Supporting the Innovation Ecosystem
Janelle Skeard grew up in rural Newfoundland and has had a keen interest in natural resource development since she was a child. She holds a PhD, as well as Master’s degrees in Economic Geography (MA) and Bio/Medical Ethics (MHE), and a certificate in Advanced Project Management. Throughout her career, she has managed and led large interdisciplinary research projects on a variety of topics, including land use planning and management, assessing the implementation of genetic data into electronic medical records (EMRs), and understanding complex child care needs for workers on large construction projects in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Janelle joined CNA in January 2023 as the Mining Network Development Officer for the Atlantic hub of the Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA) project. In 2024, she took on the role of Director of Industry Innovation, where she continues to build strategic partnerships, support applied research and development, and foster collaboration between academia, industry, and community partners. Janelle is passionate about advancing innovation in Newfoundland and Labrador and helping bridge the gap between research and implementation across sectors.