2026 Annual Policy Forum

/ Events / Policy Forum

Annual Policy Forum

Thursday March 5, 2026

Location: Westin Downtown Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta

10:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Registration Opens: 9:30 AM

Luncheon, Keynote & Panels: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Networking Reception: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Member: $130 per person
Non-Member: $165 per person
Public Servant: $99 per person (email christy@bioalberta.com for a code)

CEO Breakfast & Fireside Chat

Thursday March 5, 2026

Location: Westin Downtown Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Please join the Uniersity Hospital Foundation and BioAlberta as we host an informative Health Innovator Breakfast Series on modernizing the health system and working together under the new governance model.

Separate registration is required to attend.
Breakfast ticket can be bundled with your Policy Forum ticket

Member: $40 per person
Non-Member: $50 per person

Empowering Tomorrow

On March 5, 2026, BioAlberta will host its Annual Policy Forum at the Westin Edmonton.
We’ll bring together Alberta’s life sciences community to explore the trends shaping our province’s health innovation ecosystem.

This year’s Policy Forum will feature panels on themes that span the life sciences sector, including:

Building Future Ready Talent and Human Capacity
Implications of U.S. Trade and Economic Policies on Alberta’s Health and Health Innovation Sectors
Alberta Leads: Advancing Equity with Mobile Lung Health Services

Join thought leaders and innovators as we explore the future of trade, talent, and technology in Alberta.

Schedule

8:00 AM

CEO Breakfast & Fireside Chat

Health Innovators Breakfast Series in partnership with the University Hospital Foundation and BioAlberta

Alberta’s four health‑entity CEOs will discuss progress on modernizing Alberta’s refocused healthcare system. Leaders will discuss collaborative work under the new governance model, early successes, and the innovations shaping Alberta’s future health system.

Kerry Bales

CEO,
Recovery Alberta

David Diamond

CEO,
Acute Care Alberta

Toby Schneider

CEO,
Assisted Living Alberta

Kim Simmonds

CEO,
Primary Care Alberta

Moderator:

Laura Fitzgerald

Associate Director of Government Affairs,
Moderna Canada

10:30 AM

Building Future Ready Talent and Human Capacity

This session explores how Alberta can develop the skilled workforce needed for an evolving health and life‑sciences ecosystem. Panellists will discuss training models, partnerships, and talent strategies that support long-term sector growth.

Bruce Birdsell

Global Vice President, Oncology Market Development,
Varian Medical Systems

Rob Henderson

President and CEO,
BioTalent Canada

Jillian Kowalchuk

Manager, AI Literacy,
Amii

Moderator:

Patty Wickson

Director Research & Innovation,
Dr. Barrie Strafford Centre for Learning Innovation & Quality (CLIQ)

12:00 PM

Luncheon Keynote Speaker - Michael J. Mahon, Ph.D.

Alberta Innovates: Shaping Alberta’s Economic Future

Please join Alberta Innovates CEO Mike Mahon, who will share Alberta Innovates’ new strategic and business direction, why innovation matters now and how they hope to partner with the Life Sciences Ecosystem to make things happen.

Michael J. (Mike) Mahon

CEO, Alberta Innovates

1:55 PM

Implications of U.S. Trade and Economic Policies on Alberta’s Health and Health Innovation Sectors

Changes to U.S. trade policy and approach will have an impact on Alberta’s health and innovation sectors. Panellists will discuss how existing challenges in the health innovation system may be accelerated by US decisions, new threats, and opportunities on the horizon, and strategies for navigating a changing cross-border environment

Ryan Mercer

Director, Clinical Research Innovation,
Alberta Innovates

Rob Pankhurst

VP Western Canada,
Medtech Canada

Laura Pagnotta

Vice President, External Affairs,
Roche Canada

Moderator:

Jason Copping

Senior Advisor, Principal,
Copping Consulting

3:35 PM

Alberta Leads: Advancing Equity with Mobile Lung Health Services

A unique public-private partnership has created an innovative solution to deliver essential lung health services to rural and remote communities across the province.