Breast Cancer Research Trust NZ, gaining knowledge and saving lives

Staff and Trustee Bios

Dr Ian Campbell

Chair
Breast Cancer Surgeon

Ian is a Professor of Surgery (Honorary), Waikato Clinical Campus, University of Auckland Medical School, and a Breast & General Surgeon at Te Whatu Ora Health NZ - Waikato specialising in the treatment of breast cancer since 1989.

Ian Campbell and Jenni Scarlet founded the Breast Cancer Research Trust because they have a passion for achieving better outcomes for patients with breast cancer. This means thorough audit of outcomes, which we do through our breast cancer register, and through research.

Ian is an accomplished researcher, holding positions of responsibility and influence in a number of professional organisations designing and running clinical trials. He has been Principal Investigator for more than 35 international clinical trials, leading some of these for Australia and New Zealand. He has actively contributed to the Breast Cancer Trials Australia and New Zealand group (a cooperative breast cancer research group between our two countries) through trials work, and has been on their Scientific Advisory Committee since 1992. Ian was elected New Zealand Director on the Breast Cancer Trials ANZ Board from 2001-2014.

Ian is a member of the Clinical Advisory Group for the Breast Cancer Foundation National Register and is Chair of the Executive Group for the Midland region of this Register.

Over his career Ian is, or has been, Chair or member of multiple local, national and international committees dedicated to the betterment of breast cancer diagnosis, care and treatment. He does this alongside his clinical, teaching and research commitments. He is currently Chairing the NZ Breast Cancer Quality Performance Indicator Working Group.

Ian has dedicated his career to evidence based best practice and he never lets it rest! In 2013 he was honoured as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of his services to breast cancer patients.

When he is relaxing you will find Ian spending time with family or out fishing – his other passion.

Jenni Scarlet

Research Nurse and Trust Secretary

Jenni has been involved with the Breast Cancer Research Trust since its inception, as one of the Trust’s co-founders, and as research nurse and secretary of the Board. Jenni considers herself very fortunate in her professional life to be able to make a difference with extending women’s lives after a breast cancer diagnosis. With the loss of her own mother from breast cancer, she knows only too well that for every woman diagnosed there are also family members and loved ones who are affected. She remains determined that, along with her colleagues, other families will have their mothers around for a long time.

Her hope for the future is that we keep researching until there are no treatment side effects and that one day all breast cancers will be cured, and eventually we will be able to prevent breast cancer.

Jenni is an active member of Breast Cancer Trials, a cooperative breast cancer research group between New Zealand and Australia. Through this group, ANZ researchers are able to collaborate with colleagues from other leading breast cancer research organisations around the world, this ensures international best practice and care for those treated at Waikato Hospital. Jenni was recipient of the Breast Cancer Trial’s inaugural Data Manager award to acknowledge outstanding commitment by a clinical trial coordinator.

For Jenni, nothing beats hot potato chips on a cold day, and she is highly competitive when it comes to playing board games, she always has to be Miss Scarlet in Cluedo!

Dr Marion Kuper-Hommel

Trustee

Marion is a Consultant Medical Oncologist at Te Whatu Ora Health NZ - Waikato. She is passionate about improving breast cancer care and promoting access to high quality breast cancer clinical trials.

Amongst her committee memberships, Marion is a very active member of Breast Cancer Trials Australia and New Zealand, including the Breast Cancer Trials Scientific Advisory Committee and Systemic Therapies Subcommittee. She is an active member of the New Zealand Breast Cancer Special Interest Group.

She has been, or is, Principal Investigator for multiple international breast cancer clinical trials. Marion is a member of the Breast Cancer Foundation National Register – Midlands region Executive group. She is currently Principal Investigator for several clinical trials introducing new targeted drug treatments to advanced breast cancer and also the “NeoN trial” introducing immunotherapy treatment to early triple negative breast cancer (a more aggressive subtype).

Marion has a special interest in advanced breast cancer (ABC) and is leading a NZ pilot study introducing an electronic, nurse led patient symptom management survey and service, to better support women living with ABC. She is most proud of being the initiator and Chair of the NZ ABC Guidelines Consensus Group. These guidelines will help improve and extend the lives of those living with ABC in NZ.

Marion enjoys spending time at the beach and is a trained lifeguard.

Caro Gatley

Trustee

Caro has a passion for people, life, business and hospitality.

