President and CEO, Optimal Innovation Group
Biography
Rina Carlini is an accomplished executive with 25 years of experience in science and technology innovation and commercialization in the areas of life sciences, medical devices, digital health technologies, nanotechnology, and sustainability. Her experience spans multiple industries and leadership roles. She began her career in drug discovery research and development (Merck, Syntex), then became a Principal Scientist and Director of Nanotechnology (Xerox), where she established a global corporate incubator network. From there, she moved into special leadership engagements, including President and CEO of Haltech Regional Innovation Centre, where she supported the growth of tech startups, and Vice-President of Research and Innovation at Rapid Dose Therapeutics. Dr. Carlini is currently the President and CEO of Optimal Innovation Group, a technology innovation consulting firm that she established in 2012, which supports technology companies with commercialization, market development strategies, and management advising to deliver their growth objectives. She has also supported several university and non-profit institutions, including the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (University of Waterloo), University of British Columbia, Dalhousie University, National Research Council of Canada, Digital Health Canada, Ontario Centre of Innovation, Concordia University’s School of Engineering and School of Health. Rina Carlini also works with health technology and life science companies through her roles as Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR) with Innovacorp and Foresight Canada Accelerator.
Dr. Carlini’s professional credentials include BSc (Honours) degree from Concordia University; PhD degree (with 1998 Gold Medal) from University of Waterloo (Science); and the University of Waterloo Science Alumni of Honour Award in 2017. She earned executive management certificates from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (topic: artificial intelligence for Business Strategy, 2018), Harvard University (Business Model Innovation, 2014), and McMaster University (Executive Management, 2014). Rina is the inventor of 105 US patents and has authored over 25 peer-reviewed research articles and conference papers. She is deeply committed to helping advanced new solutions for the health care industry, and has given presentations on new health innovation topics through Digital Health Canada.