Our Team

Our Management

Rachel Thibodeaux
Zurich Region Manager
Elina Viitaniemi
Director
Nicola Bowers
Volunteer Coordinator
Anne-Liis Lääne-Sáez
Centre & Operations Coordinator
Alana Dunsmore
Communications & Awareness Manager
Carine Karnouk
Counselling & Support Services Manager / Head Psychologist

Our Staff

Smita Singh
Support Services Coordinator
Frances Bolton
Facilities and Administration Assistant
A photo of Dani Glover the Peer Support Coordinator at Cancer Support Switzerland.
Dani Glover
Peer Supporter Coordinator
Antonia Calame
Counsellor
Christina Grivea
Counsellor/ Intake Counsellor

Our Counsellors

Carine Karnouk
Counselling & Support Services Manager / Head Psychologist

Carine has 10+ years of experience working as a counselling psychologist and providing a wide range of culturally sensitive individual and group-based mental healthcare services and diagnostic assessments to clients who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, migration, refugee mental health, addiction, personality disorders, identity issues, illness, and crisis management in several clinical, hospital and university settings. She has published several papers in international journals. Carine holds a PhD in Psychology with a focus on Global Mental Health from the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Germany) and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from the American University in Cairo (Egypt).

In terms of her therapeutic orientation, Carine considers herself a relational integrative therapist and merges various approaches depending on the client’s needs, including person-centred therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy. She believes in the importance of supporting individuals with an accepting attitude towards their cultural background, personal freedom of choice and respect that each and every person has their own independent way of fulfilling their needs and achieving their goals.

She is a member of the Fédération Suisse des Psychologues (FSP) and the Association Genevoise des Psychologues (AGPsy).

A photo of Catharine Viveash-Beard a Cancer Support Switzerland Staff Member.
Catharine Viveash-Beard
Counsellor / Intake Counsellor

Catharine works with a collaborative and integrative approach to counselling, placing a strong focus on nurturing safety and security within the therapeutic relationship. Every relationship is unique, and every journey together is unique. Catharine has a private practice in the Zurich region, with locations in Enge and Wädenswil, reaching those of different ages and in different life stages. She integrates in her work the beautifully compassionate Internal Family Systems approach, and facilitates an attachment-based parenting programme for parents of young children. As well as travelling her own journey of cancer within her family, Catharine has training in grief and bereavement and holds a master’s in counselling. She is a registered member of the Swiss Association for Counselling and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Christina Grivea
Counsellor/ Intake Counsellor

Christina serves as first contact for those seeking support. She is a Counsellor and Trauma Therapist for Cancer Support Switzerland and also facilitates the Online Support Group. She helps support both adults and children that have been diagnosed with cancer and the challenges that diagnosis brings into their lives. She qualified as a Forensic Psychologist in the UK where she lived and worked in a variety of difficult and challenging settings both in the public and charitable sectors.

Along with her personal and family experience with cancer, Christina also has a master’s degree in Counselling, is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), a NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) Therapist, has a PGDip in Therapeutic Play Skills from Play Therapy UK and is a registered member of the Swiss Association for Counselling (SGfB), SE©, NARM, BPS, BACP and PTI.

Antonia Calame
Counsellor

Antonia has a Master of Science degree in Organizational Behaviour from Birkbeck College, University of London and a Master of Arts degree in Counselling. Prior to moving to Geneva, Antonia worked in London and New York where she spent many years volunteering with children with special needs, as well as with the elderly.

In 2014 she became involved with Cancer Support Switzerland, firstly as a volunteer and peer supporter, before joining the counselling team in 2016.

She is a member of the Swiss Association for Counselling (SGfB), the American Psychological Association (APA) and is a registered member MBACP of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Caroline Ferrer-Aza
Counsellor
Caroline is a trained Psychosocial Counsellor offering support to individuals with a range of struggles, nationalities, gender/sexual orientations, and ages at her private practice in the Lausanne area, specifically the center of Lausanne and Epesses. She takes an integrative approach and believes in putting the person she is working with at the center of therapy. She has a special interest in focusing on mind-body connection, existential meaning, and a utilization of CBT techniques, but tailors her sessions to each unique client and their unique present needs. Caroline relies significantly on the healing that the relationship between the counsellor and the person being supported fosters. She has personally been affected by cancer, which is why she finds supporting others affected by cancer so important.
Caroline has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hawai’i Pacific University, and a Master of Arts in Counselling from Webster University (Geneva). She has previously also worked at an international school based in the Lake Geneva area as the Secondary School Counsellor. She is a member of the Swiss Association for Counselling (SGfB).
Catherine Butterly
Counsellor

