Illes is a pioneer of the field of neuroethics that was formally established in early 2000 to directly align biomedical ethics with neuroscience in research, clinical practice, and the commercialization of brain health. She is co-lead of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy of the International Brain Initiative, and sits on numerous advisory boards, including the Standing Committee on Ethics and the Institute for Neuroscience Mental Health and Addiction of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. She also is a newly appointed Director-at-Large of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.