meet the cassie + friends staff

Jennifer Wilson, Executive Director

Jennifer is the Executive Director of Cassie + Friends. When she joined C+F as their first employee in 2013, she had never heard of arthritis in children. Through learning about the condition and immersing herself in the pediatric rheumatic disease community, Jennifer found a noble purpose and has since dedicated herself to pursuing C+F’s vision of a pain-free future for kids.

Jennifer has two trailblazing daughters, Bella and Poppy, who are equally as passionate about helping kids with arthritis, whether by running with Team Cassie + Friends, sorting bottles with the Prime Family or hosting a JIA puppet performance at their school. Together, they share a passion for all of life’s colours and adventures.

Brittany Barnes, Director of Programs & Partnerships

Brittany joined our team in early 2019 and quickly learned how mighty the Cassie + Friends community is. She is constantly inspired by the strength and resiliency of kids and families affected by pediatric rheumatic diseases and uses her background in program development to help bring them new avenues of support.

She is energized by connecting with youth and by their endless potential to change the world.

In her spare time, you can find Brittany soaking in nature on a hiking trail with her family and their pup Obi, talking politics, or sharing laughs with friends at a local brewery.

Marissa Sangers, Youth & Family Engagement Coordinator

Marissa has been actively involved with Cassie + Friends since the establishment of the C+F London Centre in 2019. Her contributions include leading multiple runs, assisting in fundraising efforts within her community, and serving as a Community Manager for the Online Support Network where she connects families affected by JA and other rheumatic diseases. Marissa’s dedication to supporting children with rheumatic diseases is deeply rooted in her personal experience, as her oldest daughter Charlotte was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis at the age of 3.

A strong advocate for causes related to inclusion and passionate about supporting children and families, Marissa invests her time beyond her professional role. Outside of work, she is engaged in her small business, crafting clay earrings. She frequently spends her leisure hours crafting with friends or immersing herself in nature alongside her husband Jordon and their lively daughters, Charlotte and Riley.

Emma Linsley, Multimedia Content Manager

Emma is a recent McGill University Bachelors of Science graduate who lives with juvenile arthritis. She has been an active participant and advisor in an array of research-related activities and heavily involved in patient advocacy for nearly seven years. She aims to raise awarness of the importance of developmentally appropriate care and the impact of chronic illness on youth mental health.

Her focus on these issues is evident in her recent roles as a primary researcher and writer on the Canadian Rheumatology Transition Guideline Working Group and as a member of the Saskatchewan Pediatric Rheumatology Digital Presence Platform Working Group, and the Working Group for Identifying Facilitators of and Barriers to Digital Health Literacy.

She hopes to continue to advance care and build community through facilitating connections between patients, physicians, and researchers!

Connect with Emma by emailing emma@cassieandfriends.ca.

Jessica Caldwell, Programs Officer

Jessica graduated from Queen’s University with a degree in Political Studies and holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree. Throughout her academic journey, she focused on exploring the intricacies of political systems, policies, and their impacts on diverse communities. With a background as a project manager, Jessica has practical experience in overseeing initiatives and ensuring successful outcomes, including within healthcare and virtual care.

Jessica enjoys using her diverse skill set to further the Cassie + Friends mission and is committed to dedicating herself to the well-being of youth and their families. She draws great inspiration from the unwavering strength demonstrated by those in the C+F community and looks forward to the opportunity to contribute positively and create meaningful change.

Aren Godberson, Development Officer

Aren brings a passion for people, getting outside, and forming connections with his community. His journey in the nonprofit sector began as a volunteer in 2019 as a member of a silent auction committee for an organization that focused on Childhood Oncology. Hailing from the vibrant city of Calgary, he has woven his passion for making a positive impact into the fabric of his everyday life. He is fueled by challenge and is excited to leave his mark in support of Juvenile Arthritis while working alongside the amazing Cassie + Friends community.

In addition to his thriving career, Aren places immense value on his connections with family and friends. Known for his high energy and sociable nature, he finds joy in spending quality time with loved ones, fostering bonds, and making lasting memories. When he’s not fundraising, you’ll likely find Aren unwinding on a patio, out for a run, or playing hockey.

Connect with Aren at aren@cassieandfriends.ca

Sabah Kaur Mann, Volunteer Engagement & HR Specialist Intern

Freshly armed with a BA in Psychology, Media and Communications, and English Literature from Christ University in India, Sabah charted a course for higher education in Canada.

Currently immersed in a Post Baccalaureate Diploma Program for Business Management, focusing on Human Resource Management at Capilano University, Sabah is motivated by her desire to make a positive impact and alleviate burdens, drawing her towards Cassie + Friends. A passionate mental health advocate, Sabah strives to create safe spaces that empower individuals to embrace their authentic selves and support one another. Outside the professional realm, she finds joy in literary adventures, poetic expressions, and the pursuit of well-being through meditation and amateur yoga.

Suraj Kumar Sunani, Database Admin Intern

As a Business Management student at Capilano University, Suraj is passionate about learning how to leverage data to make informed and strategic decisions. He expects to graduate in December 2024 with a focus on Project Management, and has completed multiple certifications in data analytics, including the Google Data Analytics Course, where he learned how to use spreadsheets, SQL, R, and Tableau to process, analyze, and visualize data.

During his free time. Suraj enjoys fitness activities, like exercise and snowboarding. He also enjoys playing video games and watching anime