Governance

Executive President of CATALIS Québec
Jacques Hendlisz is widely recognized for his extensive experience in the management of both research and hospital facilities. He served as the Douglas Institute’s Director General from 1994 to 2011 and as Director of Operations of the Goodman Cancer Research Centre from 2011 to 2012. Since 2003, Mr. Hendlisz has served on numerous boards of directors such as those of the McGill Centre for the Convergence of Health and Economics, Research Canada, the Ludmer Foundation, the Graham Boeckh Foundation, and the Fonds de recherche Québec – Santé (FRQS) (from 2004 to 2010). He is currently Chairman of the MNI’s Clinical Research Unit’s Advisory Board.  Jacques is committed and determined to gather all the actors involved in clinical research to accelerate the development of innovative patient care.

General Manager of CATALIS Québec
Danika Laberge has over twenty years of experience working in the biopharmaceutical industry and in institutional settings. As a senior project manager with Project Management Professional (PMP) accreditation, she has headed numerous projects, including the Quebec CARTaGENE biobank, where she was the director of clinical operations. Between 2010 and 2017, Danika was in charge of operations at the McConnell Centre for Innovative Medicine at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, a centre specializing in clinical trial management. Danika Laberge helps CATALIS achieve its desired objectives by means of her thorough knowledge of the Quebec clinical research environment, her approach focused on operational excellence, her leadership and her qualities as a manager able to motivate actors in the life science industry.

Director Finance and Administration of CATALIS Québec
Paul Lohnes is a senior executive with over 40 years of experience in professional services organizations in Canada. His credentials include: audit and professional practice as a partner with KPMG in Montreal and The Netherlands; senior roles in audit standard-setting and audit regulation and quality control; and chief executive of a not-for-profit organization in the public sector. In addition to financial and audit acumen, he brings to CATALIS expertise in governance and human resources management. Paul has a keen interest in healthcare research and in contributing to achieving CATALIS’ mission. He is currently Copresident of the Board of the Quebec Association of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.), a member of the executive committee of the Interdisciplinary Canadian Collaborative M.E. Research Network (ICanCME), and on the Board of NOVA Hudson.

Director, public and patient engagement of CATALIS Québec
With over ten years of professional experience in the general and operational management of health organizations, Olivier Jérôme has overseen various mandates that focused on patients and their family caregivers. A seasoned administrator in the organizational development and operationalization of health programs, he has actively participated in creating, reorganizing, and expanding the units he was responsible for, including those in reproductive medicine, obstetrics, oncology, and rare diseases. Olivier also has a comprehensive understanding of the political environment and governmental affairs in health at the federal and provincial levels. He will use this expertise to benefit patients and family caregivers by facilitating and accelerating access to innovative health treatments. He joins the CATALIS team with a passion for both research and access to innovation in health care and will undoubtedly contribute to the success of its mission.

Project Manager – CATALIS Québec
With more than fifteen years of experience in internationally renowned Quebec institutes and research centers, Maria has led numerous phase II to IV clinical trials in various therapeutic fields and has extensive operational expertise more specifically in the processes related to feasibility, budget development and negotiation, and submissions for the triple review, namely science, ethics and institutional conformity. Supported by extensive knowledge of ICH GCP guidelines, Health Canada regulations and ministerial standards, she specializes in the development and support of clinical research activities, as well as coordination with the various key players to achieve clinical research targets and maximum performance.

As Project Manager, Maria will be responsible for the implementation of the new FAST TRACK review service. She will have the pleasure of working and supporting a network of committed and dedicated members who are all devoted to optimizing and accelerating the accessibility of clinical trials in Quebec.