Ottawa Business Journal June 4, 2018 by Great River Media inc.

Proving his metal TECHOPIA PAGES 42-43

INFLUENCERS

Inside Ottawa’s galas, fundraisers and networking events

Kevin Nicholds believes his company’s aluminum powder will revolutionize the 3D printing industry > PAGES 38-39

June 4, 2018 Vol. 21, NO. 16

OBJ.social PAGES 28-31, 41

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Happy to be home

Tech exec Les Rechan says returning to Canada a dozen years ago and building a life in Ottawa with his family is one of the best decisions he ever made.

FORTY UNDER

> PAGES 21-22

2018

Union drive

Celebrating Ottawa’s rising business stars

The capital needs its chambers of commerce to speak with one voice if they want to help the city overcome pressing challenges, columnist Mischa Kaplan says.

> STARTS ON PAGE 4 PHOTOS BY MARK HOLLERON

> PAGES 46-47

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Seasoned professional goes back to school for self-awareness to fuel continued success FORTY UNDER 40 ALUMNI DANIEL FEENY FINDS TELFER EXECUTIVE MBA THE PERFECT PATH

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knew explicitly his workload at NCC would be very heavy since he was contributing to the Canada150 celebrations planned for 2017. “The Telfer Executive MBA appealed to me not only because of the curricula but also because I was excited to be surrounded by others who had an average of fifteen years of management experience,” he recalls. “Having a cohort like this gives the program a richer context and gives me a diverse learning opportunity with people from various industries that are also committing themselves on improving their skills.”

INCREASED AUTHENTICITY AND EFFECTIVENESS THROUGH SELF-REFLECTION

Daniel notes that the accessibility of the Telfer Executive MBA professors and guest speakers enhanced his experience and his success at attaining the desired personal development he sought in the program. “The one-on-one conversations outside the classroom really helped to push my self-analysis and have helped me to become more authentic in my workplace actions.” noted Daniel. The program’s ‘Leadership Lecture Series’ is inspiring and Daniel noted, “One speaker said the most important element to help reach high positions in today’s organizations is not to come across as smart and competent but rather to be self-aware, to have emotional intelligence and to demonstrate social competency. This was a really important revelation for me and I can now clearly see how these attributes have a huge impact on your own performance as well as that of your colleagues.”

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS A VALUED PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

country, but entirely different to be able to work there in a consulting capacity.” Working on consulting projects representing real Canadian organizations in Kuala Lumpur, Silicon Valley and China enabled him to have real experience and impact on developing global strategies in several industries. The international exposure gave Daniel practical experience in analyzing markets, and a richer understanding of how start-ups and clusters function both globally and within the National Capital Region. These experiences also led him to join a number of boards so Daniel could play a more important role locally. “As a result of the program, and these real-world projects more specifically, I now find myself using new and more effective tools to develop my strategies and to prepare myself differently for discussions with executives.” Daniel confirms that his Telfer Executive MBA experience has been even more valuable than anticipated. “After completing the program I am more self-aware as a person and as a teammate. I also manage my work as well as my time more effectively. I have a better perspective on my job, my organization and my career path while being cognizant of using new tools for strategic planning. Best of all, I have developed a fantastic, honest and supportive network among my cohort that I can rely upon as I pursue my goals.” As for a message to anyone contemplating following in his footsteps, Daniel wisely notes that it is never the perfect moment to start and it’s important to recognize that you won’t know everything about the program before you start. “Just jump in and be ready to learn more about yourself than you expect. At the end of it, you will feel tremendous gratification.”

The unique global aspect of the Telfer Executive MBA made the program particularly attractive to Daniel. “One of my big career goals is to represent my country at the national and international level, so gaining this experience in the program was very important. It is one thing to visit another

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Daniel Feeny’s successful career in both the private and public sectors, not to mention volunteering with not-for-profit organizations were the forefront of his nomination and recipient of Ottawa’s prestigious Ottawa’s Forty under 40 award in 2015. After receiving this recognition, Daniel Feeny found himself looking at what was next for him and wanting a new lens to reflect on his professional experiences as he looked forward to his career aspiration. Certain that an Executive MBA was the best route for this journey of selfawareness, Daniel investigated several different programs before settling on the Telfer Executive MBA. One of Daniel’s objective in pursuing an Executive MBA was to become more effective as a leader, colleague, negotiator and DANIEL FEENY, DIRECTOR - MARKETING & PARTNERSHIPS AT influencer. “I THE NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION wanted to play these roles at higher, more strategic levels. Through the program, I definitely managed to sharpen both my hard skills as well as my soft skills” One of my In addition to strengthening his big career goals skill-set, Daniel needed a program that would allow him to balance is to represent his professional and personal life while in the program. The my country at proximity of the Centre for Executive the national and Leadership in the downtown core to his office at the National Capital international Commission (NCC), where he serves as the Director of Marketing level, so gaining and Partnerships, was convenient. Daniel also appreciated that as a this experience francophone, eager to improve his English communication skills the in the program English-based program would allow was very him to improve his proficiency even though he had the option to submit important. coursework in French. Daniel felt the added pressure and intense time commitment would prove to be worthwhile. This decision was made when Daniel

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www.emba.uOttawa.ca

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Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship

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mindset. This has elevated me from having a good accountant mindset to a strong business mindset. Biggest lesson learned: Knowing the solution is only a small part to process. It’s more about having the confidence and experience to know how to present your ideas. After hiring a new CFO at my own request, this is the lesson I’ve learned more than any from shadowing someone with success in this role. First job: Operating a merry-go-round. Advice I’d give the younger me: Even if you don’t want to be a developer, learn to code. Favourite pastime: Golf Favourite movie: Interstellar Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Redblacks Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platform: Facebook

MARLENE FLOYD, 39 National director, corporate affairs, Microsoft Canada Birthplace: Antigonish, N.S. Company: Microsoft is a worldwide leader in software and cloud computing. Education: Bachelor of arts in economics and political science, St. Thomas University (2000) Charitable involvement: Dress for Success Ottawa Biggest biz achievement: My greatest career achievement, and the one that fills me with the greatest pride, is the one I never made a dollar doing – founding Dress for Success Ottawa. Working with a group of dedicated women from all walks of life and backgrounds, we created a welcoming, inclusive space for disadvantaged women to come gain the confidence and support they needed in order to go out and get that job! When I think of our humble beginnings, where it all started – working full-time jobs and volunteering full-time for Dress for Success in the evenings and weekends – to where we are now, with three full-time staff and annually serving

over 800 deserving women from the National Capital Region, that, to me represents impact and achievement, and is something to be mighty proud of. Biggest obstacle: My beginnings were pretty humble – I grew up on a farm in a small rural community. I couldn’t afford to go to the best schools, I didn’t have vast networks and I didn’t know more than a few souls in Ottawa when I moved here after university. But I didn’t let that stop me – in fact, I don’t think I ever cared. I just worked hard, and then I worked even harder. Biggest influences: My parents instilled in me my sense of hard work, perseverance and communitymindedness. My parents were Christmas tree farmers in rural Nova Scotia; they worked tremendously hard to ensure a bright future for me and my brother. While financially it was often a struggle, there was one thing they were sure of – their kids were going to get an education. Even though I’m sure they could have used it at the time, mom and dad used to take the baby bonus cheque and put it in a scholarship trust for Trevor and me. Each year, mom would get a statement, and I remember being a very little girl and having her sit me down to show me how much money they had saved

Congratulations To Sandra Sbrocchi And All Recipients OTTAWA FORTY UNDER 40 AWARD

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McMillan congratulates Sandra Sbrocchi on being recognized for her exemplary work as a business leader under the age of 40 and community builder in Ottawa. Félicitations Sandra de toute l’équipe chez McMillan!

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Sandra Sbrocchi 2018 Forty Under 40 Recipient

and how much money I would receive my first year, second, third, and fourth. They made sure I knew that I didn’t need to worry about money – all I needed to worry about was getting good marks and going to university. It was a powerful message, and I would not be where I am today if they hadn’t made that choice. Biggest lesson learned: Treat the most junior employee with the same level of respect as you would the CEO. Be authentic. Be genuine. Learn everyone’s name. Ask them how their day is, or what they are working on. Be collaborative. Offer an ear when it’s needed or an extra set of hands when they are required. It’s the right thing to do, and the relationships it fosters will be the key to your success throughout your career. First job: Camp counsellor Advice I’d give the younger me: Don’t compare yourself to others. You have your own path to travel. Work hard, but slow down and enjoy the moments. They often come only once. What’s left to do: Everything! (Isn’t it exciting?) Favourite pastime: Volunteering I’m currently reading: Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo to my two daughters, Maëlle, 6, and Élodie, 2.

