Our
Team
Patient and Caregiver Led: Patient-Centric
Patient and Caregiver Led: Patient-Centric
The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Australia, a Patient-Led Solution: Empower the Patient- Increase Survival; Empower Their Supporter Community – Exponentially Increase Survivability. Is this to Simplistic?
LEADERSHIP

Steve Holmes
Founder – Chief Executive
Patient Navigator and Survivor
Gold Coast, QLD
Steve Holmes
Steve Holmes
Managing Director & Chief Executive
Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Australia
Managing Director & Chief Executive
Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Australia
Professional Profile
Steve is the Founder, Managing Director, and CEO of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Australia — and a survivor of late-stage extrahepatic distal cholangiocarcinoma.
Through his lived experience and direct work with patients and families, Steve recognised a critical missing piece: while healthcare delivers treatment, it rarely equips patients to respond. His mission is to build what was missing — a real, patient-led system of survival.
He now leads the Foundation’s national strategy to simplify the cancer response and embed practical, lived-experience-based systems into every stage of the patient journey.
Quote
“I’m doing what only a successful patient can do. The system wasn’t built for patient-led collaboration. It was built to deliver medical interventions, care, and compliance — not patient expertise, not survival. That’s what’s missing. And that’s what I’m solving.”
Background
Steve’s leadership is shaped by his own experience with a terminal cancer diagnosis, extensive surgery, immunotherapy, and complete recovery — as well as the loss of his younger brother Graeme to the same disease.
Learn more about Steve’s story and recovery journey at:
steveholmes.net.au
Personal
Based in Main Beach, Queensland.
Married to Claire, with two children: Zach (London) and Georgia (Gold Coast).
Originally from Waikanae, New Zealand.
A passionate road cyclist — “my introspective workshop on wheels.”
Media Bio
Media Briefing – Steve Holmes
Steve Holmes, 65, is the Founder and CEO of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Australia and a survivor of late-stage extrahepatic distal cholangiocarcinoma — a rare and aggressive form of bile duct cancer with no curative treatment options and among the poorest survival rates of any cancer.
In July 2017, facing a late-stage diagnosis and just weeks to live, Steve was offered a newly approved clinical trial option. He experienced a rapid and complete response. Eight years later, he continues to lead the Foundation’s national strategy to redefine how Australians diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma can respond more effectively in real time — with greater access, clarity, and support.
Motivated by the lack of resources available when he and his late younger brother Graeme were diagnosed, Steve and his wife Claire established the patient-led Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Australia in 2018 — to empower patients, connect families, increase access to new treatment options, and drive survival-focused innovation through lived experience and system-level response.
Through his own lived experience, Steve brings unique insight and perspective to the challenges faced by Australians with rare and complex cancers. He remains committed to helping patients take an active role in their care — and is proud to see regional patients like Wayne now accessing potentially life-extending clinical trials.
In 2024, Steve cycled more than 14,000 km on Gold Coast roads — the equivalent of circumnavigating Australia — to raise funds for Patient Navigator Journals, a tool he designed to help newly diagnosed patients take control of their response from day one.
Strategic Contributions and Innovation Leadership
- Collaborator
- Global Research Priorities Group Member — ICRN & Precision-BTC Network (Salt Lake City 2025)
- Optimal Care Pathway for People with Bile Duct Cancer — Cancer Australia / NCERG
- National Guidelines Co-Developer — Multi-stakeholder clinical and patient care working groups
- Scientific Research Collaborations
- Contributor to translational research and real-world data initiatives in bile-related cancers
- System Innovation
- Creator of Patient Response Units (PRUs) — Structured, patient- and caregiver-led task teams closing critical gaps in today’s healthcare — today
- Program Creator / Author
- Patient Navigator Journal for Cholangiocarcinoma
- Framework Architect (In Development)
- How We Win: The Doctrines of Cancer — A strategic framework shaping patient-led survival systems and response culture

Claire Holmes
Founder – Chief Operations
Caregiver Navigator
Gold Coast, QLD
Claire Holmes
Name: Claire Holmes
Role: Chief of Operations
Organization: Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Australia
Connection to Cholangiocarcinoma:
Claire, originally from the small seaside village of Waikanae in New Zealand’s North Island, moved to Australia with her husband Steve and their two young children in 2005.
The trajectory of Claire’s life dramatically shifted when Steve’s younger brother succumbed to Cholangiocarcinoma in 2014, followed by Steve’s own diagnosis in 2016. Suddenly, Claire found herself not just a wife and mother, but also Steve’s primary caregiver.
Objectivity and Perception:
Facing an uphill battle, Claire adeptly navigated the healthcare landscape, handling Steve’s escalating medical needs as his condition progressed to stage 4. Her meticulous record-keeping and diligent research became crucial pillars in Steve’s fight for survival, ultimately leading to his remarkable recovery. Their shared journey through this challenging experience sparked a passion in Claire and Steve, inspiring them to establish the Cholangiocarcinoma Australia Foundation and Cholangiocarcinoma New Zealand Foundation.
Action and Will:
Claire’s firsthand experience as a caregiver underscores her commitment to empowering and supporting others facing similar struggles, instilling a unique perspective and resolve in her role as Director of Operations.
What Empowers You:
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Professional/Personal Achievements:
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Fun Fact:
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Details
- Website: Claire & Steve
- Phone +61 431 180 783
- Email: Claire
- Linked in
INTERNATIONAL
Volunteers

