"Lauren Gogo is currently the Manager of Research Contracts at Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation. She is responsible for reviewing and negotiating clinical research contracts and providing direction to a team of contract negotiators, as well as focusing on strategic and policy projects involving research. Prior to joining HHSC, Lauren was a Contracts Officer at the University of Toronto and a Research Business Analyst at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, and negotiated many clinical trial agreements as well as participated on the research ethics board to answer any contract-related questions. Lauren has a Masters in Biomedical Technology, and is an active member of the Canadian Association of Research Administrators (CARA) as a Member at Large on the Board"

Nuvdeep has been managing R&D and Innovation project and grants for 7+ years in Food and Beverage, Design and Social Innovation. Nuvdeep uses project management skills heavily to meet business objectives while upholding exceptional customer service to run the best operations possible and continuously engage in projects.

Leslie is the Director of the Funding Agencies and Non-Profit Sponsors group within the Office of Research. The FANS team focuses on supporting faculty with their applications to the Tri-agencies, New Frontiers Research Fund, Genome Canada, NIH, non-profit sponsors, as well as international sponsors. We also support research partnerships with the non-profit and public sector, as well as international academic institutions. The FANS team provides many value-add services, such as strategic proposal review, and grant-writing supports. Leslie’s career started in basic research. Following a degree in Biochemistry from University of Guelph, Leslie undertook basic research for over 2 decades within industry, both pharmaceutical and biotech, and in academe. Leslie then shifted to research administration at University of Waterloo – originally managing the CIHR and health- related research portfolio, and now as the Director of FANS.

Currently President of the European Canadian Centre for Innovation and Research (headquartered in Edmonton), Associate Vice-President International/lead for international at University of Alberta, Humboldt University and Western University between 2006 and 2020, 1985-2004 German Academic Exchange Service, also as Head of North-America Office in New York (1998-2004). Dual citizenship with Canada and Germany. Recipient of German Order of Merit in 2022. Past Board member of NAFSA, International Commission of APLU, Governing Board of Bielefeld University/Germany. Currently Board Member of Daughters for Life Foundation.

Dr. Mehdi Sheikhzadeh is Vice President, Research & Innovation at Lambton College. He has more than 18 years of academic, research, and industrial experience. Andrea Hands serves as the Associate Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives, within the Research & Innovation department at Lambton College. In her capacity, Andrea is responsible for driving partnership development, overseeing application processes, and managing promotional and communication efforts.

James Shelley is a Knowledge Mobilization Specialist at Western University. His role involves strategic planning, consultation, and training across six diverse Schools within the Faculty of Health Sciences (Nursing, Kinesiology, Health Studies, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Communication Sciences and Disorders). James is especially interested in the convergence of data automation, system design, and storytelling, and how, combined, they augment knowledge mobilization and science communication. James also heads the Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) Lab. This lab, established in early 2020, serves as an interdisciplinary hub for the study of complexity and system scholarship at Western University, bridging various faculties and departments. An autodidact at heart, James has a special interest in the overlap of complexity theory, information, narrative, and communications.

Shawn Garner is a Data Analyst at Western University, leading the design and implementation of multiple dashboards for research administrative data. Holding a Ph.D. in Biology, he brings extensive experience in data collection, analysis, and presentation from both research and research-administrative perspectives.

Eva Aboagye provides leadership to the program management team in the Office of Research and Innovation at George Brown College. She also provides guidance on and management of research methods and budgets for researchers applying to or holding external research or social innovation grants. From 2015 to 2022, she was responsible for providing guidance in the development of proposals and management of projects funded externally under the Community and College Social Innovation Fund as well as for the internally funded Ignite projects. She has over twenty years of management experience in the postsecondary sector, seventeen of which focused on strategic planning, research and teaching in the Ontario College system. Eva has published a number of academic articles on equity, diversity and inclusion, including from 2011 to 2014, co- founding and co-editing the Journal of Global Citizenship and Equity Education . In 2021, she co-edited a book "Global Citizenship Education: Challenges and Successes". Previously, she held several positions at Centennial College including Senior Researcher at the Institute for Global Citizenship and Equity, Director of Policies Pathways and Grants, and Manager of Strategic Institutional Planning. Eva has a PhD and an M Ed in Higher Education from the University of Toronto and a BA and Graduate Diploma in population studies from the University of Ghana.

Sharyn has been a Senior Programs Officer at the CFI since 2007. Alongside her colleagues in the Programs Operations team, she provides support to the CFI’s institutional, provincial and territorial stakeholders, coordinates post-award activities and supports the Programs team in topics of corporate interest and importance. 

Mariam is the inaugural Director of Knowledge Exchange, Impact and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Decolonization (EDI-D) in Research at Western University where she leads the institutional strategy for each of these pivotal and intersecting areas. With a background in mixed-methods evaluation and community-based participatory research with Indigenous communities, Mariam also supports program evaluation, research impact assessment, and Indigenous and partnered research. Outside of Western, Mariam has worked with the Office of the Auditor General, Health Canada, Diabetes Canada, and the BC Provincial Diabetes Strategy.

Mani Kang is the Senior Director of Research Operations at Unity Health Toronto, which is comprised of St. Michael’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, and Providence Healthcare. Previously, Mani has held progressively more senior roles at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Centre and the University Health Network where he oversaw research operations and business development. Mani holds an MBA from the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University, a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees from York University, and a Project Management Professional designation.

Dr. Nicole Kaniki is an EDI consultant and the founder and Director of Senomi Solutions Inc. She has almost a decade of experience working in academic institutions in roles supporting research development and EDI. Nicole is passionate about social justice and uses an anti-colonial lens to support institutions and organizations in assessment, strategy development, and implementation of EDI better practices.

"Sherryl is a focused and energetic business leader, community-builder and marketer with extensive experience in identifying organizational imperatives, leading initiatives, building strong team, communicating with stakeholders and achieving results. Mike Folinas, Manager of the Research Office at the Faculty of Pharmacy to support the growth and expansion of impactful research in unique areas of research. Mike is an experienced presenter, focused on highly engaging presentations and interactions with the audience."