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Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram Twitter handle: @marlenefloyd SERINA FRASER, 38 Principal owner and interior designer, Clear Interior Design

$ 1 million or more

Less than $100,000

$250,000 to $499,000 $100,000 to $149,000

$200,000 to $249,000

$150,000 to $199,999

uses wit to describe and provide insight on the history of modern architecture. As I am reading about the leaders of the past in architecture that Wolfe is describing, it is reminding me of my passion and discipline to practise modern design and my continuous improvement in the discipline. Favourite movie: Anything and everything by Wes Anderson! I connect with all things about his movies, especially the distinct visual and narrative styles. Favourite song: I love music, and there are so many amazing artists and bands it would be hard to just pick one of them, let alone a single song. That being said, you can’t go wrong with a bit of The Jackson 5! Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Jazz Festival Preferred social media platforms: Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest, Snapchat, Instagram POURIA GHODS, 38 President, Giatec Scientific Birthplace: Semnan, Iran Company: Develops smart concrete-testing technologies for the construction industry. Education: PhD in civil engineering, Carleton University (2010) Charitable involvement: Invest Ottawa and Carleton University Biggest biz achievement: Establishing

Giatec Scientific in 2010 and growing it to $5 million in annual sales. Biggest biz obstacle: Old-school construction industry’s reluctance to adopt high-tech solutions. Biggest influence: My former supervisor, Dr. Mehdi Ghalibafian, at the University of Tehran. He taught me how to be a great engineer and a successful entrepreneur with a high level of integrity. Biggest lesson learned: To be persistent. No matter what happens to your business, giving up is not an option. I learned this by watching other successful businesses. First job: Research assistant at university when I was 22 years old. Advice I’d give the younger me: Work hard and never give up on your dreams! What’s left to do: Create a global impact on the concrete industry to improve the quality of infrastructure and reduce carbon footprints. Favourite pastime: Hot yoga Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platforms: Facebook, Linkedin

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mine is to work towards designing and building my own home with my husband. Professionally, I am continuing to grow my business by building a boutique design firm that fosters a passion for designing spaces that connect with their users. Additionally, I would like to continue to provide and promote a design philosophy focused on modern disciplines and to be a community leader in modern design practices. In both my professional and personal spheres, giving back to the community is important to me. I hope I can make a lasting impact by offering my time and professional skills in a charitable way. Stay tuned… Favourite pastime: When I have the luxury of some spare time, I like to plan or get involved with gatherings, parties and events, either for myself or for friends, charities, etc. I love the idea of bringing people together to celebrate something and inviting them to experience the details that come with planning parties or events. I like taking the theme of a party and developing details to reinforce the experience. From the enjoyment of food, drink and decorations, I love ensuring guests are fully engaged in the experience. I’m currently reading: I am on a general mission to read the library of Margaret Atwood, but I’m currently taking a break to read a short book called From Bauhaus to Our House by Tom Wolfe. It is a short read about the modernist art and architectural movement post-World War II. It speaks of the German architect Walter Gropius, who founded the total art school in Germany – Bauhaus. Wolfe

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Birthplace: Fort Erie Company: Clear Interior Design provides creative, collaborative approaches for unique and customised interior design solutions. Education: Diploma in advanced interior design, Algonquin College (2000) Charitable involvement: Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario, eastern Ontario chapter Biggest biz achievement: Successfully launching my interior design firm in 2005 at the age of 26. Biggest obstacle: Starting your own company can be a difficult undertaking for the most seasoned business professionals. While my interior design background positioned me to drive the vision behind Clear, navigating the challenges of a startup with no formal business education has been one of my greatest obstacles. Through focus and determination, I have never lost sight of my vision or goals to achieve success, and I believe the only way you can truly grow is by stepping outside of your comfort zone. While I have learned some hard lessons by taking risks and making mistakes, I have used those experiences for personal and professional growth. By maintaining a positive outlook and surrounding myself with a supportive and encouraging network of family, friends, colleagues, team members and my husband, I have been able to overcome any obstacle. Biggest influence: This is a hard one. I don’t think I could narrow it down to just a single person, but rather a community of influencers that I draw inspiration from. Biggest lesson learned: Do not undervalue your time; it’s a resource you can’t get back. First job: My very first job in the field was at HOK, a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm. I completed a three month co-op placement with the Ottawa branch of the firm as part of my studies at Algonquin College. Following my graduation from the advanced interior design program, I was excited to accept HOK’s offer of a full-time position. Advice I’d give the younger me: Don’t worry if you don’t fit in perfectly; it is what will make you unique later. What’s left to do: A personal goal of

What is the total value of your annual compensation?

Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship

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KIMBERLEY HALL, 38 Associate vice-president, Cushman & Wakefield Ottawa

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Birthplace: Antigonish, N.S. Company: Commercial real estate firm Education: University of Ottawa Charitable involvement: Dress 4 Success Biggest biz achievement: Becoming a shareholder at Cushman & Wakefield Ottawa. Biggest biz obstacle: Relocating from another firm and re-establishing my clients at Cushman & Wakefield Ottawa. Biggest influences: I have two: My husband, because he is the most professional and ethical businessperson I know and I aspire to be more like him. My parents, because while they had kids before they were 20, they figured out a way to make it work, and are both true examples of hard work paying off. Biggest lesson learned: Always do what is best for your clients, even if it is not the most profitable thing to do. If you are loyal to your clients, they will be loyal to you. First job: McDonald’s! Best customer service platform out there! Advice I’d give the younger me: Take the time to smell the roses. What’s left to do: Personally, my next big milestone will be becoming a mother in September! We are so thrilled to welcome this new chapter into our lives. Professionally, we are looking to continue to grow Cushman & Wakefield Ottawa and will be implementing strategic steps to facilitate this. Favourite pastime: Relaxing on the Ottawa River. I’m currently reading: Child Training: A Guide to Successful Parenthood, written in 1954. It is so interesting to read the theories from back then in relation to now. Favourite movie: Dirty Dancing Favourite song: What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram Twitter handle: @KimHallCRE

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SASHA HAMID, 39 Doctor of chiropractic, Byward Chiropractic Clinic + Massage Therapy Centre Birthplace: New Glasgow, N.S. Company: Our chiropractors and RMTs provide musculoskeletal care to the National Capital Region.

How many people does your company employ in the National Capital Region?

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Education: Doctor of chiropractic, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto (2006) Charitable involvement: The Ottawa Humane Society’s Brightening Lives Animal Visits Program and the Women’s Business Network of Ottawa Biggest biz achievement: Being part of a vision and team that has grown from its humble beginnings nine years ago. The Byward Chiropractic Clinic + Massage Therapy Centre is a successful multidisciplinary clinic and one of Ottawa’s largest chiropractic and massage therapy centres. The clinic employs three full-time chiropractic associates, six full-time registered massage therapists and three chiropractic health assistants. Biggest obstacle: Balancing professional responsibilities, practice obligations, contributing to my community and being the best mother and wife I can requires constant juggling. Focusing on the task at hand and honing time management skills are a big help! Biggest influences: My mother and father, and my mentor, Dr. Ken Brough. My parents were immigrants who raised me to be independent and resourceful in a world where there were no limits to what I could achieve through hard work. Dr. Brough is a chiropractor who leads by example, and I am fortunate to have his influence in my career. A leader is his own right, he is the owner and clinic director of two successful chiropractic and massage therapy clinics, maintains a full-time practice and is the current president of the Ontario Chiropractic Association. His support and guidance through inclusive, team-based

leadership strategies have nurtured my professional development. Biggest lesson learned: None of us is as smart as all of us. Our health-care landscape is constantly evolving and providing exceptional health care that meets the needs of patients requires inter-professional collaboration. When team members can rely on one another and teach each other, it creates a successful working environment enabling professional satisfaction, team satisfaction and, most importantly, patient satisfaction. First job: Delivering papers Advice I’d give the younger me: Support staff are the pulse of your clinic team. Their dedication and hard work ensuring everything runs smoothly can sometimes go unnoticed. Thank them, engage them, empower them and treat them with the respect they deserve. Advice from Maya Angelou also comes to mind: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” While technical skills are important in practice, personalized care means connecting with the individual and putting patients first. What’s left to do: I have a young family and look forward to creating wonderful memories on exciting adventures around the globe. In my professional career, I will continue to learn and grow my skill set, and I look forward to mentoring young chiropractors in their development as successful professionals. Favourite pastime: Rediscovering the world through the eyes of my two-yearold daughter. I’m currently reading: Sapiens: A Brief

History of Humankind by Yuval Harari Favourite movie: The Sound of Music is at the top of my list. I have fond childhood memories of watching it at Christmas cuddled up with my mom. Favourite song: Ahead by a Century by the Tragically Hip Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Fury FC Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram Twitter handle: @bywardchiro SAMANTHA ITURREGUI, 38 Lawyer, Kelly Santini LLP Birthplace: Blind River Company: Kelly Santini LLP has been advising Ottawa and eastern Ontario-area business owners, not-for-profits, insurers and private individuals on all of their legal needs since 1976. Education: Bachelor of laws, French common law program, University of Ottawa (2005) Charitable involvement: Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade Biggest biz achievement: Appearing before the Supreme Court of Canada alongside my partner Pat Santini in 2012 has definitely been a highlight in my career so far. Biggest obstacle: My biggest challenge in recent years has been balancing my career and my family. My husband and I have two fantastic young children, Jakson, 5, and Makenzie, 3. Building

