Inclusive
Life Sciences
Collaboration

Aligning efforts, sharing knowledge and driving action toward a more inclusive life sciences future.

About ILSC

Inclusive environments in the life sciences sector are essential to attracting, supporting, retaining and promoting diverse talent; empowering cultures of inclusive excellence; unleashing untapped potential, innovation and creativity; and ensuring that the research we conduct and solutions we develop promote equity and justice.

The Inclusive Life Sciences Collaboration is a group of organizations and individuals from the private, public and non-profit sectors that aim to create a like-minded community committed to building inclusive organizational cultures across the life sciences sector.

The Collaboration serves as a forum for discussion to share learnings and insights among organizations with common goals, helping avoid duplicative efforts across the sector and leading to greater impact. Together, ILSC members:

Unite in collective action to advance an inclusive sector.
Facilitate and support awareness and understanding of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) within the life sciences industry through cross-communication and promotion.
Share good, better and emerging practices learned through IDEA initiatives across the sector.

Founding Members

The following organizations have come together to build the Inclusive Life Sciences Collaboration.

We look forward to welcoming new members to expand our reach, diversify our perspectives and amplify our impact.

Please email info@inclusivelsc.ca if your organization wishes to learn more.

Steering Committee

The Collaboration is coordinated by a volunteer Steering Committee of founding members, community stakeholders
and IDEA experts.

Dr. Mary Argent-Kawala, Director, Strategic Partnerships and Development, Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization
Dr. Imogen Coe, Professor, Dept., Chemistry and Biology, founding Dean (Faculty of Sciences), Toronto Metropolitan University
Wilma Deen, Executive Director, Membership Value & Strategy Implementation, Innovative Medicines Canada
Nicole DeKort, President & CEO Medtech Canada
Dr. Jason Field, President and CEO, Life Sciences Ontario
Pamela Fralick, President, Innovative Medicines Canada
Rob Henderson, President and CEO, BioTalent Canada
Dr. Natasha Malik, Engagement Leader, Shift Health
Dr. Anne Mullin, Principal, Shift Health
Jackie O’Connor, Life Sciences Business Consultant, City of Mississauga, Economic Development Office
Danielle Portnik, Canadian Regional Chair and Co-Founder, Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) Canada
Cynthia Reyes, President, Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) Toronto Chapter
Sabina Steinkellner, General Manager, Sanofi
Dr. Ryan Wiley, President, Shift Health

Member-Led Initiatives

Organizations across the life sciences increasingly understand that a commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) is a moral and business imperative, and many organizations are becoming more intentional about implementing strategies to make IDEA central to their culture, practices and decision-making. The Collaboration represents a group of organizations that are engaged in efforts to embed IDEA across the life sciences ecosystem. Below are some examples of ongoing or planned initiatives and activities.

Status of IDEA in Canada’s Life Sciences Sector

Shift Health, Life Sciences Ontario, Pfizer Canada and adMare BioInnovations, have published a report on the Status of IDEA in Canada’s Life Sciences Sector. Immediate opportunities and recommendations included in the report will guide organizations toward a greater commitment to IDEA.

Equity & Diversity Collaborative

The City of Mississauga and Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (Canada Region) co-facilitate the Equity & Diversity Collaborative, a group of 17 healthcare and life sciences companies dedicated to advancing gender equity and diversity initiatives in their workplaces through a series of rapid adjustments to organizational policies and practices.

Building an Inclusive Life Sciences Future

Life Sciences Ontario and Shift Health have launched an initiative called Building an Inclusive Life Sciences Future, which includes a series of workshops beginning in fall 2021 to develop a vision and action plan for IDEA within Ontario’s life sciences ecosystem.

DEI Principles Framework

Innovative Medicines Canada is tapping into the expertise of their Executive network across Canada to establish a DEI Principles Framework that focuses on broadening and leveraging partnerships to enhance IDEA within three key areas: talent, health equity, education and training.