Candice Pollack is the Chief Executive Officer at ResearchNB. Candice enjoys tackling complex challenges and believes that there is always a way to move the needle forward. With her background in law, as well as over a decade of professional experience leading health and social systems improvement initiatives, she brings creativity, resourcefulness, critical thinking, and a deep determination to support a thriving research ecosystem to her role at ResearchNB.

Candice values volunteerism and community engagement and has been actively involved with local and national non-profits like the Canadian Bar Association, the New Brunswick Association of Social Workers, NB Champions for Child Rights and the Canadian Student Association of Children’s Rights over the past 15 years. She is currently the Second Vice-Chair of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick.

Lisa Best is Dean of the School of Integrated Health and Professor of Psychology (Saint John). She received the President’s Medal in 2022, in recognition of her leadership during the development and rollout of the Bachelor of Health. During her work with the Integrated Health Initiative, she has fostered interdisciplinary health education and community-focused research in New Brunswick.

She published over 100 peer-reviewed papers and conference proceedings and supervised more than 50 undergraduate and graduate students. Her current research focuses on psychosocial factors affecting wellness, quality of life, and life satisfaction in individuals who have acute and chronic health conditions.

Stéphane Robichaud is Chief Executive Officer of the New Brunswick Health Council (NBHC) where he has led its creation and evolution since 2008. The NBHC has a dual mandate to engage citizens in the improvement of health services quality and to measure, monitor and report on health system performance.

In a provincial health system with no history of public reporting, Mr. Robichaud has successfully implemented public reporting and engagement initiatives. The NBHC is recognized as a credible source of information thanks to the establishment of generally accepted indicators pertaining to population health and health service quality through stakeholder engagement. The use of this info has grown significantly in the past decade, particularly among community stakeholders.

Prior to joining the NBHC, Mr. Robichaud entered the public health-care sector as Vice President, Planning and Operations, with the Beauséjour Regional Health Authority. Previously, Mr. Robichaud was Vice president for Atlantic Canada with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), where he advocated for small and medium-sized businesses in all areas of public policy, including economic development, fiscal policies and labour force development. His years of experience with CFIB also provided valuable learnings in the areas of organizational management, as the organization undertook transformational changes in its management practices and significantly growing its membership.

Mr. Robichaud has completed his ICD-Rotman Director Education Program and has contributed his time to several boards. He recently ended his involvement with the Université de Moncton as President of the Alumni, Member of the Board of Governors and Chair of the Finance Committee.

Dr. Sarah Gander is a Social Pediatrician and Associate Professor faculty at Dalhousie University in Saint John, NB. Dr. Gander is a proud alumnus of UNB Saint John, Memorial University and Queen’s University where she trained as a Pediatrician.

She then returned home to Saint John in 2008 to serve children and families in the community, particularly those living in poverty. She is the founder of the NB Social Pediatrics Research Program and NB Social Pediatrics Inc., a registered charity serving children and families living in poverty and toxic stress and is currently Chief of Staff at the Saint John Regional Hospital.

Kate Saeedi is Managing Director at the Promise Partnership, where she leads strategy, research, and community partnerships that expand opportunity through digital literacy. With graduate degrees in Linguistics and Educational Leadership, her work focuses on how early intervention, community-based programming, and cross-sector collaboration shape long-term outcomes for children and youth. She works closely with post-secondary institutions, schools, and community partners to generate evidence that informs practice and policy.

Founder, Owner & CEO, Canadian Health Solutions Dr. David Elias is a physician, entrepreneur, educator and philanthropist, committed to transforming healthcare through technology, research and patient-centered solutions.

As the founder and CEO of Canadian Health Solutions (CHS), he has built an organization specializing in occupational medicine, disability management, advanced diagnostic imaging, addiction recovery and mental health. Under Dr. Elias’ leadership, CHS is transforming healthcare through AI-driven and technology-enabled medical diagnostics and treatment solutions, improving patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency, and advancing a sustainable healthcare system.

CHS is the first clinic in Canada to offer Neuronavigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, a groundbreaking treatment for depression, mental health disorders and pain. Dr. Elias holds an Undergraduate Degree in Pharmacy and a Medical Degree from Dalhousie University. With over 25 years of experience in Occupational Medicine and Disability Management he is:

• Certified in Emergency Medicine and Addiction Medicine by the College of Family Physicians of Canada
• Holds a Fellowship from the Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine (FCBOM) • President of the Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine
• Certified Independent Medical Examiner (CIME) with the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners (ABIME).

