Carl shares his extraordinary career journey, transitioning from a commercial director at Alamo Rent A Car to a city councillor and eventually landing in the life sciences industry. Along the way, he details his experiences in marketing, travel, and working with various organizations like Technopark Montréal and Admare BioInnovations/ Neomed. The conversation highlights Carl’s passion for people, life science innovations, and the importance of adaptability in one's career. Amidst all the transitions, he finds a way to keep life fascinating and fulfilling.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
00:53 Career Beginnings at Alamo Rent A Car
02:03 Transition to Travel Cuts and Marketing
04:07 Entering the Life Sciences Industry
05:29 Role at Technopark Montréal
06:58 Promoting Life Sciences in Montreal
12:47 Challenges and Opportunities in Quebec
17:52 Future of Life Sciences and AI
20:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Pathways in Life Science podcast, host Pat chats with Guillaume, an old friend and the entrepreneurial spirit behind Biotech Connect. Guillaume, who founded the company in 2014, opens up about his journey from a timid PhD student tasked with sales to orchestrating successful life science shows across Canada. Together, they delve into the unique challenges and opportunities of organizing such events, the initial struggles, the pandemic pivot, and ultimately the revival of his business. Guillaume's candid storytelling, sprinkled with humor and humility, paints a vivid picture of what it takes to thrive in the life science industry. Buckle up for an inspiring narrative of perseverance, creativity, and the importance of not burning bridges.

00:00 Welcome to Pathways in Life Science
00:14 Introducing Guillaume and Biotech Connect
01:22 Guillaume's Early Career and Entrepreneurial Journey
06:43 Challenges and Triumphs of Biotech Connect
14:18 Navigating the Pandemic
17:20 Post-Pandemic Success and Reflections
25:14 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

In this second episode of the Pathways in Life Science podcast, the Pat switches gears from celebrating life science professionals to highlight the struggles faced by Kaitlyn Sy, a courageous young woman battling a rare autoimmune disease and the American health insurance industry. Kaitlyn shares her roller-coaster journey from diagnosis to finding the right medication, only to be hit with an $8,000 monthly price tag not covered by insurance. Her medical saga evolves into a heartwarming story of community support that ultimately helps her obtain the life-saving treatment. Kaitlyn's narrative underscores the dire need for accessible healthcare in the U.S. and presents a powerful call to action for systemic change.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
01:04 Meet Kaitlyn Sy: A Courageous Fighter
02:15 Kaitlyn's Medical Journey Begins
07:22 The Struggle with Insurance
09:44 Community Support and Advocacy
15:11 The Bigger Picture: Access to Treatment
17:54 Conclusion and Future Outlook

In this chat, Patrick interviews Sarah, a sales manager at Atelerix, about her unpredictable career journey. Sarah initially pursued a degree in biotechnology but quickly realized academia wasn't her calling. Her year-long stint at Procter & Gamble in dishwashing detergent formulation left her with a strong aversion to dishwashers.
After struggling to find work during the 2009 financial crisis, she worked as a carer and later as a science coordinator in schools, where she discovered her knack for recruitment. Despite her vow to avoid sales, she spent 12 years in recruitment, finally becoming intrigued by Atelerix's innovative technology.
Through perseverance, she landed her current role, focusing on building relationships and promoting groundbreaking cell preservation products. Along the way, she encountered quirky jobs, like recruiting armpit sniffers and quality assurance testers for condoms. Sarah attributes her success to her ability to connect with people and seize opportunities, even when they come with bizarre stories!