HLS Leadership Network
Students will have the opportunity to access the HLS Leadership Network, an exclusive network of senior executives (called “advisors”) who have been carefully selected to reflect a variety of career and life experiences. The advisors will assist students with first-hand knowledge about specific industries, functions, business problems and most importantly, provide advice on their career options.
The HLS Leadership Network includes over 75 senior executives (“Advisors”) hailing from all parts of the healthcare and life sciences sector with experience both in Canada and globally.
All HLS students have the opportunity to connect with the Advisors who can assist them with first-hand knowledge about specific industries, functions, business problems, and advice on their career options.
We believe that participation in this program allows HLS students to expand their professional connections and find advice, guidance and coaching.
How It Works
Students book one 30-minute appointment, called an “Office Hour”, for each Advisor they select, based on their career goals and professional interests.
Each Advisor has provided their availability in advance making it quick and easy for students to make appointments.
An Office Hour is a casual conversation hosted by the Advisor for the HLS student. The Advisor may offer advice in their field, share their career path, or simply answer the student’s questions. Office Hours can be conducted in person, over the phone or via Skype.
We recommend that each student book at least three or four Office Hours, each with a different Advisor, during each term. There are three terms in total:
- Term 1 – September to December
- Term 2 – January to April
- Term 3 – May to August
If you are an HLS Student or current HLS Advisor, you can access the HLS Leadership Network using the link below.
Login here
Our Advisor Team
Advisors
Here is a selection of Advisors who have kindly agreed to join the Network and volunteer their time to speak with our HLS students. We thank them for their commitment to student learning and development.

Sachin Aggarwal
Chief Executive Officer, Think Research

Dr. Michael Apkon
President, Sand Street Advisors

Dr. Robert Bell
Former CEO and Deputy Minister of Health

Aaron Berk
Partner, Advisory Services, KPMG Canada

Georgina Black
Managing Partner, Government & Public Services, Deloitte Canada

Gordon Burrill
Partner & National Industry Leader, Canadian Head of Health & Life Sciences, Lean Transformation Service Offering Lead, KPMG

Heather Chalmers
President & Chief Executive Officer, GE Canada; Country Leader GE Healthcare Canada

Sanjay Cherian
Chief Strategy Officer, ClearData

Magnus Conteh
Founder & CEO, Xuberance Global Impact Solutions Ltd

Lois Cormack
CEO, Spring Living Retirement

Janet Davidson
Healthcare Consultant

Vivian Demian
Executive Director, Advisory Service, KPMG

Michael Dingle
Chief Operating Officer, TELUS Health

Steve Dryburgh
AVP, HR Partner, Manulife

Will Falk
Executive-in-Residence, Rotman School of Management

Jane Farnham
Founder and Principal, Farnham+ Inc.

Joel Finlayson
Managing Director, Healthcare, Accenture

Debbie Fischer
Executive-In-Residence, Sandra Rotman Centre for Health Sector Strategy, Rotman School

Patricia Gauthier
General Country Manager, Moderna Canada

Stephen Goldsmith
Vice President of Business Development, Petal Solutions

Justine Jackson
Past Vice President, Finance and Chief Operating Officer, CAMH Foundation

Dr. Karim Jessa
Chief Medical Information Officer, Hospital for Sick Children

Anand Jha
Managing Director, Ansea

Zayna Khayat
Vice President, Client Success & Growth, Teladoc Health

Dr. David Klein
Staff Physician - Critical Care, St. Michael's Hospital

Dr. Darren Larsen
Chief Medical Director/Chief Medical Officer, TELUS Health Care Centres

Jana Machan
VP Commercialization, CCRM - Centre for the Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine

Leslie Madden
Head of Regulatory Science & QA, Canada at Moderna

Jeff Mainland
Executive Vice President, Hospital for Sick Children

Kristin Mendoza
National Clinical Lead, Deloitte Canada

Jen Moody
Head, Innovation Strategy, Cell Therapy, Danaher Corporation
Sean Murray
Senior Client Executive, Ontario Healthcare, Microsoft

Dr. Dion Neame
North American Senior Medical Expert – Vaccines Sanofi, Sanofi Pasteur, Canada

Dr. Chris O’Connor
Chief Executive Officer, FirstHx Inc.

Gabriela Prada
Director, Global Health Systems Policy, Global Government Affairs, Medtronic

Shelly-Ann Rampersad
Vice-President, Clinical Operations, Maple

Rebecca Repa
EVP Clinical Support and Performance, University Health Network

Emmeline Roodenburg
VP of Strategy, Dr. Sulaiman AL Habib Medical Group

Wayne Samuels
General Manager, Medicentres Canada Inc.

Christian Schuhmacher
Senior VP, Middle East & Africa and Deputy Managing Director, VAMED Management Services

Bruce Seet
Head of Medical Affairs (Canada), Novavax

Shirlee Sharkey
Board Director and Advisor; Former CEO, SE Health

Sohaib Siddiqi
Managing Partner, Healthcare Ventures, Kettlebeck

Kevin Smith
President & CEO, University Health Network

Leslee Thompson
CEO at Accreditation Canada & Health Standards Organization

Andy Williams
Vice President, Immunology, Janssen Inc.

Denise Zarn
Senior Advisor, at Women's College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions & Virtual Care

Jennifer Zelmer
President & CEO, Healthcare Excellence Canada