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up a legal practice after two maternity leaves wasn’t easy, but my practice is now thriving – which means that my current challenge is managing a busy litigation practice while being a mother. I am blessed to have a husband and a mother who take active roles at home and whom I can count on for assistance whenever needed. Furthermore, I am fortunate enough to have great partners and a great team at Kelly Santini who are and have always been so supportive of me. As a litigator, it is a constant struggle to balance home and work, but I have a career that I am passionate about and that challenges me daily. I also have two kids, a husband and a family that I adore. Life is great! You won’t hear me complaining. Biggest influences: My parents. They were and still are two of the hardestworking people I know. They taught me the importance of doing your best and not giving up. They encouraged me to set goals and supported me while I worked to achieve them. I am so grateful to have had them as role models throughout my life and to be able to go to them for advice and guidance today. Biggest lesson learned: There are no substitutes for hard work. First job: Cashier at Mic’s Kwik-Way, a convenience store in Blind River Advice I’d give the younger me: Stop doubting yourself. Don’t second guess. You’ve got this! What’s left to do: On a personal level, I am looking forward to seeing my children grow and mature. I’m excited to see how their personalities evolve and to know the people they become, to celebrate their milestones alongside my husband and to play an active role in their development. They are both so remarkable already (I might be slightly biased), and I am eager to see what their futures hold. On a professional level, I want to continue my journey at Kelly Santini. The firm has grown so much since I joined in 2006, and I would like to get more involved at the partnership level. I also want to continue litigating, get more time on my feet in the

courtroom and, one day, make it back to the Supreme Court of Canada. Favourite pastimes: Spending time with and travelling with my family. I’m currently reading: An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon Favourite movie: E.T. the ExtraTerrestrial Favourite song: Better Together by Jack Johnson Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Jazz Festival Preferred social media platforms: Facebook, Linkedin CHRIS JEROME, 38 Partner, EY Birthplace: Ottawa Company: EY provides advisory, assurance, tax and transaction services. Education: Bachelor of commerce, Carleton University (2003) Charitable involvement: Habitat for Humanity Biggest biz achievement: Becoming a partner at EY. Biggest obstacle: I have two young boys, so balancing the personal and professional aspects of my life is always something that I am focused on. Biggest influences: My family has had a very positive influence on me. I learned the value of hard work from them. I have also been very lucky to have a number of great mentors at EY. The people who have helped and guided me throughout my career are truly exceptional individuals in all aspects of their lives. I really do believe the quote that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. Biggest lesson learned: The importance of teamwork. Over time, I have realized how important focusing on the team is to achieving goals and objectives. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, so getting the balance right

Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship is important. Having the right culture around the team is critical. First job: Delivering papers Advice I’d give the younger me: Stay hungry and stay focused. What’s left to do: So much. My children are still young, so I am really looking forward to spending time with them to help them grow. Professionally, I am always focused on new challenges and opportunities. Favourite pastime: Playing golf I’m currently reading: The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson Favourite movie: The Lord of the Rings Favourite song: Semi-Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Instagram

been a trial by fire. First job: Delivering the local newspaper Advice I’d give the younger me: Slow down and work hard. What’s left to do: Continue growing my knowledge (of parenting, business and life) and inspire and teach our girls kindness, courage, resilience and honesty. Favourite pastimes: Spending time with my three girls and husband and travelling I’m currently reading: Kids’ books – a lot of them. Favourite movie: The Killing (TV) Favourite song: Helpless by Neil Young Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram Twitter handle: @sarahkaplan15

SARAH KAPLAN, 37 President, Rainbow Foods

STAYCI KEETCH, 37 CEO and creative director, Eyes On Ottawa

Birthplace: Kingston Company: Natural health products retailer Education: Graduate certificate, advanced law enforcement and investigations, Durham College School of Justice and Emergency Services (2011) Charitable involvement: Health First Network Biggest biz achievement: Best Ottawa Business Award for Best Performance Sustainability Biggest obstacle: Taking over the ownership and operation of a 35-yearold business. Biggest influence: My husband and partner, Mischa. He is confident, hardworking and consistently strives to be a better partner, husband and father. Biggest lesson learned: Not everyone adapts well to change. There are very few opportunities in life to learn how to be a good change manager. Most of the knowledge I’ve gained in this area has

Birthplace: Killaloe Company: Eyes On Ottawa does video solutions for business Education: Video production specialist program, Loyalist College (2001) Charitable involvement: Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation Biggest biz achievement: When business owners I had never met started to contact me to do work for them. They were hearing great things about us from happy clients, or sometimes they just saw our videos and asked “Who made that for you?” Knowing I have a quality reputation within the Ottawa business community is something I take a lot of pride in. Biggest obstacle: Translating film and television production into the business world. Many people have the notion that video production is incredibly complex and overwhelming. Choosing

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to specialize in telling the stories of business leaders, their achievements and goals, has allowed me to structure our production process in a unique way. Approaching our video production like a business strategy makes the process more familiar and comfortable for the leaders we work with. Biggest influence: My husband, Alex Proulx. Watching him navigate owning and eventually selling a successful business has provided me insights no degree could. He believed in my business abilities before I saw them in myself. First job: Ontario Ranger Favourite song: Three Little Birds by Bob Marley Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Redblacks Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Facebook, Linkedin Twitter handle: @Eyes_On_Ottawa

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JULIA KNOX, 36 Senior vice-president and chief purchasing officer, softgoods and hardgoods, Giant Tiger Stores

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Birthplace: Burlington Company: Discount retailer with 242 stores across Canada and 8,400 employees Education: Honours in business administration, Ivey School of Business at Western University (2004) Charitable involvement: Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation Biggest biz achievement: Developing Giant Tiger’s brand repositioning strategy and implementing it through an extensive store renovation program, developing new marketing channels and relaunching our private brands in apparel. Biggest obstacle: Achieving success and strong levels of sales and profit growth in a very tough industry. The discount retail environment has been extremely challenging over the last several years, due to increased price competition and store growth from Walmart and Dollarama and the significant impact of e-commerce. Several great retailers, including Target, have failed and exited as a result. The key to success has been remaining focused on the customer and making notable investments to change our business to better meet their needs. Biggest influences: My two young children. They have changed my perspective for the better on life and balancing priorities – not to mention improving my skills in time management and exercising patience! Biggest lesson learned: Join an organization that is a strong cultural fit with kind people, and focus on topics that you are truly passionate about. Then, a job or volunteer activity is not

“a job” or “a commitment” – it is fun and part of living a full life. In business, I have been fortunate to have worked for three different organizations over the course of my career that ticked all the boxes. This has been key to my success and staying energized. First job: Server at the local greasyspoon diner Advice I’d give the younger me: Have confidence, and don’t be afraid to ask for more and take on new challenges. What’s left to do: Personally, the focus is on my family; my husband and I are focused on raising our children in an environment with lots of love and support, while also enjoying life and staying fit in the great outdoors. On the career side, there are so many exciting opportunities ahead, some known, but many not yet known – how high is up? Favourite pastime: Cross-country skiing I’m currently reading: The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg Favourite movie: Good Will Hunting Favourite song: What A Good Boy by Barenaked Ladies Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Redblacks Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram ANNA LAMBERT, 27 Director of talent acquisition, Shopify Birthplace: Goderich Company: A leading commerce platform designed for small and medium-sized businesses worldwide. Education: Bachelor of arts, University of Ottawa (2013) Charitable involvement: The Guild Ottawa Biggest biz achievement: Helping grow Shopify from 150 employees to more than 3,000 employees globally. Biggest obstacle: I’ve worked incredibly hard to attract new tech talent to Ottawa. This, however, has come with a number of obstacles, particularly when persuading candidates to choose Ottawa as a destination over other global tech hubs such as Silicon Valley, Austin, Toronto and Vancouver. Biggest influence: My family. I’ve been supported and encouraged to learn, to fail and to push the boundaries beyond the expectations others have of me. My dad, a small business owner, and my mom, a teacher, are both life-long learners and have instilled the values of hard work, taking time to learn, and most importantly, treating people with respect, care and directness regardless of who they are. I have three supportive brothers who have challenged me and pushed me to run faster and work harder (mostly in an effort to catch up to them).

Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship Biggest lesson learned: The most important lesson I’ve learned in business is that learning to make great decisions quickly is a skill that you must actively work on. If a decision is easily reversible, then it should take you less time to make that decision. If it would be hard to reverse the decision, it should take more time. Recognizing that you will never be 100 per cent sure your decision is the best one, but being diligent about acquiring the right amount of context and gaining perspectives from a diverse group of people, will help you make better decisions more often. First jobs: Ski instructor in the winters and ice cream scooper in the summer Advice I’d give the younger me: Don’t worry so much. Or perhaps, figure out what things are worth worrying about. I guess this is advice I have for myself today, too. What’s left to do: I mean, what’s not left! This is just the beginning (and I hope I’ll be saying that until I die). I’d like to keep learning new skills in my field and others, continue growing Shopify to become the best employer on the planet, perhaps start my own business, perhaps run for public office one day, live in new places, meet and learn from many more people, have a family and earn my private pilot’s licence. Favourite pastime: I love running. I’m currently reading: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson and All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Favourite movie: I don’t watch too many movies, but the most recent one I watched and LOVED was Hidden Figures. Favourite song: Easy Silence by the Dixie Chicks Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram Twitter handle: @alambzz NADINE LEBLANC, 37 Deputy chief risk officer, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Birthplace: Winchester Company: CMHC provides mortgage liquidity, assists in affordable housing development and provides research and advice to the Canadian government and housing industry. Education: Bachelor of commerce, specialization in accounting, University of Ottawa (2003) Charitable involvement: United Way Biggest biz achievement: Being a successful change agent to improving the risk culture of an important financial corporation. Biggest obstacle: Building self-confidence.

Biggest influence: My husband. He is courageous, supportive and an active listener – in short, a real role model and contributor to my leadership growth. Biggest lesson learned: Be authentic. In leading an important corporate initiative, I was asked to stretch outside my comfort zone. In navigating in this zone, I had the opportunity to understand who I was as a leader, learning my strengths and accepting my vulnerabilities. Remaining true to myself was a key contributor to my leadership growth. First job: Server at BeaverTails Advice I’d give the younger me: Be courageous and curious. What’s left to do: Make a recognizable difference as a coach to young women leaders. Favourite pastime: Spending time with my three kids. I’m currently reading: From Wall Street to Bay Street by Joe Martin and Chris Kobrak Favourite movie: A League of Their Own Favourite song: Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platform: Linkedin KAREN LEVALLIANT, 37 CEO, Motion Works Physiotherapy Birthplace: Saskatoon Company: Physiotherapy and injury rehabilitation with one-on-one, personal, closed-door approach Education: Master of science (physical therapy), summa cum laude, University of Toronto (2007) Charitable involvement: Various local seniors homes Biggest biz achievement: Expanding in less than two years from a small two-room physiotherapy clinic with one staff member to a group of large physiotherapy clinics in multiple locations that employs more than 40 people. Biggest biz obstacle: Being told I would fail. When I took my initial leap of faith and left my comfortable employment as a physiotherapist to start my own small practice, I was told several times that I would fail and it was too hard to open a clinic. Biggest influence: My family. In my youth I learned integrity and the value of hard work from my father; compassion and commitment from my mother; and a push from my husband to follow my dreams and trust in my abilities, no matter my age or circumstance. Biggest lesson learned: Don’t be afraid to do things differently. When starting

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my business, I worked for and spoke with many of the leading practices at that time. Everyone told me the only way to make profit in this business is to see as many patients per hour as possible. I envisioned something different, where patients would get extra one-on-one time with therapists. Today, we continue that vision of taking care of patients in a one-on-one setting with longer appointments. That approach of putting patients first has dramatically increased our internal referral rates and set us apart from many of our competitors. First job: Subway employee Advice I’d give the younger me: Trust in yourself, your skills and your aspirations, regardless of what others might say or think of your potential at a young age. Work hard and play harder! What’s left to do: Professionally, I plan to continue my company’s growth with new clinic openings and acquisitions across Ottawa and potentially beyond to ensure that my standard of high quality, individualized, goal-oriented physiotherapy care for the public continues. On the home front, I look forward to travelling more abroad, creating new adventures and memories with my loving husband and growing boys. I spent my childhood moving

across Canada and Europe, with memorable experiences and sightseeing that I hope to revisit with my family, and include new destinations along the way. Favourite pastime: Physical activity! I cannot narrow it down to one sport or activity, but anything outdoors, whether it be rollerblading along the canal with my boys, hiking, rock-climbing, cycling, volleyball or camping. I’m currently reading: I just finished James Patterson’s 16th Seduction. Favourite song: Give Me Everything by Pitbull (feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer) Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Redblacks Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Facebook, Linkedin

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Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship SCOTT MACKAY, 38 Partner, Facilities Commercial Management, broker, Facilities Commercial Realty Birthplace: Ottawa Company: Commercial real estate sales, leasing, property management and investments Education: Bachelor of arts in economics, Carleton University (2001); project management certificate, Algonquin College (2002) Charitable involvement: OrleansCumberland Community Resource Centre Biggest biz achievement: Creating significant value for our investors in the real estate assets that we manage through re-positioning, building enhancements and strong tenant relations. Biggest obstacle: I am normally quiet and reserved, so overcoming the fear of the sales process and making cold calls to generate business have been challenges. It is something I continue to struggle with today; however, I have become more confident with my approach.

Biggest influence: My father, Don MacKay. He has given me business advice starting at a very young age and continues to be a support person in my day-to-day business and personal life. Biggest lesson learned: My Opa, Arnold Vandenbelt, taught me the motto, “You can’t accomplish anything sitting on your ass.” He taught me lessons in hard work and staying motivated to achieve your goals. First job: Cleaning golf clubs and carts at Camelot Golf & Country Club. Advice I’d give the younger me: Get out, travel more and experience different places before starting your career. What’s left to do: Personally, being by the side of my wife Cindy and watching our two young boys develop in all aspects of their lives. Professionally, continue growing by adding more real estate assets to our owned and managed portfolio. Favourite pastimes: Golfing in summer and playing hockey in winter. I’m currently reading: Origin by Dan Brown Favourite movie: Old School Favourite song: Black by Pearl Jam Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest

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Physiotherapy Differentiated “One-on-one physiotherapy with individualized care offered in bright, modern, welcoming clinics, with private closed door therapy rooms, continues to be my vision. Expanding across Ottawa with a group of like-minded Physiotherapists who take pride in offering such a high level of service continues to be a pleasure.” Karen LeValliant is the founder and CEO of Motion Works Physiotherapy Inc. MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018 OBJ.CA

Get Active … Feel Great!

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Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram Twitter handle: @facilitiescom

Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship

Less than $250,000

SHAWN MALHOTRA, 38 Chief operating officer, Claridge Homes

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

Birthplace: Ottawa Company: Claridge does real estate development and construction. Education: Bachelor of commerce, McGill

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University (2002) Charitable involvement: Malhotra Family Foundation Biggest biz achievement: Overseeing the continued growth of the construction department at Claridge Homes. Biggest biz obstacle: Earning my own credibility within a family-owned company. Biggest influences: My parents, Bill and Romina Malhotra, and my wife, Louise Malhotra. My parents for the obvious reasons of raising me with proper values and work ethic in life. My wife Louise for supporting me and keeping me down to earth! Biggest lesson learned: One must always keep an open mind and be willing to learn every single day. When I first started at Claridge, I felt like I knew it all. It did not take too long to see the actual domino effects of bad decisionmaking. I realized I was only scratching the surface, and it took me a long time to actually start to make wiser decisions, by listening and learning and, more importantly, understanding the deeper issues at hand. First job: Sales assistant at one of our housing sites Advice I’d give the younger me: Be more patient. What’s left to do: Everything! I am enjoying the ride so far and can’t wait to see what is the next chapter in my life at work and at home with my beautiful young family. Favourite pastime: Coaching my four young children in various sports. I’m currently reading: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson Favourite movie: Coming to America Favourite song: Run This Town by Jay-Z, feat. Rihanna and Kanye West Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platform: Facebook

Prefer not to disclose

$100 million or more

What is your company’s annual revenue?

$25 million to $49.9 million $250,000 to 499,000

$ 1 million to 2.49 million

$10 million to 24.9 million

$5 million to 4.9 million $2.5 million to $4.9 million

$500,000 to $999,000 SCOTT MCLAREN, 35 President, Festival Promotions Birthplace: Pembroke Company: We make fine swag. Education: Bachelor of commerce from the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa (2006) Charitable involvement: Movember, From Houses to Homes Biggest biz achievement: Being the preferred provider to the FIFA Women’s World Cup and Ottawa 2017. Biggest obstacle: Overcoming my own insecurities. Biggest influence: My parents and my wife. My dad was a small business owner and showed me the importance of work ethic, doing things right and doing the right thing. My mom instilled in me the need for constant growth and achievement. My wife has been the biggest example and source of motivation. Having finished a business degree and then deciding to go to medical school, which she has now completed, makes anything I’ve done pale in comparison. Biggest lesson learned: Assume everything is your fault. Terry Lussier, a business consultant, told me that and it has stuck with me ever since. As an example, you weren’t late because traffic was bad, you were late because you didn’t leave early enough. By taking

