David Millar, MBA, Executive Chairman

Over a 20-year-plus management career David has been frequently consulted as an expert strategist on technology competitiveness, commercialization and strategies in academia, government, and industry. He is a graduate in biochemistry from Queen’s University Belfast, UK, which led to a research career at leading teaching hospital, an M.B.A. and several prestigious fellowships. Recognized as having ‘a way with words’, David has written articles for newspapers, business magazines and a Handbook on Exporting for SMEs. He has also appeared on national UK and U.S. television and radio as an expert on SME development, entrepreneurship and clean energy.

A deep-seated belief in the need to compete at an international level was seeded in David at an early stage of his career and
continues to be his hallmark. As Executive Chairman of Haisley Millar Consulting Group, David’s focus is on advising Haisley Millar’s clients on the challenges and opportunities that are presented between the research bench and the global market.

Finally, 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 over $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.

“The ultimate judge of success is the market and a positive profit statement.”

Lauren McAdow, MLA, CEO

With degrees in Geology and Geophysics from Texas A&M University (TAMU), Lauren began her career in the upstream oil and gas industry in the U.S. and Europe. In 2010, she completed a Master of Landscape Architecture degree at TAMU. She also holds a College of Architecture Certificate in Health Systems and Design.

Lauren brings to Haisley Millar a unique blend of facilitation, technical writing, and design experience. She provides strategic advice and planning for government, institutional and corporate clients, particularly in energy and healthcare. She also understands the small company environment, having founded and operated Pretty Good Gardens, a successful landscaping company based in Houston, TX and is a regular contributor of articles for blogs and websites, writing widely on topics such as renewable energy.

Neil Ross, PhD, Vice President – Science and Technology

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 companies in developing technologies, finding and facilitating strategic partnerships, and accessing research expertise. Neil is based in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Ross Scinergy, Inc. is a new venture formed in 2011 by Dr. Neil Ross. It brings Dr. Ross’s technical knowledge to bear on areas of concern for companies and institutions in the life sciences, bioproducts and aquaculture arenas.

Stephen Millar, BSc. - UK Business Development 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. In addition to his work with Haisley Millar, Stephen has continued his education and is mid-way through a degree program in diagnostic radiography at a UK university.

Stephen’s role with Haisley Millar is to develop business in the UK and Ireland. He also provides research support; and constructs, maintains and validates databases as part of client and internal corporate projects. In his last project as Interim Manager for a small UK-based 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.

Read more about our capabilities and projects >

Darlene Duggan, BPR, Lead Consultant

Darlene 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. Darlene is also President and CEO, Duggan International, Nova Scotia.

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 (now Royal DSM) where he was involved in the program focused on discovery and commercialization of marine-based nutraceuticals and functional food ingredients. He is currently founder and CEO of Novaceutics, Nova Scotia.

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

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.

Nick Tillman, MIM

Nick Tillmann brings wide ranging domestic and international business experience, including strategic and tactical planning, alliances and joint ventures, startups, turnarounds, government relations and multi-disciplinary teams. Nick has lived and worked in the US, Austria, Ireland, Poland, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom and has led business development projects in
the US, Europe, South America and the Middle East.

In 2007, Nick founded Octopus International LLC, a consulting company specializing in strategic and operational planning as well as international business development. Recent engagements include the start-up of a pharmaceutical research business in the U.S. and the Middle East. Prior to founding Octopus International Nick spent more than 25 years with ConocoPhillips, a global
integrated energy company, where his record includes leadership of diverse international businesses with significant P&L responsibility, turnarounds, start-ups, emerging markets and strategic planning. He served as Managing Director, DuPont Conoco
Poland, starting from scratch the company’s business in Poland immediately after the fall of communism and building the leading retail fuel and convenience store network in the country.