Canuck Place Senior Leadership Team
Filomena Nalewajek, Chief Executive Officer
Michele Cadario, Managing Director, Marketing, Communications & Development
Dr. Hal Siden, Medical Director
Tanice Miller, Director, Program Development & Administration
Russell Cullingworth, Director, Finance
Leanne Freeman, Manager, Volunteer Services
Moira Morgan, Human Resources Manager
Filomena Nalewajek, Chief Executive Officer
Prior to her appointment as Executive Director in March 2003, Filomena was Director of Programs and Services, a position that gave her the lead responsibility for Canuck Place’s clinical programs.
Fil has a Bachelor's and a Master’s degree in nursing, and has focused on pediatrics and palliative care for more than 25 years. Besides her clinical nursing experience, she has taught at several universities in both British Columbia and Alberta and currently holds an adjunct appointment with the Faculty of Nursing at the University of British Columbia. She is involved in Pediatric Palliative Care initiatives at the local, national and international level. She is co-chair of the Canadian Network of Palliative Care for Children [CNPCC], an arm of the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association [CHPCA].
Filomena was appointed CEO of Canuck Place in May 2007.
Michele Cadario, Managing Director, Marketing, Communications & Development
Michele has over 12 years of public and private sector experience. Throughout her career she has successfully assumed positions of leadership on a national basis. Known for her management style and strategic planning, Michele offers a unique perspective and proven communication, fundraising, and marketing skills.
Before relocating to Vancouver in 2006, Michele served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Canada. In that role she was a senior advisor on all aspects of government operations.
In the corporate sector, Michele served as Manager of Government Affairs & Media Relations for EPCOR Utilities Inc., a large utility based in Edmonton, Alberta. In this role she was very involved in crisis communications, emergency preparedness and issues management.
Most recently, Michele was a Partner in Gateway Strategy Inc., a consulting firm specializing in communications and strategic positioning.
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Dr. Hal Siden, Medical Director
Dr. Hal Siden, MD, MHSc, FRCPC, DABP. As Medical Director at Canuck Place, Dr. Siden directs the physician team and collaborates in implementing research and education programs. His clinical interests are pediatric palliative care, pediatric pain management and general pediatrics. He has Fellowship and advanced training in biochemical diseases, developmental pediatrics, palliative medicine, pain management and pediatric hypnosis.
Dr. Siden is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He has a cross appointment in the Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Family Practice at UBC. He is also a physician on the Pain Service at British Columbia's Children's Hospital. He founded the Telehealth Program at Children's & Women's Health Centre of BC, which uses advanced telecommunications for long-distance clinics and education around the province. Telehealth continues to be one of Dr. Siden's areas of interest.
Dr. Siden is a graduate of Brown University and the University of Michigan's Medical School. He received his Master's Degree in Health Care and Epidemiology from the University of British Columbia.
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Tanice Miller, Director, Program Development & Administration
Tanice has responsibility for directing the interdisciplinary team of professionals that deliver the clinical and counselling programs, and the school program. Tanice has more than 20 years of experience in designing, managing and evaluating interdisciplinary, community-based healthcare programs.
Prior to joining Canuck Place, she held positions with Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, the Vancouver Health Department and Vancouver Richmond Health Board. Tanice has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of British Columbia and a Master’s degree in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University.
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Russell Cullingworth, Director, Finance
As Director, Finance, Russell is responsible for leading the integration of the Hospice’s financial management and reporting with strategic and operating plans.
Russell joins Canuck Place after 5 years in his own company as an accounting system consultant and financial analyst. During this time, he also lectured Managerial Accounting for the New York Institute of Technology MBA program and Strategic Compensation for the Upper Iowa University online MBA program.
Prior to this, he held the positions of Manager of Business Planning and later Controller for the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada. Russell’s 18 years experience also includes 5 years public practice accounting and auditing with Price Waterhouse Chartered Accountants.
Russell holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science degree from the University of South Africa and an MBA from Simon Fraser University’s Executive MBA program.
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Leanne Freeman, Manager, Volunteer Services
As Manager, Volunteer Services, Leanne is responsible for leading a team of more than 300 volunteers who give their time, energy, and skills to support Canuck Place.
Leanne first joined Canuck Place in 2002 as a Family/Special Events Volunteer before becoming a staff member in 2006. With many years of volunteering and participation with the Canadian Cancer Society, the Walk for Breast Cancer, Relay for Life, Aids Walk and various Community Boards, Leanne has first hand knowledge of the power of volunteerism.
She has been involved with non-profit organizations for 20 years, in Canada and extensively in the United Kingdom. Prior to joining Canuck Place, Leanne held contract positions with the Canadian Cancer Society and was the Family Support Network Coordinator with the West Yorkshire Health Authority (UK). Leanne was responsible for outreach projects that recruit, train, and support volunteers for placement within families experiencing stress and crisis. In this role she dealt with child protection issues, “in-home” assessments, and all aspects of volunteer management.
Leanne brings her extensive experience as a facilitator and trainer with the National Childbirth Trust, The Pre-School Playgroups Association, and the Learning Alliance Training group for Special Needs Children (UK).
Leanne’s studies include the University of British Columbia, Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), and further certificates in Assertiveness, Listening Skills and Positive Behavior.
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Moira Morgan, Human Resources Manager
Moira has been working in the field of Human Resources for 20 years. Prior to joining Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, Moira was the Director of Human Resources for the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation. While there she was responsible for all aspects of the Human Resources function as well as being a member of the senior leadership team.
Previous to her work with the Dr. Peter Centre, Moira was a Human Resources Manager at TELUS, with responsibilities over the years in Recruitment, Labour Relations, Leadership Development, Organizational Planning and in providing HR consultation and advice to management groups.
Moira has a Diploma in Human Resource Management from Queens University and an Instructors Diploma from the University of British Columbia.
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