Debra Schaller-Demers, MSOM currently serves as the Senior Director of Research Integrity and Compliance and the Research Integrity Officer in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research at New York University (NYU). A seasoned leader and collaborator since 2002, Debra has experience in research management in higher education and non-profit organizations and is responsible for ensuring compliant research programs and implements a shared vision for openness, integrity, and reproducibility across NYU. Debra served on the Board of Directors of the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) from 2019-2024 as President-elect, President, and Immediate Past-President. 

She previously served on the SRAI Board of Directors from 2012 to 2015, is a Past-President of SRAI’s Northeast Section, the 2011 recipient of the SRAI Excellence Award - Intermediate Level and the SRAI Hartford-Nicholsen Award, and received SRAI’s highest honor as the 2024 recipient of the Herbert B. Chermside Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Contribution to Research Administration. Debra is a sought-after speaker, facilitator, and content/curriculum developer in research ethics/compliance and research leadership development. 

She has facilitated sessions and workshops on an international scale and was selected as SRAI’s recipient of the INORMS Award for Excellence in Research Management Leadership 2020 in recognition of outstanding contributions made at the international level to the research administration and management profession. 

She delivered the closing keynote on Transformative Leadership at the 2025 INORMS conference in Madrid, Spain. Debra also serves as an adjunct lecturer for CUNY’s School of Professional Studies’ MS in Research Administration and Compliance program. She teaches Introduction to Research Compliance, Ethics, and Integrity and the Capstone Practicum.

Lisa is the Executive Director for the CANSTOREnergy NFRF-T research project where she supports the operations and strategic vision of the pan-Canadian initiative. Before joining the CANSTOREnergy team, she held successive roles at Toronto Metropolitan University, where she supported the co-creation of large-scale and multi-faceted partnerships between researchers and industry partners, managed the provincial partnerships portfolio, and acted as the Canadian lead for the Academic Industry Meeting Day (AIMday) program. She also previously held roles in research program administration at the provincial and national levels supporting collaborative neuroscience research. She received her BSc in Developmental Biology from the University of Toronto, MSc in Biology from York University, and her PhD in Medical Biophysics from the University of Toronto.

Dr. Erica Conte obtained her PhD in Physiology from Western University (Canada). She has worked in research administration and research leadership for over 10 years within a hospital-based research institution, where she supports the full breath of health research spanning fundamental science through to translational research, health services/policy and knowledge translation. In her current role as Director of Funding Strategy and Stewardship, she is involved in the responsible research evaluation of both the institution and its individual scientists. She is also very interested to understand, or help further develop, best practices for incorporating aspects of equity, diversity and inclusion into responsible research evaluation. Erica has been an active member of the Canadian Association of Research Administrators (CARA) since 2014, during which time she has held several volunteer positions to help advance the field of research administration in Canada.

Dr. Elizabeth (Lizzie) Gadd chairs the INORMS Research Evaluation Group and is Vice Chair of the Coalition on Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA). In 2022, she co-authored ‘Harnessing the Metric Tide: Indicators, Infrastructures & Priorities for UK Research Assessment’. Lizzie is the Head of Research Culture & Assessment at Loughborough University, UK and champions the ARMA Research Evaluation SIG. She previously founded the LIS-Bibliometrics Forum and The Bibliomagician Blog and was the recipient of the 2020 INORMS Award for Excellence in Research Management and Leadership.

Melissa Joyce has been the Director of Research Accounting at the University of Victoria for 9 years and has worked in other roles at the University for over 17 years. She has attended several CARA conferences and looks forward to hosting sessions again this year. She has her CPA designation and has been both a course facilitator and mentor for CPA students. Her main focus is providing excellent client service and creating efficiencies within her department at UVic. She is excited to share ideas with other institutions to help make research administration easier!

Regina Tiba is an Associate Director of Research Accounting at the University of Victoria where she is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of Research Accounting. Her role involves leading the development and implementation of best practice processes, programs, policies, and systems that ensure compliance with grant requirements across the University. Additionally, Regina is committed to delivering great client services to researchers, providing the support they need to navigate research grant processes seamlessly.

Carly Renaud is the Manager of Indigenous Research and Development at Canadore College. She was raised in North Bay, Ontario, and Carly is a member of Matachewan First Nation in Treaty 9 territory. Her areas of research have included Indigenous education, Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous curriculum, and land-based learning. Carly has worked in the post-secondary sector for the last six years and has experience in program development, Indigenous student transition and support, cultural safety training, Indigenous curriculum development, and Indigenous research methodologies. Carly is guided by the 7 Grandfather Teachings and is dedicated to strengthening Indigenous peoples through education, and evolving the education sector to understand and incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing.

