Trustees

Dr. van Deventer was trained as an internist and board-certified gastroenterologist, received a doctorate of philosophy from the University of Amsterdam, worked as a scientist at Rockefeller University and became director of the laboratory for Experimental Internal Medicine at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam in 1995.

In 1998, he co-founded Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics (AMT; currently Uniqure), a gene therapy company that develops AAV-based gene therapy products. From 2001 until 2004, he chaired the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam. Dr. van Deventer has had a critical role in the development of the first commercial monoclonal antibody (Remicade) and the first gene therapy to be granted market authorization in the Western world (Glybera). He currently is a Managing Partner at Forbion Capital Partners and Professor of Translational Gastroenterology Leiden University Medical Center. He is a member of the Boards of Argos Therapeutics (Durham, USA), Uniqure (Amsterdam, The Netherlands), Hookipa (Vienna, Austria), Staten Biotechnology (Naarden, The Netherlands) and enGene (Montreal, Canada).

Dr. Ross Feldman is a Professor (Emeritus) of Medicine, Western University. He just completed his term as Provincial Specialty Lead-Cardiac Sciences, Shared Health Manitoba.

A major focus of his efforts has been in the prevention and control of hypertension.  Among past leadership positions, Dr. Feldman served as President of the Canadian Hypertension Society.  He was the first Chair of the Steering Committee of the Canadian Hypertension Education Program.  As well, he was also the founding President of Hypertension Canada- leading the process of integrating the efforts of the Canadian Hypertension Society, Canadian Hypertension Education Program and Blood Pressure Canada.  

He is the author of more than 200 original manuscripts, reviews and book chapters. His clinical research focuses on the management of hypertension and specifically the development of innovative strategies to improve blood pressure control. His major fundamental research program focuses on the elucidation of novel cell signalling mechanisms of vascular regulation/dysregulation linked to the development of hypertension and atherosclerosis- especially related to elucidation of the determinants of heart disease in women.

He has received a number of awards and scholarships in recognition of his contributions in research, teaching and for his efforts in hypertension control including the George Fodor Award from Hypertension Canada for outstanding contributions to the prevention and control of hypertension.  In 2018 he was awarded a Mastership from the American College of Physicians for his academic contributions. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in recognition of his efforts in hypertension control in Canada and most recently to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

Lisa is an organizational strategist and operational leader who has been focused on the professional services, health-care and technology sectors for more than 35 years. Lisa has worked for and consulted with fast growing and high-change organizations to help them align and organize their operations and structure to support their strategies and objectives, with the goal to ensure these companies are ready for that next stage of growth.

Lisa retired in 2021 as Chief Operating (COO) and Global Privacy Officer for Alimentiv Inc. Previously, she served as COO for an international technology importer/exporter; as VP, Delivery Partner and VP of Organizational Development at an IT software development company servicing Fortune 100 companies; as COO for an international IT research and consulting firm; as Regional Operations Director and Director of Employee Development for an IBM Company; and as Regional Director of a Canadian medical rehabilitation company.

In 2022 she achieved her Institute of Corporate Directors accreditation and she currently serves on the Boards of a number of public and private organizations.

Paul Knill earned his law degree from Western University, and is a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors, Rotman School of Management.

Paul served as Managing Partner at the Canadian Law Firm, Siskinds LLP, during a period of significant expansion and change. His leadership encouraged innovative gathering and sharing of intellectual capital among business unit members. Paul went on to serve as an adjunct professor at Western University law school, and he currently contributes his corporate governance expertise by serving on the boards of a diverse number of Corporations.