Her professional development to support her trustee role includes: Director and Financial Advice Provider of Caro&Co Insurance Specialists; Strategic planning; Institute of Directors governance course; Business Management training; member of NZFAA; Waikato Dio Governance Board Trustee (9 years); and a former member of global organisation Million $ Roundtable.

Caro’s insurance practice is in its 19th year and specialises in Personal Life /Income buy/sell and key person insurances. Assisting with client’s claims enables Caro to work closely with medical processes and procedures. Caro&Co have supported the Breast Cancer Research Trust for 18 years, and been a Trustee for nearly 6.

Caro and her partner Hugh have also owned boutique Lodges which attract international and national tourists; plus guests for corporate, sporting and wedding events. Current community roles include board member of Marlborough Chamber of Commerce; and Trustee for the Peptalk Foundation (a publication advocating Mental Wellbeing).

Caro’s personal interests include gym; tennis; walking; cooking; wine tasting, travel and reading. She is blessed with three adult children who fill her heart.

Debbie Gisby

Trustee

Debbie Gisby has been with Graham Brown & Co Limited since 2001, and specialises in commercial operations and not-for-profits. Her background and experience in successful business management, and management accounting means she can offer not only tax advice, but also practical business solutions at a grass roots level.

Debbie became involved with the Breast Cancer Research Trust as a trustee and as treasurer.

Madeleine Scott

Trustee

Madeleine is currently a residential real estate professional for Harcourts Hamilton. Homes and property have always been a passion of Madeleine’s especially working with communities and families along their journey. Properties are not just houses but homes where we create our memories and stories. Madeleine made the move to Real Estate in 2010 after a 13 year career in the media advertising industry selling and marketing ideas and intangibles for Radio and TV. Prior to that Madeleine spent 6 years in various roles through the Justice Department.

Madeleine has always had an affinity supporting and working alongside many not-for-profit charitable organisations. She was the President of Dress for Success Hamilton from 2008 to 2013 and currently volunteers for several charitable organisations throughout the year as well as financially contributes to The Harcourts Foundation at her work. She is also in the fortunate position of being married to one of Hamilton’s leading Charity Auctioneers, Campbell Scott from Harcourts. Both Madeleine and Campbell fully live the Harcourts values of People First, Doing The Right Thing, Being Courageous and Fun and Laughter.

Madeleine joined the Breast Cancer Research Trust in 2020. Madeleine is not great with the science and medical lingo side of the Trust however has absolute drive and determination to raise major funding for the Trust and to create education and awareness to help fight the breast cancer battle, especially after having a close friend battle this and another friend pass away.

Born and raised in Christchurch, Madeleine has lived and worked across the North Island and settled in Hamilton in 2002. She is a keen Chief’s supporter especially now that Harcourts sponsor the Chiefs!; however when the Crusaders are in town the Yellow in the jersey seems to go. Away from real estate and volunteer work, Madeleine is a wife, a very proud mum and nana – or as Madeleine’s mum would say – the Chief Cook and Bottle Washer! She is also a keen “learner” gardener, champagne connoisseur, novice road and mountain bike rider as well as enjoying hiking with her husband. Everything she does is always with a smile and a laugh!

Belinda Gelston

Trustee

Born in Ireland, immigrating to NZ when I was 8 and growing up in a rural seaside environment in Northland with hard working, kind parents, gave me a terrific platform to life.

I have spent over 20 years developing systems and processes to successfully project manage residential builds, and over the last 15 years have worked with developers to create a software company for the building industry, called Rave Build Management.

Rave is now operating successfully and I decided to step away from the company to pursue more projects of the heart, and was thrilled to be asked to join the Breast Cancer Research Trust with my focus on organising the main fundraising event of the year.

I am particularly passionate about this trust as I lost a close friend to breast cancer, I believe today she may have had a better outcome.

I am also a Trustee for the Resthaven Retirement Village. I feel we need to treasure our elderly and make their lives as rich as possible. They are our past and are the foundations to our future, and have a great deal of knowledge to offer.

In my personal life I enjoy entertaining, skiing, horses, cooking (and eating!), travel, gardening, and yoga.

I am most grateful for my wonderful husband of 30 years, my two children, and my friends.

Anne-Marie
Case-Miller

Trustee

Widely recognised for her extensive experience as an MC across entertainment, corporate, and charity sectors, Anne-Marie is passionate about giving back to her community. She has first-hand experience of the incredible research undertaken by the Breast Cancer Research Trust making a real difference in loved ones’ lives.