Angela managed the Research Accounting department at York University for over 20 years, leading the financial administration of research grants and contracts. Angela continues to collaborate with colleagues across the country to develop and promote best practices in research finance and is widely recognized for her ability to connect and support finance professionals across institutions.

Angela Zeno has been an active member of CARA for many years as Treasurer, known for co-creating engaging conference workshops and co-sharing her expertise through webinars.

She also founded a national research finance network, which brings together members from coast to coast to share knowledge, tackle challenges, and strengthen financial stewardship in the research finance sector.

Melissa Squires has been a member of CARA for over 17 years.   She presents and facilitates finance sessions at the CARA regional and national conference.  She feels that CARA it is a great way to network and share best practices with colleagues from all across Canada.

Melissa is currently the Manager of Research Accounting at Memorial University and has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Memorial University and a CPA, CGA designation.

Michael Walesiak, CPA, CA has 20 years of senior management experience at the University of Alberta (UofA) in the field of Research Administration.As Director, Research Administrative Services, he is responsible for the delivery of end-to-end research services for the over $500 million annual research enterprise at the UofA. This includes application review, award processing, contract negotiation and financial reporting.

Dr. Olusola Fasunwon is a visionary leader in research administration, coordination, and innovation, with a distinguished record of advancing institutional research capacity, regulatory compliance, and strategic partnerships across academia and government. As Director of the Office of Research and Innovation Services and the university’s Research Security Officer, she plays a crucial role in shaping the university’s research strategy, safeguarding research integrity, and fostering a culture of innovation and impact. Holding a PhD in Geophysics and a graduate certificate in Research Management and Coordination, Dr. Fasunwon brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and administrative excellence to her work. 

Her leadership is characterized by the successful implementation of high-impact initiatives that streamline funding processes, support researchers, and promote interdisciplinary collaboration. A recognized thought leader and mentor in research management, Dr. Fasunwon is deeply dedicated to professional development and capacity building. Her efforts contribute to strengthening Canada’s research security landscape while fostering inclusive environments where diverse perspectives and knowledge systems thrive. She is a recipient of the Dr. Frances Chandler Bursary and a volunteer with CARA.

Dr. Rana Mustafa is a multilingual Food Scientist with over 20 years of experience spanning academia, research management, innovation, and strategic project development. As a Leadership Coach and Positive Intelligence® Coach and advocate for professional growth in research environments, she has guided hundreds of students, early-career researchers, and professionals in building meaningful, impact-driven careers. In her current role as Research Facilitator at the College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Dr. Mustafa supports faculty and researchers by guiding the development of competitive grant applications, identifying strategic funding opportunities, and streamlining submission and compliance processes. She also cultivates industry partnerships and contributes to advancing the college’s research priorities through strategic planning and collaboration.

Terry Campbell is a research and leadership strategist with extensive senior executive experience in Canada’s post-secondary research, government and health sectors. Prior to her retirement in late 2023, she was the Assistant Vice-President, Research Services at the University of Ottawa where she was responsible for management and accountability of the University’s research portfolio, strategic planning, capacity development programs, and performance monitoring. She led the institution’s strategies for equity, diversity and inclusion in research (EDI) and for knowledge mobilization. Previously, she led Canadian national research funding programs, strategic planning and science and technology policy activities in various executive roles at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canada Research Chairs Secretariat. 

She has also worked in health administration and informatics roles in the health care sector. Terry is a regular contributor to the practice of research administration through delivering CARA educational sessions on topics such as strategic planning, strategy development, leadership, employee engagement and knowledge mobilization. In 2025 she received the CARA Research Management Excellence Award. She is also a member of the Society for Research Administrators International (SRAI), where she is a Distinguished Faculty and the past President of the Canadian Section. She holds a Master Degree in Health Administration from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois. She holds a Diversity and Inclusion certificate (Cornell).

With over 26 years of experience in research management at the University of Ottawa, André has developed deep expertise in the administration of grants and awards across a broad range of disciplines. In October 2025 André was appointed Manager, Grants & Awards. Prior to this, for many years he was a Senior Specialist, Grants & Awards, where his main activities were to provide strategic guidance and operational oversight for research funding programs, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and sponsor requirements. His work involves close collaboration with researchers, internal administrative units, and external funding partners to facilitate successful funding outcomes and support the university’s research mission. Throughout his career, André has been recognized for his professionalism, attention to detail, and his commitment to excellence in research administration.

Andrew Grosvenor began his career in the federal government, spending five years as an international policy advisor at the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). In 2016, he joined the University of Ottawa and now serves as senior manager for International Research and Experiential Learning, in the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation. 