Catherine offers counselling support to individuals, families and couples in her practice in Mies and online. She has trained in integrative, psychodynamic and family & couples therapy in Canada, U.K and Zimbabwe. Also trained as a trauma specialist and trainer, she works with a range of body-based interventions. Catherine is registered with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy, the European Association of Psychotherapy and a clinical supervisor with the Swiss Counselling Association.

Milena Claudius
Counsellor

Milena supports clients and their families impacted by cancer in her private practice in Lausanne.  She holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology from Boston College and completed post-doctoral training in health psychology/behavioral medicine. Prior to moving to Switzerland, she primarily worked in hospital settings with clients facing a variety of medical, emotional, and mental health challenges.

She aims to help her clients feel empowered and to maintain the best quality of life during difficult times. Her theoretical orientation is integrative, and mind-body centered. She is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Federation of Swiss Psychologists (FSP).

A photo of Patricia Matthews a Cancer Support Switzerland counsellor.
Patricia Matthews
Counsellor

Tricia is an integrative counsellor with a private practice in Geneva. She has a Master’s degree in Counselling, and extensive training and experience in working with neurodiversity and attachment trauma.  Her approach is holistic, helping individuals make sense of their situation and address the challenges they are facing.  Tricia facilitates bereavement groups for those who have lost loved ones to cancer. She also gives workshops on neurodiversity, giftedness, and twice-exceptionality. A peer supporter since 2011, Tricia has first-hand experience of cancer in her family as well as undergoing treatment for skin cancer in 2014. After joining the counselling team in 2016, she trained in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Cancer. Tricia is a Certified Autism Clinical Specialist and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and the Swiss Association for Counselling (SGfB).

Raynelle Arcaini
Counsellor

At Cancer Support Switzerland, Raynelle provides individual and group therapy consultations to clients and family members. Along with her personal experience with cancer, she has a master’s degree in counselling, certification in the treatment of developmental trauma, and training in Applied Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy to provide individual and group counselling.

She has interned and counselled at Associazione Tumori Toscana (ATT), a hospice association, and currently trains and supervises the Cancer Support Switzerland peer support team. She is a member of the Swiss Association for Counselling (SGfB), and the American Psychological Association.

A photo of Richard Elliott a Cancer Support Switzerland counsellor in training.
Richard Elliot
Counsellor in Training

Richard joined Cancer Support Switzerland as a psychotherapist in training at the beginning of 2023. He holds a Masters in Psychotherapy from Middlesex University in the UK and is in training as an Existential Psychotherapist with the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling (NSPC) in London. He is providing counselling to adults and family members affected by cancer in the Geneva region, and also assisting on cancer support group activities such as the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Rosemarie Chopard
Counsellor

Rosemarie is an Accredited Playtherapist and Grief Counsellor.  She helps children and young people face the challenges of life in Cantons Vaud and Geneva.  Rosemarie comes to the work with children and young people having experienced cancer within her own family.  She works to create a safe space for young people to fully express themselves and to connect to the resources they need to cope and manage their lives.  She uses play and creative arts as these are powerful mediums that allow this process to occur.

Rosemarie has experience in various settings: with hospitalised children and their families, unaccompanied minors and kids in foster care, children and teens experiencing grief owing to family illnesses or parental separation.

She holds qualifications in Play Therapy and in Grief Counselling, a Diploma in Relaxation for children and teenagers, a Masters degree in Education and a Diploma in Theology.   

Our Coaches

Caroline Shaw
Work and Cancer Coach

I have been a coach for over a decade, with several certifications under my belt. Prior to my coaching career, I was in banking and recruitment. I have faced many challenges in life, and I understand what it means to face adversity and to overcome it. I was fortunate to have the right support system, which is why I chose this career path, to help people through the difficulties of their own journey.

