Chief Science Officer at BIOVECTRA - A part of Agilent
Normand Blais
Normand Blais is Chief Science Officer at BIOVECTRA, heading a Process Science team of 120 people, supporting technical development of Biologics/New modalities and pharmaceutical products up to manufacturing. He joined BIOVECTRA two-and-a-half years ago as Sr. Director, Development & Innovation. Prior to joining BIOVECTRA, Normand was Sr. Director, Protein Biochemistry, at GSK, leading Vaccine and Antigen design efforts, relying on 25 years of experience in vaccine R&D. He innovated by leveraging protein/antigen structure and function to promote vaccine potency as well as de-risking clinical and manufacturing development. More specifically, he supported process development and transfer of diverse pharmaceutical clients’ technology and led early development work for several vaccine candidates (COPD, RSV, HBV, HSV, C. diff, Cancer…), applying innovative modalities including subunit/recombinant adjuvanted as well as viral and mRNA/SAmRNA vectors platforms. Constantly innovating to support advancement of prophylactic or therapeutic programs delineates its dedication towards improving human health.
President at Eurofins CDMO Alphora
Geoff Evans
Geoff Evans has 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical CDMO industry, building organizations through organic growth and new business start-ups. Geoff was a founding leader at Alphora Research Inc., a Mississauga-based CDMO focused on developing and manufacturing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API’s). Alphora was acquired by Eurofins Scientific in 2017, whereupon Geoff was appointed President. Eurofins CDMO Alphora has since tripled in scale, expanding into Solid State R&D, Oral Drug Products and Biologics for monoclonal antibodies and Antibody Drug Conjugates. Geoff has further experience in industrial products, leading sales & marketing and growing the business through internal development, market expansions and acquisitions. Geoff is a Chemical Engineer from Waterloo University and has an MBA from Schulich.
Associate Director of Operations at Merck Animal Health
David Goodwin
David Goodwin is a seasoned operations leader with over 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, spanning both human and animal health sectors. As Associate Director of Operations at Merck Animal Health, he specializes in team leadership, process optimization, and fostering cross-functional collaboration. Since relocating to Prince Edward Island more than four years ago, David has become an active member of the local community.
Site Head at Northern RNA
Steven Keizer
Steven Keizer is Site Head at Northern RNA, with over 17 years of quality operations experience from big pharma, CDMO work and biotech startups exposure to products in API, medical devices, Oral Solid Dosage, Medical Devices, Cell and Gene Therapy and Biologics, as well as some pre-clinical gene editing work. Specializing in GMP manufacturing, Steve uses these experiences to build, implement and operationalize systems to support the manufacture of today's latest technologies in the healthcare space. By focusing on the science and the people involved in manufacturing, Steve has been able to put the B.Sc in Chemistry from Western and the MBA from UBC to good use. Over the years, Steve has experienced the strengths and challenges of the pharma market, certainly here in Canada has garnered some recognition for getting the manufacturing business unit at CCRM up and running.
Global Head of Quality for Biologics Testing at Charles River Laboratories
Joelle Laudisio
Joelle Laudisio is Senior Director, Global Head of Quality for Biologics Testing at Charles River Laboratories. She leads quality strategy and compliance across a global network of biologics testing laboratories, with a focus on operational excellence, inspection readiness, and the modernization of quality systems supporting complex analytical environments. Joelle specializes in integrating quality into business operations, strengthening governance across geographically dispersed teams, and driving continuous improvement in regulated laboratory settings. She brings extensive experience with FDA, EMA, and Health Canada inspections, as well as quality leadership during acquisitions, technology transfers, and large-scale organizational transformations. Throughout her career, Joelle has been a champion for elevating quality as a strategic enabler of scientific innovation and sustainable growth in the life sciences sector.
Vice President, HR and Corporate Communication at Pharmascience
Irene Mascolo
Irene Mascolo is Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Communication at Pharmascience, where she has been contributing for over 12 years to shaping a strong, agile, and people-centered organizational culture. With more than 25 years of experience in the consumer products and pharmaceutical industries—including 17 years at Johnson & Johnson—she has developed in-depth expertise in talent management, organizational transformation, and strategic corporate communications. Irene holds a bachelor's degree in business administration with a specialization in human resources, as well as an executive MBA, and is a member of the Order of Certified Human Resources Advisors (CHRA). Well-known for her strategic vision, inspiring leadership, and ability to successfully navigate complex environments, she leverages her skills to develop talent for the benefit of the life sciences sector.
Manufacturing Site Head at Moderna
Roger-Ketcha Ngassam
Roger-Ketcha Ngassam is a seasoned life sciences leader with over two decades of international experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He has held senior leadership positions in global strategy, technical and quality operations, and commercial operations, delivering results across North America and Europe. Roger has led high-impact initiatives at industry-leading companies such as Moderna and Novartis – managing large-scale operations and currently overseeing the onshoring of Moderna’s mRNA manufacturing capability in Canada. He is known for transforming operations, building high-performing teams, and executing strategic initiatives that foster innovation and efficiency. Roger holds an Executive MBA from McGill University & HEC Montréal and a B.Eng. in Chemical Engineering from École Polytechnique de Montréal. Outside of his corporate roles, he is committed to rare disease advocacy and serves on the Board of Directors of the Children’s Tumor Foundation, supporting global efforts to find a cure for neurofibromatosis.
