Claire Masikewich

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.

In 2023, Claire’s resilience was tested like never before when her five-year-old daughter was diagnosed with high-risk stage 4 neuroblastoma, a devastating pediatric cancer. Putting her career on hold, she channelled her energy into advocacy and founded the Strong Like Sloane Foundation while her daughter was in treatment, raising over $390,000 in two years.

Claire’s journey is a powerful testament to courage and purpose, showing that even in the darkest times, we are capable of more than we imagine.

Claire loves to help young competitors handle rejection, pressure, and the things they cannot control. At Elevate, in her inspiring and upbeat keynote, Claire shares stories from her own childhood—navigating nerves, self-doubt, and high-pressure moments—to show how anyone can face challenges with courage and focus. She also draws from personal experiences with big, unexpected challenges in her family to illustrate how letting go of what you can’t control—and taking charge of what you can—makes all the difference.