Prof Steven West
USA Communications
Patient Navigator and Survivor
Oklahoma, USA
Steven West
Name: Steven West
Role: Director and Board Member
Organization: Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Australia
Professional Profile:
Steven West brings a wealth of expertise and experience to his role as a Director and Board Member of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Australia. As a Professor of Professional Practice at Oklahoma State University, he is deeply entrenched in academia and possesses a robust network of global contacts that he leverages to benefit the foundation and its mission.
Revenue Management Expert:
With a specialization in Revenue Management, Steven holds all appropriate designations and certifications in the field. His expertise goes beyond mere data analytics, delving into the intricacies of strategy development and implementation. Drawing from his extensive background in operations management at both property and corporate levels, Steven excels in refining revenue management into actionable strategies that yield significant bottom-line increases.
Consultation and Remote Work:
Steven is open to consultation and remote work opportunities, where he applies his skills in maximizing revenue and optimizing savings to deliver tangible results for clients.
Recruitment and International Programs:
In addition to his role as a professor, Steven actively engages in recruitment efforts for international students and oversees the J1 internship program at Oklahoma State University. His understanding of the J1 internship program and extensive network with international universities specializing in hospitality and culinary degrees have facilitated the recruitment and processing of over 300 international student interns. Steven offers valuable insights and support to property operators, assisting them in leveraging the benefits of international hospitality interns to enhance their operations.
Dual Citizenship and Global Mobility:
As a dual citizen of the United States and Australia, Steven possesses the unique advantage of freely living and working in both countries without sponsorship. Additionally, he holds EU work ability, further expanding his global mobility and professional reach.
Involvement in Cholangiocarcinoma Advocacy:
Steven is not only a professional in his field but also a cholangiocarcinoma patient himself. Despite his own battle with the disease, he remains actively involved in various roles and committees related to cholangiocarcinoma advocacy. His firsthand experience fuels his dedication to advancing research, raising awareness, and providing support to individuals affected by this disease.
With his diverse skill set, extensive network, and unwavering commitment to both professional excellence and cholangiocarcinoma advocacy, Steven West plays a pivotal role in advancing the mission of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Australia and supporting individuals affected by cholangiocarcinoma.
Details

Mandy Wallace
NZ Communications
Patient Navigator and Survivor
Blenheim, NZ
Mandy West
Details
- Phone: (064) 21 222 5211
- Email Mandy
OPERATIONS
Volunteers

Dr Natalie Rickers
Director of Medical
Adelaide, SA
Natalie Rickers
Name: Natalie Rickers
Role: Molecular Genomics, Advisor & Advocacy
Organization: Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Australia
Connection to Cholangiocarcinoma:
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Objectivity and Perception:
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Action and Will:
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What Empowers You:
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Professional/Personal Achievements:
Natalie Rickers, with her robust background in biotechnology and molecular microbiology, serves as a volunteer Advisor for Molecular Genomics and Advocacy for Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Australia. Natalie holds a PhD from Manchester University and has completed postdoctoral research in Switzerland. Over the last 18 years, she has excelled in the genetics and microbiome industry, notably spearheading initiatives that drove substantial growth and facilitated access to genetic testing on a global scale.
At Invitae, Natalie led a global sales team to achieve $11 million in annual revenue, reflecting triple-digit growth annually. Her role expanded to developing comprehensive marketing strategies for diverse markets such as Canada, LATAM, EMEA, and APAC. These strategies significantly improved healthcare access, particularly in the fields of women’s health, cardiology, neurology, oncology, and consumer markets.
Natalie’s professional path also includes impactful contributions to biopharma programs, national genomics initiatives, and the expansion of international distributor models. Her involvement with patient advocacy groups played a pivotal role in the expansion of Ciiitizen in Australia, enhancing patient access to medical records and genomic data.
As of November 2023, she has been working with MTPConnect’s Adelaide Intermediary team as the Director of Commercialisation, where she focuses on developing the local ecosystem in South Australia.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Natalie is a passionate advocate for women in STEM, mentoring PhD students and supporting their transition into industry roles. She is an active member of the 2023 Women in Leadership Development Program and has successfully completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course.
In her advisory role at Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Australia, Natalie leverages her extensive expertise to lead projects that aim to transform patient outcomes through advanced genetic and genomic solutions. Her voice guides our discussions and presentations, providing a clear and authoritative perspective on how current scientific developments can be harnessed to support our community effectively. Her unique combination of professional expertise and personal experience as a caregiver enriches her advocacy, making her a pivotal figure in our mission to empower patients and expand survival.
Fun Fact:
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Details

William Taing
Director of Strategy
Sydney, NSW
William Taing
Coming Soon

Georgia Holmes
Director of Operations
Gold Coast, QLD
Georgia Holmes
Georgia Bio and Profile – Coming Soon

Jill Brown
National Projects Coordinator
Malua Bay, NSW