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Board of Directors

Christopher Cutler

Christopher Cutler

Founder & Executive Director

Christopher is the visionary behind The Heather Cutler Foundation, a national nonprofit committed to improving pancreatic cancer outcomes in Canada. Inspired by his mother Heather's journey, he leads the organization with a blend of strategy, creativity, and relentless advocacy.

  • Organizational leadership and strategic growth
  • Federal advocacy and public submissions
  • Campaigns, branding, and public engagement
  • Digital infrastructure and secure content systems
Bethany Cutler

Bethany Cutler

Secretary & Treasurer

Bethany ensures operational and financial integrity across the Foundation. She oversees board communications, internal systems, and supports governance reporting for a growing nonprofit structure.

  • Board coordination and official recordkeeping
  • Financial tracking and grant documentation
  • Governance and compliance

Barry Cutler

Vice President

Barry brings a deeply personal commitment to the Foundation’s mission. As Heather’s husband and Christopher’s father, his lived experience as a caregiver shapes our family-centered approach to advocacy.

  • Caregiver-informed program support
  • Community presence and event logistics
  • Rural health access perspectives

Deanne Matsushima

Director of Digital Systems & Creative Operations

Deanne Matsushima serves as Director of Digital Systems & Creative Operations. With over a decade of experience in project management and program coordination, she leads the development of internal platforms and workflows, including volunteer onboarding systems, file access protocols, and secure communication infrastructure.

She is especially focused on creating inclusive, scalable systems that empower volunteers to contribute meaningfully and ensure operations are future-ready.

Sandra Lori Parsons

Policy Director

Sandra brings over a decade of applied research and evaluation experience to the Foundation’s policy portfolio. She guides submission development, metrics, and long-term impact strategy rooted in evidence-based insight.

  • Public policy development and health system reform
  • Evaluation frameworks and measurable outcomes
  • Strategic planning and submission leadership

Lisa Gillespie

Community Director

Lisa Gillespie supports community engagement, patient experience, and volunteer coordination across the Foundation. She plays a vital role in making sure lived experience informs everything we do — from policy meetings to events on the ground.

  • Volunteer and caregiver engagement
  • Community coordination and outreach
  • Meeting preparation and support

Xianjie Li

Director of Communications

Xianjie Li is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a background in business analysis. As Director of Communications, he supports digital content strategy, stakeholder messaging, and knowledge translation across the Foundation’s initiatives.

  • Internal and external communications
  • Business and data-informed engagement tools
  • Digital accessibility and message clarity