A passionate advocate for education, learning and mentorship, Dr. Elias serves as an Assistant Professor at Dalhousie University and an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Brunswick. He has developed learning modules for WorkSafeNB Medical Advisors, taught an MBA course on E-Health at UNB Saint John and delivered keynote speeches at national conferences on concussions, cannabis, opioids, and AI in healthcare. Dr. Elias is a driving force in healthcare innovation, leading multiple organizations focused on innovation, research and patient care:

• Founder and CEO of Canadian Health Solutions
• Founder and CEO of CHS Health and Wellbeing TMS Clinics
• President and CEO of Moncton MRI (MMRI) and Healthview Imaging Clinics
• Founder and President of Phoenix Recovery Centres Inc.
• Founder and Chairman of the Canadian Imaging Research Centre, Inc. (CIRC)
• Founder and Chairman of the Canadian Concussion Institute (CCI)
• Founder and Director of Health and Life Science New Brunswick (HLSNB).

Dr. Elias has been instrumental in development and implementation of research driven healthcare programs in New Brunswick and Canada, fostering collaborations between WorkSafeNB, workers’ compensations boards, government agencies, medical professionals, employers, healthcare service providers, not for profit and organized labour.

His work has led to advancements in Return-to-Work Management, Advanced Diagnostic Imaging, Opioid and Medical Cannabis Management, Concussion Management, Pain Management and Mental Health. His leadership, research and expertise has influenced policy development and best practices in disability management, shaping healthcare strategies across Canada.

Since 2010, Dr. Elias and his team at CHS have been at the forefront of innovation, with evidence-based solutions with research investments approaching $100 million and development creating AI-powered assessment tools, structured medical assessment analytics and interdisciplinary treatment.

Dr. Elias recognized early on the devastating impact of inappropriate distribution and use of opioids and the lack of adequate support for those affected. He understands that breaking the cycle is incredibly difficult, often beyond the individual’s control, which is why he replaces judgement with compassion. His philosophy focuses on connecting with the person beyond their addiction and providing access to effective treatment. Dr. Elias developed nationally recognized programs that have received national awards and established Phoenix Recovery Clinics, one of the first of its kind in New Brunswick.

In 2023, CHS launched a Neuronavigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (NrTMS) clinic in Atlantic Canada, to provide groundbreaking treatment for major depressive disorder. CHS is proud to partner with the Province of NB Department of Health and Horizon Health on a pilot program to provide access to those suffering from depression. This innovative therapy is giving patients hope and life changing relief for the first time in years. Additionally, CHS partnered with federal and provincial governments in association with Healthy Seniors Pilot Project to design “CHS Wellness 55 Program”, a research pilot in Saint John aimed at improving health and wellness for older adults.

Dr. Elias is deeply committed to shaping the future of healthcare through innovation. A long-time supporter of his community, and a sponsor of the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation, he was honored with the establishment of The David Elias CHS Health Care Innovation Award. This award is presented to the winners of the Foundation’s Medical Innovators Challenge and was established as a tribute to Dr. Elias’ unwavering support of meaningful advancements in health care. A proud New Brunswicker, Dr. Elias is dedicated to mentoring the brightest and most innovative minds right here at home, proving you do not have to leave the province to have a meaningful impact on the world.

“Our healthcare system’s future success depends on two things: our people and our drive to innovate. I have a desire to move our province forward, proving to markets that NB has a talent pool that is highly skilled, educated, hardworking, bilingual; capable of competing against any jurisdiction. I am dedicated to mentoring the brightest and most innovative minds showing everyone that you do not have to leave the province to impact the world.”

Dr. Petra Hauf is the inaugural provost and vice president academic at UNB. In her role, she serves as the chief academic officer and delivers the academic mission at the university's two main campuses in Fredericton and Saint John, and at the Moncton site. Petra is a dynamic leader with a dedicated team of deans and vice provosts who oversee academic faculties, schools, libraries, registrars, student affairs and services, learning futures and experiential education.

She holds a doctorate in psychology from Frankfurt University and is an internationally renowned researcher in developmental psychology and a former Canada Research Chair in cognitive development. She is a strong advocate for community through participation in various volunteer boards and activities in support of Saint John, Fredericton and the surrounding regions.

Her commitment to students is central to her work. She focuses on creating pathways to excellence for student success by removing barriers, fostering inclusive learning environments, and ensuring that every student has the support they need to achieve their goals. Through her dedication to academic excellence, she has strengthened academic programming by championing innovative curriculum design and delivery, expanding interdisciplinary opportunities, and aligning programs with the needs of today’s students and communities.

She has also been a driving force behind the university’s Integrated Health Initiative, which is designed to transform the health sector through interdisciplinary education, cutting-edge research, innovation, and collaboration among health professionals.