Executive team
David Millar, MBA, President & CEO
David is a graduate in biochemistry from Queen’s University in Belfast, UK, with five years research experience at a leading teaching hospital and holds an M.B.A. along with several prestigious fellowships. He has authored articles for newspapers and business magazines and a Handbook on Exporting for SMEs, as well as appearing on UK business television (BBC) as an expert on SME development and entrepreneurship. His counsel is acknowledged as blending innovative and creative strategies to achieve successful outcomes.
Enthusiasm
does not
constitute
evidence.
"Small companies represent agility."
In an industry that has many intangibles, David has guided Haisley Millar to produce tangible benefits for clients, not the least in the area of federal government funding programs with a total of almost $100M raised to date. David’s expertise in funding, most recently in developing regional genomics, neuroscience and algae-to-biofuels strategies, extends to private investment both North America and Europe where he has worked with several publicly traded companies on funding and corporate strategies and with many small to medium-sized companies.
Lauren McAdow, MLA, Vice President – Communications and Sustainability
Lauren is a graduate of Texas A & M University in College Station, TX, with B.Sc. degrees in Geology and Geophysics which led to a successful career in the upstream oil and gas industry in the U.S. and Europe (Norway). More recently, Lauren achieved a personal goal by completing a prestigious Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree at Texas A & M. She also holds a College of Architecture Certificate in Health Systems and Design.
As VP Communications and Sustainability, Lauren provides a vital interface between the innovative technologies developed by Haisley Millar’s corporate and institutional clients and the energy industry. Lauren also focuses on strategic planning for sustainability issues that impact the physical environment of our corporate and institutional clients. Our tenet is that the well-being of employees is directly linked to productivity.Lauren understands the small business owner from her founding and managing a flourishing landscape design company.
"Learn something new every day."
Neil Ross, PhD, Vice President – Science and Technology
Dr. Ross (Neil) obtained his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from McGill University (Montreal, QC) and completed his post-doctoral research in a multi-national pharmaceutical research laboratory. He served as a researcher at the National Research Council of Canada for two decades, in the fields of applied microbiology, enzymology, hemi-cellulytic enzymes, cancer research, fish disease and nutrition, shellfish biology and toxins. He has 64 publications in peer-reviewed journals and has two patent applications registered.
As Director of Research at the National Research Council’s Institute for Marine Biosciences, Neil oversaw a multidisciplinary research team and facilitated collaborations with other institutes and external partners. As Lead of the NRC-Industrial Research Assistance Program Bioproducts Sector Team, Neil assisted in building communications amongst various stakeholders across Canada and supported several small companies in developing technologies, finding and facilitating strategic partnerships, and accessing research expertise
Consultants
Stephen Millar, BSc. Consultant
Stephen Millar is a Consultant, Business Development with Haisley Millar Consulting Group. He graduated in 2009 with a biology major and psychology minor from St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Canada. Stephen’s role with Haisley Millar is to develop business in the UK. He also provides research support; and constructs, maintains and validates databases as part of client and internal corporate projects. In addition to his work with Haisley Millar, Stephen has continued his education and recently commenced a degree program in diagnostic radiography.
In his last project as Interim Manager for a small pharmacy group, Stephen managed three company websites taking one to a leading national position, instituted an inventory and invoicing system, and managed negotiations for drug sales in excess of $2M.
Jean-Guy Mboudjeke, PhD, Consultant
Jean-Guy is an Associate Professor of French Linguistics at the University of Windsor. He obtained his PhD in Linguistics and Translation at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Sco, Halifax)ia, in 2007. In his native Cameroon where he completed a BA in French and English studies and an MA in education, he worked as a high school teacher between 1996 and 2001. Jean-Guy is a communications consultant with Haisley Millar specializing in linguistics and technical translations.
Debbie Reynolds, Lead Consultant
Debbie is a biotechnology business consultant with a recognized portfolio of over twenty years experience within the international life sciences and business sectors. During a successful career, She has held a number of executive positions and has presented as Keynote Speaker in locations such as France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland and in North America. Debbie is currently working with a number of start-up Biotechnology companies in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Debbie’s experience also includes policy evaluation and development, impact assessments, performance reviews and improvement strategies, organizational reviews, and marketing and financial planning. A sound knowledge of public innovation agendas, research, analysis techniques, consultation techniques and industry profiles is combined with a strong knowledge of the roles and relationships of industry, federal and provincial agencies, market trends, technological advances and the principles of marketing and trade development.
