My Backstory

Growing up in Toronto, I was a quiet, pensive, somewhat risk adverse kid – not exactly the profile of someone you might expect in venture capital. I had an early affinity for visual art and became a keen observer of the world around me, captivated by its beauty and complexity. As I progressed through school, my curiosity led me more and more towards the sciences. Spending a summer in a synthetic chemistry lab during university crystallized a passion for organic chemistry – it was like making art at a molecular level. I followed this passion into graduate studies at Harvard University, where I focused on asymmetric catalysis, an area concerned with the delicate control of chemical structure that is particularly relevant to biopharma. Living in Cambridge, I was at the epicenter of an innovation hub that spanned across disciplines, and I soon realized I wanted to be involved in more than just one corner of the research lab. Pivoting to the commercial side of innovation, first with Toronto-based angel investor group Maple Leaf Angles, I learned how to think about investments in early-stage tech companies. When I had the opportunity to join Lumira as an Analyst in 2017, I was excited to apply my combined skills to evaluate innovative life sciences companies and contribute to funding innovations that could make a real impact in people’s lives.

What Drives Me Today

As part of the Lumira team, I am driven by excitement about the possibilities that can be created through scientific innovation. Seeing the perseverance and ingenuity that entrepreneurs bring to their companies is a constant source of motivation, and hearing patient testimonials about how our companies’ products have changed their lives for the better is the most rewarding investment outcome.