As a coach, I look forward to working with you. Together, we will work on finding the tools you need to move forward, in your personal, social or professional life.

Geoff Matthews
Work and Cancer Coach

I’m an accredited executive coach and HR consultant with 40 years’ professional experience.  I have been living in Switzerland since 1993 and have long been involved with Cancer Support Switzerland both as a volunteer and as a former board member.  Cancer has affected several of my family members, as well as a close work colleague, so I understand the challenges involved.  I’m ready to support you in dealing with the job and career issues that can result from a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Luana Eckhard
Work and Cancer Coach

I am a certified coach and an HR professional with more than 14 years of experience. I have lived firsthand with what it means to face and fight cancer, and how to live through this transition and find my way back to a professional life and successful career.

I am looking forward to meeting you as a coach and mentor; to accompany you and help you find your answers and share my HR experience whenever the time is right for you.

Sunita Sehmi
Work and Cancer Coach

I am an organisational consultant and leadership advisor. I have worked with cancer patients in palliative care and, on a personal note, supported my mother when she had terminal cancer.

I train and advise organisations on managing cancer in the workplace, and I am so proud to be part of a skilled and supportive team. We want to ensure every organisation has the right tools, knowledge, and guidance. Together, we are stronger.

Our Support Services Team

A photo of Dani Glover the Peer Support Coordinator at Cancer Support Switzerland.
Dani Glover
Peer Supporter Coordinator

Dani is a trained Psychosocial Counsellor and also holds the role of Peer Support coordinator at Cancer Support Switzerland. She has a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters in Counselling. She takes an integrative and collaborative approach to counselling with a special interest in trauma, anxiety and taking therapy outside.

In 2019 she became involved with Cancer Support Switzerland, firstly as a volunteer and peer supporter, before becoming Peer Support Coordinator in 2022.

Dani is a member of the British Psychological society  (BPS ) and British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

Smita Singh
Support Services Coordinator and Bereavement Support Group Facilitator

Smita is a trained Psychosocial Counsellor and also holds the role of Support Service Coordinator at Cancer Support Switzerland. Her training involves a specialized focus in grief and bereavement counselling but she welcomes any individuals seeking support in navigating the challenges of life.

This includes redefining personal relationships and dealing with emotional shifts that come with change.

Working very much with the individual in a holistic and person-centered way, Smita integrates different therapeutic approaches in her practice. She prioritizes each client’s unique needs, fostering an empathetic environment for open dialogue. Through collaboration, therapy is tailored to meet specific preferences, validating experiences and supporting self-discovery. A safe space empowers clients to explore challenges, find ways to cope and cultivate authenticity in the therapeutic relationship.

Smita holds three Masters degrees including an MSc in Neuroscience from the Institute of Psychiatry at Kings College London and an MA in Counselling from Webster University, Geneva. She is a member of the Swiss Association for Counselling (SGfB).

Antonia Calame
Caregivers Support Group Facilitator
Caroline Ferrer-Aza
Vaud Support Group Facilitator
Caroline Praz
Vaud Drop-In Facilitator
A photo of Catharine Viveash-Beard a Cancer Support Switzerland Staff Member.
Catharine Viveash-Beard
Zurich Support Group Facilitator
Chris Swan
Community Spaces Facilitator
Christina Grivea
Online and Geneva Support Group Facilitator
A photo of Dominika Schutze a Cancer Support Switzerland Yoga Instructor.
Dominika Schütze
Yoga Instructor
Eileen Wiley
Art Therapist
Frances Bolton
Geneva Drop-In Facilitator
Gisèle Laliberté
Librarian
Helen Topp
Vaud Drop-In Facilitator
Juliette Gray
Yoga Instructor
Karen Jones
Garden Group Facilitator
Manali Kulkarni
Pilates Instructor
Maria De Wolf-van der Wey
Breast Cancer Support Group (Bosom Pals) Facilitator
Raynelle Arcaini
Breast Cancer Support Group (Bosom Pals) Facilitator
A photo of Richard Elliott a Cancer Support Switzerland counsellor in training.
Richard Elliot
Prostate Cancer Support Group Facilitator
A photo of Sandra Oakley a Cancer Support Switzerland Librarian.
Sandra Oakley
Librarian
A photo of Sari Galapo a Cancer Support Switzerland Yoga Instructor.
Sari Galapo
Yoga Instructor

Our Board of Directors

Janet Voûte
President

Janet Voûte joined the Cancer Support Switzerland board in hopes of sharing her board, business and NGO management experience. She has recently stepped down from her position as a non-executive director at Bupa, a UK headquartered global health insurance and health care company. Currently she Chairs the Nestle Creating Shared Council, an expert advisory council focused on environment, social and governance issues.

