Russell Williams is the Chair of the BioCanRx Board of Directors. Recently retired from the position of Senior Vice President, Mission at Diabetes Canada, he is also the Chair of the Canadian Frailty Network, former President of Innovative Medicines Canada and a former member of the Québec National Assembly. Mr. Williams also serves as a special counsel with the JBL Group, a health policy and access company, and is the Chair of the Patient Network in the APEC Business Ethics for SMEs-Biopharmaceutical Sector.
His leadership working with all governments at the Federal and Provincial levels, both at political and administrative levels, as well as key stakeholders in the health, research, patient, and economic sectors, was aimed at creating a better environment for improved life science research and healthcare sustainability. He has participated in a number of key coalitions focused on improving research, healthcare, and ethics networks.
He chaired the International Code Compliance Network for the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), as well as being a member of the Council of the IFPMA. Since 2011, he has served as one of the primary private sector leads for the APEC biopharmaceutical ethics initiative, a group of twenty-one countries that developed international principles for business ethics.
Mr. Williams had a successful 15 year career in Québec politics as the Member of the National Assembly for the riding of Nelligan. He was, and continues to be, a well-known champion and advocate for many causes which include better patient care and services, improved emergency services, increased research and development, individual rights, language and constitutional policy. He created and led strategies to build a local community college (CEGEP), and founded several community initiatives, such as the West Island Palliative Care Residence and West Island Community Shares, both still in existence today.
In addition to his role as Chair of the BioCanRx Board of Directors, Mr. Williams is also a Member of the Board of directors of Life Sciences Ontario (LSO) and remains an honourary Board Member for both the West Island Palliative Care Residence and West Island Community Shares.
