A Legacy of Leadership

How Dr. Naomi Azrieli is shaping the future of brain research in Canada

When Naomi Azrieli, O.C., DPhil, first stepped into the role of Chair of Brain Canada, she brought with her not only deep philanthropic experience, but a profound belief in what bold scientific inquiry could make possible. Over the next eight years, that conviction helped fuel a period of transformative growth for the organization, one defined by ambitious partnerships, national-scale investments in capacity building, and a renewed recognition of brain research as essential to the future health and well‑being of Canadians.

Today, Dr. Azrieli’s impact can be felt across the country, especially in one of Brain Canada’s most celebrated initiatives, the Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research flagship program. Future Leaders supports promising early-career scientists whose bold ideas are pushing the boundaries of what we know about the brain. Its reach is extraordinary, more than 131 early career researchers have been supported to date, each receiving seed funding that helps them launch high-risk, high-reward projects in variety of fields including neurodevelopment, youth mental health, neurodegeneration, epilepsy, and fundamental brain function. 

Future Leaders have attracted considerable additional funding, following their Brain Canada seed grants, a total of $97.3 million in additional funding, including $37.1 million from CIHR alone, has been secured to date.

“This program directly meets an urgent need in Canada’s brain research ecosystem.”
– Dr. Viviane Poupon, Brain Canada President and CEO

“We are proud to support groundbreaking work from early career researchers whose innovations are advancing health outcomes nationally and globally.”

A Transformative Anchor Gift

The Azrieli Foundation, Canada’s largest non‑corporate public foundation, chaired by Dr. Azrieli, stepped forward with an anchor gift that made the Future Leaders program possible. That gift is matched through the Canada Brain Research Fund, a unique partnership between Brain Canada and the Government of Canada (Health Canada), and a number of other donors and partners, extending the impact even further.

A Vision Rooted in Leadership and Values

Dr. Azrieli’s commitment to the next generation of scientific leaders is an extension of her broader philanthropic philosophy, a philosophy she has applied across education, research, healthcare, arts, and community initiatives through the Azrieli Foundation. Under her guidance, the Foundation has launched and shaped influential programs such as the Azrieli Fellows Program, the Azrieli Science Grants, and the Holocaust Survivor Memoirs Program, all grounded in values of dignity, compassion, and opportunity.

A Lasting Impact on Brain Canada

During Dr. Azrieli’s tenure as Chair, Brain Canada elevated the profile of brain research as a pressing Canadian priority. Her leadership helped drive the organization into a period of renewed momentum, influencing both the scale and ambition of its critical role in the Canadian brain research ecosystem.

In October 2025, Brain Canada announced the appointment of France Chrétien Desmarais as its new Chair, with Dr. Azrieli stepping into the role of Immediate Past Chair, a position that ensures continuity and ongoing strategic guidance.

“Serving as Chair of Brain Canada has been a great honour.”
– Dr. Naomi Azrieli.

“I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished together, and I could not be more pleased to see France Chrétien Desmarais take on the role of Chair. Her vision, energy, and commitment to the mission of Brain Canada will ensure the organization continues to thrive and deliver meaningful impact for people across the country.”

Dr. Azrieli’s legacy, still unfolding, lives on through hundreds of emerging researchers whose work will shape Canada’s understanding of the brain for decades to come.

“Seed funding was the catalyst – it brought trainees into our lab, helped us generate early proof, and positioned us to secure the larger investments needed to grow and sustain our research in autism spectrum disorder.”
– Kohitij Kar, Azrieli Future Leader in Canadian Brain Research.