Chief Executive Officer
Penny Walsh
As CEO, Penny draws on more than 15 years of executive experience in public, private, and not-for-profit enterprises to lead CASTL as the national training partner for Canada’s biomanufacturing industry. Working in collaboration with a network of industry, technology, and academic innovators, she ensures the CASTL team is strategically positioned to meet the existing and emerging workforce needs of the sector. As CEO of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, Penny led workforce development and other economic development initiatives and advocated with all levels of government on behalf of businesses of all sizes. Penny holds a BBA and MBA from the University of Prince Edward Island and is a recipient of the Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal. She is also an alumnus of the Governor General’s Leadership Conference and Holland College. Penny has volunteered her skills on a variety of community, academic, and crown corporation boards.
Chief Operations Officer
Sidney Reid
Sidney understands that education and training are the fuel that power economic growth and success, particularly in emerging sectors. As the Chief Operations Officer, she works with the CASTL team to continually develop and enhance processes to create optimal experiences for learners and clients. She is responsible for the delivery of national skills training initiatives, evaluation of projects and programs, and organizational operations. Sidney’s background is largely based in the not-for-profit sector where she held roles as a director, project and program manager, relationship manager, and in evaluation. She is also experienced in technology-enhanced learning applications, which she applies to her role as manager of the CASTL Online Academy. Sidney holds a BA from the University of Prince Edward Island and a MA in Sociology from the University of Guelph.
Chief Financial Officer
Kent Thompson
Kent is a seasoned management accountant with significant experience in linking finance and business operations to strategic direction. Over the years, he has worked with partners in both the private and public sectors to build successful new ventures in food, tourism, and other business areas. As CASTL’s CFO, he takes a calculated and enterprising approach to ensuring the organization’s growth and success. Kent is a Chartered Professional Accountant. He received his MBA-CMA designation from St. Mary’s University and a BBA from St. Francis Xavier University.
Director of Technical Training and Innovation / Site Manager – Montreal
Sven Ansorge
Sven has more than 15 years of experience in biopharmaceutical R&D and has led research teams in both academic and industrial/GMP manufacturing environments. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from l’École Polytechnique de Montréal and specializes in bioprocessing for the production of viral vectors, vaccines, recombinant proteins, and cell therapy products. Together with collaborators and colleagues, Sven has published more than 20 peer-reviewed manuscripts. Since 2019, he is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at McGill University. As Director of Technical Training and Site Manager at CASTL’s state-of-the-art training facility in Montreal, Sven ensures that trainees receive technical training of the highest quality that is relevant to their roles in the biomanufacturing industry.
Director of Business Development
Cerilio Andrade
Cerilio has a proven track record in sales and business development in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. As Director of Business Development at CASTL, he works with industry partners to develop and deliver programs that meet the current and emerging needs of Canada’s biomanufacturing sector. He focuses on building solid relationships to identify new opportunities for collaboration and sustainable growth through programs that deliver real-world impact. Cerilio holds a BSc. in Microbiology and Immunology from McGill University and is fluent in English and French. He is based in Montreal.
Director of Learning and Development
Lee McKinley (Tennyson)
Lee has over 15 years of progressive learning and development experience, partnering with clients and internal departments to solve complex training and workforce development challenges. With a collaborative approach and a focus on practical solutions, she designs scalable programs that help organizations build effective learning systems and empower employees to grow. Lee holds a bachelor’s degree in social science from University College Dublin and a postgraduate higher diploma in psychoanalysis from Dublin Business School. Passionate about helping individuals and organizations reach their full potential, Lee is committed to making learning meaningful, accessible, and impactful. Lee also volunteers locally with international students in post-secondary institutions as a mentor, helping prepare and guide them towards meaningful careers on PEI.
Director of Marketing and Communications
Heidi Reinblatt
Heidi brings more than 20 years of experience to her role as Director of Marketing and Communications. Throughout her career, she has developed and implemented successful strategies and campaigns across a wide variety of industries, including legal, non-profits, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and electrical engineering. As CASTL’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Heidi is responsible for developing and executing strategic marketing initiatives to promote the organization's programs, enhance brand visibility, engage target audiences, and effectively communicate the value of CASTL’s training offerings to stakeholders in the biomanufacturing industry. Heidi is based in Montreal, fluent in English and French, and holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the Université de Montréal.
Director of Client Services
Jennifer Lenentine
As an experienced project manager in the life sciences and bioscience sectors, Jennifer is committed to accelerating research, development, and commercialization in Canada’s biomanufacturing sector. She draws on nearly two decades of industry experience to oversee projects that advance CASTL’s mission to produce skilled and knowledgeable workers who are ready to hit the ground running. Jennifer holds a BBA from the University of Prince Edward Island.
