With more than 25 years of global healthcare leadership experience, Remi Menes has built a career focused on advancing healthcare through strategy, innovation, and collaboration. His background includes senior roles at organizations such as Merck, Abbott, AbbVie, McKesson Canada, and Novelion, giving him a broad perspective on the healthcare ecosystem in Canada and beyond. 
 
Based in Montreal, Remi is Vice President, Commercial Services at Inizio Engage Canada, where he leads diverse teams supporting biopharma clients and driving operational excellence. Since joining HealthPRO Canada’s Board as an Independent Director last summer, he has brought a collaborative leadership style and a strong commitment to strong governance and patient-centred outcomes. 

In the Q&A below, Remi shares what drew him to healthcare, how he views the future of healthcare procurement, and why HealthPRO Canada’s mission matters to him.

1. What drew you to a career in healthcare 

I have always been fascinated by science and business, particularly marketing. I found that entering the pharmaceutical industry would allow me to combine both areas of interest effectively and communicate the benefits of treatment and its impact on patients. I started as a pharmaceutical representative and advanced through the ranks, which helped me develop leadership and strategic capabilities. I had the opportunity to work for great companies that have allowed me to understand the pharma and healthcare ecosystem in Canada and abroad.

2. From your perspective, what does the future of healthcare procurement look like?

I see the future of healthcare procurement in Canada increasingly focusing on resilience, flexibility, and self-reliance amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Organizations will place greater importance on diversifying suppliers, building contingencies, and improving visibility across the supply chain to reduce the risk of disruptions, tariffs, or export restrictions. Governments will likely place greater emphasis on buying Canadian and expanding domestic manufacturing of essential drugs, medical devices, and technologies. At the same time, investment in digital tools will grow to support better forecasting, inventory management, and decision-making. Procurement processes are also expected to evolve to make it easier to adopt innovation and increase competition.

3. What makes the mission of HealthPRO Canada meaningful to you?

The mission of HealthPRO Canada resonates with me, as the company is involved in several parts of the healthcare ecosystem, and many teams across Canada depend on the materials (vital supplies, medications, machines and innovative solutions) that will make the delivery system efficient and cost-effective while positively impacting patient care. The outcome of HealthPRO Canada’s mission is to ensure that its members have high-quality, compliant, and accessible products and services when needed.

4. With an accomplished and impressive career, what are you most looking forward to in this next chapter? 

As a newly appointed Independent Board Director, I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board and the HealthPRO Canada Team to address the current reality of geopolitical uncertainty and to focus on sustainability and diversification. My extensive background in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, along with my in-depth understanding of the Quebec market, will help shape and advance HealthPRO Canada’s long-term strategy and mission.

5. What are your personal interests outside of work?

I love spending time with my immediate family and closest friends. My work enabled my family and I to work and live abroad. We experienced many adventures together, and those memories will always be our strong bond. I also enjoy learning about and tasting great wines from the Old World. Finally, I enjoy captivating documentaries about great men and women from the present and the past.

6. Favourite quote or motto?

My favourite quote reflects an organization’s culture. When I speak with my teams, I often listen to how they support each other as they tackle a problem. I wish I had come up with the quote.  I must credit Simon Sinek; “A culture is strong when people work with each other, for each other.” 

7. With decades of executive and board leadership experience, what do you see as the most important critical factor in building effective partnerships across the healthcare system?

The most critical factor in building effective partnerships across the healthcare system is ensuring that all stakeholders across the value chain prioritize patient outcomes in their operations. Equally important is maintaining strong alignment in values, ethics, and compliance to enable trust, accountability, and sustainable collaboration.