Vanessa Foran is proud to be joining the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society as CEO, bringing with her more than 25 years’ experience as an NGO leader with healthcare groups such as Diabetes Canada and the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario. In her most recent role as President and CEO of Asthma Canada, she helped the organization increase revenue and reach, establish a new brand and a national research program, successfully implement multi-year strategic plans, and implement advocacy initiatives to improve health outcomes for Canadians living with asthma. During this time, Vanessa also served on the Boards of the Health Charities Coalition of Canada (HCCC), which advocates for sound public policy on health issues and the Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform, which provides a unified voice on global education and advocacy initiatives focused on respiratory issues.

Prior to her role with Asthma Canada, she served Parkinson Canada as Vice President of Public Affairs and National Programs, overseeing public policy, research, education and support, and communications. She led the Canadian coalition - Neurological Health Charities Canada, participated in numerous advocacy initiatives working with the Canadian Coalition for Genetic Fairness, the Canadian Caregiver Coalition, and Best-Medicines Coalition. In 2015, Vanessa chaired Health Charities Coalition of Canada’s Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, where she played a pivotal role assisting HCCC with their position on Access to Medicines. She was also a policy advocate for the Canadian finance and leasing industry throughout the 2008 economic crisis and recovery.

Vanessa is a Certified Association Executive (CAE), holds a degree in Biomedical Ethics and Politics & Religion and has completed graduate education in public relations and public policy. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two daughters.