Industry group Life Sciences Nova Scotia has named a new CEO: Doris Grant, previously its Vice President of Business Development and Strategy.

Grant has worked in the industry for nearly 30 years and held private sector, public sector and academic roles — including 14 years at Dalhousie University, and most recently, a stint as Nova Scotia Health’s Senior Director for Innovation. She replaces outgoing CEO Sean Awalt, who Life Sciences Nova Scotia said in a statement is stepping down to pursue another opportunity.

“It was an easy decision to come here (to Life Sciences Nova Scotia) because I had that industry, academia and health system expertise that I wanted to bring and leverage for this organization, to be able to lift our ecosystem and do the good work that has to be done,” said Grant in an interview Tuesday.

Grant added she believes the quality of the talent and ecosystem available to life sciences entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada are competitive advantages for the region, and that she hopes to foster growth and interconnectedness in the industry during her tenure.

“Our vision for this organization is to have a thriving, resilient, connected life sciences ecosystem,” she said. “That is what we believe in, and that is what we want to build, across the province and beyond.

"We're fortunate to be able to work with our Atlantic Canadian neighbours, and even beyond, to really position life sciences in this country."