FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

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