Shelley brings over 20 years’ experience in Canada’s innovation and commercialization environment, both as an entrepreneur and as an innovation champion within not for profit and academic settings.

In her previous roles, Shelley has helped researchers and companies navigate commercialization hurdles such as regulatory, IP, scale-up, R&D, and financing. She has partnered with countless regional and national organizations to leverage key expertise, strengths, programs, and funds to move these initiatives forward.

As VP, Research and Business Development for Genome Atlantic, Shelley helped bridge the diverse interests and cultures of researchers and industry representatives to foster cohesive teams that formed over $60M of sector-relevant research and development projects. She also oversaw the management and development of those projects, identifying opportunities for expansion, partner and international market development, and liaising with key organizations needed to advance the objectives of the players.

In this role, Shelley was an integral member of various national committees reviewing innovation, commercialization programs, and Canadian funding opportunities, and dealing with specific sectoral issues such as health care innovation, aquaculture and fisheries, agriculture, and forestry.

Prior to NPC, Shelley was Chief Executive Officer of Synapse, a not-for-profit organization responsible for the University of Prince Edward Island’s applied research and industry services, ranging from technology transfer and partnership development to technology assessments and commercialization support. In this role, Shelley worked closely with members of the regional technology transfer community, as well as individual businesses and researchers, and the various economic development and innovation organizations that support them.

King was awarded an MSc in Medicine and an MBA from Memorial University. She has served on innovation-related boards and committees such as the Aquaculture Association of Canada, Pan American Marine Biotechnology Association, Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries, and the Genesis Centre (NL), and currently serves on the board of the Natural Health Products Research Society and Springboard Atlantic.