What drives me is this question: How can I make a difference and have a positive impact on the health of my family, friends and community?My decision to enter the health field was driven by a life-changing event. While I was 15 years old, my mother passed away from cancer at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. In that moment, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to helping eradicate cancer. Since then, I have focused on leading change in the health sector through partnerships. I served as a consultant to the Movember Foundation and in 2010, led the process to recommend mental health as their Second Cause Beneficiary in Canada - the impact of this work is still helping men's mental health today. In 2012, I led the creation of a National Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Network that continues to positively impact children suffering with IBD.In 2015, I joined the Alberta Innovates’ Executive Team. As Vice President, Health, my role is to build relationships and strategies to help drive the modernization of health care – that is, to advance more technology, data and choice into the hands of Albertans for their health and wellness. Alberta benefits from transformative ideas that enable improved health status of its citizens as well as lowering escalating costs. By focusing on health transformation through the use of data and digital technologies, we can achieve lofty goals that supports everyone. I mobilize organizations, companies and communities toward collective action. A great example is the creation and implementation of Alberta’s Strategy for Patient Oriented Research. This work champions meaningful engagement of patients, families and communities with health stakeholders to ensure shared research goals. My team at Alberta Innovates supports Alberta health technology companies towards commercialization by working collaboratively with health system stakeholders to create the winning conditions for success.I am most proud of my family. My wife and I have raised two great kids, who are both in university and setting their own sights on the future and I am amazed at what great young adults they have become. And when the vacation times rolls around you will find us together with family and friends – a continuing source of renewal and joy.