About Danielle Paes
Leading with Purpose, Building with Heart
My journey into healthcare leadership wasn't a straight line—it was a series of courageous choices.
I started in the lab, fascinated by the science of pharmaceuticals and the power of molecules to heal. But something was missing. I realized that the most meaningful impact happens not in isolation, but in connection—in the moments we show up for patients, for teams, for each other.
That realization led me to invest six more years in earning my Doctor of Pharmacy, and it became one of the most important decisions of my life. It wasn't just about credentials; it was about proximity to the human experience of healthcare.
As the inaugural Chief Pharmacist Officer at the Canadian Pharmacists Association and now Chief Innovation Officer at Amy Oliver + Co., I've learned that the work of leadership is deeply personal. It's about showing up authentically in rooms where you might be the only woman, the only person of color, or the only voice questioning whether "this is how we've always done it" is good enough.
When I received messages from women around the world—from Jordan, Zimbabwe, and the village in Goa where my grandmother was raised—celebrating my appointment to an executive role, I was reminded: representation matters. Leadership matters. And who gets to lead shapes everything.
I took on that role when my daughter was six months old, wrestling with the impossible choice so many women know: career or family. A mentor asked me to imagine what it would mean for my daughter to grow up watching her mother lead, to see firsthand that women don't have to choose between ambition and love—they can embody both.
That's the leadership I'm building. That's the healthcare system I'm fighting for.
Key Recognitions:
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2024 Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 (WXN)
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Former Chief Pharmacist Officer, Canadian Pharmacists Association
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Chief Innovation Officer & Vice President, Global Affairs, Amy Oliver + Co.
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National speaker, thought leader, and author (book in progress)
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Clinical pharmacist with expertise in pediatrics, transitions of care, and specialty compounding
My Approach
Healthcare transformation doesn't begin with policy changes or new technology. It begins with how we show up as leaders. My consulting practice is grounded in a simple but radical belief: when we humanize leadership, we humanize healthcare.
Leading with Authenticity You don't have to perform a version of leadership that doesn't fit. The most powerful leaders are those who show up fully—bringing their whole selves, their values, and their voices into every room.
Centering Equity Healthcare can't work for everyone if leadership doesn't reflect everyone. I'm committed to elevating women leaders, leaders of color, and emerging voices who have been historically excluded from decision-making spaces. Your postal code, your background, your identity should never limit your access to care—or your ability to lead.
Building Sustainable Systems Burnout isn't a badge of honor. We can't pour from empty cups. I help leaders and organizations design systems that support wellbeing, not just productivity—because healthy leaders build healthy teams, and healthy teams transform care.
Being Bold and Courageous Real change requires uncomfortable conversations. I help leaders navigate the complexity of diversity, equity, and inclusion with honesty and action, not just statements. This work isn't easy, but it's necessary.