ownership of problems, you eliminate all excuses and default to solutions-based thinking. First job: Haying on my uncle’s farm. Advice I’d give the younger me: Take more risks and fail more. Any success I’ve had can be directly attributed to a specific failure. I wish I had done it more. What’s left to do: Personally, my focus is on my young daughter and my wife, who will be starting her medical residency in July. Professionally, I’m looking forward to growing Festival and exploring unique not-for-profit opportunities with swag. Favourite pastimes: Hockey and golf I’m currently reading: Skin in the Game by Nassim Nicholas Taleb Favourite movie: Forrest Gump Favourite song: Grace, Too by The Tragically Hip Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram Twitter handle: @scotty_festival KRIS NORRIS, 33 President, NCM Services Birthplace: Ottawa Company: NCM provides services ranging from locating underground utilities to drain and sewer cleaning for residential,

commercial and industrial customers. Education: Welding certificate, Algonquin College Charitable involvement: Touch A Truck, Wings of Phoenix Biggest biz achievement: Building a company from one truck to now servicing the greater Ottawa area 24/7 as well as Cornwall and the Hwy. 401 district. Biggest obstacle: Getting the company registered as a recognized Ministry of the Environment hauler and treatment facility operating within eco-friendly regulations and standards. Biggest influence: My family, especially my wife Alison. She was there in the beginning when I wanted to get my first truck and always supported me through the growth stages of the company. She had me make a five-year goal, so I wrote on a notepad that I wanted to have five trucks in five years and a shop to put them in. It’s six years in now, and we have over 15 trucks and our shop is starting this year. Biggest lesson learned: Provide great service and prompt staff and you will build a good name. First job: Delivering the Pennysaver and renting grass aerators. What’s left to do: It’s go time – I would like to see NCM open up in new markets. Favourite pastimes: Going out on the boat with family and friends and spending time with my two little girls. Favourite song: I like all upbeat music. Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators

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Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platform: Instagram SARAH OAKLEY, 39 Partner, registered interior designer, Parallel 45 Design Group

JAMIE PETTEN, 29 President and executive director, Kanata North Business Association

approach, I imagine the best is yet to come! Favourite pastimes: Spending time with family and friends. My husband and I love to spend weekends working on DIY projects in our home. Every summer, I also spend Monday nights racing in the Britannia Yacht Club’s women’s sailing league. A great way to get out of the office and clear my head and enjoy the summer! I’m currently reading: Thrive by Arianna Huffington Favourite movie: The Intern Favourite song: Anything by Bruce Springsteen Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest, Snapchat, Instagram Twitter handle: @nutpetten AMY PORTEOUS, 38 VP, public affairs, planning and family medicine, Bruyère Continuing Care Birthplace: Ottawa Company: Academic organization providing health care to the vulnerable and medically complex Education: Master in health administration, Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa (2004) Charitable involvement: Bruyère Continuing Care Biggest biz achievement: Supporting the development of the Bruyère Village. First job: Retail clerk at a sports store Advice I’d give the younger me: Always ask questions and never stop learning. Favourite pastimes: Playing golf and volleyball Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Redblacks Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook Twitter handle: @aporteous17 SANDRA SBROCCHI, 38 Business lawyer, McMillan LLP Birthplace: Ottawa Company: National full-service business law firm Education: Bachelor of laws, University of Ottawa (2004) Charitable involvement: Help Lesotho, Ottawa Symphony Orchestra Biggest biz achievement: Becoming a partner at McMillan. Each transaction I’ve worked on is also a great achievement on its own – whether it’s advising on a cross-border acquisition

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Birthplace: Oakville Company: The Kanata North Business Association represents and advocates for the best interests of the more than 500 member companies located in Canada’s largest technology park. Education: Bachelor of arts, University of Ottawa (2011) Charitable involvement: Technovation Biggest biz achievement: Four years ago I took a leap of faith and left sunny Jamaica for an incredible opportunity to join Leo Lax and Patrick White in building what would become Canada’s leading SaaS accelerator, L-Spark. Little did I know how much I would fall in love with the world of startups, venture capital and tech. We set out on a journey to work with Canada’s best in SaaS founders and grow globally competitive firms. Four years later, L-Spark has 36 portfolio companies, has raised more than $24 million in angel and venture capital funding and works with a community of more than 10,000 SaaS entrepreneurs, investors and partners. Now, I am taking a similar leap of faith in my new position as president and executive director of the Kanata North Business Association. I am most proud of my ability to take risks and grow with the companies I have committed to, and this has all culminated in my most exciting achievement to date, taking on the role of leading and representing Canada’s largest technology park. Biggest obstacle: An obstacle that I embraced came when I joined the tech industry four years ago. Having come from a female-dominated industry and a company composed of 99 women and one man, I was not prepared for

the stark contrast in the tech industry. As we know, fewer than five per cent of individuals in executive roles in tech are women. I accepted this challenge head on, learned from my male peers and mentors and ultimately built a network, track record and ecosystem that would support diversity. Biggest influence: My mom, Anne Keeley. She is the vice-president of Classmates Learning Systems and without question the most influential woman in my life. She founded an early childhood education startup while raising two teenage daughters and supporting a husband rising through the ranks towards an executive role as deputy chief of the Ottawa Police. She hustled and knocked on the doors of nursery schools, day-care centres and community resource centres daily – pushing her way in and insisting that they leverage her resources. She is strategic, strong-minded, unwavering and my greatest role model. She is also my strongest advocate, champion and cheerleader. She tells it to me straight and has guided me from the very beginnings of my career, encouraging me to follow my ambition and never hold back. Biggest lesson learned: My career path has not been rigid, straight or narrow. The journey has been winding, with varied experiences and challenges faced. From launching a boutique hotel in Jamaica at the age of 21 to growing a Canadian tech and innovation accelerator from the ground up, I have learned to embrace fear – more specifically, fear of the unknown and unexpected. As the businesses have grown and flourished, I have honed a confidence to trust my instincts. As a result, I have ultimately learned to be confident about taking risks and embracing change. First job: Retail clerk at Town Shoes and The Shoe Company Advice I’d give the younger me: Trust your gut and be confident with the risks you are taking. Don’t hesitate, jump in head first and don’t look back. What’s left to do: In my personal life, I’m looking forward to growing my family with my husband! We are both so excited to have children and build a home full of love and laughter together. In my professional life, I never try to predict or reverse engineer what the future holds with my career. Right now I am focused on continuing to grow as a leader and contribute to my community. I am looking forward to working with Deborah Lovegrove representing members of the Kanata North Business Association and building a thriving technology community for talent to live, work and thrive in Kanata North. Hard work, focus and a positive attitude have contributed to great outcomes in my past. Going forward to the next chapter in my life and career with this same

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Birthplace: Ottawa Company: A commercial interior design firm specializing in corporate, dental and medical office design. Education: Diploma of interior design – advanced, Algonquin College (2000) Charitable involvement: Angels Anonymous Connection Biggest biz achievement: Identifying a gap in the Ottawa market and expanding our company’s service offering into the health-care sector. While still excelling at corporate office design, Parallel 45 Design has become a leader in the medical and dental interior design market, completing work ranging in sizes from 1,000-square-foot to over 15,000-square-foot medical offices in the Ottawa area. Biggest obstacle: The transition from employee to owner was challenging from a time-management perspective with a young family in the mix. The shift happened very fast, and I suddenly felt a new level of pressure and responsibility to manage both business and family with a high level of success. Biggest influence: My family. I strive to be a strong female business owner by day and a loving compassionate mother and wife by night. Without the love and support of my family, what I do in a day would not be possible. I want my son to look back and know that women can rock this business world and manage to be there for their family too. Biggest lesson learned: Not only to listen to your clients but really hear them. As interior designers, we need to be there and educate them throughout the design and renovation/fit-up process. I like to say to physicians, “As you are able to treat a particular issue with your skills, I can help achieve greater efficiencies in your practice with mine.” To recommend first and foremost what you feel is the best direction for them from a budget and functionality standpoint, and to guide them when they are unsure. In the end, it is they who have to live in the space you create for the next five to 10 years; it has to be functional and they have got to love it! First job: Retail sales clerk Advice I’d give the younger me: You will get there; keep pursuing your passion and stop sweating the small stuff. What’s left to do: Personally, I would like keep travelling the world with my family and continue to demonstrate to my son that hard work pays off.

