Russell Williams

Russell Williams is Chair of the BioCanRx Board of Directors and Chair of the Canadian Frailty Network. He is a former President of Innovative Medicines Canada and a former Member of the Québec National Assembly. Mr. Williams recently retired, from his role as Senior Vice President, Mission with Diabetes Canada. He currently serves as Special Counsel with the JBL Group, a health policy and access company, and as Chair of the Patient Network within the APEC Business Ethics for SMEs – Biopharmaceutical Sector.

During his tenure at Diabetes Canada, Russell led mission strategy, programs, and national initiatives, including advocacy, public policy, research, health care professional education and support, and patient knowledge and connection. The organization advanced significant improvements in the quality of life of people living with diabetes and was successful in securing government commitment to a nationwide comprehensive diabetes strategy.

Previously, Russell served as President of Innovative Medicines Canada (formerly Rx&D), representing more than fifty innovative life sciences companies.

His leadership involved extensive collaboration with federal and provincial governments, as well as stakeholders across health, research, patient, and economic sectors, with a focus on strengthening life sciences research, healthcare sustainability, and ethical frameworks. He participated in and led multiple coalitions dedicated to improving research, healthcare systems, and ethics networks.

Russell chaired the International Code Compliance Network of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) and served as a member of the IFPMA Council. Since 2011, he has been the primary private-sector lead for the APEC biopharmaceutical ethics initiative, encompassing twenty-one countries that developed international principles for business ethics. In 2015, he was named Industry Co-Chair of the APEC Biopharmaceutical Working Group on Ethics, established by the U.S. Department of Commerce, and he currently serves as Patient Co-Chair for this initiative. His recognitions include the Russell Williams Studentship in Medical Ethics at Queen’s University and the Life Science Leadership Award from Life Sciences Ontario.

Russell also had a distinguished career in Québec politics as the Member of the National Assembly for the riding of Nelligan. He was, and continues to be, a respected advocate for better patient care, improved emergency services, increased research and development, individual rights, language and constitutional policy, and enhanced services for people with disabilities. He led efforts to establish a local community college (CEGEP) and founded several enduring community initiatives, including the West Island Palliative Care Residence and West Island Community Shares.

His current community leadership roles include Chair of the Canadian Frailty Network (CFN), National Chair of the Champions Council for the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA), and Board Member of Life Sciences Ontario (LSO), BioCanRx, and the Health Charities Coalition of Canada (HCCC). He remains an Honorary Board Member of both the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence and West Island Community Shares.