Claire Masikewich is a motivational speaker, marketing leader, and philanthropist who turned her daughter’s battle with cancer into a mission to help others navigate adversity with strength and purpose.
Through her own transformative journey, Claire empowers audiences to embrace change, build resilience, and emerge stronger—proving that even the toughest challenges can lead to growth and strength.
Shift Happens will change the way you face life’s toughest moments—helping you turn setbacks into opportunities, build resilience, and take control when everything feels uncertain. Walk away inspired, empowered, and ready to thrive through any challenge.
HEY, I’M CLAIRE!
I’m a marketer, communicator, and storyteller at heart, with a knack for crafting catchy campaigns that stick. But my greatest story didn’t start in a brainstorming session or a boardroom—it began during the most challenging chapter of my life.
When my youngest daughter was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, my world flipped upside down. In the face of heartbreak, I turned to what I knew best: marketing and advocacy. Leaning into my skills became my lifeline, transforming what felt like a downward spiral into a mission with purpose. I realized I couldn’t change what was happening to my daughter, but I could use my voice to bring awareness to pediatric cancer.
Late nights spent in hospital rooms weren’t draining—they were energizing. Why? Because channeling my strengths into advocacy wasn’t just a distraction; it was a way to make a difference. It gave me clarity, focus, and the resilience to keep moving forward.
As difficult as it is to say, my daughter’s cancer diagnosis gave me a new sense of purpose: to inspire others to not only survive life’s hardest moments but to thrive in spite of them.
Through my work as a speaker, I share real stories of resilience, helping others discover their inner strength and turn challenges into opportunities for growth.
As a seasoned marketing and communications professional who helped launch a company during the pandemic, Claire is no stranger to overcoming challenges.
Yet, her path hasn’t always been easy, as she has faced lifelong struggles with depression and anxiety. From as far back as she can remember, anxiety was a constant presence in Claire’s life. As a child, it often felt like an invisible weight, making even small tasks feel overwhelming. By her early twenties, that anxiety grew, often tied to feelings of being unsettled and unfulfilled in her work. She found herself questioning her purpose and doubting her abilities, which only deepened the cycle of uncertainty.
It wasn’t until her late twenties that Claire discovered an unexpected solution: leaning into the very things that scared her. Whether it was taking on new roles, navigating unfamiliar challenges at work, or stepping outside her comfort zone, these bold moves became a turning point. By pushing herself to confront the fear head-on, she proved to herself time and again that she was capable of overcoming hard things. Each accomplishment, no matter how small, chipped away at her self-doubt and built a newfound confidence.
Today, Claire uses these experiences and her daughter's cancer diagnosis to inspire others, showing them that life’s challenges—no matter how big or small—can become opportunities for growth and resilience. Her story is a testament to the power of courage, perseverance, and finding purpose even in the face of uncertainty.
The Strong Like Sloane Foundation was born out of the urgent need for increased funding for pediatric cancer research in Canada.
Our mission is to drive awareness, advocacy, and action to support life-saving research, groundbreaking trials, and advancements that offer hope, better outcomes, and improved support for children fighting cancer.
