Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors provides strategic oversight and fiduciary responsibility for Grand Challenges Canada. The Board comprises globally recognized leaders in science, health, finance, innovation, and governance. Together, they ensure our work remains bold, accountable, and aligned with our mission to save and improve lives through innovation.
Alain Beaudet
Past President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Cédric Bisson
Partner, Teralys Capital
Board Chair, Grand Challenges Canada
Marine Buissonnière
Independent Researcher and Advisor in Humanitarian Action and Global Health;
Senior Advisor, Resolve to Save Lives
Johanne Charbonneau
Retired Financial Executive / Corporate Director
Dr. Tim Evans
Vice-President, Research, Innovation and Impact at Concordia University
Graham Flack
Former Secretary to the Treasury Board
Karen Higgins
Executive Vice-President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, The Co-operators Group Limited
Chair of Audit, Finance & Risk Committee
Dr. Mercy Mwangangi
CEO, Social Health Authority (SHA) Kenya
Gerhard Pries
Founder and Executive Chair, Sarona Asset Management Inc.
Chair of the Investment Committee
Morris Rosenberg
Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Canada
Chair of Governance & Human Resources Committee
Awa Marie Coll Seck
Minister of State to the President of Senegal
Peter A. Singer
Founder, Grand Challenges Canada, and former Special Advisor to the Director-General, World Health Organization
Karlee Silver
Chief Executive Officer, Grand Challenges Canada
Non-voting
Guylaine Saucier
Chair Emeritus
Investment Committee
The Investment Committee comprises experts in health, science, and business who together guide Grand Challenges Canada’s investment decisions. The Committee reviews and approves all investments made at the Transition to Scale stage, ensuring that each funding decision is strategic, impactful, and grounded in financial and operational due diligence.