New Appointments
Katherine O’Halloran & Natalie Mitton Join PEI BioAlliance Board of Directors
The Prince Edward Island BioAlliance Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Katherine O’Halloran and Natalie Mitton to its Board of Directors.
Katherine O’Halloran is a Principal at GT, a national public affairs firm. She brings more than a decade of senior government experience, including four years as Regional Advisor for Atlantic Canada in the Prime Minister’s Office, where she connected the PMO with MPs, provincial and municipal governments, Indigenous leaders, and regional stakeholders. Known for her collaborative approach and sound judgement, Katherine has built a reputation for bridging regional priorities with national decision-making.
Natalie Mitton joins the Board in her role as the President and CEO of Holland College, reinforcing the college’s longstanding partnership with the PEI bioscience ecosystem. Natalie brings nearly two decades of leadership in post-secondary education, including 14 years in senior leadership roles at Holland College, most recently as Vice-President, Academic and Applied Research. Throughout her career she has built strong collaborations with industry, government and partners while overseeing a broad portfolio of academic, workforce development and applied research programs across PEI and internationally. She previously served as a deputy minister with the Government of Prince Edward Island.
“We are delighted to welcome Katherine O’Halloran and Natalie Mitton to the PEI BioAlliance Board of Directors,” said Charmaine Noonan, Chair of the PEI BioAlliance Board of Directors. “Both are highly respected leaders who bring complementary strengths in government relations, public policy, education and workforce development. Their perspectives will further strengthen our Board as we position the bioscience sector to capitalize on the dynamic opportunities ahead.”
“Prince Edward Island’s bioscience sector has evolved into a national strategic asset, with capabilities that are increasingly relevant to Canada’s priorities in health security, artificial intelligence, defence, and the bio-based economy,” said Lauren Ledwell, CEO of the PEI BioAlliance. “Katherine and Natalie bring exceptional leadership and complementary expertise that will help strengthen our ecosystem as we position PEI to capture these emerging opportunities and continue building globally competitive companies.”
The BioAlliance Board of Directors also recently held its Annual General Meeting, where members recognized the outstanding leadership and service of outgoing Board Vice Chair Cheryl Stewart Walsh. Cheryl served during a period of remarkable growth for the sector, including the establishment of the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL), and made lasting contributions to the continued success of the PEI BioAlliance.
PEI BioAlliance Appoints Lauren Ledwell as New CEO, Building on 20 Years of Sector Growth
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lauren Ledwell new CEO, PEI BioAlliance
Charlottetown, PEI – August 6th, 2025 The Prince Edward Island BioAlliance is pleased to announce the appointment of Lauren Ledwell as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective September 2025.
A visionary business leader, Ms. Ledwell brings extensive experience in business transformation, venture capital, and system innovation to the sector. She will succeed founding CEO Rory Francis who announced that he would retire in 2025.
“Lauren Ledwell’s leadership in the innovation economy as a tech entrepreneur, investor, and mentor is a significant asset for the continued growth of our sector,” shared Charmaine Noonan, Chair, Board of Directors who led the executive search. “Ms. Ledwell’s ability to build inclusive teams and experience with businesses spanning all stages of development and sizes aligns with the PEI BioAlliance’s core purpose to build a thriving PEI bioeconomy collaborating with industry, academia and government to promote innovation and generate prosperity in our province.”
The Board of Directors appointed Ms. Ledwell after conducting a six-month search to find the next leader of this industry-led organization, respected nationally for its achievements in cluster model driven sector growth. The national search came full circle, as Ms. Ledwell had recently returned to her home province with her family.
“I’m thrilled to join the PEI BioAlliance and to build on the tremendous momentum of this respected bioscience cluster organization,” shared Lauren Ledwell, incoming CEO, PEI BioAlliance. “I’m looking forward to working alongside the talented BioAlliance team, regional and national cluster organizations, and with all partners that have shaped PEI’s thriving bioscience sector to date. Together, we’ll continue advancing innovation, accelerating growth, and championing leadership in the bioeconomy.”
Most recently Ms. Ledwell was with Sandpiper Ventures, spearheading Seed and Series A investments in inclusive, high-growth Canadian tech companies. She previously held senior roles at Manulife, RBC, and Maple Leaf Foods, and served as CEO of discoverygarden.
A strong advocate for Canada’s innovation economy, she co-founded the Atlantic chapter of Women’s Equity Lab, serves as founding Chair of the Board for the PEI IT Alliance, and is a mentor with Creative Destruction Lab and Emergence. She was also recently appointed a Board Director of Venture for Canada. Ledwell holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Management and has completed executive education at Ivey Business School and BI Norwegian Business School.
The PEI BioAlliance celebrates its’ 20th Anniversary this year. Rory Francis as a founder has been a catalyst in PEI’s bioscience industry as we know it today, with a cluster of 50 plus companies that combined generate $612 million in annual revenue and $460 million in exports. Under Mr. Francis’ leadership, the BioAlliance helped to attract new investment, scale innovative companies, and catalyze collaboration across industry, academic, and public sector partners.
