed-bag of work (and life) experience spanning not-for-profit, television, radio, night-club, software, wine, and other assorted and random industries. Frank’s role at YACC is also a mixed-bag including the management of Fund Development initiatives, growing Shave for the Brave across Canada, and spreading his dry and sarcastic humour.

When not working, Frank spends his time driving his wife Nancy crazy, and brainwashing and corrupting the minds of his two young children, Kate and Jonah. He also collects records (vinyl) which has helped lead to the development of his workplace nickname "Dino."

Direct line: (709) 700-1974

Recent posts by frank

Juanita O’Neil

Juanita is close to completing her BA at Memorial University of Newfoundland and has completed a diploma in Computer Studies. She joined YACC in late April 2011 as an Administrative Assistant and considers it one of the best choices she has made to date.

In her spare time, Juanita loves spending time with her two boys, Zac and Logan (and her husband of course). She also loves walking; campfires; reading; and travel, with Disney World and the Azores as the next two places on her travel list.

Direct line: (709) 700-1977

Recent posts by juanita

Shali Manuel

Shali is a two-time cancer survivor and the Eastern Program Coordinator for YACC. She has a Master's in Health Promotion from Dalhousie University and has been involved in young adult cancer research, education, and advocacy for several years. Shali spent her early 20s teaching English in Taiwan and backpacking throughout Southeast Asia and Central America. While she's happy to be back on Canadian soil, she still dreams of perpetual summers. She enjoys camping, potlucks, moonlit bike rides, and listening to live music. Lucky for her, her husband is an indie-folk musician so there's lots of live music to enjoy! Shali also loves to talk astrology and the meaning of life and is inspired by people who think outside of the box.

Direct line: (902) 800-1129

Recent posts by shali

Shout out: Hotels for Hope (Organization blog)
Localife is back! (Organization blog)
Meet Shali, YACC’s new Eastern Program Coordinator (Organization blog)

Tracy Carberry

Tracy is a graduate of The College of the North Atlantic, Community Recreation and Leadership program and has a wide range of experience in the non-for-profit world. Tracy’s role within the YACC team is Office Manager; her responsibilities are to oversee the daily operations of the organization, human resource management, accountability framework, and the successful delivery of the business plan.

While she is very excited about her role at YACC, Tracy also loves to be on the go camping, hiking, road trips, live music and any type of water adventures. She is looking forward to taking a cruise and visiting many more exciting destinations in the future. She is honored to be working with such a talented group of people and for such a worthwhile cause!

Direct line: (709) 700-1972

Recent posts by tracy

Introducing YACC’s new Fund Development Manager (Organization blog)
“Hello” from Tracy (Organization blog)
Queen Elizabeth Regional High School came back for more (bald heads) (Shave for the Brave News)

Laura Henley

Laura is a graduate of Memorial University’s Bachelor of Business Administration and Memorial University’s Bachelor of Arts (French). She has broad range of work experience spanning from financial advising services to production and stage managing for theatre companies. Laura is thrilled to join YACC’s team as Fund Development Coordinator, and is very excited to take on her duty of making the Shave for the Brave and other third party events thrive!

In her spare time, Laura dances in various shows and events in St. John’s. She also loves yoga, live music, travelling, and spending time with friends and family.

Direct line: (709) 700-1978

Recent posts by laura

12th Annual Golf Tournament recap (Organization blog)

Katie Greene

Katie is a graduate of George Brown College in Special Events Planning. She gained various event experience while living in Toronto from promotional marketing to corporate team building. Katie is excited to be back home in Newfoundland working with YACC as the Program Event Coordinator.

In her spare time, Katie enjoys discovering new music to enjoy, being active and spending time with her family, friends and two babies, which happen to be cute little puppies! Her life goal is to see as much of the world as possible. So far Katie has been to 12 countries on three continents, so she still has quite the list to complete!

Direct line: (709) 700-1976

Recent posts by katie

Thanks for the welcome, YACC! (Organization blog)

Kim Elliott

Kim is a Graduate of Dalhousie University’s Bachelor of Economics program and Ryerson University’s Masters of Public Policy & Administration program. While she grew up in the Greater Toronto Area, she recently moved back to her “second” home of Halifax. Kim is excited to bring her previous work in recruitment and event management to YACC in hopes of adding to the wonderful work being done there.

When not working Kim love sharing a good meal with friends and family, hiking and camping with her boyfriend and four-legged family member,Yoshi, as well swimming in the (surprisingly) warm waters of Mahone Bay.

Recent posts by kim