Our Story

Donovan Edwards is an experienced professional specializing in international drug policy and regulation. He has engaged in pivotal dialogues across four continents as a sought after consultant. With over 20 years of involvement under Health Canada’s MMPR & MMAR, Donovan brings extensive expertise in navigating regulatory complexities and shaping policy frameworks. His contributions have been crucial in advancing global drug policy discussions and promoting responsible practices worldwide.

Dr. Edwards brings over 35 years of service as a Research Scientist with the Government of Canada. He is Adjunct Professor Emeritus at Dalhousie University and has served on the Board of Governors at the University of Prince Edward Island. Currently, Linnell serves on the Farm Practices Review Board and Environmental Advisory Council for the Government of PEI. Specializing in Agronomy, he applies extensive international expertise in Environmental Impact Assessments, Industrial Land Reclamation, and Agricultural Diversification Planning, spanning diverse locations including Alberta, Quebec, Nigeria, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Lebanon, Algeria, and St. Lucia.

Lanre Oloniniy brings over 20 years of investment experience across EMEA. He co-founded Orbitt Ltd, the pioneering Africa-focused deal origination platform. His career includes roles at BP, Subsea 7, and Citi in the UK, alongside advisory positions at Alpha Credit Fund and Loinette Capital. Lanre holds a BSc in Economics from the University of Ado, an MSc degree in Energy Economics from the University of Dundee, UK, and an MBA from the University of Cambridge, UK. Lanre was involved in originating investment ideas and raising the required capital to grow start-ups in Africa, including Sankuru Limited, First African Gold Limited and Tranergy Capital Limited.

Nameer Ramzan brings over 15 years of experience in international business. His most recent achievements have been in the North American cannabis market. His expertise spans from design builds to sales and operations. Mr. Ramzan has been a consultant and founder for licensed production and retail facilities. As the founder of Naturalrem, a natural product development company, Nameer has successfully helped white-label and launch multiple brands currently sold to the Canadian market. Shortly after incubation Nameer joined the team at Sunshine Labs as Chief Operating Officer. He has played a crucial role in laboratory design build out process and developing the critical path from source to sale with our international partners.

Dr. DeVlaming has over 25 years’ experience treating addictions, with 10 years spent serving as head of Addiction Medicine at St. Paul’s Hospital. He has served 8 years as Medical Director for Vancouver Coastal Health’s Inner-City Clinics. He is also extensively published and presented in the areas of HIV, Hepatitis C and Addiction. Currently, Dr. Devlaming is Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine, Associate Chief Medical Information Officer for Vancouver Coastal Health Community and a practicing physician in a Downtown Vancouver East side Medical Clinic.

Dr. Mark Epping-Jordan is a neuroscientist with over 30 years experience in behavioural pharmacology, addiction research and drug development. He was a co-founder and the Chief Scientific Officer of Addex Therapeutics, a Swiss pharmaceutical company. In that role, he was responsible for directing all preclinical behavioural testing, numerous multinational collaborations and was the behavioural lead for co-development projects with large pharma partners including Janssen and Merck. He was integrally involved in raising more than $100 million in venture capital and in the company’s IPO on the Swiss Stock Exchange, which raised over $110 million. Mark is the author of numerous scientific publications including in high-impact journals such as Nature and Nature Neuroscience, and is an inventor on multiple patents.

Ms. Wood brings over two decades of experience in innovative strategic planning for community health and leadership, with an emphasis in business management. Her career is anchored in evidence-based medicine with ten years of clinical practice. She graduated with high honours and is licensed in by the CCHPBC. Her education includes 7 years of post-secondary at York University, UVIC and PRC. She has extensive applied professional development in governance practices, functional medicine, digital health solutions and dialogue amongst key stakeholders. She has consulted with harm reduction and mental health initiatives to reach diverse populations throughout British Columbia. As Chief Creative Officer Amber oversaw the launching of Sunshine Labs’ brand online. 

Andrew is co-founder of Sunshine Labs, and served as the company’s first Chief Legal Officer, overseeing corporate and internal legal issues. He holds a B.A. from the University of Victoria, a Juris Doctor from the University of Windsor, and is a seasoned legal professional called to the bar in British Columbia. Previously, Andrew was co-founder and Senior Director of Opportunitas Aequa, a registered charity using soccer as a peace building tool. As Sunshine expands to meet global demand, Andrew has transitioned to the role of Chief Regulatory Officer and continues to sit on the Board of Directors and advise on company direction.