Natalie Bennett is the Community Engagement Manager at the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN). Starting her career as a microbiologist at Thomson Research Associates, she then moved to Japan for a few years to teach English before returning to Canada to pursue a career in health-focused nonprofit work. She joined the Lung Health Foundation (LHF) as a coordinator supporting two medical societies where she contributed to the organization’s research program and annual continuing education conference, gaining valuable experience in health education and professional engagement. She subsequently transitioned into health advocacy and public affairs, where she built a strong foundation in stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and policy-focused communications within the nonprofit health sector.
Prior to joining CCSN, Natalie advanced to Lead, Advocacy and Public Affairs at the Lung Health Foundation. In this capacity, she supported national and provincial advocacy initiatives, coordinated multi-stakeholder working groups, and worked closely with those with lived experience, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and partner organizations to advance lung health priorities. She developed extensive experience translating lived experience and evidence into policy submissions, briefing materials, and public education initiatives.
Natalie also played a key role in supporting lived experience input into health technology assessment (HTA) processes, including submissions to Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA) and the Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS). In addition, she was actively involved in coordinating advocacy campaigns and engaging federal and provincial decision-makers. These experiences have shaped her approach to community engagement, grounded in collaboration, equity, and the meaningful inclusion of lived experience voices across the health system.
In her current role at CCSN, Natalie works closely with those who have lived cancer experience, caregivers, and partner organizations to strengthen community engagement and ensure lived experience meaningfully informs cancer policy and decision-making. She continues to support lived experience input into HTA processes, while also organizing and supporting advocacy days, consultations, and coalition-based initiatives. Natalie is committed to fostering inclusive partnerships, supporting survivor leadership, and advancing advocacy efforts that improve quality of life and outcomes for those with lived cancer experience across Canada, while advancing CCSN’s education and awareness goals.