Rina Carlini is an accomplished business 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, where she began her career in drug discovery R&D (Merck, Syntex), then as a Principal Scientist & Director of Nanotechnology (Xerox) where she established a global corporate incubator network; moving on to special leadership engagements such as President & CEO of Haltech Regional Innovation Centre where she supported the growth of tech startups, and Vice-President of Research & Innovation at Rapid Dose Therapeutics. Dr. Carlini is the President and CEO of Optimal Innovation Group, a technology innovation consulting firm that she established in 2012 that supports technology companies with commercialization and market development strategies and management advising to deliver their growth objectives. She has also supported several universities and non-profit institutions including University of Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of British Columbia, Dalhousie University, National Research Council of Canada, Digital Health Canada, Ontario Centres of Innovation, Concordia University’s School of Engineering and School of Health. Rina Carlini also support early-stage ventures  in her advisory roles and as Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR) with Invest Nova Scotia, Foresight Canada Accelerator, Ontario Centres of Innovation, Canadian Food Innovation Network, Natural Products Canada, and GreenCentre Canada. In 2023, Rina Carlini launched a women’s health venture called Healthyher.Life.

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Rina Carlini’s professional credentials include B.Sc. (Honours) degree from Concordia University; Ph.D. degree (PhD Alumni Gold Medal) from University of Waterloo, and the 2017 University of Waterloo Science Alumni of Honour Award. She earned executive management certificates from MIT (AI for Business Strategy), Harvard University (Business Model Innovation), and McMaster University (Executive Management). Dr. Carlini is the inventor of over 100 US patents and has authored over 25 peer-reviewed research articles and conference papers. She is deeply committed to helping advance new technology solutions for the healthcare and bioscience industries and has given several presentations on health technology innovation topics through Digital Health Canada, Invest Nova Scotia, University of Waterloo and Concordia University. Dr. Carlini’s community service work includes serving as a Member of the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee, and as Advisory Board Member to the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Nano Ontario, McMaster University Degroote School of Business, Concordia University’s Gina Cody School of Engineering and Concordia’s new School of Health (launched 2022).

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