Management Team
The GeneNews™ team draws on a combination of success and specialized knowledge in basic scientific research, clinical research and practice, business skills and management experience.
Heiner Dreismann, PhD, Lead Director and Interim CEO
Dr. Heiner Dreismann is Lead Director and Interim CEO for GeneNews and the former President and CEO of Roche Molecular Systems (RMS), a division of F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. and the company that pioneered molecular diagnostics in the clinical arena. Dr. Dreismann led the introduction of PCR-based tests in Europe as early as 1992 and witnessed first hand the industry growth over the last two decades. During his tenure as CEO, RMS annual sales doubled to US$ 1.0 billion and the portfolio of tests and hardware sales were greatly expanded. Prior to being appointed CEO, Dr. Dreismann held other senior positions within Roche Diagnostics in the areas of Global Business Development, Business Unit Manager for PCR and Microbiology, as well as R&D positions in microbiology and infectious diseases, and in manufacturing.
Dr. Dreismann earned a Master’s Degree in Biology and a PhD in Microbiology/Molecular Biology both from Westfaelische Wilhelms University in Muenster, Germany. Dr. Dreismann joined the GeneNews Board of Directors in 2006 and currently holds positions as Lead Director and Chair of the Company’s Strategy Committee in addition to the interim CEO position.
Gailina J. Liew, LLB MBA - President and Chief Operating Officer
Ms. Liew is the President and Chief Operating Officer for GeneNews and a member of the Company’s Strategy Committee and executive team. She joined the Company in 2000 and was responsible for establishing the initial intellectual property strategy and organizational infrastructure for GeneNews. More recently, she has lead the commercialization effort for ColonSentry™ and is responsible for the execution of the company’s strategic vision. Ms. Liew is currently responsible for the general management and operations of GeneNews. Prior to GeneNews, Ms. Liew was Corporate Counsel for the Ontario Lead Investment Fund, a joint public-private venture capital fund.
Ms. Liew earned a B.Sc. degree in Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology from the University of Toronto, an LLB degree from the University of Western Ontario and a joint MBA degree from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University and the Schulich School of Business, York University. She is a licensed member of the Law Society of Upper Canada.
Leslie Auld, MBA CA - Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Ms. Auld is the Chief Financial Officer and Treasure for GeneNews. She joined the company in 2010. Ms. Auld began her professional career in 1991 with PriceWaterhouseCoopers. She later joined Helix BioPharma Corp. where she progressed from Controller to Chief Financial Officer. In 2004, she joined Luminex Diagnostics (formerly TM BioScience Corp.) as Senior Director of Finance, where she focused on finance and operations during a period of growth and then held a pivotal role in the transaction that took TM BioScience private when it was acquired by Luminex. Ms. Auld joined Attwell Capital Inc. (formerly Fralex Therapeutics) as Chief Financial Officer in 2007. She left that position in June 2009 but continued to support Attwell and other issuers in a consulting capacity.
A Chartered Accountant, Ms. Auld graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science, Pharmacology & Toxicology from the University of Western Ontario, and has a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Toronto.