BIOTECanada Staff
Peter Brenders
President and CEO
(613) 230-5585 ext 229
Peter Brenders joined BIOTECanada as President & CEO in February 2005. Previously, he worked in health affairs in senior management roles at Genzyme Canada and Schering-Plough Canada. Mr. Brenders has also worked in the Ontario Ministry of Health and in the health consulting practice at KPMG. While at Genzyme, Mr. Brenders served as Chair of the BIOTECanada Health Policy Committee and sat as a member of the association's Government Relations Committee. He is currently a Director of the DeGroote School of Business Alumni, McMaster University, a member of the Advisory Council for Algonquin College's biotechnology program, a former director of the Biotechnology Human Resources Council, and has served as a member of the Privy Council Office's Reference Group on Regulating, as a Board member and Treasurer of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario Foundation, and has contributed to the Canadian College of Health Services Executives and served as the Chair of its Toronto Chapter. Mr. Brenders received his MBA, in Health Services Management from McMaster University. Prior to his brief work in basic research at the Robarts Research Institute, he received his Honours BSc in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Western Ontario.
Aurelina Arruda
Executive Assistant
(613) 230-5585 ext 227
Aurelina joined BIOTECanada in August 2006 as the Executive Assistant to Peter Brenders (President & CEO). 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.
Betsy Bascom
Vice President, Business Development and Member Services
(416) 979-2652
Betsy joined BIOTECanada in November 2001 as Director, Marketing & Member Services. During the past few years she has focused on the issues associated with biotech SMEs in Canada including finance and business development as well as building value programs for the membership at large. Betsy has developed a strong international network in the biotech industry that she leverages for the biotech community in Canada.
Prior to joining BIOTECanada, Betsy was the Director, Product Development at Umbra Inc. in Toronto where she managed the Design and Graphic departments. Preceding Umbra, Betsy worked for Sonar Communications Inc as their Director, Conference Management and as an Account Director. She has a broad scope of experience in international business strategy, negotiations, project management and event management.
Betsy has just completed her term on the Board of Governors of Branksome Hall, where she chaired the Governance Committee for three years. She has also been a Director on the board of the Design Exchange and a corporate Director of Irwin Toy Limited. She served on the Audit Committee and the Independent Committee of the Irwin Toy board.
Betsy received her MBA at the University of Toronto and her BA from Queen's University. She has also completed the Canadian Securities Course.
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.
Philip Schwab, Ph.D.
Vice President, Industry Relations
(613) 230-5585 ext 225
As Vice-President for Industry Relations at BIOTECanada, Phil works with member companies in the health, vaccine, agriculture and industrial biotechnology sectors to develop policy positions and to communicate industry priorities to government and industry decision makers. Phil also serves as a member of the Multi-Sector Advisory Committee for the Pan-Provincial Vaccine Enterprise (PREVENT) and as a director of the Pharmaceutical Advertising Advisory Board on behalf of BIOTECanada.
Prior to joining BIOTECanada, Phil served as Director of Programs at Genome Canada, where he coordinated the scientific review processes for competitive programs across the spectrum of genomics and proteomics research.
For over ten years Phil served as a science policy and legislative affairs advisory at the United States Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC and as a professional staff member on Capitol Hill for Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa, Representative Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota and Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota.
Dr. Schwab holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Plant Breeding and Genetics with a minor in conservation biology from the University of Minnesota and a B.S. degree from Michigan State University.
Graeme Fraser
Director of Health Policy
(613) 230-5585 ext 233
Graeme joined BIOTECanada in September 2006 and holds the position of Director of Health Policy. He manages the operations of the BIOTECanada health policy committees; the Health Advisory Board, the Vaccine Industry Committee, and the Biologics and Regulatory Affairs Group. Graeme monitors health-related biotech issues as identified by members and provides analysis and data tracking to support policy positions for the Association. A large portion of his time is dedicated to member company outreach and implementation of strategic policy plans. Graeme works closely with industry representatives to develop the policy positions which form the basis of BIOTECanada health policy advocacy campaigns.
Graeme graduated from McGill University in 2005 with a B.A. (Hons. History & Anthropology) and traveled for eight months in South America before joining the BIOTECanada team.
Mejda B. Lortie, Ph.D.
Director, Industrial and Agriculture Policy
(613) 230-5585 ext 260
Dr. Mejda Benali Lortie joined BIOTECanada in December 2008. Mejda is responsible for identifying policy priorities and keeping members informed about the latest policy issues pertaining to the agricultural and industrial biotechnology sectors. She will focus on identifying opportunities to advance agriculture and industrial biotechnology, expanding BIOTECanada's influence with domestic and international partners in this space. Mejda manages the Agriculture and Nutrition Advisory Board and the Industrial and Environmental Policy Committee.
Mejda was most recently general manager of a French communications company where she developed communication and public outreach strategies focused on improving environmental and scientific knowledge-bridging between government, industry and public stakeholders. Mejda holds a PhD in Environmental Soil Chemistry. She conducted her PhD at Laval University where she led a multi-disciplinary study, funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, on the long term effects of organic industrial by-products (pulp and paper) on agricultural land sustainability. She holds a Masters in International Sustainable Development, with a Major in Plant Eco-Physiology, and a Bachelors degree in Agricultural Engineering, with a major in Plant Genetics and Biotechnology.
Kasia Majewski
Director of Communications
(613) 230-5585 ext 257
Kasia Majewski joined BIOTECanada in June 2008. Kasia is responsible for BIOTECanada's strategic communications planning and implementation. This includes media relations, corporate communications and acting as editor of the Association's bi-annual insights magazine, as well as management of the Association's annual National Biotechnology Week.
Kasia has significant communications experience in campaign communications. Kasia joined BIOTECanada from the Canadian Wireless Telecommunication Association where she managed the federal and provincial government portfolios as Director of Government Affairs. Previously, Kasia was an analyst with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, where she held responsibility for files in competition law, telecom and information technology and intellectual property. Currently, Kasia is the Media Outreach lead for Timeraiser Ottawa, a non-profit initiative that raises volunteer time for local organizations, and a member of the United Way Business Development Committee. Kasia has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Western Ontario and a master's degree from Queen's University.
Kira Pejemsky
Director, Marketing & Programs
(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 has 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. Kira has a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Major in Design) from Concordia University.
Janice Burke
Senior Manager, Finance and Administration
(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 Administration 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 9 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.
Gibril Muddei
Information Officer
(613) 230-5585 ext 259
Gibril Muddei joined BIOTECanada as an Information Officer in July 2009. A graduate of the Telfer School of Management (Honours Finance) at the University of Ottawa, Gibril has also completed the University’s co-operative education program; he has had work-terms at Business Access Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Gibril is currently working towards his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Gibril supports BIOTECanada's advocacy and public affairs activities through tracking industry trends, researching and analyzing financing activities, and conducting economic analyses. He is directly working on Canada's bio-based economy, the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit program, and the Canadian Life Sciences Database.
Winnie Han
Administrative Assistant
(613) 230-5585 ext 222
Winnie joined BIOTECanada in 2008. As the Administrative Assistant, Winnie's main tasks include managing the organization's database of members and contacts, coordinating the distribution of external communications such as BioWorld Today and BioWorld Insight, and to assist Finance and Administration with membership renewals and creating invoices and receipts.
