Our Mission and Vision
We believe there has never been a more critical need to evolve cost-effective, renewable commodities through scientific advancement. At heart, Mara is a research and development firm. We plan to develop and continually improve upon our unique, patent protected technologies to become the preferred supplier of omega-3 fatty acids in human nutrition and related industries - but our overarching vision is to go even further. We aspire to become a leading developer of advanced, sustainable algae-based bio-products and in-doing so will support a cleaner and healthier future.
SUSTAINABILITY Focus
Mara sees a future where we contribute significantly to global food systems and our planet’s environmental security through reduced supply dependence on finite resources like fish oil. We envision a balanced planet through the research and development of sustainable biotechnologies.
A Research & Development Firm
The internationally recognized Research & Development department of Mara is unique in Atlantic Canada and consists of over 20 highly-skilled researchers, many with doctoral-level qualifications. We’re committed to a workforce that is both gender and culturally diverse from the lab to the leadership team. Our team’s varied backgrounds make it truly international, including employees originating from Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Along with Mara’s leadership, our team is a catalyst for the creation of a sustainable Atlantic Canadian industry sector.
Our Future
Produce sustainable algae derived DHA-rich omega-3 oil for nutrition applications.
Serve customers globally with certified, naturally-sourced products.
Constantly innovate, bring new algae-based bio-products to market.
Support market growth, alongside improved cognitive health and environmental wellness.
OUR HISTORY
Since 2006 our scientists have been optimizing technologies for algal-oil production. What began as an investigation into production of Omega-3 fatty acids (for Ocean Nutrition Canada) led to the discovery and refinement of a proprietary strain of algae, dubbed ‘T18’. Soon, a bigger goal emerged - evolving this nature-sourced marine microalgal strain for the production of DHA-rich omega-3 fatty acids.
Mara Renewables Corporation (Mara) is now the leading Canadian biotechnology company focused on the research, development, and commercialization of sustainable and natural algal biotechnologies for human nutrition and related industries.
Leadership Team
Mara was founded by John Risley in 2012. Mr Risley, a highly successful Canadian entrepreneur, is also a founder of Clearwater.
Harry Boot
Mara’s CEO Harry Boot has a distinguished background in senior executive leadership across diverse industries, with a notable focus on food ingredients. Harry is committed to making a difference in sustainability and utilizing the benefits of Omega 3, which aids in brain, eye, and heart development. Backed by private shareholders with a long-term vision for impactful change, Harry is dedicated to building a business that creates a positive impact on human health and the environment.
Prior to joining Mara Renewables, Harry served as President of Food & Beverage Solutions with a focus on the Asia Pacific region at Tate & Lyle, a global leader in distinctive, high-quality ingredients. His executive leadership contributed significantly to the growth of the business through organic strategies and strategic acquisitions. With extensive experience operating across continents, Harry has held leadership roles in a range of industries, including fine chemicals, plastics, consumer electronics, and desalination and is currently an Advisor to Nutritional Technologies (alternative proteins).
Before his tenure at Tate & Lyle, Harry held executive positions at renowned companies such as Aqualyng, Lonza, and Bluestar, where he demonstrated his strategic acumen and business acuity. His early career at General Electric provided a solid foundation, where he held progressively senior roles in global operations.
A Dutch national, Harry holds a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Delft University of Technology and is recognized for his collaborative spirit, dedication to excellence, and innovative approach to business leadership. Harry is married to Jackie, and they have three children, David, Marieke, and Gabrielle.
Stephen Slauenwhite, CPA, MBA
Mara’s Chief Financial Officer, Stephen Slauenwhite, has a wealth of experience and a proven record of accomplishments in the realm of finance spanning over three decades. He started his journey in the world of banking, showcasing his strategic acumen on an international scale and then transitioned seamlessly into the corporate world where he assumed roles as CFO for an integrated packaging company and as a Regional Director offering CFO services to a diverse portfolio of companies in Atlantic Canada.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Stephen is deeply engaged in industry and community organizations, having served in various leadership capacities. His active involvement includes roles such as Past President of the Canadian Progress Club and executive positions within Financial Executives International (FEI), among others.
Educationally, Stephen holds a prestigious Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, NS, alongside professional certifications as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA).
Stephen is committed to financial excellence and business innovation and his vision aligns seamlessly with Mara’s mission to revolutionize global nutrient supplementation, driving growth while reducing reliance on traditional sources.
Marianne Stanford, PhD
Throughout her career, Mara’s Chief Scientific Officer Marianne Stanford has dedicated herself to advancing innovative research in cancer immunotherapies and infectious disease vaccines. She's held key roles such as the second vice chair of the Vaccine Innovation Committee at Biotech Canada, where she advocated for emerging companies. Additionally, Marianne serves as an adjunct assistant professor in Microbiology and Immunology at Dalhousie University. She's an integral member of various groups including the Vaccine Discovery team at the Canadian Center for Vaccinology, the I3 Wave group, and holds an Associate Membership at the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute.
Before her current positions, Marianne served as the Vice President of Research and Development at IMV Inc in Halifax. In this role, she spearheaded the non-clinical development of DPX-based immunotherapies and vaccines. Her expertise was honed during her postdoctoral training at the Robarts Research Institute and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), where she focused on utilizing viruses for novel cancer treatments. At OHRI, she collaborated with Jennerex Biotherapeutics (now SillaJen) on the development of Pexa-Vec for human clinical trials.
Marianne's academic journey includes earning her BSc and MSc from Memorial University of Newfoundland, followed by her PhD from Dalhousie University. Beyond her professional endeavors, she's deeply involved in science outreach and policy, having served as the founding Chair of the Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars.
Recently, Marianne concluded her term as the Assistant Scientific Director of the Institute of Infection and Immunity at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, further solidifying her commitment to advancing scientific research and discovery.
MARK SCAIFE, BSC, PHD
Mara’s Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Mark Scaife spent more than 15 years in academic and commercial research focusing on the application of genetic engineering to augment the production of high-value natural products. Working with Mara since 2016 he today reports to the CEO and provides leadership on Mara’s purpose and vision, strategies and organizational health, including its joint ventures and subsidiaries. Functionally he works closely with executives and senior managers in business development, operations and R&D. Mark completed a PhD in molecular biology at the University of Sheffield, UK. Mark subsequently worked as a post-doctoral researcher in the R&D team of Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited, and then at the University of Cambridge.