Professionally, I want to take my knowledge of medical office planning and design to the next level by incorporating new upcoming wellness standards and focusing on more detailed efficiencies resulting in direct payback in time for my clients. Favourite pastimes: Reading, music, sewing, travelling to Australia I’m currently reading: My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella (my guilty pleasure) Favourite movie: Overboard Favourite song: Courage by The Tragically Hip Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest, Instagram Twitter handle: @sarahoakley613

Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship

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for a private equity fund or assisting a domestic corporation purchase, sell or restructure a business. Biggest biz obstacle: Since relocating back to Ottawa from Toronto, my biggest obstacle has been establishing myself in the local Ottawa market, continuing to build a reputation in the broader Canadian and U.S. markets and meeting the tight timelines involved in M&A, while balancing being a mother of two young daughters. Biggest influence: My parents. They immigrated to Canada from Italy and devoted their lives to providing their four daughters with every opportunity in life. They have shaped me into the person I am today, teaching me loyalty, empathy and the value of hard work. They have encouraged me to never give up on my aspirations, even when they might not seem attainable. Biggest lesson learned: You need to surround yourself with a talented and reliable team, along with supportive mentors whom you can continuously learn from and bounce ideas off of – the practice of law is not a one-person show. First job: Outdoor rink attendant, worker at Harvey’s Advice I’d give the younger me: Not 40 Under 40_Julia Knox_Final.pdf 1 to worry so much all the time and be

CMY

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so hard on yourself – when you do your best, everything has a way of working itself out. What’s left to do: So much! Professionally, continue to build and grow my business law practice in Ottawa, and personally, I want to raise strong, compassionate and thoughtful children who understand the value of giving back to their community. Favourite pastimes: Photography and hiking with my husband, kids and dog. Favourite movie: The Shawshank Redemption Favourite song: Catch & Release by Matt Simons; and so many others depending on the setting. Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Linkedin, Instagram

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Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship CAROLINE SULLIVAN, 39 Co-founder and co-director, the Child, Adolescent and Family Centre of Ottawa Birthplace: St. John’s, Nfld. Company: Provides bilingual multidisciplinary mental health services to youth and families. Education: PhD in clinical psychology, Concordia University (2007) Charitable involvement: Manor Park School Council; Bettye Hyde Co-operative Early Learning Centre Biggest biz achievement: For a long time, I’d dreamed of creating a space that would address all of the barriers that I saw as facing children and their families when they sought mental health treatment – namely, those of language, environment, wait times and level of care. I honestly didn’t think that I would be able to check off all of the items on my dream list, but I’m incredibly proud that my business partner, Dr. Julie Desjardins, and I have managed to make CAFCO into a warm and bilingual facility staffed by an amazing team of professionals where families can quickly find quality services backed by the latest research.

Biggest biz obstacle: It was never my dream to juggle what amounts to three jobs, between co-directing CAFCO, helping patients in private practice and teaching full-time at the University of Ottawa. In addition, Julie and I started our clinic without having any real experience or training in the business world. Learning to manage all of these responsibilities while still prioritizing my own family has been a struggle at times, and has made me realize that there is no such thing as work/life balance. Rather, I have become a strong proponent of work/life integration. Biggest influence: Although I’ve had many wonderful professional mentors that I am incredibly grateful for, I have to say that my family has been my strongest ally in all of my endeavours. My mother has always been a great example of strength through adversity, my children ground me with a daily reminder of what’s truly important and without my husband’s unrelenting support, I would not have been able to accomplish what I have so far. Biggest lesson learned: The most important lesson I’ve learned in creating a business is that ideals can also be opportunities. From the beginning, we founded CAFCO based on a set of

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ideals that we wanted to stick to, one of which was providing services to the most in-need and at-risk families in our community. It soon became clear, however, that the demand well outstripped our abilities. In order to address this issue, we began to seek out contracts with third-party organizations that fund treatment for these same families. Today, these contracts make up a sizable proportion of our business. First job: I worked as a page at a municipal library in Montreal. Advice I’d give the younger me: Slow down; it’s not a race. What’s left to do: In my personal life, I’d like to show more of the world to my children, now that they’re old enough to appreciate it. Professionally, I’d like to see CAFCO continue to grow, with satellite offices and more service provision out in the community, specifically in terms of education and prevention. Favourite pastimes: Exercising outside or relaxing at home. I’m currently reading: Wonder by R.J. Palacio, because my kids said I had to read it before we could see the movie. I’m also reading Screen-Smart Parenting by Dr. Jodi Gold to better help my clients raise children in the digital world. Favourite movie: Oh, this is a tough one. Maybe Pitch Perfect, because the music makes me happy. Favourite song: Anything by Walk Off the Earth Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram Twitter handle: @CAFCO_CEAFO LAURA SWEET, 33 Vice-president, marketing, Assent Compliance

SALEH TAEBI, 34 Founder and CEO, CanadaWheels.ca

Does not apply Personal savings Bootstrapping Business partners Angel investors Venture capitalists

seamlessly while being exceptionally strong and driven. Both of them have been our biggest supporters and toughest critics. Biggest lesson learned: Understanding that having challenges is entirely normal, essential and healthy for one’s growth. Mario Andretti said it well: “If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough.” First job: Auto detailing Advice I’d give the younger me: You are what you dream, so make sure you dream a great one! What’s left to do: I just got started, and the show must go on! On my personal side, I want to establish my own family, and on the business side, I want my platform to become the Amazon of auto parts in Canada, the U.S. and beyond. Favourite pastimes: Travelling, playing sports and collecting antiques I’m currently reading: The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon by Brad Stone Favourite movie: Scarface Favourite song: The Forgotten (Part 2) by Joe Satriani Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Fury FC Favourite local summer event: Canada Day

Preferred social media platforms: Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram Twitter handle: @canadawheels_ca KYLE TURK, 33 Director of marketing and communications, Welch LLP Birthplace: Peterborough Company: Chartered professional accounting firm Education: Bachelor of business administration, major in marketing, St. Francis Xavier University (2007) Charitable involvement: Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation Biggest biz achievement: Raising the brand profile for Welch LLP to the point that we were the recipients of the Best Business award at the 2017 Best Ottawa Business Awards. Biggest obstacle overcome: Growing up with social media and not letting it ruin my professional career. Biggest influence: Welch managing partner Micheal Burch, he’s been a mentor and true leader. Biggest lesson learned: Hire people that are smarter than me.

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Birthplace: Isfahan, Iran Company: Automotive e-commerce platform specializing in wheels, tires and auto parts. Education: Master of engineering degree in engineering management, University of Ottawa (2010) Charitable involvement: Canadian Red Cross Biggest biz achievement: Launched and bootstrapped CanadaWheels.ca to become Canada’s fastest-growing online retailer of automotive wheels, tires and parts. Already having served tens of thousands of clients nationally via organic growth, our team is preparing an exciting expansion into the U.S. market under the brand USAWheels.com. Biggest obstacle: Learning the art of bootstrapping and growing our company organically. While bootstrapping has not allowed us to grow as fast as we want, it has forced us to be efficient and enabled us to become a lean startup. Biggest influences: My father, Amir Taebi, and my mother, Farzaneh Shafiei. I grew up watching them work hard and sacrifice everything for me and my two siblings so that we could gain higher education and succeed. My father is the most ethical and hard-working person I have ever met, while my mother is a master at balancing many different tasks

What was the most important source of startup funds for your business?

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

Birthplace: Ottawa Company: Makes supply chain data collection software providing third-party risk management. Education: Bachelor of commerce (concentration in international business with a minor in economics), Carleton University (2011) Charitable involvement: Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada Biggest biz achievement: Playing an active role in the rapid outlier growth of the marketing department, lead generation and revenue for Assent Compliance over the last three years. Biggest obstacles: Defying social expectations, remaining true to myself and finding my own voice. Biggest influences: While I have had many amazing contributors to who I am as a person, my family has been the biggest influence on me. My parents

brought my siblings and me up to value ethics, equity and hard work. Their example is what has driven me to be the ambitious, independent and strong person I am today. Biggest lesson learned: Surround yourself by people you can learn from, people who challenge you and people who help you gain perspective. First job: Babysitter Advice I’d give the younger me: Spend time on yourself. You really can’t pour from an empty cup :). What’s left to do: Everything that I haven’t already done :). Life is about gaining experiences, and I intend to accomplish as much as possible while I’m able to. Favourite pastime: Spending time with friends and family. I’m currently reading: Yes Please by Amy Poehler Favourite movie: Anastasia Favourite song: Under the Bridge by the Red Hot Chili Peppers Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platforms: Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest, Snapchat, Instagram Twitter handle: @lauramsweet

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First job: Counsellor at Canadian Hockey Enterprises (hockey camp) Advice I’d give the younger me: Just keep doing you (except for the baggy pants). What’s left to do: Enjoy family time with my wife and kids and go swimming with the sharks. Favourite pastimes: #dadcertified and waterskiing with Garth Steele Favourite movie: Role Models Favourite song: Wins & Losses by Meek Mill Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Snapchat, Instagram Twitter handle: @kyleaturk MICHAEL WILLIAMS, 35 Partner, Odgers Berndtson Birthplace: Montreal Company: Executive search and leadership services Education: Bachelor of social sciences, University of Ottawa (2006)

Charitable involvement: The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association’s Champions Council Biggest biz achievement: In 2017, I was named the youngest partner at Odgers Berndtson Canada Biggest biz obstacle: Odgers Berndtson’s Ottawa office is relatively new and has had to compete with firmly established competition and some brand confusion following an acquisition. As an office, we have had to adjust our approach and reintroduce ourselves to the Ottawa market. Biggest influence: My family. Growing up, my parents provided excellent examples and taught me the values of hard work and how much effort, focus and dedication is required for success. I want to set the same example for my sons. Biggest lesson learned: Clear communication is essential to success. First job: Retail clerk at Canadian Tire Favourite pastime: Spending time with my family. Favourite movie: Jurassic Park Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Fury FC Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Linkedin Twitter handle: @mwilliams613

TANYA WOODS, 37 CEO, The Kind Village Inc. Birthplace: Ottawa Company: We build civic technology and social impact solutions for communities locally and globally. Education: Master of laws, American University, Washington College of Law (2009) Charitable involvement: I am proud to sit on the Youth Service Bureau Foundation Board and to be a founder of three non-profit organizations serving the community. Through Kind Village, I work with all local charities and non-profits whose mission is to meet the needs of our community members, whether they are addressing poverty, hunger, education, health, equality, environment, animal welfare or justice and human rights issues. Biggest biz achievement: Launching the world’s first in-kind giving platform for communities around the world. Biggest biz obstacle: Launching the world’s first in-kind giving platform for communities around the world with no investment or money and staying the course with a great team of equally dedicated professionals to actually get it done.

