As TFRI’s research on precision medicine grows with the addition of two new, large-scale, pan-Canadian initiatives, the Institute has expanded its financial operations and hired its first Chief Financial Officer.
Gordon Schwark will apply his deep understanding of research, academia, funder reporting requirements, and charitable organizations in this new role as TFRI operationalizes the Digital Health and Discovery Program and the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network.
“We are extremely fortunate to have a seasoned financial leader like Gordon join us as we embark on these exciting new initiatives to find new ways to improve cancer outcomes for Canadians. His experience is diverse and TFRI will benefit immediately and immensely from his expertise working with not-for-profits and fast-growth organizations,” says Dr. Victor Ling, TFRI president and scientific director.
“I am extremely honoured to join this great team at TFRI to help financially steward the DHDP and Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres projects that mark a new era of cancer research excellence throughout Canada as well as support TFRI’s longstanding investment in its hallmark peer-review programs such as the Program Project Grants and New Investigator awards,” says Schwark, who is based in Vancouver and joined TFRI on February 16.
Most recently, Schwark held the position of Director of Finance for the BC Academic Health Science Network where he provided strategic and operational expertise to oversee all accounting and financial control functions including leadership to several corporate services including human resources, legal, information technology and risk management.
Over his 30-year career, Schwark has honed his financial, operational and governance expertise also serving in senior financial roles at The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR), BC Child and Family Research Institute,
UBC’s Offices of Research Services and Financial Services, and as a financial consultant for organizations such as The Terry Fox Foundation.
Schwark is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant who earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree at UBC. In 2014 he was honoured with the BC Chief Financial Officer of the Year Award (not-for-profit category) from the Chartered Professional Accountants of BC and Business in Vancouver magazine.
He is looking forward to working with the various stakeholders that will be involved in these important new initiatives, from the scientists to the health and research organizations to supporting Terry Fox’s vision of a cure for cancer.
“Having witnessed cancer invade my own family, I’m very excited at the health improvements possible by applying artificial intelligence technologies to health and genetic data to seek cures for chronic diseases, especially cancer.”