Senior Vice President of Technical Operations at Aspect Biosystems
Leela Paris
Leela Paris, PhD, Senior Vice President of Technical Operations at Aspect Biosystems has deep expertise in cell therapy development, process engineering, and technical operations. She brings more than a decade of leadership across GMP manufacturing, analytical development, and quality systems, with experience spanning early-stage innovation through clinical-scale production. Dr. Paris earned her PhD in Medicinal Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology from Purdue University, where her scientific training laid the groundwork for her strong analytical approach and commitment to rigorous standards in complex biologic and cell-based systems. Throughout her career, Leela has led technical and operational teams in biotech and pharma environments, guiding the development, scale-up, and regulatory readiness of advanced therapeutic platforms. Her work has emphasized building high-functioning, well-trained technical teams and implementing structured training programs that ensure scientific excellence, operational consistency, and compliance in regulated settings. Dr. Paris brings a real-world perspective on workforce development in advanced therapies. She is particularly focused on bridging academic training with industry needs, strengthening competency-based instruction, and expanding access to hands-on learning pathways that prepare the next generation of biomanufacturing and cell therapy professionals.
Director of Operations and Assistant Site Head at Evonik Vancouver Laboratories
Kristina Parrant
Kristina Parrant is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in drug development. She holds a BSc. in Biochemistry from the University of Saskatchewan and has contributed to translational research initiatives at the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, and the Centre for Drug Research and Development (adMare). As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®), Kristina possesses extensive expertise in project governance, risk management, process optimization, and commercial strategy within the pharmaceutical industry. Currently, she holds the position of Director of Operations and Assistant Site Head at Evonik Vancouver Laboratories, where she oversees site operations for preclinical production, CMC activities, and GMP manufacturing of complex parenteral drug products.
Director of Alberta Cell Therapy Manufacturing (ACTM), University of Alberta
Gayle Piat
Gayle Piat has over 30 years of experience in the life sciences, specializing in Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). She is Director of Alberta Cell Therapy Manufacturing (ACTM) at the University of Alberta, a nationally recognized GMP facility advancing cell therapies and providing aseptic fill/finish for clinical trials. Gayle’s regulatory career began in GLP, where she earned the designation of Registered Quality Assurance Professional in 2003, followed by Regulatory Affairs Certification through the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society. Since 2011, she has led ACTM’s growth and operations, building strong academic and industry partnerships to translate innovation into therapies for patients. She is also an active member of ISPE Canada’s Women in Pharma Committee, supporting mentorship, leadership, and collaboration in biomanufacturing.
Director of the Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre (BMC), Investigator, Ottawa Hospital Research
Jennifer Quizi
Jennifer Quizi, PhD, is the Director of the Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre (BMC), an Investigator at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Immunology and Microbiology within the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine. For the past 15 years, Dr. Quizi has been working as part of a translational team in cancer immunotherapy. Her areas of expertise are biomanufacturing, process optimization, virus-based therapeutics and cell therapy. As BMC Director and Investigator at the OHRI, Dr. Quizi supports sustainable and affordable manufacturing for biologic therapies destined for use in early phase clinical trials both here in Canada and abroad. She is committed to training the next generation of highly qualified personnel as Chair of Algonquin College’s Biotechnology Program Advisory Committee, architect of Canada’s first, hands-on biomanufacturing training program called CanPRIME, and co-creator of the University of Ottawa’s microprogram in biomanufacturing. Jennifer has a Doctorate in Cellular and Molecular Medicine from the University of Ottawa and is proud to be able to give back to the city that she grew up and trained in.
Senior Director of Quality at Emergent BioSolutions
Brent Sadler
Brent is a seasoned quality and operations leader with over two decades of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. As Senior Director of Quality at Emergent BioSolutions, he leads site-wide quality initiatives, driving continuous improvement and regulatory compliance to ensure the safe manufacturing of life-saving products. Brent has held progressive leadership roles, including Director and Senior Manager of Quality Assurance, where he championed GMP inspection readiness, quality systems development, and cross-functional collaboration. His background also includes project management, notably implementing SAP systems and overseeing large-scale product deliveries under USG contracts. Brent is a member of Emergent Winnipeg’s Senior Leadership Team responsible for setting strategic direction for the Site, driving key initiatives and ensuring alignment across functions to achieve overall organizational goals. Brent holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba and a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from the University of Winnipeg/York University. Brent is known for his strategic mindset, operational excellence, and commitment to quality.
Senior Vice President of Talent Development at AbCellera
Janet Teasdale
Janet Teasdale is the Senior Vice President of Talent Development at AbCellera. She leads the company’s talent discovery, people support, learning and development, and internal communications functions. She joined AbCellera in December 2020 to develop systems to support high-performing teams. Before joining AbCellera, Janet was Managing Director of Student Development and Services at the University of British Columbia focusing on health and wellbeing, digital transformation, internationalization, and career development. Janet obtained her EdD from Simon Fraser University, a Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School, and is a certified executive coach.