Networking with Inspirational Women in Science: Celebrating Women in Health and Life Sciences

Friday, March 8, 2024
3:00 PM 7:00 PM 15:00 19:00

Toronto, Ontario, Canada (map)

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*This event is full. Thank you for your interest!*

Join us this International Women's Day for a transformative networking experience celebrating the journey of the OBIO® Women in Health Initiative (WiHI). This is an opportunity to be part of an inspiring day featuring a fireside chat with Sophie Park, Managing Director of Bayer G4A Investments & Partnerships, and a key thought leader in digital health economics, investments, scalability and innovation programs. In addition to an enriching discussion, join us for a pitch competition for equity investment featuring the women-led companies from the OBIO® WiHI Seed Program.

Whether you are an investor looking for your next venture, a professional keen on the latest industry trends, or a student aspiring to make a mark, this event is the perfect opportunity to connect and be inspired:

Network, share stories and collaborate with the vibrant health science ecosystem
Build new business relationships
Meet companies and partners to explore new career opportunities

Be part of a movement that is setting new benchmarks for women in health and life sciences!

Meet our speakers

Sophie joined the Bayer Digital Strategy team in 2017 under the Board of Management for Innovation leading the strategy and development for broader organizational digital transformation. For over a decade, she has held various leadership roles defining and implementing healthcare innovation growth and investment strategies for NGOs, multinational corporates, and has advised two United States White House Administrations. She has successfully launched innovation frameworks and programs for Fortune 500 companies and investment firms both in the United States and abroad. She is a key thought leader in digital health internationally on digital health economics, investments, scalability, and innovation programs. Beyond her professional achievements, Sophie is deeply passionate about public health. Her commitment is evident in her work, where she focuses on advancing sustainable and equitable access for individuals through the strategic application of technology. As the Managing Director of Bayer's G4A Investments and Partnerships team, Sophie continues to drive innovation, forging impactful collaborations, and contributing to Bayer's position as a leader in the evolving landscape of healthcare innovation.

Vean is an Assurance Partner with EY Private, supporting entrepreneurs, private businesses, and their owners. With over a decade of experience, she has in-depth knowledge of the complex business challenges entrepreneurial entities face. She focuses on supporting private, high-growth companies in a variety of industries, including health and life science, retail, construction, and technology with accounting and tax issues in Canada and around the world. She is also the Toronto lead in health and life science sector for Private assurance teams. Vean has strong technical skills in ASPE, US GAAP and IFRS and holds both CA and CPA designations.
Vean is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion initiatives with a focus on promoting personal and professional growth for female. With a firm belief that entrepreneurship is for all, she has serviced and supported entrepreneurs with various backgrounds in all stages of their journey, providing advice and offering help and connection along the way.

Atoussa is the national chair of Life Sciences and Technology at Cozen O’Connor Canada. Her main focuses are mergers and acquisitions in the life sciences and pharmaceuticals, biotech and telehealth industries. In addition to providing transactional and commercial support, Atoussa also provides industry-focused advice on privacy and regulatory compliance. Her clients benefit from her experience in complex cross-border corporate and commercial transactions involving M&A, data privacy, and regulatory compliance across Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Before joining the firm, Atoussa served as of counsel with a leading global law firm, advising clients on corporate M&A and general and commercial matters while providing industry-focused advice. Before that, she was the chief legal officer and chief privacy officer with a multibillion dollar company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. There, she developed relationships with regulatory bodies in the United States and Canada and advised on public company reporting obligations, corporate governance best practices, compliance matters, and cross-border capital markets and M&A transactions.
Atoussa has been recognized by her peers in Legal 500 International and Chambers and Partners and has been awarded the Western Canada General Counsel Tomorrow's Leader Award and a two-time winner of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women WXN Award. She is a fluent English, French, and Farsi speaker.

Cate Murray is President and CEO for Canada’s Stem Cell Network. Cate is an experienced not-for-profit executive with a background in public policy and communications. Cate has been leading and growing the Stem Cell Network since 2017 when she took on the role of Executive Director.
Cate began her career in the mid-90s as a Ministerial policy advisor. After leaving politics she joined the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) where she combined her knowledge of government and communications to support Canada’s health research community. Building on her experience at CIHR, Cate joined the Council of Canadian Academies as a member of the senior leadership team where she worked with over a dozen expert panels to raise awareness of their work and see its adoption into public policy.
Today, Cate leads a team of talented professionals, Board members and stem cell and regenerative medicine scientists and scholars who are passionate about delivering Canadian innovations to patients.
Cate has an Honours Degree from King’s College at the University of Western Ontario. She is a mother of two daughters and stepmother to two sons. Cate is passionate about STEAM and lives by the mantra that every great scientist needs an arts major.

Charmaine Williams was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 2022 provincial election. She represents the riding of Brampton Centre as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. She is currently the Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity and is the first Black woman to be appointed to a PC Cabinet. Prior to provincial politics, she was elected to the Brampton City Council.
Williams has also had a 19-year career as a certified Multi-Systemic Therapist, Behavioural Consultant, and Counsellor. As a mother of five children, she understands the importance of advocating for those who cannot always advocate for themselves.
As a Brampton City Councillor, she had the opportunity to spearhead numerous economic, social, and cultural initiatives that benefited Brampton communities. Her track record of success is testament to her ability to help communities thrive, build programs and institutions to support vulnerable populations, and provide dependable leadership.
She now carries her passion and experience into her new role as Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity, where she intends to make lasting effort that positively impacts women and families across Ontario.