#HRW2023 Highlights
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Damon Goodwin
Chief Executive Officer

Damon is responsible for implementing ResearchNB’s strategy, as set out by the board of directors, and providing leadership, and direction to the team.

With 25+ years in healthcare working within Industry, as an international HealthCare Consultant and on several boards, Damon has extensive experience in coordinating complex, unconventional partnerships that have advanced patient outcomes across North America and in the EU.

His previous work in partnership with the NBHRF has helped improve the lives of injured veterans, increased research capacity in New Brunswick and has had significant positive impact on health system changes that were successfully translated across Canada. He is driven to connect research and innovation across the province and to work with others both nationally and internationally to advance a healthy population, a high performing health system and a vibrant knowledge economy through health research and innovation.

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Patti Ryan
Chief Operating Officer

Patti is responsible for overseeing the implementation of ResearchNB’s operational plan to ensure we are accountable to our stakeholders in meeting our strategic goals and objectives.

Patti holds a master’s in public administration and a degree in Community Studies as well as several diplomas and certificates.  Her experience spans over 2 decades working in the health sector including roles in government, non-government, and private sector organizations.

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Chris Dickie
Director of BioNB

Chris Dickie holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of New Brunswick and launched his career as a forestry contractor and consultant, managing operations and forest plans in Ontario and New Brunswick. In 2004, he joined INFOR Inc., serving 40,000+ private woodlot owners and Christmas tree producers.

Over the next decade, Chris collaborated with various stakeholders on programs and research projects. In 2014, he joined the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Fisheries, contributing to the 2016 economic development plan.

In 2018, Chris co-founded 1812 Hemp, focusing on CBD production. He also worked as a consultant, assisting companies in establishing operations in New Brunswick. In 2020, he embarked on constructing a multi- million-dollar COVID-19 test production facility.

In 2023, Chris became the Director of BioNB at ResearchNB, leveraging over a decade of experience in the bioeconomy sector.

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Candice Pollack
Director, External Affairs

Candice Ashley Pollack is the Director, External Affairs with 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.

 

Candice is also deeply passionate about public policy and human rights’ discourses. She has contributed to published works on youth participation rights, children’s rights in a globalized economy, and knowledge translation for policy decision-making.

 

Candice values the various communities she is a part of and has been actively volunteering with local and national non-profits for over 15 years. Currently, Candice is the Public Member of the New Brunswick Association of Social Workers’ Board of Directors, the Past-Chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section, and the Second Vice-Chair of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick.

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Alyssa Margeson
Senior Manager, Programs

Alyssa (she/her) is responsible for overseeing research funding programs and grant competitions offered through ResearchNB.

Alyssa has worked with research and community-health programs for 10+ years in various capacities including roles with clinical research teams, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations. She is passionate about health equity and health systems research.

Alyssa holds a B.Sc. in Biology and Psychology from Dalhousie University and a M.Sc. in Public Health from the University of the West of England. Born and raised in NB, she is based out of the Saint John area.

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Wendy Yerxa
Executive Assistant

Wendy is responsible for all office administration duties at ResearchNB including records management, financial claims and travel arrangement for international guests. Wendy also assists with the quarterly meetings of ResearchNB’s Board of Directors. Prior to joining the team, Wendy held administrative positions with the Government of New Brunswick and NB Power.

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Emilio Reyes
Marketing & Technical Support

We welcomed Emilio to our team as our new Marketing & Communications Coordinator! Emilio is also providing marketing communications and technical support at BioNB as well. Emilio is a recent graduate of Memorial University and moved to Canada from Ecuador in 2017.

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Meaghan Seagrave
Strategic Advisor

Meaghan is responsible for implementing ResearchNB’s strategy, as set out by the board of directors, and providing leadership, and direction to the team.

Meaghan holds an MSc and several diplomas and certificates in Management Development and Communications. She helps connect research and innovation across the province and the region through her role as a director on various provincial, regional and national boards.

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Leah Carr
Director, Programs and Human Resources

Leah is responsible for all aspects of the development and delivery of funding programs offered through ResearchNB including the associated partnerships with other health research funding agencies across the country. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Waterloo and a Professional in Human Resources designation from the Society of Human Resource Management. Her two sons and their families recently returned to Fredericton.

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Hazel Howland
Bookkeeper

Hazel is responsible for providing accounting/bookkeeping services to the team at ResearchNB.

Her most memorable work assignment was travelling to Cameroon, Africa to provide financial management on a CIDA project. She volunteers her time on the Board of Directors of the Progressive Credit Union.

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