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Biggest influence: My team, mentors and family – because I work hard to never let them down. We win together. Biggest lessons learned: Hustle in your sleep, build relationships and dream bigger than you are comfortable with. First job: Subway sandwich artist Advice I’d give the younger me: Be fearless about everything good – you don’t need anyone’s approval on what your version of success looks like. What’s left to do: So much! Keep being a better human every day and empower others to also be better humans, community members and leaders. It’s a short, long life. Favourite pastimes: Surfing and meditation. I do neither well but love both. Favourite movie: No favourites. I love film. Favourite song: No faves. I love music of all types. Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Redblacks Favourite local summer event: CityFolk Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram Twitter handle: @BeingTMW

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Breakfast Series Breakfast Series Mayor’s Mayor’s A unique opportunity to enjoy breakfast His Worship Jim Watson A unique opportunity to enjoywith breakfast with HisMayor Worship Mayor Jim Watson and hear from and community leaders about issues critical to Ottawa. and business hear from business and community leaders about issues critical to Ottawa. Speaker: Guest Speaker:Guest Guest Speaker: Honourable Catherine MarcMcKenna Seaman, Chairperson Brenda Lucki, RCMP Commissioner Minister of Environment and Climate Change National Capital Commission Wednesday, July 4, 2018

City Hall Thursday, April Location: 27, 2017Ottawa Monday, December 11, 2017 Registration: 7:00amCity Hall Location: Ottawa City Hall Ottawa Location: Registration: 7:00 a.m. Registration: a.m. Buffet Breakfast:7:00 7:30am Buffet Breakfast: 7:30 Breakfast: a.m. 8:00am 7:30 a.m. Buffet Presentation: Presentation: 8:00 a.m. Presentation: 8:00 a.m.

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PROFILE ‘Ottawa has been good to us’ Twelve years after leaving the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley for Canada’s capital, Solace CEO Les Rechan is now at the helm of one of the city’s fastest-growing tech firms and loving every minute of it BY CAROLINE PHILLIPS

The CEO at the time was Rob Ashe, whom Mr. Rechan continues to admire to this day for his sharp intellect, leadership style and professionalism. “I’ve really had an opportunity throughout my career to work with some of the best people in high tech – people who have literally made the high-tech world happen,” says Rechan. “In that sense, I’ve been blessed.” The Rechans specifically chose Ottawa because they figured it would be a great place to raise their children.

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t takes a big man to admit failure, even if the failure is nothing more than failed retirement. Veteran tech executive Les Rechan tried packing it in, first in 2014, after leaving IBM Software Group, and again in 2017, two years after taking the helm of Halogen Software. Barely did he improve his golf swing before he was back as president and chief executive of Solace, an Ottawa-based messaging and data-transfer company. “You don’t know us, but you actually do,” Rechan, 56, says in a riddle-me-this sort of way at Solace headquarters in the Kanata North Technology Park. The company’s technology is everywhere, even though most of us would never know it. For example, every time a consumer swipes an American Express card – which happens four billion times a day – Solace is making sure that data moves from the card to the authorization and payment systems quickly and securely. Solace works with clients around the world in a wide range of industries, from financial services and telecommunications to gaming and transportation. “Basically, our mission, our purpose is, we help innovators move the world forward,” says Rechan. “I call us a goldplated spark plug which fits into an engine. The engine is the new application and the car is digital transformation for the company. We’re like a gold-plated spark plug that enables the engine that runs the car.”

Les Rechan’s career has taken him to the U.S., Europe and Asia. PHOTO BY CAROLINE PHILLIPS

Solace was founded 17 years ago by Craig Betts, who remains the executive chairman. The company quickly caught the interest of high-tech tycoon Terry Matthews, who was one of its original investors in 2001. By 2016, Bridge Growth Partners, a New York private equity firm, had acquired a majority interest. Its senior principal is Tom Manley, a former senior executive at Cognos and Nortel. “In this business of data movement, we have the best people on the planet, bar none,” says Rechan. “It’s a group that has really big dreams and visions, but people get stuff done. “I love MBAs and PhDs, but I like GSDs – Get Stuff Done – even more.”

Rechan and his family came to Ottawa 12 years ago when he was hired as chief operating officer for one of Canada’s most successful technology companies, Cognos.

FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LES RECHAN

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He was one of only 20 corporate leaders chosen to accompany Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his state visit to India in February. He and his wife have two sets of twins. The older pair is 21 years old (a boy and a girl), followed by a 19-year-old boy and 18-year-old twins, both girls. “We’ll be empty nesters in September,” he points out.

AMERICAN ACCENT “We wanted to establish roots,” explains the father of five, who was born in Niagara Falls. They’d been living in California’s Silicon Valley, where Rechan found his days filled with too much “windshield time.” “Ottawa has been good to us,” says Rechan, whose family gives back through its support of the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa (his wife is on its board of directors). When Rechan speaks, it’s with a distinct American accent that reveals his years of growing up, studying and working south of the border. He completed his undergrad at Brown University, an Ivy League school in Providence, R.I., before earning a master’s degree in finance and management at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. While in Chicago, he met his future wife, Australian native Meredithe Rechan, who studied at the same top business school and was his peer at IBM. Continued on page 22

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Rechan loves the Grateful Dead, yoga and cool clothes (one of his favourite local shops is Stomping Ground in the Glebe). Rechan, as well as his two younger brothers, used to play for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres. They also all played college hockey at Brown. Who knew a hot tub could provide such an opportunity for networking? That’s how Rechan and Craig Betts literally came to first rub elbows at Mont Tremblant.

Read Alexander’s blog at bit.ly/hr-amendments Alexander Dezan

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associate lawyer, Nelligan O’Brien Payne LLP

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

Ontario election expected to determine survival of Human Rights Code amendments

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cities around the world. Ottawa’s high-tech community is full of bright and motivated people, says Rechan. “I have worked in three different companies during my time in Ottawa, and the talent base is just incredible,” he says. “I have worked in Chicago, London, New York, Singapore, Seattle and San Francisco – all high-tech powerhouse cities – and, on a relative basis, our talent in Ottawa is even better.” Solace has invested significantly in its marketing and is in the process of rebranding and changing its logo design. Last year, it hired Mychelle Mollot, formerly from Cognos and Klipfolio, as its chief marketing officer. “I love the company and the people,” Rechan says. “We have a great team of people, and I’m really proud of the significant impact we’re making on the world.”

“I’ve really had an opportunity throughout my career to work with some of the best people in high tech – people who have literally made the high-tech world happen.” – SOLACE CHIEF EXECUTIVE LES RECHAN

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CANADA’S THE LATEST NEWS FROMPARK LARGEST TECHNOLOGY

Continued from page 21 She was the one who encouraged Rechan to accept a position in Europe. They crossed the pond together to work for IBM in London. “I think that was a game-changer in terms of my career,” said Rechan. “At the time, I really hadn’t spent a lot of time overseas.” They next moved with IBM to Singapore. While there, the couple went from zero to five children in three years. As a result, Meredithe stepped away from her career to become a full-time parent. “Meredithe has been an unbelievable partner in life,” says Rechan. With Solace now experiencing tremendous growth and change, Rechan isn’t looking to slow down anytime soon. The company hired 100 employees over the past year and is now up to a headcount of 275, with 158 of those jobs in Ottawa and the remainder in offices located in 16 other

“It’s very easy to get to Parliament Hill.”

“It’s a really great location.”

“We’re quite excited to be here.”

“The views are fantastic.”

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NICHOLAS ST.

“We’re across the street from the LRT station.”

