Danika Laberge Has Been Appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of CATALIS Quebec
CATALIS Quebec’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Danika Laberge as the organization’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). “It is with tremendous enthusiasm and confidence in her abilities that the Board of Directors has appointed Ms. Laberge to the position of President and CEO of our organization,” said Marc Rivière, CATALIS Quebec’s Board Chairman.
From 2017 to 2022, Ms. Laberge held the position of Executive Manager at CATALIS. Since joining CATALIS, she has taken on the task assigned to her by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation of optimizing the clinical research environment to maximize private investment in Quebec and accelerate the development of innovative patient care.
Ms. Laberge has over 25 years of professional experience in the research sector and the health and social services network. Drawing on her expertise, operational excellence-oriented approach, leadership, and management skills, she created a vast network of partners (“The CATALIS Network”), which she consults on an ongoing basis to identify issues within the province’s clinical research industry and develop effective communal solutions serving to accelerate the launch and optimize the conduct of clinical trials. Most notable of Ms. Laberge’s major accomplishments is the harmonization, with the participation of the CATALIS Network, of clinical research administrative practices, which led to the creation of the FAST TRACK evaluation service. This innovative program makes it possible to evaluate and authorize clinical trials in Quebec in less than eight weeks. A new phase was recently initiated which includes the implementation of endeavours aiming to facilitate provincial patient recruitment and referrals by fostering improved, ethical, and secure access to data and the initiation of a new personalized support service for Quebec patients and clinicians.
Before joining CATALIS, Ms. Laberge spearheaded numerous projects, including the launch of CARTaGENE, a Quebec biobank. She also oversaw the implementation and management of the McGill University Health Centre Research Institute’s McConnell Centre for Innovative Medical.
“It is with great pride and honour that I accept the role of President and CEO of CATALIS. I want to thank the directors for their trust. I will continue to use my expertise and mobilize our extensive network of partners to ensure the success of CATALIS’ mission and our organization’s growth,” stated Ms. Laberge following her appointment.
Ms. Laberge succeeds Ms. Diane Gosselin, who served as CATALIS’ Executive President from its founding by the CQDM in 2017 to 2020, and Mr. Jacques Hendlisz, who held the position of Executive President at CATALIS Quebec from March 2020 to April 2022.
The Board of Directors would like to thank Ms. Gosselin and Mr. Hendlisz for their commitment and exceptional contribution to CATALIS’ mission.
