Metastatic Breast Cancer Advisory Board

brihgt pink and dark grey rectangle with the words MBC Advisory Board on top

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Advisory Board was created to help empower Canadians living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) by providing patient-focused insights on issues related to those affected by and concerned about MBC.

The Advisory Board brings together the lived experience and knowledge of women living with MCB, women who have had early-stage breast cancer, and caregivers. Members will help identify and inform Rethink’s annual priorities for MBC initiatives and also take an active role in helping to create and roll-out education, advocacy and support initiatives that support the unique needs of MBC patients.

Please contact support@rethinkbreastcancer.com for more information.


Meet the Metastatic Breast Cancer Advisory Board

Tasha Westerman (Chair)

Picture of Tasha Westerman facing the camera wearing white

Tasha (she/her) works as a Senior Vice President, People Services for Long View Systems, where she’s been helping their over 1200 employees since 2002.  She spends much of her free time advocating for young breast cancer patients through her volunteer work for Rethink Breast Cancer. She has chaired Boobyball Calgary eight times and currently she is the Co-Chair of the MBC Advisory Board. 

In November 2012, Tasha was named one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 under 40 and in January of 2011, she was named by the Calgary Herald as one of their 20 people to watch out for.   She is also featured in the Canadian Screen award winning documentary “About Her” as one of nine young women sharing their unique cancer journey.

When she’s not busy working or bringing cancer to its knees, Tasha spends time with her husband, kids & family, who if you were to ask her, is the real reason she does all she does.

Nathalie Baudais (Chair)

Board chair Nathalie Baudais smiling at the camera wearing black

Nathalie Baudais (she/her) was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2008, at the age of 29, and with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in 2011. Her treatments have included multiple surgeries, chemotherapy regimens and radiation therapies. She has the BRCA1 genetic mutation.

Nathalie is married and has an 11-year old son. She works full-time as a Senior Transportation Engineer for the City of Saskatoon. In addition to her commitment to Rethink’s MBC Advisory Board, she is involved with a variety of breast cancer charities: She is a peer facilitator for Breast Cancer Support Saskatoon; organizing committee member for Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day – Saskatoon; captain of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Saskatoon CIBC run for the cure team; and an advocate for patient involvement in cancer research. Nathalie is excited to take on the role of Co-Chair and continue to help improve the lives of those living with MBC.

Vesna Zic-Côté

MBC Board member Vesna posing in a grey dress

Vesna Zic-Côté (she/her) became a patient advocate for people living with MBC upon her own diagnosis in 2017, after standard treatment for early stage breast cancer in 2012 proved to be ineffective. Prior to this second diagnosis, Vesna was a Registered Nurse working in Community Health for 19 years.

Vesna’s uses various platforms to educate, support and fundraise for the MBC community. She regularly contributes to Rethink’s work. She spoke at the 2018 MBC Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park and the 2019 Canadian Breast Cancer Symposium, offering the patient perspective to decision makers and healthcare professionals alike. Vesna is a founding member of OMG – Ottawa Monthly Gatherings, a collective of young(ish) women diagnosed with breast cancer and is one half of M.B.C. – Most.Beautiful.Collaboration, a collection of photos, stories, insights and observations into the lived experience of MBC.

Vesna finds joy in photography and gardening participating in her children’s activities. Her most cherished roles are as wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.

Diane DiCesare

Initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, Diane DiCesare (she/her) has been in active treatment for metastatic breast cancer since 2017. She was fortunate to be introduced to Rethink after her second diagnosis and attended Stretch Heal Grow, a life changing retreat where women experience healing through sharing, compassion and connection. 

Diane is enthusiastic about her first term on the MBC Advisory Board and working with the Rethink team. She looks forward to helping elevate the lives of women living with MBC through education, advocacy and raising awareness. 

Diane has two decades experience working at cancer centres and hospital research institutes as an administrator. She brings expertise in grant writing, fundraising, communications and event planning. She lives in Toronto with her husband and enjoys traveling, spending time in nature and getting creative in the kitchen. 

Suzanne Horvath

MBC Board Member Suzanne Horvath sitting outside wearing white

Suzanne Horvath (she/her) is an enthusiastic member of Rethink’s MBC Advisory Board. With a professional career in education, Suzanne brings over 20 years of experience as a teacher and later administrator in the public-school system. 

In November 2016, Suzanne was diagnosed de novo with Metastatic Breast Cancer. She was fortunate to connect with Rethink and women like her through Stretch, Heal, Grow and online support. In October 2018, Suzanne and other women gathered at Queen’s Park to give voice to those with MBC and bring forth issues such as drug accessibility.  She has also been working in the “Patient as Teacher” program at the University of Toronto sharing her experience with medical students to facilitate stronger healthcare patient support.

As a wife to Tony and mother to Sienna and Topher, Suzanne feels the greatest gift she has is the time she spends with them and members of her extended family.    

Keturah Layne

MBC Board Member Keturah Layne walking in a courtyard

Keturah Layne (she/her) has a passion for giving back. Cancer has affected several close family members, most recently, her younger sister who was diagnosed with breast cancer. As the primary caregiver, she saw firsthand the toll cancer takes and was moved to find a way to contribute and align with an organization that supports women with cancer.

Over the past decade, Keturah has volunteered with numerous groups and organizations in the city of Toronto including World Vision Canada, Global Medic, One Walk, Women in Data Science Toronto, Toronto-SVG Support Group, Sancta Maria House. She hosts annual Christmas and back-to-school events to support children in the community where she grew up on the island of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Keturah brings a wealth of experience in project management, fundraising and advocacy.

Keturah currently lives in Toronto, Ontario and works full time as a Manager, Client Services and Project Management.

Margaret Loniewska

MBC Board Member Margaret Loniewska wearing a blue and white shirt and glasses

Margaret Loniewska (she/her) joined the MBC Advisory Board in 2020 after being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer while pregnant in October 2019. Her daughter Marianna was born prematurely in January 2020 and spent 3 months in the NICU. Once Marianna was born, Margaret started a more targeted treatment for her triple positive breast cancer. 

Margaret completed her doctorate degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences and was working on a certificate in pharmaceutical regulatory affairs before her diagnosis. She hopes to finish her post-graduate studies as soon as she is able.

Margaret joined the MBC Advisory Board to help raise the profile of the MBC agenda, including more MBC research, access to treatment for MBC patients and ensure MBC continues to be an important part of the breast cancer conversation. 

Margaret lives in Toronto, Canada with her supportive husband, daughter and rescue dog, Lucky.

Carmen Powell

Carmen Powell (she/her) is passionate about leveraging her skills and experience to change the landscape of metastatic breast cancer in Canada, as she lost her Mom to the disease in September 2019. From Brooks, Alberta, Carmen brings over a decade of non-profit experience including staff and volunteer management, community outreach, program development, public relations, grant writing, and event planning.

Over the past six years, Carmen has been actively involved in advocacy and fundraising for MBC.

She was a founding member of Rethink’s MBC Advisory Board and the project manager for the Pink Ribbon Project. She has participated in advocacy efforts around drug access in Alberta and took an advisory role on the Priority Setting Partnership for Metastatic Breast Cancer led by Dr. Nancy Nixon at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary.

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