What do you do?
I work full time as an Administrator at Mayo Clinic and am responsible for supporting the Divisions of Hospital Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and the Office of Health Equity and Inclusion.
Tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband, Tom Canan, is currently a Senior County Attorney with Olmsted County. He’s worked in the Rochester legal community for over 30 years in various capacities. We have two children. Katherine is 24, a graduate of Lourdes High School and the University of Kanas. She just moved to Washington DC in January of this year and started working with a marketing analytics and software company. We are so proud of her! Our son Will, would have been 22 years old on 2/19/2020. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 6 in 2004 and courageously fought cancer until he passed away at the age of 14 in 2012.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my family first. My husband, Tom, and the difference he’s made in the Rochester community through his professional work and also his volunteer efforts. He’s served as a Volunteer Coach for Special Olympics Minnesota for over 5 years, a Brighter Tomorrows volunteer since its founding in 2007, and has volunteered for over 10 years at St. Francis School. My daughter, Katherine, for her strength and support to her brother during his cancer journey and continuing to utilize what she learned through this journey to help others. My son, Will, for the incredible courage, resilience, grace and sense of humor he exhibited and taught so many of us during his 8 1/2 year cancer journey.
I am also proud of my professional career at Mayo. Additionally, I’m very proud of co-founding a non-profit, Brighter Tomorrows, in 2007 and helping to lead the organization throughout its almost 13-year history. The mission of the organization is to provide support to families facing a childhood cancer diagnosis and journey. Since Brighter Tomorrows was established, the organization has served over 450 families. When you can help to ease the financial and/or emotional stress for a family facing one of the most devastating times of their life, it is extremely gratifying.
What are you most passionate about?
I am most passionate about serving others, which I hope is demonstrated by my work over the past 12 years with Brighter Tomorrows. I know from personal experience how helpful it was, and how “safe” it felt, to be surrounded by others who “got it” because they were walking the same journey with you. If I’m able to make differences, no matter how big or small, in the lives of families who have a child diagnosed with cancer as well as those who have lost a child, it is worth it.
What is your favorite book?
Wonder by R.J. Palacio. I believe that this book should be read in all elementary schools to teach children about acceptance, love and inclusion.
What are three words to describe you?
Resilient, intelligent, kind.v
Nomination (abbreviated):
Not only is Liz a respected leader in administration at Mayo Clinic, she is the President of the Board of Directors of Brighter Tomorrows. She leads with compassion and drive. And even though her journey with her son Will was the most difficult a mother can endure, she continued to lead after Will’s death in 2012. She honors Will’s legacy everyday. She is an amazing mother to both her children, and she is committed to helping other families through Brighter Tomorrows and beyond. I consider her my friend and mentor.