Associate Director of Technical Training / Site Manager - Charlottetown
Hardik Upadhyay
Hardik has worked in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry since 2016, specializing in operations management, training, and process optimization. As a trainer and site manager at CASTL’s Charlottetown training facility, he instructs learners in critical procedures and processes to minimize errors, improve productivity, and ensure compliance with Quality Management Systems. Hardik originally trained as a pharmacist, completing a Bachelor of Pharmacy at RGTU University and post-grad work in Pharmaceutical Research and Development at the Toronto Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology. He received his certified training professional designation through Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).
Biomanufacturing Trainer / Site Manager - Vancouver
Umesh Ramachandran
Umesh has been working and teaching in the life sciences sector for more than 20 years. During that time, he has held various senior-level positions, working to advance bioprocessing and manufacturing systems in Canada and abroad. During his career, Umesh has led CMC and process development for site-specific immunomodulators (SSI), oversaw clinical trials for GMP drug product manufacturing, managed drug product and bulk drug substance stability programs and regulatory submissions, and has designed and implemented the clean room, scale-up operations, process development, manufacturing, and fermentation units, ensuring facilities and equipment meets GMP standards. He is also an experienced trainer in the health science and industry sectors, sharing his knowledge on topics such as fermentation, upstream and downstream processes, product purification, and commercialization of QC products, in laboratory and professional settings. He has served as project lead for Microbial-based Platform development and Manufacturing of RP related to Janssen immunotherapy program and Merck vaccine development preclinical trials. He assisted CDMOs in their tech transfer and collaborated with external partners for drug product manufacturing. Umesh holds a PhD in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Manitoba.
Biomanufacturing Trainer - Charlottetown
Aditya Vella
Adi has worked in the bioscience sector since 2018, specializing in upstream processing. His technical expertise supports CASTL’s training operations in Charlottetown. Adi holds a BSc. Biology (with Honours) from the University of PEI and volunteers his time to a variety of community-based initiatives in the areas of social justice and sustainability.
Biomanufacturing Trainer - Montreal
Hannah Park
Hannah is a biomanufacturing training technician at CASTL’s Montreal Facility. In addition to assisting with the set-up of the Montreal facility, she now delivers and supports the delivery of training at the site. Hannah holds a Master of Engineering in Biomanufacturing from McGill University focusing on formulation, drug delivery, vaccine manufacturing and development for biotherapeutics, as well as a Bachelor of Science from Mount Royal University.
Biomanufacturing Trainer - Montreal
Ines Adassi
Ines has spent over five years working in GMP environments, following several years in data analysis that strongly shaped her approach to tackling challenges with rigour and curiosity. Throughout her career, she has been on the front lines of biomanufacturing for both clinical and commercial cell and gene therapies. She has also contributed to regulatory audits and worked on the implementation and optimization of training programs to strengthen compliance and team effectiveness. These experiences have led her to develop a strong interest in knowledge sharing and in supporting teams in their growth and development. What motivates Ines most is making things clearer, simpler, and more efficient, while fostering a collaborative and positive work environment. She enjoys contributing directly to team growth and seeing the direct impact of training on operations.
Biomanufacturing Training Intern - Montreal
Mitzi Escalante
Mitzi is currently pursuing an internship with CASTL as part of her master’s degree in biomedical engineering at McGill University. Her academic path, from health sciences to a bachelor’s degree in biology and now to a master’s specializing in biomanufacturing, has given her a strong foundation in cell biology and bioprocess design. Beyond her academic experience, Mitzi brings leadership skills from her role as an aviation instructor in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves, working with the Air Cadet Program.
Biomanufacturing Trainer - Vancouver
Vijayalakshmi Girirajan
Vijayalakshmi’s professional experience is rooted in GMP-regulated biotechnology research and biomanufacturing environments. Her work has included involvement in probiotic research and development projects, enzyme assays, laboratory-scale bioprocessing, and quality-focused documentation practices. She has supported basic level upstream and downstream operations while adhering to GMP, safety, and procedural requirements. Vijayalakshmi holds a Bachelor of Technology in Biotechnology from India, has completed the CASTL Elevate program, and is currently pursuing the Regulatory Affairs in Life Sciences course through UBC Extended Learning as part of her ongoing professional development and interest in quality systems within the life sciences sector.
