Your First Board Seat: Perspectives from Life Sciences Executives
Three Journeys. Three Perspectives. One Conversation.
Hosted by Pender & Howe and Women In Bio – Greater Montreal, this 90-minute virtual event brings together three accomplished women in life sciences who have each entered the boardroom from different vantage points: venture capital, nonprofit leadership, and international biotech governance. They’ll share candid reflections on motivations, challenges, and lessons learned—offering perspective for executives considering their first board role as well as those already working closely with boards.
Hear from:
Sarah Farr, Senior Associate, Genesys Capital
Hélène Moore, Founder & CEO, pharmBD
Stéphanie Doyle, CEO, Montréal InVivo
Moderated by: Céline Chabée, Partner, Pender & Howe
Why join us?
Hear candid stories about the motivation and learning curves of first board experiences.
Understand how board dynamics vary in the private sector, including nonprofit, venture-backed, and private-equity contexts.
Learn how to align your values, skills, and career stage with the right type of board opportunity.
Explore the role of governance training programs in preparing for board readiness.
Engage directly in a live Q&A, with opportunities to bring your own questions forward.
📢 Don’t miss any updates: Enable Luma notifications or check your spam/junk for messages from [email protected] or [email protected]. Updates are always posted on the event page for logged-in guests.
📢 Please note: To keep this event intimate and impactful, space is limited. Priority will be given to the ECBG community and executive leaders from across the life sciences and healthcare sectors. Once you submit your registration, you’ll be placed on a waiting list, and a final confirmation will follow.
Speaker Bios
Sarah Farr
Senior Associate, Genesys Capital
Dr. Farr joined Genesys Capital in 2020 as an Associate, bringing to the team eight years of experience at the bench in laboratory research and discovery. She is responsible for sourcing deal flow and carrying out diligence on biotech and medtech investment opportunities. She is also a board observer for Giiant Pharma Inc. and Questat Inc. Past board affiliations include Adapsyn Bioscience, Inc. and EBT Medical, Inc. Dr. Farr currently volunteers on the review committee for the McMaster University Seed Fund.
Before Genesys, Dr. Farr worked as a Business Development Officer in the Industry Partnerships & Commercialization office at the Hospital for Sick Children, where she managed IP, industry partnerships, and start-up opportunities.
Dr. Farr received her PhD from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto where she studied the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. She also has a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) with a minor in Biochemistry from McMaster University.
Hélène Moore
Founder & CEO, pharmBD
Hélène Moore is an expert in investment and strategic development within the life sciences and health technology sectors. With over two decades of experience in North America and Europe, she has held senior leadership roles in sales, marketing, business development, and general management, cultivating deep expertise in fostering life sciences partnerships.
As a committed investor and member of the boards of directors for Anges Québec and Innospera Pharma Inc., Hélène actively supports innovation and entrepreneurship in Quebec. She is the founder of pharmBD Inc., a boutique-style consulting firm facilitating international collaborations in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technology and digital health and also a partner at Asklepios Advisors, a French advisory bank specializing in life sciences
Hélène holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the Université de Montréal and an Executive MBA from the Université du Québec à Montréal. In 2021, she enhanced her governance expertise by completing INSEAD’s International Director Program in Governance.
Stéphanie Doyle
Chief Executive Officer, Montréal InVivo
Stéphanie Doyle is the Chief Executive Officer of Montréal InVivo, where she leads the organization’s mission to strengthen and grow Greater Montreal’s life sciences and health technologies ecosystem.
A recognized expert in life sciences and health technologies, Stéphanie has built a career at the intersection of business development, innovation, and international partnerships. She has successfully attracted and retained major foreign investments, positioning Greater Montreal as a global hub of excellence in this sector.
Her background combines senior leadership roles in the private sector with entrepreneurial achievements that have been recognized through multiple awards. Throughout her career, she has driven strategic projects, fostered collaborations, and contributed to the growth of market share and competitiveness across the industry.
Passionate about advancing innovation and talent, Stéphanie continues to play a central role in shaping the future of the life sciences sector in Quebec and beyond.
Céline Chabée
Partner, Pender & Howe
Céline Chabée is a Partner at Pender & Howe and Global Practice Leader for Life Sciences & Healthcare within Kestria, the world’s largest executive search alliance. A pharmacist by training with 25+ years in life sciences and healthcare, she combines operational insight with deep expertise in executive and board search.
Céline has built the Life Sciences & Healthcare practice into a core pillar of the firm. She partners with venture-backed startups, supports the growth of pre-clinical and clinical-stage companies, and advises global commercial organizations. Her work ranges from CEO succession and board composition to complex leadership searches across North America and international markets.
She is a trusted partner to boards and leadership teams navigating scale, transformation, and cross-border growth. Committed to advancing diversity, Céline also supports Women in Bio’s governance and executive access initiatives, helping prepare the next generation of board leaders.
About WIB/ECBG
Women In Bio (WIB) is an organization of professionals committed to promoting careers, leadership, and entrepreneurship for all women in the life sciences. The Greater Montreal chapter is home to the Executive Committee Board Governance (ECBG) program, an initiative dedicated to championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in governance. Since launching in 2022, more than 75 life sciences leaders have completed this transformative training.
The next cohort, scheduled for January–February 2026 in partnership with the Rotman School of Management, is now open for registration, with an application deadline of October 6, 2025.
About Pender & Howe
Pender & Howe is a boutique executive search firm with a global reach, specializing in placing transformative leaders for high-growth and innovative organizations. The firm partners with boards, investors, and founders to deliver strategic talent solutions that drive lasting impact.