Rob Henderson - Developing BioTalent

Biography: Rob Henderson (President/CEO, BioTalent Canada)

Rob Henderson is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of private and public sector management experience. He has led the transformation of BioTalent Canada into an in-demand partner, policy influencer, and project leader that brings together the largest national bio-economy network in Canada. Under Rob’s leadership, BioTalent Canada’s national portfolio has expanded, with the mandate to increase student job-readiness matched to health and bioscience related career opportunities.

Since 2011, Rob has grown BioTalent Canada from an initial staff count of five to its current contingent of more than 40 team members. Under Rob’s guidance, BioTalent Canada has engaged with government, employers, industry associations, post-secondary institutions, immigrant serving agencies, and service providers. Together, this dynamic network strengthens skills, connects job-ready talent to industry, and creates opportunities. 

Fluently bilingual and a Quebec native, Rob is a respected biotech HR thought leader who provides counsel to all levels of government. He’s a member of the National Stakeholders Advisory Panel for the Labour Market Information Council. Previous to that, at the request of the federal Minister, Rob was a member of the Government of Canada’s Blue Ribbon Panel titled Survival to Success Transforming Immigration. In 2013, Rob presented BioTalent Canada’s talent solutions, in Brussels at the European Union headquarters, to an international audience of global biotech firms.

Prior to his role as President and CEO of BioTalent Canada, he served as President, Quebec and Vice-President, Eastern Canada for Canada NewsWire. Throughout his career, Rob has held Executive Director and Board leadership roles at various associations. In this capacity, Rob shaped numerous Board functions under several different models of governance. Earlier in his career, Rob led the Canadian Association of Journalists through a complex revenue/partnership exercise guided by ethics principles and Board participation and retains strong friendships with Canada’s top journalists to this day.

Rob earned a BSc Honours in Biology from the University of Ottawa. He is active as a volunteer and performer in the Nation’s Capital performing arts community.

Rob shares his lessons along the way and insights on leadership and communications and how his organization is supporting talent development through experiential learning opportunities.

About BioTalent Canada

BioTalent Canada™ is the HR partner of and catalyst for growth in Canada’s bio-economy. BioTalent Canada engages with employers, associations, post-secondary institutions, immigrant serving agencies and service providers and has built a dynamic network that is strengthening skills, connecting job-ready talent to industry and creating opportunities. Recently awarded a Great Place to Work® Certification, BioTalent Canada practices the same industry standards they recommend to their stakeholders.

For more information on BioTalent's programs, please visit BioTalent Canada's website at https://www.biotalent.ca/programs/