05/12/2026
A year ago, I wasn't sure how many more hits I could take.
Six months ago, I was fighting for my life in a hospital bed, while leading Capture.
This past Thursday, I walked into a room to celebrate Atlantic Canada's leaders and get my final year in - and somewhere between "pelvic health" and "healthcare innovator" my team started erupting at our table, realizing this final moment was ours. I left in shock and gratitude - honestly, still processing it. Going in, I'd convinced myself this was my Hall of Fame year. Fifth win. Retire from these awards. Done. But no, Top Atlantic Canada's Top CEO for 2026!
Because it was the last time, I invited my parents. Then my daughter's handball game got cancelled, so she came. An extra ticket through my Wallace McCain Institute - WMI Family put my son at the table beside me. And Tanya Chapman (congrats on YOUR HOF year) made room for my daughter at hers. Thanks to my TEC Canada fam and showing me what is possible!
Here's the thing about awards: they have one name on them. The work has hundreds. To my team at Capture Therapeutics - Grand Falls, Capture Therapeutics - Truro, NS, Capture Therapeutics - Kedgwick, Capture Therapeutics - Grand Falls, Capture Therapeutics - Woodstock- every crewmate who chose care over ego, every leader who chose solutions over blame, every person who stayed when leaving would have been easier: this is yours. Full stop. We are making waves 🌊🫶🏼.
To the mentors - Jol Hunter, for calling me every week for 7-15 minutes to keep me focused on the North Star through every wave that threatened to take us out. To the ones who backed me before there was proof: thank you for being early and believing my vision & stubbornness was enough.
To my husband, Dan, the first person to tell me to bet on myself - I'm so sorry I forgot you in my improvized speech. To my mom-in-law: you held my babies so I could build this. You ran toward our family every time I ran toward a meeting, a clinic opening, a hard decision that wouldn't wait. There is no Capture without you two.
Work ethic from dad, committing to an industry from mom. To Jake Augustine, for his win and a friendship I value deeply. To Ali Gallant, for the laughther through the journey that lets me show up as my best self. And to Amy Schneider, who's guided me through the toughest storms.
The mission hasn't changed. Atlantic Canada doesn't need more ego in healthcare. It needs more humanity, more collabs, and the operational courage to bridge public, private, and non-profit instead of letting silos win.
We are just getting started - and look forward to the voyage ahead. If you want to talk healthcare, pelvic health, or just follow our journey – find me at Cheeky&Candid with Sascha cheekyandcandid on IG – because helping others build something meaningful through honest conversation is part of what I do every week, raw and candid. 🩵
Congrats to all the award winners Thursday night! I know what it takes to be in the entrepreneurial ring. Thank you to the sponsors and especially to Atlantic Business Magazine for highlighting the people behind the work in Atlantic Canada. I look forward to sharing more once this settles in. Thank you and Special thanks to Chafe, Hutton and the judges for this honor - Bell, Fairweather, Kevin Kiley, K.C., ICD.D, Kendra MacDonald, and Terry Malley 🫶🏼 - you have no idea how much this means to us at this time.
