About Us

Meet the CanToo Team

Our dedicated team is passionate about supporting your health and fitness journey as well as making a difference in the fight against cancer. Supported by an incredible community of participants, volunteers and expert coaches, we work together to inspire individuals to achieve their goals while funding early-career cancer researchers.

About the foundation

Lisa Hresc

Lisa Hresc

Chief Executive Officer

Lisa has over 25 years executive management experience in commercial and not-for-profit organisations, having worked with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC), ABC commercial and The Benevolent Society. She has led teams across business strategy, development, digital transformation, brand, marketing, media and communications as well as fundraising and philanthropy.

Lisa holds an Executive MBA and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). She is also a Board Member and Committee Chair for ChildFund Australia.

Lisa has been a runner for the past nine years and has completed several half marathons, triathlons and completed the Queenstown Marathon in 2023. Promoting health and well being while raising funds for cancer research is an enduring purpose of Lisa’s.

“Joining Can Too Foundation is an absolute privilege. It’s an exciting time to join as the Foundation enters it 20th year and having raised almost $35 million since 2005.  The lifelong stories of our participants conquering their challenges and the incredible impact the research and our research candidates have had during this time has changed lives.”

Gavin Le Roux

Gavin Le Roux

Finance Manager

Gavin has over 20 years of experience in finance across a range of industries including cellular agriculture, real estate and funds management. He is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand and holds a B.Comm (Honours) degree from the University of Natal in South Africa.

Gavin enjoys running and being outdoors and helps out at his local junior rugby club.

“I have seen many orange CanToo runners in so many runs over the years and have always been blown away by their close supportive community and spirit. I can now call myself a 'CanToo-er' and it's great being part of this amazing community and playing such an important role in physical and mental health, and cancer research funding."

Conchita Casteigt

Conchita Casteigt

Head of Marketing and Fundraising

We know you'd love to read about Conchita, but her bio is coming soon. Stay tuned to learn more about the amazing work she does with our team at CanToo!

Kate Cooper

Claire Moulsher

Programs Manager

Excited to know more about Claire? We're working on her bio and it will be published shortly. Check back soon to learn about her valuable work with CanToo.

Stacie Smith

Stacie Smith

Associate Programs Manager

Stacie brings 25 years of experience as a small business owner, visual artist, and photographer. Originally from Southern California, she moved to Sydney from Denver, Colorado six years ago and has since become a dedicated grassroots organiser and fundraiser, building community as an advocate and parent activist to support her LGBT+ child.

Stacie’s connection to CanToo began when she arrived in Australia. Despite starting as a casual swimmer who could only manage 200 meters at a time, she found a welcoming community in the ocean swim program. Ocean swimming has become a big part of her life.

“I have lost friends and family, young and old, to cancer. I feel blessed to be part of an organisation that not only strengthens the mental and physical health of its participants but also drives forward groundbreaking cancer research.”

Penny Nolton

Penny Nolton

Coaching Manager

As Coaching Coordinator, Penny is responsible for sourcing the best coaches in New South Wales to ensure our CanToo-ers get over the line on race day fit, smiling, and injury free.

Before coaching, Penny had a career as an Art and Artefacts restorer working in Australia’s top museums but decided to leave the world’s treasures behind to pursue her passion for helping people achieve goals they never imagined possible.

A keen cyclist, Penny isn’t opposed to throwing on Lycra of any kind and is often seen on the running track or in the swimming lanes encouraging our CanToo-ers.

Lisa Polyblank

Lisa Polyblank

Office Manager

Lisa has many years of administrative experience which includes positions within the NSW Education Department and Competition Manager at Water Polo NSW.  In recent years, Lisa applied her Master of Counselling in her work with First Nations Peoples,  most recently a position at Wayside Chapel.

Lisa has enjoyed and attempted many forms of aquatic exercise, not always successfully. Her main involvement was playing, refereeing, volunteering and working with Water Polo community. 

Her son introduced her to Can Too, expecting her to find it enjoyable but not thinking that she would end up working there in less than 3 years. 

“Since joining my first Can Too swim pod, I have had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful people and am grateful to be able to call them friends.  I have seen friends conquer their fears supported by the amazing coaches and experienced participants. Can Too has rekindled my enjoyment of ocean swimming, which I get to enjoy with others, improve my fitness and continues to create challenges.”

Lucy Boon

Lucy Boon

Philanthropy Associate

Lucy has 5+ years experience in the NFP sector and specialises in fundraising and business development. Prior to joining CanToo, she worked in the performing arts sector as Bell Shakespeare’s Philanthropy and Major Gift Manager. She holds a Master of Business from Deakin University and was awarded Best Graduate of her 2021 class. In addition to her work in the NFP sector, Lucy is a PhD student at Australian National University, where she works as a Sessional Academic in English and Drama.

Lucy is an avid runner and couldn’t be more excited to be part of the CanToo team.

“CanToo perfectly combines my passion for fitness and my desire to make meaningful change. It’s such a wonderful opportunity to work among a very special community and find ways to support and empower early career researchers to fight the good fight against cancer.”

Kim Cook

Kim Cook

Community Engagement Manager

Kim brings a wealth of experience in marketing, communications and operations across the defence, transport, and not-for-profit sectors. She holds a Masters of Strategic Communications, as well as Bachelor's degrees in Science and Business.

Kim has successfully completed several CanToo programs, most recently conquering the Sydney Marathon in 2023.

"Working at CanToo is the perfect example of Ikigai for me – it's incredibly rewarding to be part of such a great cause while combining it with fitness and personal wellbeing. Every day, I see the positive impact we make and our contribution to the broader fight against cancer, and I’m grateful it’s something that I can contribute to and be a  part of.”

Kirk Zhao

Kirk Zhao

Financial Accountant

Kirk started with CanToo in late 2015. He holds a Bachelor of Finance and Master of Commerce. He is also a member of the CPA. He performs all processing of financial transactions for the Foundation.

“I’m very proud of being a CanToo-er. At CanToo I've met incredible Participants and work with amazing colleagues. I love the spirit of CanToo, to set a goal and never give up, you CanToo!"

Challenge yourself. Challenge cancer.

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