From 2010 to 2016, she served as Vice President and Global Head of Public Affairs and was a member of the Nestlé-in-Society Board. Prior to joining Nestlé, Ms Voûte was Partnership Adviser at the World Health Organization focused on non-communicable diseases.  From 2000 to 2008, she held the position of CEO of the World Heart Federation, helping to grow the funding and staff of the organization substantially. She began her career in strategy consulting holding the position of Vice President/Managing Partner Switzerland at Bain & Company.

In addition, she has served as President of the American International Club from 2003-2004, was a member of the American Swiss Chamber of Commerce Geneva chapter, was a member of the board of Project Hope Suisse, a board member at Bamboo Finance and an advisory board member at Al Rajhi Holdings.

Ms Voûte is an honors graduate of Smith College and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. She is both Swiss and American, residing in Geneva since 1990. She is the proud mother of three daughters.

Bill Laneville
Board Secretary

Bill joined the ranks of Geneva’s blissfully retired in June 2020.

Up until then, he was the Controller for the Vitol Group of Companies, responsible for the Group’s external reporting, internal controlling and analysis, and statutory financial reporting.

Prior to joining Vitol, Bill spent 18 years with KPMG, finishing as the managing partner of KPMG’s Geneva office. While at KPMG he audited many not-for-profits and foundations including the International Federation of the Red Cross, the Medicines for Malaria Venture, the World YWCA and many Global Fund national programs.

Bill has a BBA in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA in Accounting from the University of Minnesota. He is also a non-practicing US Certified Public Accountant.

In addition to his professional activities, he’s been Treasurer of St John XXIII Parish in Geneva and Treasurer of the Tennis Club Troinex.

Now that he has retired, he has begun to focus his time on travel, his family, and becoming more actively involved in benevolent activities.

Dave Mason
Treasurer

Dave is a qualified UK Chartered Accountant and a retired partner from PwC Switzerland. Following his graduation from the University of Bristol, UK in Psychology and 2 years working in Meribel, France, Dave joined Coopers & Lybrand in London.

After qualification, he moved to Geneva in 1989 and was promoted to audit partner in 1995. During his career at PwC, Dave has provided audit and accounting services to many of the well-known corporations, NGO’s and UN Agencies which are the backbone of the Geneva economic landscape.

Since his retirement from PwC, he has started working as a teacher, preparing mature students for Swiss Federal qualifications and provides pro bono support to a number of organisations including WWF International and Sentinelles.

Dave has both UK and Swiss nationality and uses his free time fruitlessly trying to reduce his golf handicap.

Ramona Azarnia
Board Member

Ramona Azarnia brings more than 30 years of experience in technology operations with Hewlett-Packard to her position on the Cancer Support Switzerland Board. During her tenure at HP, she held director-level positions in information technology, process engineering, and strategy and planning, working in the US, Asia Pacific and Europe.

Ramona became a volunteer for the Paddle for CancerSupport Dragon Boat Festival as Team Coordinator in 2018, in support of close friends and family who have been affected by cancer. While bringing her organizational and management skills to her position on the Board, while continuing as a dedicated volunteer.

Ramona was born in Iran and spent her early childhood there before moving to the US. She received her undergraduate degree in Indiana and her graduate degree in Arizona before moving to California to begin her career with HP. She lived in the UK and Singapore before settling in Geneva in 2004.

Korin Avigdor
Board Member

Korin has been a member, volunteer and peer supporter at Cancer Support Switzerland for several years. She is a frequent presenter on behalf of the association.

Her background is in education and she taught commercial subjects to young adults and trained unemployed persons for 35 years at a private, professional school in Geneva until 2013.

Korin is also a grandmother of five, with wide social contacts in Geneva and speaks English, French, Spanish and Turkish. She has travelled extensively.