Over the course of his career, Andrew has worked with a wide range of domestic and international stakeholders including ministers and deputy ministers, ambassadors, executive leaders in academia and industry, and professors in all areas of research. In his current role, he oversees a team focused on partnership development, support for research students, and the management of international grants and contracts.

Andréa Dessen is a structural biologist and a CNRS Research Director. Prior to taking up her position as director of CNRS Canada in February 2025, she directed the Bacterial Pathogenesis group at the Institut de Biologie Structurale in Grenoble, France, and worked on molecular mechanisms of bacterial cell wall formation and virulence. Her research employed structural biology techniques such as X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy to provide an understanding, in atomic detail, of bacterial protein structures involved in processes such as antibiotic resistance and infection, thus contributing to the battle against drug-resistant bacteria. 

Andréa obtained her PhD in biochemistry from New York University in 1993 and subsequently was a postdoctoral fellow at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Harvard Medical School (Children’s Hospital). In 2000, she joined the CNRS as a staff scientist and was promoted to research director in 2010. In parallel, she directed a second group at the National Laboratory for Biosciences in Brazil between 2012 and 2023.

Andréa received the Charles-Louis de Freycinet Prize from the French Academy of Sciences in 2015, and the Silver Medal of the CNRS in 2021. In 2022-2023, she was an invited fellow at Birkbeck College, University of London.

Masa Suzuki was appointed in June 2024 for a two-year term as the Liaison Officer in Canada from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

After completing a Master’s of Science in Agriculture at Hokkaido University in Japan in 2004, Masa joined the JST, one of the leading research and development funding agencies in Japan. Over the past two decades, he has supported research and development in Japanese universities, institutions, and enterprises in various research fields in the natural sciences, including biology, environmental science, and multidisciplinary research.

Masa has worked in six divisions in the JST and has been involved in managing programs and projects related to basic research, industry-academia collaboration, intellectual property, and the establishment of research and development centers. Most recently, Masa was the Deputy Manager of JST’s Moonshot R&D Program, which funds high-risk research as the part of the largest research program in Japan.

As the first Liaison Officer from the JST in Canada, Masa has been expanding his understanding of the Canadian research ecosystem. He has also been creating partnership opportunities between universities and researchers in Canada and Japan. During his time at the University of Ottawa, Masa has been hosted by the office of International Research and Experiential Learning (IREX).

About Dr Leslie Cove (she/they) Leslie Cove brings a decade of strategic inclusive leadership along with deep transformation and change management policy and program experience to her coaching, consulting and outreach. Leslie currently works at the University of Waterloo where she is the Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research, Commercialization and International and adjunct faculty in Sociology and Legal Studies. Trained as a social psychologist, Leslie worked with several different organizations and institutions on leadership communication, strategy and decision making. She is an award-winning university teaching professor, a researcher, and an experienced research administrator in the areas of equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization.

James Shelley is a Knowledge Mobilization Specialist at Western University (Ontario, Canada). He is a process strategist and in-house software developer, focussed on leveraging advancements in automation, analytics, and AI to support strategic, institutional initiatives.

Karen E. Mosier is a Research Coordinator/Navigator for the Department of Surgery at the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan. With a BA in Psychology and an MSc in Pharmacy, Karen brings twenty years of experience in research administration to her role. She is also the author of the self-help book, Soft Skills and Professional Tips for the Office. Karen has been an active member of the Canadian Association of Research Administrators (CARA) since 2010 and earned her Certificate in Research Administration from ARMA in 2017. 

She co-chairs CARA’s Professional Development committee and serves on the CARA Executive. Additionally, Karen is an instructor at Mohawk College, where she has taught the Funding Proposal Development course for the Certification in Research Administration program for the past five years. Karen’s dedication to her field has been recognized with several awards, including the Dan Chase Distinguished Service Award – Priority Initiatives in 2018, the Community Builder Award in 2019, the Spirit of Kindness Award in 2020, and the Research Management Excellence Award in 2021. She values the professional development opportunities provided by CARA and treasures the meaningful relationships she has built through her volunteer work with the organization.

Robin is the Associate Vice-President in the Research Grants and Scholarships Directorate at NSERC, where she is responsible for the overall administration of research funding programs and provides leadership in the development and implementation of processes and systems to ensure the harmonization of program policies and procedures. She is also the Stakeholder Champion for TGMS.

Robin has over 15 years of experience in elaborating strategies and partnerships that translate emerging scientific and creative opportunities into meaningful outcomes for organizations and diverse stakeholder groups. She is passionate about multidisciplinary research collaborations, and throughout her career, has prioritized inclusive training and mentorship to further the career goals of students. Robin has a PhD and Master’s in French from Western University and an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto.

