NAPHRO EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

Alberta Innovates:

Raja Mita, Vice President, Health

Raja is a seasoned leader in health and life sciences innovation, driving economic development through strategic investments and partnerships. With over a decade of experience spanning research, commercialization, and venture philanthropy, he has led high-impact initiatives in digital health, oncology, and industry-partnered innovation challenges. Raja has negotiated major partnerships with industry, academia, and government, leveraging funding to accelerate health technology adoption. He holds a PhD in Experimental Oncology, an MBA in Innovation and Commercialization from the University of Alberta and is a graduate of the Innovation Governance Program through the Council of Canadian Innovators.

Fonds de la recherche du Québec – Santé:

Carole Jabet, Scientific Director

As Scientific Director, Carole works to support excellence in health research, recognized worldwide and which contributes to the well-being of the population. During her career, she participated in the establishment of research funding programs and structuring projects and in the establishment of high benefit partnerships with private and public actors in the health sector. She also actively contributes to the definition and implementation of initiatives facilitating the development and integration of innovations in the health care network.

Carole is an engineer from the École Centrale de Lyon and a PhD in molecular biophysics from the École Centrale de Paris, a postdoctoral fellow in the Biophysics department of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She has held positions for technical and economic evaluation of innovations (Agence nationale de valorization de la recherche, ANVAR) and for strategic management of scientific affairs (VP, Scientific Affairs - Génome Québec; partner at CapCOGITO; Deputy Director of Research at the Center Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal - CHUM).

Michael Smith Health Research BC:

Danielle Lavallee, Vice President, Research Programs

Danielle is a leader in health research strategy and impact, with expertise in advancing collaborative, system-focused initiatives across the health research ecosystem. As the vice-president of research programs, Danielle works at the intersection of funding, partnerships, and evidence-informed practice to strengthen research capacity and support conditions that enable meaningful, equitable impact. Danielle is recognized for her ability to bring diverse interest-holders together, guide complex initiatives, and champion approaches that integrate diverse perspectives into research design and implementation. Danielle holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Health Services Research from the University of Maryland and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Kansas.

Research New Brunswick / Recherche Nouveau-Brunswick:

Candice Pollack, Chief Executive Officer

Candice is Chief Executive Officer, ResearchNB. Candice enjoys tackling complex challenges and believes that there is always a way to move the needle forward. With her education and background in law, as well as years of professional experience leading health and social systems improvement initiatives, she brings creativity, resourcefulness, critical thinking, and drive to every role she takes on.

At ResearchNB, Candice is responsible for building win-win partnerships that advance research and innovation in New Brunswick. She also oversees ResearchNB's events, government, industry, and public relations strategies, and acts as in-house counsel to the organization.

Ontario Ministry of Health:

Jeffrey Zon, Team Lead and Manager

Jeffrey brings to NAPHRO 20 years of professional experience including gained in roles across investment finance, corporate strategy consulting and healthcare administration. In the past 9 years at Ontario’s Ministry of Health, Jeffrey has held roles in home care, health system performance, and primary health care before joining the research branch.

Jeffrey holds both a Bachelor’s and a Masters of Business Administration with topical focuses on strategy and new venture creation. Jeffrey is a two time founder who joined the health care system mid-career with a penchant for more efficient and effective delivery and evidence-based decision making.

Research Manitoba:

Freya Arnason, Director of Strategy and Programs (Co-Chair, NAPHRO)

Freyja is an experienced and collaborative leader with expertise in strategy, policy and program development, building high functioning teams, and implementing system-level change. As Director, Strategy and Programs at Research Manitoba, she drives initiatives that bring together diverse stakeholders to advance research and innovation, fostering collaborations that make a meaningful impact across the province.

With a focus on aligning resources and building strong partnerships, Freyja has led projects that address complex challenges and create opportunities for long-term, sustainable growth in the research ecosystem. Her work spans multiple sectors, including health, life sciences, and emerging technologies, where she emphasizes collaboration and innovative solutions. In her role as Co-Chair of the National Alliance of Provincial Health Research Organizations (NAPHRO), she contributes to national conversations on research policy and strategy.

Outside of her professional work, Freyja is an avid reader and writer, as well as the Vice Chair of the West Central Women’s Resource Centre Board. She enjoys travelling, spending time in nature and relaxing with her family and three dogs.

Research Nova Scotia:

Marli MacNeil, Chief Operating Officer

Marli has been a passionate advocate for translating research into products and services that improve people’s lives for more than 20 years. Since 2019, she has been the Chief Operating Officer for Research Nova Scotia, an independent, not-for-profit corporation with the mandate to support, organize and co-ordinate the funding of research in Nova Scotia. For the five years previous, Marli was the Executive Director, Innovation & Collaboration of the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation for prior to that, CEO of the province’s life sciences industry organization.

Marli holds degrees in journalism and political science and earned the professional designation Certified Association Executive (CAE) through advanced study with the Canadian Society of Association Executives.

Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation:

Patrick Odnokon, Chief Executive Officer, (Co-Chair, NAPHRO)

Patrick works with the SHRF Board and staff, partners and stakeholders to strengthen research capacity and competitiveness; increase investment in research and innovation; and align research with stakeholders’ needs. In addition, Patrick works closely with government to determine how Saskatchewan’s world-class research environment can best respond to a transformed health system and be leveraged into the province’s innovation agenda.

Patrick joined SHRF in October 2007 as the Director of Impact and Evaluation before becoming CEO in 2017. As director, Patrick played a key role in monitoring, evaluating and reporting on the progress and impact of SHRF’s work in advancing health research and innovation in Saskatchewan. His work has established SHRF as a leader nationally in research evaluation and impact assessment and has recently gained SHRF recognition internationally by the ROI Institute as one of their 2017-2018 award winners for most innovative approach to ROI (Return On Investment).

Patrick has a B.Sc. and M.Sc. from the University of Saskatchewan and has worked in research over the past twenty years. He is an experienced collaborator and has contributed to more than thirty publications including peer reviewed papers, published abstracts and professional communications.