After many years as a broadcast journalist, Anne-Marie is now a marriage and funeral celebrant and considers it a privilege to walk beside a couple to celebrate their love or a family to enable them to farewell their loved one with dignity, sensitivity, and aroha.

Anne-Marie remains involved with journalism through roles within the dairy industry, is a member of the Waikato Rugby Union Centenary 2021 Committee, and a board member of the New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators. Anne-Marie has previously dedicated her time and energy to the Waikato Fine Homes Tour Charity Committee from 2015-2019, raising funds for many Waikato charities.

Anne-Marie and her husband Justin have three energetic teenagers, two mad cats, and a chihuahua x labrador dog called Bob. An active relaxer, Anne-Marie enjoys exercise and catching up with friends and family in her spare time.

Paul Ellice

Trustee

Paul has been a lawyer for approximately 35 years. During this time, he has served on various committees both within the Law Society and outside it. He is presently on the Law Society committee which determines if people can enter practice on their own account.

Breast cancer research is important to him personally because of his family history. The latest event being his sister having had breast cancer with full reconstructive surgery. Paul has three daughters and would like to assist in any way he can to further the research of breast cancer.

Kate McFayden

Research Data Support
Breast Cancer Foundation National Register

Kate worked for 14 years for the BreastScreen Aotearoa Programme in the Midland region. The first two years were with the call centre for BreastScreen Midland, and then 12 years as Data Coordinator. Kate therefore brings to her Midland Data Support role for the Breast Cancer Foundation National Register an extensive knowledge of breast cancer diagnosis and treatments.

Cathy Head

Midland Data Manager
Breast Cancer Foundation National Register

Cathy brings an extensive knowledge of breast cancer diagnosis and treatments. She worked for 12 years with Breast Screen Aotearoa and for 10 of these years was a data coordinator. She has also worked as a coordinator for the National Immunisation Register.

Cathy’s main role as Midland Data Manager will be to enter data into the Register, ensure quality data entry of other team members. Extract data for reports and analysis. She will also work with other Data Managers throughout NZ to provide researchers and clinicians a rich and accurate resource on NZ breast cancer data.

Jane Burnett

Administrative Assistant

Jane’s background is in education, as a teacher at tertiary and secondary level, and she has a Masters in Education. More recently she has worked in support roles for the University of Waikato Research Office. Her role at the BCRT is to assist with administration and involves a variety of support tasks. Jane’s main interest has always been literature and she is an avid reader. She has experience in editing and proofreading academic writing and has worked on theses, journal articles, and books.

Cindy Jacobs

Fundraising, Events and Marketing Manager

Cindy stands as a beacon of innovation in the realm of brand and marketing leadership. With a career spanning over two decades, she has meticulously crafted an enviable portfolio of avant-garde projects, each marking a milestone in the industry’s evolution. Her fervor for her craft is only matched by her unwavering commitment, making her an indispensable asset to the BCRT. There, she channels her extensive knowledge to propel their noble cause forward.

Her professional journey is deeply intertwined with personal narratives that have sculpted her worldview. Witnessing her mother’s brave confrontation with multiple benign lumps, Cindy became intimately acquainted with the psychological impact of breast cancer. This profound understanding was further solidified through her paternal grandmother’s valiant struggle against the same affliction.

Beyond her pivotal role at the BCRT, Cindy helms the Glean Group, steering it with the same intensity and strategic prowess that have become her trademarks. When the office lights dim, Cindy transforms into a globe-trotter and gracious hostess, seizing every moment to indulge in the joys of family, life and fellowship.

Hina Pokaia

Research Nurse

Hina is from Ngāti Mahuta and Ngāti Māhanga descent, drawing her passion and strength from her whānau, hapū and iwi. Pursuing a career in health has been a life goal for Hina, seeing it as an opportunity to help the community and support whanau in their health journeys.

After obtaining a Bachelor of Nursing, Hina worked as an acute respiratory nurse before transitioning into a community nursing role that closely supports Māori communities through cardiac rehabilitation. She has diverse nursing experience, gaining knowledge on front line COVID-19 nursing care, acute medical care, and whanau ora community nursing care.

Hina has a real interest in the pursuit of knowledge and undertaking research. She is currently pursuing a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Science and has strong passion to pursue higher education in the future.

In her spare time Hina enjoys reading fiction novels, listening to podcasts, and learning new recipes.