Team
STAFF
Andrew Casey
President and CEO
613-230-5585 ext 229
In his role as President & CEO of BIOTECanada Andrew is
responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Association. In this
capacity, he is the primary spokesperson for Canada's biotech industry
communicating on the industry's behalf with government, regulators,
international bodies, media and the Canadian public. He also ensures
BIOTECanada plays a central role in partnership with Government in the
development of policy relating to Canada's biotech sector and the member
companies of BIOTECanada.
Prior to joining BIOTECanada, Andrew served from 2004-2012 as Vice President, Public Affairs and International Trade and Vice President, Government Relations and Communications for the Forestry Products Association of Canada. In those roles he held responsibility for the Association’s government relations, communications, media relations, advertising and international trade undertakings. From 1993-2004 he held the position of Assistant Vice-President, Government Relations with the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association. Between 1989 and 1993 Andrew held political assistant positions with a Member of Parliament and the Minister of State (Finance).
Andrew Casey is a native of Montreal, Quebec. After attending Loyola High School (Montreal) and St. Lawrence CEGEP (Quebec City) he graduated from Carleton University (Ottawa) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
Cate McCready
Vice President, External Affairs
613-230-5585 ext 230
With fifteen years of practical
experience in the field of communications and public affairs Cate
McCready joined BIOTECanada in November of 2001 and currently serves in
the role of Vice President, External Affairs.
Her current role with BIOTECanada encompasses the development of national programs designed to inform and highlight the value of biotechnology innovation in Canada. This includes leading advocacy, media relations, and public awareness activities of the association to showcase the industry.
Her experience includes more than eight years of service within the federal government. This included roles for federal ministers and to the Prime Minister of Canada. Prior to her federal government experience she served in corporate and non-profit roles for national organizations.Jon Flemming
Vice President, Industry Affairs
613-230-5585 ext 225
Jon joined BIOTECanada in September 2012 as Vice President, Industry Affairs. In this capacity Jon works closely with the BIOTECanada team and member companies in the development of policy positions and initiatives affecting Canada's biotechnology sector. Prior to joining BIOTECanada Jon served as Director, Economics and Trade Policy with the Forest Products Association of Canada. Jon has also served as a Policy Director to the federal Minister of Natural Resources who he advised on energy and forestry issues. Jon has worked in finance and risk-management roles with RBC Royal Bank and the New Brunswick Power Corporation. He holds a B.Sc. (biochemistry) from the University of New Brunswick and a MBA (agribusiness) from the University of Guelph.
Dr. Ron Boch
Senior Director, Life Sciences
613-
230-5585 ext 233
Dr. Ron Boch is the Senior Director, Life Sciences. Ron is BIOTECanada's staff lead for the Vaccine Industry Committee, the Health Advisory Board and the Biologics Regulatory Affairs Group.
Before joining BIOTECanada, Ron was the Director, Pharmaceutical Development at Variation Biotechnologies Inc. in Ottawa developing vaccines. He is experienced in chemistry, manufacturing and controls particularly regarding sterile biotechnology products and drug formulation, including vaccines and biopharmaceuticals.
Prior to VBI, Ron worked at QLT Inc. in Vancouver for over ten years where he contributed to the development of Visudyne (approved for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration) and as the Associate Director, Formulation, he directed the development activities of a wide variety of preclinical and clinical products.
As a named inventor of over 60 US and
international patent applications including nine different patent families, Ron
developed technologies for new business opportunities and managed relationships
with key opinion leaders in the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industry.
Ron
has a Ph.D. in Chemistry and B.Sc. in Biochemistry, both earned from
the University of Ottawa.
Director, Policy & Industry Affairs
613-230-5585 ext 259
Victoria is the Director, Policy and Industry Affairs and joined
BIOTECanada in November 2012. In this role, Victoria works closely with
colleagues and industry members to identify policy and industry issues
and support the development of policy positions and initiatives for
Canada's biotechnology sector. Victoria will be the staff lead for the
Industrial and Agriculture Committee. Victoria has spent over 10 years
both within the federal government and the private sector working on
policy analysis and development in the areas of sustainable development,
bioeconomy, and natural resources sector. Her experiences in policy
have included analysis on market access issues, regulation, and
innovation. Victoria holds a Bachelor of Science (Biology) with a focus
on plant biochemistry and a Professional Masters of Public
Administration from Queen's University.
