Genome BC taps Suzanne Gill as president and CEO
Genome BC taps Suzanne Gill as president and CEO
The life sciences executive will start in the role on August 8, 2022.
After an international search, genomics research organization Genome BC announced the appointment of Suzanne Gill as its new president and chief executive officer. Current CEO Pascal Spothelfer will continue in the role until August 8, 2022 and help with the transition.
Why it matters: It’s a homecoming of sorts, as Gill returns to the organization where she served in at least four distinct roles between 2005 and 2018, culminating in the position of vice president of corporate development.
Gill is currently vice president of government relations and public affairs, and a founding executive with the Digital Technology Supercluster. There she built relationships with private, academic, and government stakeholders to invest and grow Canadian companies. She also led the development and launch of the Digital Technology Supercluster’s inaugural Capacity-Building Pilot Program aimed at connecting employers to job-ready digital talent.
“We look forward to welcoming Suzanne Gill into the role of President and CEO,” said Dr. Peggy Johnston, the board of directors chair at Genome BC. “With her long-standing involvement in and important contributions to the genomics enterprise over the past 18 years, I am confident she will provide the leadership and vision necessary to further enhance Genome BC’s position as a key driver of BC’s bioeconomy, optimizing impact for all British Columbians and Canadians. Suzanne’s experience and success in developing a strategic vision to grow public-private partnerships to foster innovation builds on a strong research foundation that will help strengthen Genome BC’s impressive track record.”
Dr. Johnston also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing president Pascal Spothelfer: “Pascal’s leadership and strategic vision have positioned both the organization and province as a genomics power-house in Canada. The strong government and community support experienced by Genome BC and his recognition as one of three finalists for the BC Tech Association Technology Impact Awards for Person of the Year are testaments to Pascal’s expertise and many contributions.”
“This is an incredibly exciting time for genomics and related technologies; areas that are transforming and having an impact on business and our daily lives,” said Gill. “Over the past two decades, Genome BC and its partners have built a world-class genomics community in B.C. and I am excited to bring my diverse experience, build on the great work of Dr. Spothelfer, and lead Genome BC into its next chapter while growing B.C.’s thriving life sciences research and innovation ecosystem.”
Gill holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto and an MSc degree from UBC.