Roberto ORTIZ NÚÑEZ (il/lui, avec accords masculins) est le conseiller principal en mobilisation des connaissances au Vice-rectorat à la recherche et à l’innovation de l’Université d’Ottawa. Il est responsable, entre autres, de coordonner la mise en œuvre de la stratégie institutionnelle de mobilisation des connaissances. Auparavant il a travaillé en tant que professeur à temps partiel et, pendant plus que 10 ans, dans des organismes communautaires axés sur la santé et le mieux-être des communautés marginalisées. Il détient une maitrise en Communication de l’Université de Montréal.

Roberto ORTIZ NÚÑEZ (he/him) is the Knowledge Mobilization Senior Advisor at the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation of the University of Ottawa, leading the implementation of the Institutional Knowledge Mobilization Strategy. Previously, he worked as a part-time professor and, for over ten years, in community health and wellness organizations. He holds a Communications master’s degree from Université de Montréal.

Nathan Harron (he/him) is a Senior Advisor, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Research, in the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, at the University of Ottawa, leading the implementation of the Institutional EDI for Research Action Plan. Previously, he worked for the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council’s (NSERC) EDI strategy team, and on the co-development of the Dimensions EDI: Canada program. He holds a Phd from York University.

Gwen Elaine Thompson Hill works at Royal Roads University as the Manager of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Research. She is a queer, cisgender, neurodivergent woman with ancestral roots in Scotland, France, and England; and is an uninvited settler on the traditional Lands of the Lekwungen-speaking Peoples; the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. Gwen holds a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, which has informed her personal and professional commitments to the creation of more safe, inclusive, and accessible spaces in the Canadian post-secondary environment.

Anna has worked in public, academic, and special libraries across Canada before settling in her current position at NorQuest College as Research Data Management and Scholarly Research Librarian. She completed her dual master's degree in 2019, simultaneously earning a Master of Arts in Digital Humanities, and a Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Alberta. Her research interests and interdisciplinary nature have cumulated in a focus on the intersections of information and leisure. Recently, her focus has shifted to addressing the inherent ethical and practical complications regarding the use of Generative AI in research.

Jessica Edmonds is a Data Governance and Education Specialist in the Meta-Research and Open Science Program at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI). Jessica is working collaboratively to help develop ARCHIMEDES (Advanced Research Collaboration for Health Integration, Medical Exploration, and Data Synthesis) a user-friendly system with centralized access to curated and federated brain-heart health data and provide an open-access repository and leading- edge analytic tools and resources. She is developing governance framework and educational documents for ARCHIMEDES. Jessica also leads the development of data sharing consent templates for Research Ethics Boards. She has worked with patients and caregivers and privacy professionals to address different types of data sharing and promote open science best practices.

David Phipps, Ph.D. is the administrative lead for all research programs and their impacts on local and global communities at York University (Toronto, Canada). He has received honours and awards from the Canadian Association of Research Administrators, Institute for Knowledge Mobilization, International Network of Research Management Societies and the EU based Knowledge Economy Network. He received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his work in knowledge mobilization and was named the most influential knowledge mobilizer in Canada. He sits on knowledge mobilization committees around the world and is Network Director for Research Impact Canada.

Gloria Greene, MA, CRA is the Assistant Vice President, Contracts and Grants, Research Compliance, at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH).  She has over 30+ years of contracting experience with Federal, Industry, and University.   Gloria is a Certified Contract Administrator and is an active member (since 2006) of the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI). Gloria currently serves on the SRAI Board of Directors-Immediate Past President  (2022); and several SRAI committees.  She continues to assist members of the profession by sharing her knowledge through collaborative presentations, articles, and volunteering on various committees.

Kelly-Anne Maddox has over 20 years of experience in research development. In 2013, she joined the University of Ottawa as the Senior Research Advisor in the Faculty of Arts, where she works in pre-award services, award submission, and international initiatives. She holds a PhD in French literature and was previously an Associate Professor at Thompson Rivers University. She has been a member of the CARA board since 2024.

Will Garrett-Petts is Interim Dean of the Faculty of Student Development, and also serves as Special Advisor on Integrated Strategic Planning at Thompson Rivers University. He is Professor of English, Rhetoric, and Canadian Studies; and, from 2012-2022 was the Associate Vice-President of Research and Graduate Studies at Thompson Rivers University. He was appointed Vice-President, Research (Interim) from April, 2022 to July, 2023; and, concurrently, he held the Killam Visiting Professorship in Canadian Studies at Bridgewater State University (spring semester, 2023). He is former Research Director of the Small Cities Community-University Research Alliance—a national research program exploring the cultural future of smaller communities.