Board of Directors

• Lynn van der Linde, President read more

  Lynn is a global Marketing Manager with IBM. Prior to joining IBM, she worked with a national life insurance company for several years, where she got some first glimpses of how precious life is.

  Lynn’s most important career, though is being a proud mother of two young children. “I can’t imagine a life without having met these two amazing souls”, she says. This passion fuels her need to help young cancer survivors preserve their fertility options in order to experience this miraculous gift of life.

• Dr. Aaron Jackson, Vice President read more

  Aaron Jackson completed her Bachelor degree in Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo before heading to medical school at the University of Western Ontario, and then on to Ottawa University for residency training in Obstetrics & Gynaecology.  Aaron has completed her fellowship training as a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Specialist at the Ottawa Fertility Centre.  She will be joining the OFC as an Associate Physician at the completion of her training in September, 2011.

  Aaron has become passionate about the field of fertility preservation during her fellowship training.  Meeting with young men and women struggling with their new diagnosis, and facing the potential sterilizing effects of cancer therapies has made her aware that this is an important issue that needs attention from all medical professionals working with these patients.  She plans to make this a focus of her career as a fertility specialist, in both clinical and research activities, as well as patient advocacy.

• Sarah Mitton, Treasurer read more

  Following the completion of her Bachelor of Science at Bishop’s University, Sarah Mitton joined the pharmaceutical industry, where she currently works as a brand promotional manager. In the last nine years, she has assumed roles in sales and marketing roles in fields including oncology, geriatrics, psychiatry and many more.

  Sarah’s family history was why she was drawn to Fertile Future. Her mother, Deborah Mitton, was a practicing obstetrician and gynecologist in New Brunswick and a pioneer in reproductive health. She was also afflicted with cancer and unfortunately lost her battle far before her time.

  Sarah is overjoyed that her work with Fertile Future will combine her passions for healthcare and reproductive health.

• Jennifer Berrigan read more

  Jennifer Berrigan is a cancer survivor, currently in treatment, and a recent recipient of the Power of Hope Cost Reduction Program through Fertile Future. Due to limited time before treatment, she was in need of support for fertility preservation promptly. Fertile Future and The Ottawa Fertility Clinic were there to lend a helping hand.

  Jennifer holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology from York University. She was a Program Coordinator with Reach for the Rainbow, a non-profit organization which supports individuals with disabilities in integrated recreation programs, for over 6 years. Her recent diagnosis has created a passion for helping others who face compromised fertility due to a cancer diagnosis.

• Clementine Crooks read more

  Clementine graduated with distinction from the University of Victoria with majors in Economics and Sociology. She is currently completing her Masters in Leadership with a Specialization in Health Care at Royal Roads University. Clementine has worked at the Victoria Fertility Center since 2007 where she currently holds the position of Accreditation Coordinator, Human Resource Coordinator and Clinical Coordinator.

  Clementine strongly believes that combining wellness to the fertility treatment is crucial to the overall experience of infertility and in 2009 she spoke at the EMD Serono International Nursing Conference on Reproductive Wellness. Clementine is the team leader of the Victoria Infertility Awareness BBQ that takes place annually (since 2008). This event encourages our fertility community to gather together to promote awareness as well as to lobby our local government for funding Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Canada. Clementine strongly believes that everyone deserves the ability to have a family, and is focused on promoting public awareness on infertility and fertility preservation.

  Clementine is an active member of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society and holds therole of Secretary on the Administrative Special Interest Group.

• Caylee Dahl read more

  Caylee Dahl resides in Calgary, Alberta. She graduated with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education in 2005 from the University of Alberta and is currently teaching Grade One.
  After a personal experience with cancer and undergoing fertility preservation, Caylee feels passionate about advocating for other young cancer patients who one day dream of having a family. She was delighted to find that the Fertile Future organization was dedicated to supporting Canadian cancer patients preserve their fertility and she was inspired to get involved.

• Mark Evans read more

  Mark Evans completed undergraduate degrees in Literature and Education at McGill University and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Ottawa.

  In 2006, Mr. Evans joined the Ottawa Fertility Centre as its Managing Director. Since 2006, he has passionately managed the centrethrough a period of rapid growth and change. Mr. Evans is on the Board of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society as the Chair for the Administrative Special Interest Group. In his role as Chair, Mr Evans has worked hard to build strong collaborative relationships with fertility clinic managers across Canada.

  “Every few years the Ottawa Fertility Centre holds a picnic for patients that have had successful fertility treatments. Seeing apark full of children that might not have been is the driving image and motivation for joining Fertile Future in its quest to help preserve the hope of having a family.” Mr Evans is keen to use his management experience to help further the goals of Fertile Future and realize its vision.

• Lynne Jolicoeur read more

  Lynne Jolicoeur is an Advanced Practice Nurse in Gynecologic Oncology at The Ottawa Hospital.
  She has dedicated her carrier to oncology nursing with experience in surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology and bone marrow transplant (BMT). For the pastfifteen years she has specialized in gynecologic-oncology. She completed her Masters in nursing at the University of Ottawa. She is an active member of the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO) and the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada.

  Lynne’s interests are cancer survivorship, sexuality, supportive care and patient decision making. She is involved in various research projects looking at cancer survivorshipissues. Her goal is to better integrate survivorship interventions at the time of diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

• Trudy Perrow read more

  Trudy Perrow has a Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology and Post Graduate training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. She works as an Associate Clinical Director and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist specializing in the treatment of chronic pain.

  As a cancer survivor, Trudy experienced the challenges in finding out the fertility options available to her and became aware of the need for better access to fertility preservation information for cancer patients. Education is vital for patients during this life-altering time. She is honoured to be part of Fertile Future and is passionate about helping to increase awareness to both cancer patients and physicians about fertility preservation options.

• Valerie Trotter read more

  Valerie is a recent retiree, having spent the last 27 years with Alstom Power &Transport Canada Inc., an international company. After leaving her position as Director, Human Resources, Val continues to be committed to helping others and will now be focusing her interests on travel, health & fitness, volunteer and community work.

  Fertile Future provided hope and support when her son and his partner recently needed fertility preservation services. She is looking forward to being part of an organization that is not only providing future prospects to her family but to others who will be looking for reproductive options in the future.

  As a member of the HRPA and with her Human Resources Management from Algonquin College, she intends to continue her quest for knowledge and education. As she closes the door on her HR career at Alstom, Val is looking forward to a new challenge with Fertile Future and is honoured to be a part of this thriving organization where her passion for learning and being involved in health and wellness will continue

• Andrea Unikowsky read more

  Andrea Unikowsky is a corporate lawyer and resides in Toronto, Ontario.  Following her graduation from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2002, she joined Torys LLP as an articling student and continued on as an associate focusing on mergers & acquisitions and securities law. While at the firm, she has had the opportunity to spend several months on secondment at TD Bank Financial Group advising on corporate governance matters.

• Liz Ellwood, Executive Director read more

  Liz Ellwood is a cancer survivor and the founder of Fertile Future. She decided to start Fertile Future after discovering the need for increased awareness regarding the reproductive options available to young cancer victims first hand. Liz is very passionate about educating fellow cancer victims and oncology professionals on this topic. She is developing Fertile Future to act as a medium to provide up-to-date information and funding to cancer patients wishing to pursue preserving their fertility and increase quality of life after cancer.

  Liz has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Communications, a post-graduate certificate in Interactive Multimedia and a professional background in marketing communications.

• Jessica Hacker, Acting Executive Director read more

  Bio to added soon