“Rory’s vision and tenacity have transformed the bioscience landscape in Prince Edward Island and across the region,” said Charmaine Noonan, Chair of the Board of Directors. “He built not just an organization, but a model for what regional innovation and collaboration can achieve. His legacy of economic leadership and deep community impact will carry on—and we are incredibly grateful for his service.”
An event to celebrate Mr. Francis will be announced at a later date.
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Media Contact:
Bobbi Jo Walker, Director of Communications & Marketing
PEI BioAlliance
403-952-8304 / bobbijo@peibiolliance.com
BIOTECanada welcomes new President & CEO
Ottawa, ON – On behalf of the Board of Directors of BIOTECanada, Chairman Oliver Technow is pleased to announce the appointment of Wendy Zatylny as the incoming President & CEO of BIOTECanada, representing the biotechnology ecosystem in Canada.
With extensive leadership experience and a strong commitment to innovation, Zatylny will guide the association through a period of unprecedented competition and growth in the sector.
Zatylny will begin her role on January 13 representing BIOTECanada, and host meetings with members at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference and Biotech showcase events in San Francisco.
“We are pleased to welcome Wendy to BIOTECanada,” stated Oliver Technow. “Her experience in leading a national industry association equips her with valuable insights and expertise that will drive BIOTECanada’s ongoing growth and success. Her leadership will be instrumental in strengthening collaboration across the sector and advancing policies that position Canada’s biotechnology ecosystem as a global leader.”
Zatylny brings extensive leadership experience across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including life sciences, logistics, telecommunications, and marine transportation. Her roles with Rx&D, the Association of Canadian Port Authorities, and SBA Communications have equipped her with a strong understanding of industrial and sectoral development on global levels. With expertise in corporate affairs and association management, she is well-prepared to advance BIOTECanada’s mission and support growth in the biotechnology sector.
This transition marks a significant milestone for BIOTECanada as the association continues to champion Canadian biotechnology on the national and global stage. BIOTECanada looks forward to ongoing collaboration with its members, stakeholders, and partners, building on the momentum of recent achievements and driving the sector toward future success.
PEI BioAlliance Welcomes New Chair of the Board of Directors
Charlottetown, PE – The Prince Edward Island BioAlliance is pleased to announce the appointment of Charmaine Noonan, Senior Director and Site Head PEI Merck Animal Health, as the new Chair of the Board of Directors. Charmaine has been an executive member of the PEI BioAlliance Board for two years and brings a wealth of experience and leadership to her new role.
As Chair, Charmaine guides the PEI BioAlliance Board in its role of developing and monitoring the strategy for growing the PEI Bioscience Cluster and its economic impact in Prince Edward Island.
“I am excited to step into the role of Chair of the Board,” said Noonan. “I look forward to the ongoing close collaboration with business, academia and research, investors, and government partners to drive innovation and growth in our bioscience sector, ensuring that Prince Edward Island remains a leader in bioscience-based human, animal, and fish health and nutrition.”
“Charmaine has been a leader in the PEI bioscience community, contributing significantly to our ecosystem’s growth and success in her role as Site Manager for Elanco’s Aqua business here in PEI, and now under the new ownership of Merck Animal Health,” said Rory Francis, CEO of the BioAlliance. “Charmaine will lead a knowledgeable and committed Board that will ensure Prince Edward Island continues to demonstrate outstanding results as a centre for bioscience business development in Canada.”
The PEI BioAlliance extends gratitude to Oliver Technow, CEO of BIOVECTRA, for his exceptional service and dedication as Chair of the Board of Directors since 2021. Under Oliver’s leadership, the PEI BioAlliance achieved significant milestones, including the development and construction of the Bioscience Manufacturing Incubator, announcement of the $50 million BioAccelerator, the launch of CASTL as Canada’s national leader in biopharmaceutical manufacturing skills and training, being awarded the Gold Label of Cluster Management Excellence, and supporting PEI’s bioscience community in exceeding over $600 million in private sector revenue (2022).
The PEI BioAlliance also welcomes Heather Delage, CCO of BIOVECTRA, and Dr. Wendy Rodgers, President and Vice-Chancellor of UPEI, to the Board of Directors.
Oliver Technow named incoming Chair of the Board of BIOTECanada
Following BIOTECanada’s Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors is pleased to announce Oliver Technow, CEO, BioVectra Inc. as the incoming Chair of the Board, succeeding Gordon McCauley, President and CEO of adMare BioInnovations whose term as Chair has concluded.
Technow brings over 30 years of experience in the global biosciences sector and a proven track record as CEO of BioVectra Inc., a Charlottetown-based, global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) that serves pharmaceutical and biotech companies with full-service solutions for active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and intermediates.