Kira Pejemsky
Director, Business Development & Member Services
613-230-5585 ext 226
Kira Pejemsky joined BIOTECanada in
December 2008. She is responsible for defining and implementing the
marketing programs and strategies of the Association, project management
of the creative, production and distribution of BIOTECanada pieces, the
association website, the Gold Leaf Award programme, and management of
the association brand.
Previously, Kira was at the Canadian
Institute of Planners, where she headed the association's marketing and
communications activities. She has also worked for the Canadian Real
Estate Association, where she managed the Graphic Services section of
the association's Communications Department.
She also worked in the
high-technology sector in corporate communications for Plaintree Systems
Inc. Her background includes graphic design, investor relations, trade
show management, publications and awards programs, strategic
communications and sales and marketing.
Ms. Pejemsky holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Design) from Concordia University.
Nadine Lunt
Senior Manager, Communications
613-230-5585 ext 257
Nadine has worked over the past decade in the field of communications.
She has the ability to break down complex material offering a
straightforward story for the audience.
Nadine leads the development and implementation of BIOTECanada’s
communications strategy. She is the lead on copy writing of key
publications including monthly reporter, Board Bulletin and
Parliamentary Quarterly. She is the project manager for National
Biotechnology Week, and editor of insights magazine. Nadine also leads
the developing of key messages, external articles and press materials.
Nadine
spent five years in the corporate communications department with a
crown corporation in Ottawa where she engineered daily news events,
developed messaging for the national audience, and managed longer term
activities such as the annual report to Parliament.
Nadine
has worked as a qualitative focus group moderator for a market research
company where clients sought an understanding of their customers and
tested advertising concepts. Early exposure to the
political system was earned as Nadine had the privilege of working with
two federal Ministers in the capacity of press secretary.
Janice Burke
Senior Manager, Finance and Operations
613-230-5585 ext 223
With 15 years financial experience in non-profit organizations,
Janice Burke joined BIOTECanada in January 2004. In her current role as
Senior Manager, Finance and Operations Janice manages the day-to-day
fiscal and physical resources of the association. Other
responsibilities include administration of group benefits and human
resources, overseeing capital acquisitions and service contracts,
facilities management as well as some business solutions benefiting our
membership.
Prior to joining BIOTECanada, Janice served for nine years as
Information Systems Manager for South Asia Partnership Canada, a
non-profit organization working in human development. In this capacity,
she managed financial reporting as well the LAN and IT systems for the
Partnership, and was responsible for government and partner reporting
for several overseas development programs. Janice also oversaw database
design and maintenance.
Janice has also served as board director of a national non-profit, has extensive experience in organizational restructuring, strategic planning, information technology management and working with volunteers. She has training in conflict resolution and human rights.
Matt Aleksic
Manager, Health Policy
613-230-5585 ext 234
Matt is a member of the BIOTECanada policy team focusing on health biotechnology. He works closely with members of the Subsequent Entry Biologics Task Force, Market Access Working Group, and Health Advisory Board to develop and promote initiatives important to the health biotechnology industry.
Prior to joining BIOTECanada, he worked as a political consultant, as a Policy Analyst with both Health Canada and Canadian Blood Services, and as a Research Coordinator with the Centre for Research on Inner City Health at St. Michael's Hospital. He has also held internships at Parliament Hill, Capitol Hill, lobby groups, a think tank, and Queen's Park.
Matt has an Honours B.A. in Political Science from the University of Toronto and a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University.
Executive Assistant
613-230-5585 ext 227
Aurelina joined BIOTECanada in 2006, her responsibilities encompass
managing the President's schedule, coordination of the Board of
Directors, Executive Committee and ACCORD Committee meeting,
teleconferences and all related communications.
She also oversees other administrative support functions for the Senior Management team and assists in the coordination of internal and external meetings, conferences and events. Aurelina takes a lead role in the maintenance of the internal contact database including select aspects of website maintenance and new member services.
Julie Mair
Administrative Assistant
613-230-5585 ext 222
Julie Mair joins BIOTECanada with over twenty-two years of experience in both the private and public sector. Her most recent employment with the Public Health Agency of Canada added to her knowledge of health issues and related policies. Throughout Julie’s career she has gained valuable experience with administrative, financial and human resources policies, guidelines, procedures and systems.
Julie’s role at BIOTECanada consists of managing the membership database, processing membership renewals, assisting with meetings and conferences, handling general mailings and the distribution of BioWorld publications. Julie also works closely with Finance & Operations, assisting with accounts payables and receivables as well as tending to daily operational needs.
