About
Lesley Esford is Executive Director at SFU VentureLabs, bringing twenty years of experience in the life sciences sector. She has advised over one hundred entrepreneurs across drug development, medical devices, and diagnostics from concept through commercialization, and maintains extensive networks across the global life sciences and investment communities. Her expertise spans innovation strategy, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and fundraising.
Experience
- SFU VentureLabsExecutive Directorcurrent2022 — presentVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Kauffman FellowsFellow Class 20current2015 — present
- NZ Technologies TIPSOBoard Membercurrent2020 — presentVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Durwell Equine NaturalsCo-Founder and CEOcurrent2020 — presentLangley, British Columbia, Canada
- Bio2Strategy LtdPrincipalcurrent2018 — presentVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Nanomedicines Innovation NetworkExecutive Board Member, Co-Chair and Chair of the Audit and Finance committee2019 — 2024Greater Vancouver Metropolitan Area
- Innovate BCBoard Member, Chair of the Audit and Finance committee2018 — 2024
- Simon Fraser UniversityMentor-in-Residence and Life Sciences Lead, Coast Capital Savings Venture Connection2019 — 2022British Columbia Canada
- Phoenix Molecular DesignsVice President Of Strategic Alliances2019 — 2021Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- LifeSciences BCPresident and CEO2017 — 2018Greater Vancouver Metropolitan Area
- IndependentLife Science Consultant2015 — 2017Greater Vancouver Metropolitan Area
- Accel-RxDirector of Programs2015Greater Vancouver Metropolitan Area
- National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches CanadaIndustrial Technology Advisor2006 — 2015
- Consulate General of CanadaTrade Commissioner2012Greater Boston
- British Columbia Institute of TechnologyInstructor/Program Head1999 — 2006
Education
- The University of British ColumbiaPh.D, Microbiology and Immunology1993 — 1999
- Brock UniversityM.Sc, Biology1991 — 1993
- Brock UniversityB.Admin. (Hons), Business Administration1988 — 1991
- Brock UniversityB.Sc. (Hons), Biology/Biological Sciences1984 — 1988
- Lakeport secondary1980 — 1984
Skills & more
Government5Research20Market Research4Analysis6Program Management2Competitive Intelligence4Technology Transfer28Business Strategy12Strategic Planning17Business Planning1Project Management5Lifesciences18
+12 more
ScienceStart-upsData AnalysisCommercializationR&DEntrepreneurshipProduct DevelopmentStrategyLife SciencesBiotechnologyFinanceLeadershipFrom Lesley's professional profile.
Colleagues at SFU VentureLabs
Alexis Santoso
Marketing Associate at SFU VentureLabs
Andrew Elphinstone
EIR at SFU VentureLabs
Bob Harper
EIR at SFU VentureLabs
Brigita Cecic
Marketing Coordinator at SFU VentureLabs
Bruce H. Clarke
EIR at SFU VentureLabs
Chris Buckman
EIR at SFU VentureLabs
Chris Stairs
EIR at SFU VentureLabs
Chuck Hamilton
EIR at SFU VentureLabs
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Lesley Esford work?
- Lesley Esford is Executive Director at SFU VentureLabs.
Same school
Also attended The University of British Columbia242
Joan MirallesHead of Administration & Valuation at Inveready Technology Investment GroupRares CrisanInvestor at Notable CapitalMarianne WuVenture Partner at Congruent VenturesBrendan BakerPartner at Rackhouse Venture Management LpAli KashaniVenture Partner at Think+ Ventures Management, LlcNick FitzInvestor at Juniper Ventures Management, Llc
+ 236 more
Also attended Brock University16
Tashrik AhmedInvestor at OMERS VenturesJosh FrenchVP, Finance at Round13 CapitalPeter MisekManaging Partner and Co-Founder at Framework Venture PartnersFlorian EndresPrincipal at LEA PartnersCheryl KuaiManaging Director at Sixty Degree CapitalHugh DonaghyBusiness Development Manager at Purpose Investments
+ 10 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Kauffman Fellows366
Jenny LeeSenior Managing Partner at Granite AsiaTobi CokerDeal Partner at Felicis VenturesRoi Bar-KatManaging Director at Intel CapitalAvi BharadwajInvestment Director at Intel CapitalNick WashburnSenior Managing Director, Intel Capital (North America)Vinnie LauriaFounding Partner at Golden Gate Ventures
+ 360 more
Also worked at Innovate BC6
Salil MunjalManaging Partner at Yaletown PartnersRay MuzykaInvestor at Leva CapitalMichelle PavlikVice President, Communications at ForesightStacey ArmstrongDirector, Marketing (Parental Leave) at ForesightRyan St. GermaineEntrepreneur in Residence at Raven CapitalElizabeth DuttonBoard Member at Women's Equity Lab
Also worked at Simon Fraser University25
Wal van LieropFounding Partner at ChrysalixAnnie LeOperations Partner at UNION Labs VenturesJonathan BeckerInvestor at HeadlineMila LukicPartner and Head of Outcomes Partnerships at Bridges Fund Management Ltd.Eva ZhuMarketing & Communications Manager at InBC Investment Corp.Pieter DorsmanDirector at Angel Forum
+ 19 more
