Dr. Cochrane’s career has spanned the fields of medicine, biomedical research, education and business. He was the founding Dean of Medicine for the University of Calgary building a medical school from the ground up, instituting a new integrated and interdisciplinary approach to medical education that has since become the norm across Canada. In 1978, Dr. Cochrane took his career in a new direction as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Connaught Laboratories. During his tenure with the company, Connaught became a major international developer of flu vaccines for the World Health Organization. The company's developments, including insulin, plasma products and vaccines, served to improve the quality of life of people across Canada and around the world.

During his career, Dr. Cochrane has shared his leadership with a range of organizations, from the National Biotechnology Advisory Committee, the Alberta Research Council to private sector ventures and non-profit organizations. Dr. Cochrane was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1989. He holds many other honors, including a National Merit Award for his contribution to biotechnology in Canada, ASTech Foundation and BioAlberta. In 2005, the Alberta Medical Association named Dr. Cochrane one of Alberta's "Physicians of the Century."

Mr. Chiu is the Founder and President of Trico Developments Corporation and Trico Homes Inc., established in Calgary in 1989 and 1993 respectively. Over the past decade, Trico Homes has built over 4,000 quality single and multi-family homes in the Calgary area. Mr. Chiu is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Manitoba and a qualified master builder, serves as a Director of the Professional Home Builders’ Institute, and supports several community organizations and events, including the Kids Cancer Care Foundation. His care to international community is exemplified by raising $100,000 for UNICEF’s Indian Ocean Earthquake Relief Fund, post Tsunami. He was recently recognized as an “Immigrant of Distinction” by the Immigrant Aid Society and was awarded the “Generosity of Spirit Award” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals for his philanthropic work within the community. Trico Homes has been selected as one of “Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies”.

Jan Gray, CA is a practicing chartered accountant who specializes in advising high net worth individuals with complex financial, investment and taxation issues. She is also Executive Vice- President and Treasurer of Cartwright Canada Inc., a legal publishing company and Controller of Felesky Flynn LLP, a regional Alberta law firm.

Ms. Gray’s prior experience includes being a former Vice President and Controller of GE Capital Canada and previous to this she worked for Ernst & Young where she was a Manager in the National Accounting Group providing quality assurance on large public practice engagements.

Ms. Gray currently serves on the board of directors of GE Money Trust Company, a unit of General Electric Company and the Auxilium Foundation where she administers the multi-million dollar charitable fund. In addition Jan is a regular volunteer with Inn From the Cold, Calgary’s only shelter for homeless families which allows the family to remain together.

Don McCaffrey is President and CEO, Secretary and Co-founder of Resverlogix Corp. He has led Resverlogix through significant change and achievement from its initial days as a private company to becoming a TSX listed company, including raising over $70 million. In addition to garnering appropriate financing for Resverlogix’s aggressive development plan, Don has strategically directed the Company in its discussion with top global pharmaceutical companies, created new therapeutic markets for its key technology platforms and hired R&D staff from international markets. Prior to his current role with Resverlogix Corp., Don spent 25 years as an entrepreneur in tradeshow and international conference development in various industries including biotechnology.  He is former President of BioFuture Conferences, a national event hosting biotechnology researchers, financiers & industry speakers.

Don’s career accomplishments have been recognized by the business community and peers, as he was nominated for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year twice, both in 2004 and 2005. Don is a leader and pioneer in the business community as well, he is a strong supporter and contributor to community non profit organizations including Alberta Children’s Hospital, Education Matters and Calgary Urban Project Society ‘CUPS’ Literacy Program.

Dr. Newton has 25 years experience in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries.  He is the former Senior Vice President of Pfizer Global Research and Development and Director of Esperion Therapeutics, a Pfizer Inc. company. He was Co-founder, President and CEO of Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESPR), a biopharmaceutical company founded in July 1998. Esperion was acquired by Pfizer in February 2004 for $1.3 billion USD. Prior to co-founding Esperion, Dr. Newton was with Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis (now Pfizer) from 1981-1998. As a distinguished scientist and chairman of the Atherosclerosis Drug Discovery Team, he co-discovered and was product champion of what is now the most prescribed cholesterol reducing drug in the world, atorvastatin (Lipitor®).  

Dr. Rix, a medical professional and B.C. entrepreneur fosters strong ties between industry and education. He has had a longstanding involvement in science and technology, being a member of the Premier's Technology Council and sitting on numerous technology and health research boards. He is currently chairman of LifeLabs, Cantest Laboratory Services and the Vancouver Board of Trade. In 2005, Dr. Rix gave $4 million to support medical students in financial need at UBC. His previous gifts to the university include a major contribution toward a technology enterprise facility, the Donald Rix Building.

Dr. Rix has an outstanding list of honors and awards, which include obtaining the BC Medical Association Silver Medal of Service Award in 2004, Order of British Columbia in 2004, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award in 2002, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2005 for Health Sciences and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2005 for National Citation Promoter of Entrepreneurship.

Past board positions include Canada Foundation for Innovation, Enmax, Laidlaw Inc., Allstate Insurance Company of Canada, the Prime Minister's National Advisory Board on Science and Technology and the Alberta Research Council to name a few.

Stella has a B.A. in Economics from the University of Calgary and an M.A. in Economics from the University of Alberta.  In 2005, she was recognized by the Women’s Executive Network and the University Of Western Ontario’s Richard Ivey School of Business as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women.