René Azeez is the Senior Director of Strategy and Sustainability and Interim Head of Applied AI at the MaRS Discovery District where he leads high-impact initiatives that drive value for Canadian ventures and ecosystems. His experience at MaRS has also included leading teams responsible for driving engagement with the startup and growth stage portfolios and co-developing venture programs and products.

Prior to joining MaRS, he led a healthcare consultancy team that developed high stakes go-to-market strategies for some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical multinational corporations including Pfizer, Roche, and Baxter as a Senior Strategist with Publicis Health. As a Market Insights Manager with the Decision Resources Group (now Clarivate Analytics) he has also led global teams of analysts that produced syndicated and custom market research for the world’s largest medical device multinational corporations including Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, and Siemens to support IPO, global expansion and M&A, and product and pricing strategies.

René attended Woodsworth College at the University of Toronto, where he achieved an Honors BSc. in Developmental Biology. He also has an Executive MBA from HEC Paris, with a specialization in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He was awarded the Best Award 2022 by HEC Paris in recognition of his stellar academic performance.