Celebrating Women Leaders Making a Difference in the Health Science Industry

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following a competitive application process, the Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO^®) is pleased to announce the eight successful awardees of the inaugural Women in Health Initiative’s (WiHI) Business Leadership Program (“Program”).

“OBIO’s Women in Health Initiative is designed to increase the participation and advancement of women in the health and life sciences sector,” said Dr. Maura Campbell, President & CEO of OBIO^®. “This is especially critical at the leadership level where women can serve as role models, attract a more diverse workforce and change workplace policies to ensure greater inclusivity. This program supports the realization of these goals.”

More than 50 promising candidates from a range of early-stage Ontario life science companies developing therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics or digital health technologies were considered.

Each candidate was assessed based on their educational and professional background, their impact on their company, their contributions to the ecosystem and the skills and background they collectively bring to the Program. “It was a very difficult decision to select only eight recipients from this incredibly talented pool of individuals. We are looking at alternative ways to support all those who applied,” added Dr. Campbell.

The successful applicants (each of whom receive a $50K wage subsidy) will participate in OBIO^®’s networking events and contribute as mentor leaders to a community for women’s professional development, further supporting workforce development in a sector where women are underrepresented.

The initiative is funded with support from the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). “Increasing the involvement of women in the health and life sciences sector will diversify perspectives and ideas to increase innovation. With these eight award recipients, OBIO’s WiHI Business Leadership Program is demonstrating how investing in women’s potential can lead to a strong and diverse community. This in turn will contribute to a growing economy that works for everyone,” said the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “The Government of Canada congratulates the eight successful applicants, and we look forward to the amazing work you will develop and foster for years to come.”

“The OBIO^® Board and staff offer heartfelt congratulations to these eight talented women and commend all of those who applied to the Program,” said Dr. Campbell. To learn more about the awardees of the inaugural WiHI Business Leadership Program, click here.

On Thursday, January 26 at the MaRS Discovery Centre in Toronto, OBIO^® is hosting a networking session that includes a panel discussion featuring the Program awardees. For more information or to register, click here.

About OBIO®
Founded in 2009, OBIO^® is a not-for-profit membership-based innovation organization engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to further the commercialization of human health technologies that position Canada as a leader in the international marketplace. OBIO^® advances this goal through collaborative partnerships with industry, the investment community, academia, the health care system and government. For more information, please visit www.obio.ca and follow OBIO^® on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About FedDev Ontario
For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.