Our Team
ABOUT Ruth Chriqui
From Heartbreak to Healing: A Journey of Advocacy and Empowerment
Ruth Chriqui is a passionate health advocate, philanthropist, mother, sister, and daughter whose life has been shaped by personal loss and a drive to make healthcare more compassionate and accessible.
Her journey began in the 1990s, supporting others navigating the complexities of the medical system. In the late ’90s, her husband was misdiagnosed with Crohn’s disease when he had bladder cancer. Forced to become her own advocate, Ruth navigated a fragmented system, but despite the support her husband passed away in 2004—a loss she believes could have been preventable.
In 2006, her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, revealing the urgent need for advocacy and guidance for families in Quebec’s medical system. Determined to make a difference, Ruth opened a health and wellness clinic in 2016, later expanding into clinical research on cannabinoids in clinical practice for cancer patients with McGill University and the University of Tel Aviv.
When COVID-19 struck in 2020, Ruth pivoted again, launching EMPOWERink with Karen—offering free mastectomy tattoo coverage to those affected by breast cancer and genetic mutations.
Now, in 2026, Ruth leads a thriving organization, partnering with dedicated professionals to ensure that no one’s health takes a backseat. Her journey from heartbreak to advocacy continues to inspire and empower countless lives.
ABOUT Karen Malkin-Lazarovitz
Transforming personal experience into powerful advocacy.
Karen is a passionate advocate for women’s and men’s health and a leading voice in the hereditary cancer community. Her journey began in 2008, when her father tested positive for a BRCA mutation, prompting Karen to undergo genetic testing and discover her own BRCA2 mutation. Faced with this knowledge, she made the courageous and proactive decision to take control of her health through a full hysterectomy and oophorectomy, followed by a double mastectomy with reconstruction. Complications led to an additional eight surgeries, each of which she approached with resilience and determination. Rather than letting fear define her path, Karen found empowerment, purpose, and a deep commitment to helping others do the same.
She is the founder of EMPOWERink, an organization that connects breast cancer survivors, previvors, and thrivers with tattoo artists who volunteer their time and talent to cover surgical scars at no cost—transforming healing into art and restoring confidence and body autonomy. Karen also founded the BRCA Sisterhood, a thriving online peer-support community of over 10,000 members dedicated to women navigating hereditary cancer risks. She launched the first-ever BRCA support group in Montreal and continues to provide support to anyone in need, both locally and globally.
Karen’s advocacy extends beyond hereditary cancer. She has contributed her expertise to Hope & Cope and the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, supporting individuals and families affected by cancer through education, mentorship, and emotional support. She is also an ambassador for Pink in the City, a breast cancer organization. These experiences have further enriched her understanding of patient needs and strengthened her ability to provide guidance across diverse cancer journeys.
A sought-after speaker, Karen has shared her story and expertise across Canada and internationally, including engagements in Iceland, Florida, California, and Philadelphia. Through education on cancer genetics, body image, intimacy, breast cancer, reconstruction, and available options, Karen empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health. Her mission is simple but powerful: to ensure no one facing hereditary cancer ever feels alone, unheard, or powerless—and to help every person reclaim their body, their voice, and their future with confidence and pride.