By Christina Yeh
On May 16, the OBIO® Women in Health Initiative (WiHI) presented its inaugural networking event in the nation’s capital, the first of multiple stops planned across Ontario in 2023. In partnership with Invest Ottawa and contributing sponsor Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG) LLP, OBIO® invited women at all stages of their career in health sciences to participate in Rendez-Vous in the Capital: Networking with Inspirational Women in Science at the Bayview Yards in Ottawa.
Sonya Shorey, Vice President of Strategy, Marketing & Communications at Invest Ottawa, opened the event, welcoming women with diverse health science backgrounds from across Ottawa and neighbouring regions. Invest Ottawa has a vision for women founders, business owners and entrepreneurs to build commercially successful and sustainable companies.
Dr. Maura Campbell, President and CEO of OBIO®, then greeted the audience and described the important contributions by the WiHI program to increasing the participation and advancement of women in the health science sector since the program’s launch in July 2022. The OBIO® WiHI program supports women entering and advancing their careers in business development roles in the health science industry through a combination of on-the-job learning and financial support. Dr. Campbell applauded the Ottawa health sciences ecosystem of colleges, universities, hospitals and organizations for fostering the next generation of health science companies.
The audience next welcomed Member of Parliament for Kanata—Carleton, Jenna Sudds, on behalf of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. MP Sudds also serves as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth. At the event, she acknowledged OBIO’s contributions to building the health sciences ecosystem in Ontario through critical initiatives funded by FedDev Ontario such as the Capital Access Advisory Program (CAAP®), the Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™) and the WiHI program. She highlighted the importance of health sciences innovation in improving the lives of Canadians.
Beverley Moore, Partner, IP Litigation with BLG LLP, emphazised the firm’s commitment to women in business and leadership. BLG Driven by Women™ offers women in business and law an opportunity to connect and share ideas. BLG understands that starting a business can be challenging and offers their StartUp & Grow™ program to entrepreneurs seeking practical, efficient legal solutions.
The evening concluded with 100+ women participating, building new relationships and sharing their experiences working in the health sciences sector.
