Meet Our Board of Directors
We continue to gather an extraordinary group of people as our board of directors, and forever grateful for the invaluable contributions of our past directors. The directors provide incredible insight and immeasurable value to the growth of the foundation. Each of them are forward thinking, and very compassionate. I am honoured that they have joined the foundation as our board of directors.
Krista Kennedy, Founder/CEO
Steven Pelech, Ph.D.
A full Professor in the Department of Medicine and Division of Neurology at the University of British Columbia, where he has been on faculty since 1988. He was one of the founding scientists of the immunology-based institute, The Biomedical Research Centre, at UBC in 1987. He holds B.Sc. Honours (1979) and Ph.D. (1982) degrees in Biochemistry from UBC. His post-doctoral training was at the University of Dundee with Sir Philip Cohen, and at the University of Washington in Seattle with Nobel laureate Dr. Edwin Krebs.
He was the founder and president of Kinetek Pharmaceuticals Inc. from 1992 to 1998, and the founder, president and chief scientific officer of Kinexus Bioinformatics Corporation from 1999 to the present. Kinetek was engaged in the development of drugs that inhibit protein kinases, primarily for oncology application and diabetes. Kinexus has produced over 1600 antibodies against cell regulatory proteins and employs these in novel high throughput methods to monitor cell communication systems in biological specimens from over 2000 academic and industrial clients in over 35 countries.
Dr. Pelech has authored over 250 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters about cell communication systems important for immune function and implicated in the pathology of cancer, diabetes, neurological and immunology-related diseases.
He has served on grant review panels for the US National Institutes of Health, the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, the National Research Council of Canada, the Michael Smith Health Research Foundation, Genome Alberta, Genome Prairie, the Canadian National Cancer Institute, the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation and the American Heart Association.
He has acted as an external reviewer for 22 other agencies including the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Israel Science Foundation. He has also been an external reviewer for 28 scientific journals.
Since the beginning of 2021, Dr. Pelech was one of the founders of the Canadian Covid Care Alliance, and serves as its vice-president and the co-chair of its Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee.
Dr. Pelech brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and pertinent acumen to identify groundbreaking research proposals that align with the foundation’s purpose.
Susan Stewart
She pursued her passion for health sciences at UBC, receiving a BA in Psychology, and then continued studying to become a Registered Massage Therapist. Soon after becoming an RMT, Susan opened a multi disciplinary health clinic, which continues to thrive for more than three decades at the same location.
Susan served on the Board of the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia for five years, two of those as President of the CMTBC. Additionally, she led the CMT Accreditation Committee for several years, as well as serving on the Continuing Education Committee and as an Investigator for the College. Susan also contributed her time to an ICBC Health Professionals Advisory Committee.
As a life long learner, Susan continued to train in Self Regulation Therapy, Cranio Sacral Therapy, Neuro Anatomy Microcurrent Application, Active Release Technique, Myofascial Release, and is currently studying for her PhD in Natural Medicine.
Her passion for wellness and better outcomes for one’s health captures her attention of the discoveries made in the medical science community. She has a natural ability to analyze and explain various topics of scientific research. We are fortunate to have Susan on our board to strategically guide our endeavours to support cutting edge research.
Krista Kennedy
Health and science interests combined with an entrepreneurial spirit, she would rather problem solve, or change the policy if it means a better way to reach a goal. From her first involvement in a charity, Miles for Millions, when she was just 4, she wondered if the money she raised made a difference to someone. Her life experiences, those seemingly small moments, have made an impact on how the foundation model was created. Her business experience and leadership positions on boards and committees, involving event planning, fundraising, strategic planning and marketing will be well served to the foundation.
Our Gratitude for Our Inaugural Board Members
Their unwavering vision to improve the health of living things through globally altering and innovative medical science research will always remain as our guiding light.
Dr. Patrick L. McGeer
One of the most highly cited neuroscientists in the world. We are honoured to have had his insight and expertise in creating this important public charity for the improvement and benefit of global health and wellness.
Dr. McGeer was a world leader in the discoveries and innovations he made in the progress of Alzheimer’s Disease research. His knowledge spans to other autoimmune disorders, in particular Parkinson’s Disease. It is through his relentless pursuit to question scientific hypothesis that his last research endeavours have the potential for early, unobtrusive diagnosis, of cancer, Alzheimer’s, and quite possibly the key to mental wellness. His pursuit led him to investigate some of the nastiest cancers known to humanity, and analysis of the circadian rhythm of biomarkers readily found in saliva. He and his wife, Edith McGeer, equally as brilliant and respected in their field, were both inducted as Fellows to the National Academy of Inventors. Dr. McGeer's experience in medicine, scientific research, business, and politics, provided a mosaic of invaluable knowledge as we navigated the foundation towards a results driven course of discovery and successes.
Dr. Douglas N. Bell
His passion for breakthrough medical research, a lifelong learner despite adverse health challenges, continues to inspire the foundation to dig deeper for answers to disease causes, not band-aid solutions.
Dr. Douglas N. Bell
Head and Neck Surgeon retired from Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, California, and retired Assistant Clinical Professor at the University Hospital and Veteran's Hospital at the University of California, San Diego where he taught medical students and residents. A true innovator in his personal and professional life, was likely noted when he was accepted to join McGill University in Medicine in 1951. The unwavering interest in medical science research and progression was one of his many passions. Understanding his innovative thinking, and his ability to recognize and connect unique medical science ideas, even out of his area of medical expertise, was the cornerstone of our model to seek cutting edge, "out of the box research." It was inspired by this incredible and compassionate person, Krista Kennedy's father.
Mr. John Anderson
Having his support, in any endeavour one may take on, is a blessing because if he believes in you, then the path to attaining those dreams begin to unfold.
Mr. John Anderson
Known for his leadership, analytical and strategic planning and execution, Mr. John Anderson always provided a wealth of experience dealing with business locally and internationally. He was globally respected in his legal profession, had a natural ability as an excellent listener, provided timely clarity and direction, and was results driven. The foundation was very fortunate to have John provide his invaluable influence on the direction and growth of the foundation.
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce our dear friend and mentor passed away on May 5, 2021. John joined our inaugural board without a breath of hesitation. His enthusiasm for the foundation and developing our vision, the wisdom he readily shared with us, and his compassion to make a difference for the betterment of humanity are pillars of his amazing character. He is deeply missed and never forgotten. We continue forward as he always did in life, with courage, confidence, compassion and optimism.