Meet Our Team
Computing for Humanity's team brings together decades of experience in research infrastructure, biotechnology, and nonprofit leadership — united by personal stories and a shared belief that no human advancement should wait in line for computing time. With integrity, vision, and a deep sense of purpose, they guide our mission to bring accessible, secure computing power to every researcher, student, and citizen scientist who needs it.
Leadership
Staff and Executive leadership
Roy Chartier
Over three decades in government, industry, and nonprofit organizations, he has delivered national and international e-infrastructure, including as Director of Architecture at Digital Research Alliance of Canada. He also advises the ACCESS Coordination Office and serves on Hyperion's HPC User Forum Steering Committee. He holds a Philosophy degree from Carleton University and completed executive programs at MIT's CSAIL and Sloan.
FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
JOAN PALACIOS
She leads operational strategy and partnerships to expand equitable access to research computing, previously serving as CFH's Office Manager and Project Manager. Her 20+ years span the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, including Ecuador's Tax Administration and World Bank consulting. She holds a B.S. in Economics, a Master's in Social Economy, and is a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS
MICHAEL SMITH
DIRECTOR OF IT GOVERNANCE AND SERVICE MANAGEMENT
He leads IT Governance and IT Service Management at CFH, driving continual service improvement and operational maturity across the HPC ecosystem. His nearly 30 years span research, healthcare, public safety, financial services and government, including leading a national, AI-integrated ITSM program for the Digital Research Alliance of Canada. He holds a B.Sc. and an MBA, along with CMC, PMP, PRINCE2®, ITIL, CGEIT and CRISC credentials, and is a Past President of ISACA Edmonton Chapter.
Board of Directors
Governance and Strategic Direction
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BROCK KAHANYSHYN
CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Driven by the idea that access to right tools lets people solve the world's hardest problems, he has spent 30 years building digital foundations behind critical systems—national research infrastructure, AI platforms, and secure data environments for public safety, healthcare, and universities—enabling thousands of researchers to turn ideas into real-world impact. He champions scaling infrastructure and opening access to discovery.
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SHANE BRAUNER
BOARD MEMBER
Currently Executive Vice President and CIO at Schrödinger, a New York City-based computational chemistry software company, he has held technical and leadership roles across academia, startups, and Fortune 50 companies, combining deep expertise in Linux and High Performance Computing with a passion for building teams and bridging social, educational, and economic gaps.
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SHIVA AMIRI
BOARD MEMBER
Most recently VP, Head of AI and Data Intelligence at Pivotal Life Sciences, building data science teams and AI platforms for an investment group. She previously led data technology at 23andMe across consumer health and drug discovery, held roles at Zymergen, and was CEO of BioSymetrics. She holds a DPhil in Computational Biophysics from Oxford and an HBSc from Toronto.
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MICHAEL BINDER
BOARD MEMBER
Served as President and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) from 2008 to 2018, leading the Commission's mandate to protect Canadians' health, safety, and the environment. He has also held senior federal roles at Industry Canada, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and the Defence Research Board.
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PHILIPPE JOHNSTON, MBA, BEng, PMP
BOARD MEMBER
A Canadian technology executive with 30+ years in digital transformation and research computing, he has served as CIO for federal organizations including the National Research Council of Canada, SSHRC, and NSERC. A past President of the CIO Association of Canada, he is currently a TEC Canada Chair and strategic advisor to CEOs and entrepreneurs.
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KAMA SZERESZEWSKI
BOARD MEMBER
A biotechnology leader, educator, and DeepTech innovator, she directs the Master of Biotechnology program at Carleton University and is Founder and CEO of Momentum AIR, supporting startups in medical device, digital health, and biomanufacturing innovation from research to commercialization. Her expertise spans product development, venture creation, intellectual property, regulatory strategy, and go-to-market execution—fueling high-impact ventures and next-generation life sciences talent.
Special Advisors
Expertise supporting our strategy and growth
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MARC MONDESIR
SPECIAL ADVISOR
Managing Director, Canada at Equinix, the world's digital infrastructure company, he brings 25+ years in technology and digital transformation, including senior leadership roles in sales, consulting, and professional services at Dell and Microsoft. He now leads Equinix's Canadian operations, overseeing strategic growth, infrastructure, and market development, with expertise in cloud and data centre services and building high-performing teams.
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ELISABETH AMY SHEPPARD
SPECIAL ADVISOR
An accomplished lawyer who transitioned into the nonprofit sector, she served as CFH's Executive Director for several years, expanding the organization's mission, programs, and partnerships to reach more people in need. Having lost friends and family to devastating diseases, she channels that experience into a passionate commitment to giving back and making a positive impact through her work.
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NEIL SAHOTA
SPECIAL ADVISOR
An IBM Master Inventor, UN AI Advisor, and faculty member at UC Irvine, he is the author of Own the A.I. Revolution. With 20+ years of business experience across the private sector and government, he helps organizations build next-generation, technology-powered solutions and mentors startups through funding, competitions, and accelerator programs
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JOANNE WONG
SPECIAL ADVISOR
A former Executive Director of Computing for Humanity, she is General Partner of REDDS Capital, a California VC firm backing early-stage IT startups. She has held senior roles at IBM, HP, SAP, and Cisco spanning engineering, business development, and strategic investments, serves as IEEE Entrepreneurship Chair connecting entrepreneurs globally, and has advised startups and served on Canada's ICT sector council.
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JOHN TOWNS
SPECIAL ADVISOR
He holds two appointments at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Executive Associate Director for Engagement at NCSA, and Deputy CIO for Research IT. With 30+ years advancing research computing and data technologies, he has held national and international leadership roles, including founding Chair of PEARC's Steering Committee. He holds M.S. degrees in Physics and Astronomy and B.S. in Physics.
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