Executive team
Breakthrough T1D Canada is proud of our professional, experienced executive team of leaders passionately committed to our mission, vision and core values.
Jessica Diniz
President and CEO
“There is something very special and unique at Breakthrough T1D. Let me let you in on our secret sauce – there are two aspects - our talented team of staff and volunteer leaders have infectious passion and creativity.
It’s also what we are doing. We started with a vision – How do we make the largest impact and give people freedom from diabetes? And now we have a plan to accomplish this. Breakthrough T1D is at an exciting point in its history.”
Alan Burvill
Chief Financial Officer
“In 2014, my daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). She was five years old. It was a scary and life-changing moment for our family.
The desire that no more children or families receive a T1D diagnosis drives me to do my best every day. Bringing my financial experience and knowledge to the table, I work to ensure that when you donate your hard-earned dollars to Breakthrough T1D, they are spent as efficiently as possible. Our goal is to maximize the amount available for research to find a cure, as well as improving lives today and tomorrow.”
Monica Kocsmaros
Chief External Relations Officer
“The work that happens each day at Breakthrough T1D is literally saving lives and it is only made possible by the passion, grit and inspiration that staff, volunteers and the entire type 1 diabetes (T1D) community continually bring to the table. When you can leverage that and combine it with investments in innovative and ground-breaking research, it leaves me without any doubt that we are on a path to curing T1D.”
Kim Lacombe
Vice President, Philanthropy
"In 2010, type 1 diabetes (T1D) became personal as my 5-year-old son was diagnosed with T1D. I was already working at Breakthrough T1D at that time, and from his hospital bed, he made me promise to continue to work at Breakthrough T1D until a cure is found. I remind myself of this promise every morning and whenever I meet with people in the incredible T1D community. What motivation!
Since I joined the Breakthrough T1D team in 2006, I have been privileged to see how fast T1D research is advancing and its remarkable impact on the community. The passion, engagement and hard work of our volunteers, donors, supporters, and staff members is what makes Breakthrough T1D an incredible team; a team that can achieve wonders and provide hope for all families living with type 1 diabetes. I am honored to be part of this team."
Sarah Linklater
Chief Scientific Officer
“I am so proud to be part of a change-making organization working at the interface of global, cutting-edge research and the T1D community, for whom we are driving new advances to improve lives and ultimately cure T1D.”
Valerie Manouk
Vice President, Development
"It's an incredibly exciting time in medicine and research, particularly in the field of type 1 diabetes. Being part of the leading organization dedicated to advancing research and patient care is a tremendous honour.
Each day I come into work, I'm amazed by the dedication of our volunteers, staff, and researchers who work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of those living with type 1 diabetes. At Breakthrough T1D, we're not just an organization; we're a community driving meaningful change together."
Christine Sibley
Chief Human Resources Officer
“Working alongside Breakthrough T1D’s passionate and dedicated staff and volunteers is awe inspiring. By working together to ensure research is funded and advocacy efforts are undertaken, staff and volunteers work together seamlessly to not only find a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D) but also help those living with T1D to live healthier, easier and safer lives. I am honoured to be able to be a part of such an outstanding group of people.”