Jessica Silberman Dunant
Board Member

Jessica holds a Degree in Business Administration from the University of Geneva. She spent her entire professional career working in the field of Human Resources in Switzerland and the USA, predominantly for multinational companies but also the ICRC and most recently as CHRO of Geneva Airport.

Pre-retired, Jessica is currently providing HR advice to various not-for-profit organisations. She has been involved with Cancer Support Switzerland, as a volunteer, dragon boat paddler and beneficiary over the past 12 years.

Originally from the USA, she has lived in both the French and German parts of Switzerland, totalling over 40 years. Jessica is the mother of three adult boys and married to a paragliding enthusiast. She keeps her feet firmly on the ground but can be found swimming in the lake if conditions are perfect!

Thea McFarlane
Board Member

Thea McFarlane worked as a nursing sister after completing General Nursing. She got her MA in psychology from the University of Cape Town, with an internship in Health Psychology. She was involved in setting up a Cancer Care centre and helped set up and direct an NGO for people living with HIV/AIDS in Cape Town, South Africa. She has over 30 years of experience working with cancer patients after studying with Elizabeth Kubler-Ross.

Thea has been a counsellor with Cancer Support Switzerland since 2003. Besides teaching at Webster University for 14 years, she has studied sophrology and various Mindfulness Based Interventions. In 2017 Thea moved to the UK and now shares her time working as a Clinical Supervisor in the Oncology Department at the Churchill Hospital, where she runs training programmes for volunteers for the Emergency Department at the John Radcliffe Hospital and an MBCT-Ca course at the Maggie’s Centre in Oxford.

Dr. Gregory Wirth
Board Member

Dr Gregory Wirth is a urologist specializing in cancer surgery. Trained in Geneva, Vienna and Boston, he practices at the Centre d’Urologie Générale-Beaulieu. He is a regular moderator at the annual Swiss urology conference and an auditor for prostate cancer centers at the German Cancer Society (DKG).

He grew up in an international environment in Strasbourg, France, studied in Freiburg, Germany and has been working in Geneva since 2004.

When he is done with work, he swaps his scrubs for his skiing outfit, bathing suit or hiking gear.

A photo of Dr Alfredo Addeo a Cancer Support Switzerland Board Member.
Dr. Alfredo Addeo
Board Member

Prof. Alfredo Addeo is a consultant medical oncologist, head of the Oncology Service, and leading lung physician within the Department of Oncology at the University Hospital of Geneva (HUG), Switzerland.

His primary research interests lie in predictive and prognostic biomarkers and
patient-reported outcomes in thoracic malignancies. Throughout his career, he has authored numerous publications in several international peer-reviewed journals. Many of Prof. Addeo’s works within the field of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) focus on immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, and oncogenic biomarkers such as EGFR, HER2, and PD-L1.

In addition, Prof. Addeo has led numerous translational research projects focused on tumour development and targeted therapies. He is an active member of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), the European Thoracic Oncology Platform (ETOP), and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).

A photo of Craig Smallbone a Cancer Support Switzerland Board Member.
Craig Smallbone
Board Member

Craig Smallbone has worked in the Human Resources field for over 25 years – in both the voluntary and private sectors. He has been Global Head of Resourcing at Trafigura, the commodities trading company since 2008, moving to Geneva with them in 2011. Craig has been a key figure in the Trafigura Foundation working with colleagues to support local charities in the various offices they have around the globe.

Craig was the Captain of the Trafigura dragon boat team (Captain Jack Sparrow) which won the coveted fundraising challenge cup in the Paddle for Cancer Lac Joux event in 4 successive years from 2015 to 2018 with over CHF500k raised by the Trafigura team in that period. In 2017 they also had the quickest boat but it’s the fundraising cups which Craig was most proud of. Craig has been working with The Steps for Cancer Support Team to increase the number of corporate teams in the Steps Challenge and will once again be walking with his family team this year. Craig’s father in the UK is undergoing treatment for lung cancer and he has had a lot of support from a local charity. Craig is committed to ensuring that Cancer Support Switzerland are able to support more people and brings a lot
of new fundraising ideas.

Craig and his wife Ruth are parents of 2 teenage boys and live in Veyrier. Craig is a very keen runner and can often be seen running around Geneva or Morzine training for his next event.