As part of OICR’s executive team, Dr. Williams works with the Institute’s scientists, senior leaders and partners to develop and implement strategic priorities across the Institute’s translational research programs. She leads coordinated engagement and communications strategies, oversees research operations and stewards OICR research assets through commercialization and into the health system to advance OICR’s mission. Dr. Williams focuses on developing and maintaining OICR’s collaborative relationships with a broad range of provincial, national and international stakeholders including clinical, academic, industry, government and patient partners.

Dr. Williams received an undergraduate degree in Life Sciences from Queen’s University and a PhD in Immunology from the University of Toronto. She received postdoctoral training at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University where she studied the molecular pathways involved in the development of leukemia and lymphoma in children. Prior to her role at OICR, Dr. Williams held various leadership positions at the Canadian Cancer Society, most recently as its Chief Mission Officer & Scientific Director, responsible for strategy development and program delivery nationwide.

Dr. Williams is currently a member of boards and advisory committees for a number of organizations, including the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, CanPath, The Canadian Cancer Clinical Trials Group and BioCanRx.