CanTeen announces a new leader
Bruce Pilbrow has been announced as the new Chief Executive Officer of CanTeen, the organisation supporting young people
living with cancer.
Bruce has worked in senior leadership roles in both the commercial and social profit sector and leaves his current role
as Managing Director of a strategic content company, Film Construction Group, to join CanTeen in June.
Bruce led The Parenting Place for nine years, is Chairman of the Board of ZEAL, an organisation using the arts as a
positive influence on troubled youth, and spent two years as the Deputy Chief Families Commissioner.
Bruce says, “I am extremely excited to lead an iconic and amazing brand that makes such a significant difference in the
lives of young adults who face the realities of cancer daily.”
Twenty three year old Rachel Allan, CanTeen President and bereaved sibling member, is confident this appointment will
provide both the leadership to ensure CanTeen’s sustainability and growth and the vision to achieve CanTeen’s mission of
supporting every young New Zealander dealing with cancer.
“CanTeen is the only organisation in New Zealand specifically supporting young people aged 13-24 living with cancer and
there is a growing need for our services. I’m confident Bruce is a good fit for our member-inspired and member-led
culture. The development and empowerment of our membership is essential to our organisational ethos and I know that
Bruce really values that and fundamentally believes in it,” says Rachel.
“I believe Bruce’s passion for youth and community will ensure CanTeen continues to deliver life-changing support to
young people around New Zealand, to help them cope with the uncertainties of living with cancer and to find themselves
in life after cancer,” she says.
CanTeen Board Chairman, Dion Mortensen, says he’s looking forward to working with Bruce.
“He’s got a real vibrancy about him and our people will enjoy his passion and energy. I know the Board will equally
support and be engaged by his ambition to promote the voice of young people,” says Dion.
Bruce replaces David Pearce, who leaves CanTeen after six and a half years in the role.
ENDS