Management Team
Richard Russo, Jr., CPA — President and CEO
Richard Russo, Jr. has served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer since November 2020 and the interim Chief Executive Officer since July 2021. He has over 15 years of finance and accounting leadership experience and holds a CPA.
From 2017-2020, Russo, Jr. served as Vice President of Finance and U.S. Chief Financial Officer of ICarbonX, where he was responsible for the merger of 3 companies, fundraising, and the ultimate dissolution of the U.S. companies.
From 2007-2016, Russo, Jr. held various key leadership roles for NASDAQ listed companies in life sciences, pharmaceutical and medical device industries. He served as Corporate Controller for: Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company; Juniper Pharmaceuticals, a woman’s health company focused on developing therapeutics and; Cynosure a medical device company focused on aesthetic treatment systems. In each of these roles, Russo, Jr. was responsible for all finance activities and SEC reporting along including partnering closely with the business leaders to ensure effective and efficient financial procedures throughout the organization.
Russo, Jr. started his career in 2005, where he served as an auditor at Pricewaterhouse Coopers in the assurance group.
Dan Gonsalves, CPA — Executive Vice President and CFO
Dan Gonsalves has served as Bionik’s Corporate Controller since September 2021 and the Company’s Executive Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer since October 2022. Dan has over 16 years of Finance and Accounting leadership experience and is a licensed CPA. Dan spent 4 years with DXL Group where he held Director roles in Accounting and Financial Planning and Analysis. Prior to DXL Group, Dan spent 6 years with CFGI advising companies across a variety of industries on technical accounting issues, financial statement preparation and IPO readiness, and internal controls. Dan started his career with Deloitte in the Audit practice.
John Smathers — Director of Operations
John brings over 27 years of experience in development of market leading medical devices for radiation oncology, neurosurgery, and neurocritical care. He joined BIONIK from the Codman Specialty Surgical division of Integra LifeScience.