Biomanufacturing Trainer - Vancouver
Phoebe Makim
Phoebe is an Industrial Biochemistry graduate from Ireland with nearly four years of direct experience in biotechnology, including quality control, process sciences and manufacturing support. She specialized in downstream unit operations during her time in the process sciences team at Regeneron, working on process deviations related to chromatography and column cleaning. She recently moved to Vancouver to further strengthen her career in the life sciences and help others continue their journeys.
Manager of Corporate Services
Megan Lambie
Based at CASTL’s headquarters in Charlottetown, Megan helps oversee the administrative procedures and processes that keep CASTL on track. With a background in business and community-based organizations, she manages day-to-day operations, keeping team and board members informed and connected as they carry out their respective roles and responsibilities. Megan holds a BA from Dalhousie University.
Finance Manager
Angela Penney
Angela has worked in the accounting industry for several years. Specializing in bookkeeping, she manages CASTL’s day-to-day financial operations with meticulous attention to organization and detail. She holds a BBA from Memorial University of Newfoundland and earned her accounting certificate at the University of Prince Edward Island.
Senior Project Manager
Wendy Baker
As Senior Project Manager at CASTL, Wendy leads funding strategies and proposals to support national skills training, working across federal and provincial programs to secure resources for growth. She brings experience in workforce development, continuing education, program design, and government relations, most recently as Director of Development at Palette Skills. Wendy holds a Master of Education from Western University and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Dalhousie University, and is based in Charlottetown, PEI.
Program Manager
Kelsey Turner
Kelsey brings a wealth of program administration and development experience to her role as Program Manager for the CASTL Bioscience Reskilling Program. As a versatile clinical education professional, she has made significant contributions to client training and business development initiatives in various fields, including surgical robotics and medical aesthetics. Kelsey draws on her passion for continuous improvement and dedication to community development to help learners thrive in Canada’s bioscience sector. Kelsey has a bachelor's degree (Honours) in Psychology from the University of Winnipeg and is committed to creating inclusive and empowering learning environments. Outside of the office, she actively supports not-for-profit organizations and community-based programs that work to change lives for the better.
Project Manager
Elvira Kagoyire Rwasamanzi
Elvira is an experienced Project Manager, overseeing innovative mRNA technology projects at CASTL in collaboration with post-secondary institutions and industry partners. She works closely with internal and external stakeholders, including consultants and funding partners, to support the growth of Canada’s biomanufacturing sector. Elvira is committed to advancing industry skills and promoting sustainability through strategic project management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology and an MBA in Science and Engineering.
Business Development Consultant
Joanne Jordan
Joanne holds a degree in Mathematics from Queen’s University and brings over 25 years of operational experience across customer service, management, administration, event planning, bookkeeping, and start-up leadership, including serving as Chief Operating Officer. She later spent more than six years as a Business Development Manager at BioTalent Canada, where she strengthened partnerships across Canada’s bioeconomy and supported growth in revenue, retention, and strategic positioning. Known for her collaborative approach, Joanne is committed to building trusted relationships and fostering shared success.
Marketing and Events Manager
Daniela Ricchezza
Daniela is a marketer specializing in brand strategy, digital communications, and campaign development, helping to drive CASTL’s presence in Canada’s life sciences ecosystem. She combines creative storytelling with data-driven strategy to transform complex concepts into clear, engaging narratives. Daniela holds a BFA in Theatre Production from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Graduate Certificate in Professional Writing and Communications from Humber Polytechnic.
Training Administrator - Montreal
Anson Yu
Anson joined the CASTL team as a Training Administrator in 2024. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Human Science (Human Relations) from Concordia University. With a background in organizational development, Anson infuses his work with a passion for creating positive workplaces, enhancing team dynamics, and facilitating growth-oriented environments.
Training Administrator - Vancouver
Mauricio Romero
Mauricio is originally from Colombia and came to Canada to complete his BSc. in biological sciences at SFU. Throughout his school and for the past 10 he has worked at JJ Bean where he managed multiple stores, trained many people, and perfected his customer service and admin skills. He is a CASTL ELEVATE graduate from Montreal and thanks to the program, he got a job as a Chemical Operations Technician at Phyton Biotech. While he was happy to be able to put into practice everything learned from CASTL in this job; he missed the human interaction and decided to look for other ways he could be in the Science realm while utilizing his essential skills.
Training Administrator - Charlottetown
Jane Onyeagolum
In her role as Training Administrator at CASTL, Jane applies her background in administration, program evaluation, business intelligence analysis, and organizational support to strengthen training delivery and operations. Her career spans both the non-profit and corporate sectors, where she has advanced data management and analysis, program administration, and operational effectiveness. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Certificate in Business from the University of Prince Edward Island. Beyond her professional work, she is passionate about fostering community impact and advancing equity and well-being.