Paul Stewart, Lead Consultant
Paul has over 20 years of experience in bio-based research technologies, commercialization, funding acquisition and project management, working with clients to develop new technologies in environmental, agri-food, pharma, clean energy and biotech sectors. He has also participated in IPOs, incorporations and startup management/funding, including with a Montreal-based venture capital company. As well, with his background in a wide variety of biosciences and technologies, Paul has practical knowledge of microbiology, fermentation, cell culture, and bio-extraction techniques.
Darlene Duggan, BPR
Darlene is President and CEO, Duggan International. She has 20 years of work experience in public relations, sales and international marketing consulting. Darlene has worked very closely with municipal, provincial and federal government departments in the energy sector and with foreign governments in discussion of technology transfer opportunities.
She has direct experience in working with economic development agencies to develop funding initiatives to attract international investment, training opportunities, approving marketing initiatives and government assistance. She held a position as a Trade Commissioner for International Trade Canada, where she counseled over 100 companies in international trade marketing, and administered Industry Canada’s investment and financial loan programs. She was the oil and gas trade commissioner for the International Trade Centre, Industry Canada and a member of the Trade Team Canada Oil and Gas. Darlene was also the regional representative for the International Centre for Team Canada Environment Sustainable Communities Initiative.
Associates
Stephen Ewart, PhD.
Steve has a PhD. in Biochemistry from Memorial University in St. John’s, NL. He did postdoctoral studies in the Division of Cell Biology at the Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, ON) and at the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Calgary. His professional career has involved research and development work at private companies and at the National Research Council for Canada’s Institute for Marine Biosciences.
Steve spent several years as the Director of Biology at Ocean Nutrition Canada where he was involoved in the program focused on discovery and commercialization of marine-based nutraceuticals and functional food ingredients. He is currently founder and CEO of Novaceutics in Halifax, NS.
Peter Kipp, PhD.
Pete is an expert in algae to biofuels. He holds a B.A. in biochemistry from Rice University in Houston, TX, and a Ph.D. in biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology from Cornell University (Ithaca, NY). He holds two patents and has co-authored several research papers. Pete brings more than 17 years experience in applied biotechnology with management and collaborative research expertise spanning diverse fields from genetic engineering of crop plants to small and large molecule drug discovery.
Pete’s career is marked by a track record of innovation and business process improvement. As a graduate student, he conducted breakthrough research in plant genetic engineering that was patented and licensed to Pioneer Hi-Bred for $1 million. He is the recipient of three Lexicon Innovation Awards from Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, where he envisioned and led initiatives instrumental to the success of the company’s Genome5000TM genetic engineering project. Pete is currently Vice President at OpenAlgae, TX
Nick Tillman, MIM
Nick is Founder and President of Octopus International LLC, a consulting firm specializing in international business development and strategy consulting. He also serves as Chairman of the Biofuels Task Force at the Greater Houston Partnership. The Task Force is dedicated to supporting a thriving biofuels industry in the region to help cement Houston’s position as the “Energy Capital of the World”. Nick advises small business owners as a member of Silver Fox Advisers and emerging technology companies as Energy and IT advisor at the Houston Technology Center. His previous experience with ConocoPhillips, a global integrated energy company, includes management and leadership positions in Europe and the United States in retail operations, supply and marketing of petroleum products, and the development and commercialization of technology-based specialty products. He started up and led the company’s downstream business in Poland and led business development projects in Europe, South America and the Middle East.
Affiliated Companies
Barnaba & Associates, Inc.
Located in Houston, TX, Barnaba & Associates is led by Connie Barnaba, a certified Merger and Acquisition Advisor and a certified Global Professional in HR. Connie's career includes more than 20 years of managerial HR experience in for-profit and non-profit businesses, in uniionized and non-union settings, and with both public and private sector employees. Before establishing her consulting business, she managed natinal HR services operations for a Fortune 500 company. Barnaba & Associates offer middle market companies planning a merger or acquisition the opportunity to conduct a pre-deal assessment of the risk inherent with intergrating business operations.
WCYi
Wanda Cuff Young Inc. is strategically located in Atlantic Canada with clients and business interests in Newfoundland, the Philippines and Croatia. The company is led by Wanda Cuff Young - a self employed entrepreneur with consulting and mentoring experience in the areas of biotechnology, agriculture and tourism; fund development and event management. Wanda is also a prolific publisher both in her own name: 52 Great hikes and 14 Years with the St. John`s Maple Leafs and under contract.
Wanda is a past chair of the Board of Appeals, a member of the Privy Council of Canada, past President Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs, Board member and communications Chair of the Regional Development Board; member of Newfoundland Alliance of Technical Industries, and member of the biotechnology working group and the United Way.