Leadership
Guided by Experience. Driven by Purpose.
Cassie + Friends is led by a dedicated group of individuals—including parents, healthcare professionals, researchers, and community leaders—who bring both lived experience and professional expertise to the work.
This leadership reflects the communities we serve. Many have firsthand experience navigating pediatric rheumatic disease, alongside deep knowledge of clinical care, research, and advocacy. Together, they help shape programs, guide strategic priorities, and ensure that decisions remain grounded in what children and families truly need.
By combining insight, compassion and a shared commitment to improving outcomes, this leadership is helping drive meaningful change across Canada.
Executive Leadership
Our executive team leads the organization’s strategy, programs, partnerships, and operations—working closely with families and partners across the country on day-today-basis.
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.
Danielle Harrison
Manager, Programs + Partnerships
Marissa Sangers
Family Engagement Coordinator
Marissa has been involved with Cassie + Friends since 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.
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 frequently spends her leisure hours crafting with friends or immersing herself in nature alongside her husband Jordon and their lively daughters, Charlotte and Riley.
Suraj Kumar Sunani
Systems Administrator + Data Specialist
Suraj is passionate about using data to make informed and strategic decisions. He graduated from Capilano University with a degree in Business Management, focusing on Project Management. He has completed multiple certifications in data analytics, including the Google Data Analytics Course, where he learned to use spreadsheets, SQL, R, and Tableau to process, analyze, and visualize data.
In his free time, Suraj enjoys fitness activities like exercising and snowboarding. He also loves playing video games and watching anime.
Danica Moschenross
Programs + Events Assistant
Danica is driven by a desire to understand human behaviour and its impact on communication strategies and leadership development for effective organizational success.
Passionate about community involvement, Danica has been a dedicated supporter of Cassie and Friends since high school, actively participating in various fundraising initiatives. Her commitment to the foundation is deeply personal, as she was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis at 11 years old, fueling her desire to give back to others facing similar challenges. She is also involved with the Cassie & Friends Youth Mentorship Program.
Outside of her studies and work, Danica enjoys unwinding with a good book, exploring the hiking trails around Vancouver, and travelling the world!
Majd Khodari
Manager, Operations + Digital Transformation
Majd leads Operations and Digital Transformation at Cassie + Friends, focusing on strengthening the systems, processes, and technology that support the organization’s mission. He is passionate about making organizations work better by bringing people, processes, and technology together.
At Cassie + Friends, Majd works to improve operational efficiency, build sustainable systems, and create better ways for teams to collaborate, manage information, and deliver meaningful impact. He believes that strong operations are the foundation that allows great people and ideas to thrive.
He is excited to be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families living with juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic disease.
Hailey Moran
Manager, Fundraising + Events
Hailey Moran is the Manager, Fundraising + Events at Cassie + Friends, where she’s excited to build capacity, bring community together, and grow our impact. She brings experience in non-profit leadership, fund development, youth programming, and strategic fundraising and communications. A passionate communicator and driven self-starter, Hailey values meaningful connections built through empathy, collaboration, and trust.
Outside of work, Hailey coaches and plays in the Mabel East Van softball league, loves a good book and her cat, Jasper, and is a big fan of sports, especially women’s sports.
Want to make a difference? Connect with Hailey to support our fundraising, sponsor our work, or collaborate on an event that helps children and families feel supported, empowered, and never alone.
Founder Spotlight
David Porte
Co-Founder & Board Chair
David Porte founded Cassie + Friends after his daughter Cassie was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at a young age. What began as a single fundraising run quickly grew into a national organization supporting children and families across Canada.
Driven by lived experience and a deep commitment to improving care and outcomes, David continues to play a central role in shaping the organization’s vision, growth, and impact.
“When we started on our journey with this and we started on fundraising around the run, I realized I could do something.” — Co-Founder and Board Chair – David Porte
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Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors provides governance, strategic direction, and oversight to ensure the organization continues to grow responsibly and effectively.
Board members bring a diverse mix of lived experience, clinical expertise, and business leadership.
Advisory Committees
Cassie + Friends works closely with medical, scientific, and patient advisors to guide research priorities, program development, and emerging areas of need.
These committees ensure that our work is informed by both lived experience and leading expertise in pediatric rheumatology.
Working Together
What makes Cassie + Friends unique is the collaboration between families, healthcare professionals, researchers, and partners.
This integrated approach ensures that everything we do is grounded in real-world needs and informed by best practices in care and research.