Our team

Farah Bendahmane

Senior Director – Strategic Development and Partnerships

Farah is responsible for the project committee specialized in Rare Diseases, as well as the project committee for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the life sciences and health technology (LSHT) sector. She also coordinates Montreal InVivo’s activities related to digital health and artificial intelligence in LSHT. Farah Bendahmane joined the team in 2020, where she was first responsible for Enterprise Development, then for Research and Innovation. Since then, she has mobilized a variety of key stakeholders to develop projets and advance strategic issues for the life sciences and health technologies sector, including rare diseases, scientific entrepreneurship, digital health/AI, and company financing.

Laila Benameur

Director - Entrepreneurship

Laila is dedicated in advancing the economy by facilitating the transition of scientists to entrepreneurship and participates in the creation and growth of start-ups in LSHT. Joining our team in 2022 as Director – Entrepreneurship, she notably is responsible for the BIOSUCCES Mentoring Network and the Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Development Program.

Holder of a Ph.D. in nanoscience and nanotoxicology, Laila has worked as a teaching assistant and postdoctoral researcher at McGill University, has been responsible for setting up the very first Quebec scientific entrepreneurship program and was the co-founder of a cleantech start-up before joining Montreal InVivo.

Passionate about entrepreneurship, innovation and creating a more equaland inclusive world, Laila engages in her spare time with several organizations as a mentor to support the next generation in STEM and chairs the MAPS committee of Women In Bio Montréal.

Frank Béraud

Chief Executive Officer

Holding more than 25 years of experience in the life sciences sector, Mr. Béraud has particularly acquired a solid expertise in business development. With a background in sales and marketing within multinationals in the field of clinical diagnostics, his career path has led him to assume responsibility for business development for an SME in the domain of biotechnology, in addition to working as a consultant within the industry as well as a technology transfer organization. Mr. Béraud has also worked on managing the policies and strategic development of an industrial association in the life sciences sector before joining Montréal InVivo’s team. Highly socially engaged in education, the health and homelessness, he currently chairs the board of directors of the charitable organization Cancer Computer, which aims to provide leading researchers with the computing power of refurbished supercomputers.

Aubrée Brodin

Project Manager

Within Montréal InVivo, Aubrée Brodin is currently in charge of the podcast project.

Holder of an engineering degree in France and a master’s degree in health technologies, Aubrée is passionate about the field of life sciences. Through the completion of various projects during her studies as well as her year as a clinical trial coordinator, Aubrée has developed a sharp sense of organization and puts it into practice by managing projects at Montréal Invivo.

On her time off, Aubrée has a passion for running and you will probably see her during the half-marathons organized around Montreal.

Joëlle Chrisphonte

Digital Communications Manager

Joëlle is in charge of managing and developing Montreal InVivo’s digital community.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the Université du Québec à Montréal, Joëlle has worked in several web and marketing teams in the cultural and event fields. Her experience has allowed her to acquire an accumulated knowledge of how the various online platforms work and also reflects her strong interest in new digital technologies.

In her spare time, Joëlle particularly enjoys making new gastronomic and cultural discoveries by exploring the best places to visit in Montréal.

Josée Coté

Executive Assistant and Corporate Affairs Coordinator

Right arm of the CEO, with extensive experience in organization, management and customer service. Since her arrival within Montréal InVivo’s team, Josée enthusiastically shares her knowledge, her expertise and her overall vision with her collegues. Josée is loyal, likes to bring people together, ensures the good synergy of the team, the office and the procedures. Passionate, she loves nature and travelling. Josée coordinates the BIOSUCCES Mentoring Network.

Inès Desanlis

Project Manager

After completing her university studies in biology in France, Inès completed a PhD in developmental biology in England and then moved to Montreal to complete a post-doctorate at IRCM. After eight years of thesis, she now wishes to participate in the development of the SVTS ecosystem in Quebec by joining the team of Montreal InVivo, a key player in the development of the sector.

At Montreal InVivo, Inès will work closely with Claudie to develop the Biomanufacturing dossier and will also assist the organization’s project managers.

In her free time, Inès enjoys traveling, discovering Quebec’s hiking trails, microbreweries and good restaurants.

Robin Durand

Director - Integration of innovation

Robin joined us at the end of 2021. Previously responsible for the development and implementation of the Montreal Industrial Expertise Centre, he is now Director – Life Sciences Innovation Integration within our team. Robin has a scientific background in biotechnology and several years of experience in the field of innovation. He is also a former snowboarder ! A passion that he now likes to transmit and teach to help young people discover the joys of the outdoors in winter.

Alizée Gouronnec

Director - Business Development

Starting as a student representative at Montreal InVivo in April 2018, Alizée was then recruited as a consultant, and later as a project manager for topics in artificial intelligence, digital health, succession, and bio-manufacturing. She now holds the position of Director – Business Development, with a focus on SMEs. She has distinguished herself by her thoroughness, her curiosity and her efficiency at work. She holds an engineering degree in biology (France) and a master’s degree in immunology and molecular biology. She completed her training with a graduate degree in organizational development (DESS) at HEC Montréal.

Claudie Noël

Senior Director – Operations

Claudie is responsible for project committees dealing with workforce, training and succession issues. She oversees and participates in projects such as the Continuum data science qualification pathway and the mobilisation of expertise in biofabrication. A member of the team since July 2019, her passion for Rugby is transposed into her work. She is a true team player, always ready to lend a hand and collaborate. This year, Claudie is also involved in the Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Development Program and the Vistascience job development platform, for which Montréal InVivo is the initiator.

Malak Salah

Communication and marketing manager

Malak has been in charge of marketing communications at Montréal InVivo since December 2022. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in international studies and a master’s degree in public and international affairs, Malak specialized in journalism and political communication during her studies. Her editorial experience has enabled her to produce official documents for international and governmental organizations, while developing her skills in the development and implementation of strategic action plans.

Through her role in the team, Malak supports the positioning and influence of Montréal InVivo, working in close collaboration with the digital communications manager.

In her spare time, Malak loves to travel, read a good book and discover the best little cafés in Montréal.