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Working in the heart of revitalized Rideau Street Light-rail line, bike paths directly connect to 1 Nicholas St. office tower

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

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he arrival of light rail in 2018 will transform how Ottawa commuters travel downtown. No longer will buses, backed up for blocks along Slater and Albert streets during rush hour, drop passengers off on the Mackenzie King Bridge. Instead, trains will whisk passengers straight downtown to the heart of Rideau Street, steps away from the city’s premiere shopping centre, top restaurants, the ByWard Market and a diverse mix of retailers. At the centre of it all is the 1 Nicholas St. office tower. Located at the southeast corner of Rideau and Nicholas streets, this onetime home of the provincial courthouse is currently home to some of Ottawa’s leading NGOs, business organizations and professional service providers. Location is one of the main draws for many tenants. It’s a 10-minute walk straight up Rideau Street to Parliament Hill, making it easy for federally oriented organizations to meet with key decision-makers in the nation’s capital. It’s also convenient for out-of-town delegates and members of national associations to take a quick cab ride from the airport to meet with their hosts at 1 Nicholas St. That journey will become even easier in the coming years, as the second phase of Ottawa’s light-rail network includes a connection to the airport that will take travellers from the airside terminal to downtown in approximately 40 minutes. The downtown Rideau station will have two entrances: one at the corner of Colonel By Drive and another at the William Street Plaza pedestrian mall, directly across the street from 1 Nicholas St. Of course, public transit is far from the only transportation option to get downtown. 1 Nicholas St. is only 200 metres from the scenic Rideau Canal recreational paths and the segregated cycling lanes along Laurier Avenue. “People are using their bikes more and more,” says Michael Morin, a commercial property manager with District Realty, which oversees 1 Nicholas St. The building has a secure bike storage facility as well as showers for tenants, who can also jog to work or on their lunch break and not worry about being sweaty for an afternoon meeting. District Realty started to manage the building in 2007. Since then, the company has undertaken significant renovations, including replacing the building’s elevators, boiler, chiller and roof. Additionally, all the washrooms were renovated. “From top to bottom, we did it all,” says Mr. Morin.

BIOTECANADA

Building Canada’s biotech industry From her sixth floor window, Janice Burke can see the revitalization of the downtown Rideau area first-hand. The senior manager of finance and operations for BIOTECanada, a national association representing Canada’s biotechnology industry, watched workers dismantle the historic Ogilvy’s Building and then carefully rebuild the façade on the expanded Rideau Centre. One block over,

meanwhile, the galleries and exhibition areas at Arts Court are being redeveloped. Additionally, visitors to BIOTECanada are treated to spectacular views of the Gatineau Hills – something enabled by the physical layout of the 1 Nicholas St. office building. “It has fairly big windows that lets in lots of natural light,” Ms. Burke says. “We can even open the windows to get some fresh air.” BIOTECanada’s goals include

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“We meet with federal politicians on a regular basis. It’s v

Improving maternal health There are many reasons why some women in developing countries receive inadequate maternal health care. There may be shortcomings in the delivery of medical services, such as a lack of medicine. In other cases, women may have minimal access to health care due to limited transportation options to reach the nearest clinic, which may be a daunting distance away. Or they may not understand the importance of, say, seeing a doctor while pregnant or early breastfeeding. Ottawa-based HealthBridge tackles all these challenges, as well as issues related to tobacco control and nutrition around the world. “Our mission is to improve health and health equity,” says executive director Sian FitzGerald. “Maternal and child health is one of the better known areas, as mothers and children are needlessly dying and getting ill when there are simple solutions.” Working with local partners, HealthBridge focuses on community education and raising awareness in culturally appropriate ways. Their teams attempt to include key people from the family and broader village, rather than focus exclusively on affected women. This is important as a woman may not receive medical treatment because, for example, her husband doesn’t want to pay for transportation or her mother-in-law says it’s not necessary. To address such attitudes, health care workers may get together with community members and act out a skit. One dramatization may show a pregnant woman who knows that it’s best to give birth in a clinic with a skilled attendant, but is being pressured by her mother to give birth at home. HealthBridge is already seeing results in India. The communities in which the organization is active are seeing more women giving births in health care institutions and using trained birth attendants, as well as an uptick in breastfeeding rates and post-natal checkups. In addition to India, HealthBridge has a presence in Bangladesh, Vietnam and other countries. Momentos and decorations from these countries, such as embroidery from Nepal and dyed cloths from India, help HealthBridge make its office at 1 Nicholas St. unique. The organization has also configured its space into shared offices, enabling all staff members to have access to a window that opens. “The views are fantastic,” says Ms. FitzGerald. Location is also key, particularly its proximity to Parliament Hill and Global Affairs Canada, enabling HealthBridge staff to walk to their meetings with government officials. Being at the edge of the ByWard Market is also highly appreciated by employees who dine out for lunch. Those commuting by bike or bus also appreciate the proximity to the paths along the Rideau Canal and the Transitway. “Nobody wants to move offices,” says Ms. FitzGerald.

“The views are fantastic. Those commuting by bike or bus also appreciate the proximity to the paths along the Rideau Canal and the Transitway.”

full-time staff members. Three employees commute by foot or bike, while others take the bus from Ottawa’s west end straight to the Rideau Centre. “It’s a pretty easy trip,” Ms. Burke says. This is the second time the administrator has worked inside 1 Nicholas St. after being in the same building with a previous employer some 15 years ago. Ms. Burke says the change in property managers has made a noticeable difference. “It’s much more pleasant. It’s well cared for,” she says. “The superintendent keeps the building very clean. We’re quite excited to be here.”

very easy to get from our office to Parliament Hill.”

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

increasing biotech innovation, research and commercialization as well as establishing a globally competitive regulatory policy framework to support all aspects of Canadian biotechnology. “We meet with federal politicians on a regular basis,” Ms. Burke says. “It’s very easy to get from our office to Parliament Hill.” BIOTECanada also hosts out-of-town guests on a regular basis, particular for committee meetings hosted in the organization’s large glass-enclosed boardroom. Ms. Burke says the location of 1 Nicholas St. makes it fast and easy for members to reach the office. The same applies for BIOTECanada’s eight

HEALTHBRIDGE

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“The team at District Realty was really helpful in helping us attain our vision.”

NOBEL WOMEN’S INITIATIVE

Strengthening communities through peace-building Liz Bernstein is throwing a spotlight on women’s organizations and movements around the world from downtown Ottawa. She’s the executive director of the Nobel Women’s Initiative, a nonprofit founded in 2006 by six female Nobel Peace Laureates in a united effort for peace with justice and equality. Working to strengthen and expand feminist efforts to promote nonviolent solutions to war, violence and militarism, the Nobel Women’s Initiative also brings women and representatives from various organizations together to share strategies. In December 2016, the organization drew some two dozen women from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Yemen and other Middle Eastern countries as well as several Nobel Peace Prize recipients to Jordan to share their experiences and learn from one another. “While it may seem very different in different countries, there were many commonalities in their tactics and strategies,” says Ms. Bernstein, giving the example of how exiled human rights advocates can remain active in their home country, despite living elsewhere. Representatives from the Nobel Women’s Initiative also visited Syrian refugees living in Jordan and saw some of the projects underway aimed at addressing issues such as violence and creating economic opportunities. “We’re strengthening those who are continuing to build their communities through peace-building,” says Ms. Bernstein. Despite its international focus, the Nobel Women’s Initiative is active in Ottawa. To mark its 10-year anniversary in 2016, the organization held several celebrations in the capital and also launched a book at the Ottawa International Writers Festival titled When We Are Bold, containing stories of 28 peacemakers around the world. Representatives from the Nobel Women’s Initiative also have occasional meetings on Parliament Hill, which makes the organization’s location “a few steps away” at 1 Nicholas St. ideal. “It’s really a great location,” says Ms. Bernstein. While she walks to work, several of her colleagues cycle into the office and take advantage of the secure bike lock-up area. Ms. Bernstein adds that she and her coworkers are looking forward to next year’s completion of the light-rail line. “We’re literally right across the street from the LRT station. We’ll be able to quickly go anywhere in the city in minutes,” she says. “When it’s all done, we’re going to be in the middle of everything.”

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

“It’s a really great location. We’re literally right across the street from the LRT station. We’ll be able to quickly go anywhere in the city in minutes.”

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PEGGY DUCHARME, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RIDEAU BIA

DOWNTOWN RIDEAU BIA

Transformation in Ottawa’s core As one of the leading voice of businesses in central Ottawa, it’s “imperative” that the Downtown Rideau BIA stays closely connected to what’s happening in its bustling retail area. “We have two views of the street,” says executive director Peggy DuCharme. “This gives us a nice vantage point to look out at our district.” In practice, this means the BIA can quickly see if a construction project is causing excessive traffic tie-ups, for example, and contact the city to find a resolution. On other days, the BIA can spot bad weather approaching and make adjustments to outdoor festival programming. As construction on several large projects – such as major road work, light rail transit and the redevelopment of Arts Court – either enter the final phases or wrap up altogether, the BIA is playing a leadership role in animating the downtown area. In a proactive approach, the BIA invited pedestrians and commuters to follow the area’s transformation even while construction was still underway. The business organization installed colourful posters on the hoarding surrounding several building sites as part of its construction communications campaign that highlighted the benefits of several key projects. One, for example, describes how the new Ottawa Art Gallery will create “the next chapter of Ottawa’s

cultural history with 5x more space” next to a large rendering of the new building and the headline, “Opening 2017 in downtown Rideau.” The BIA is also working to illuminate the district with multimedia poles that can display digital posters, live Twitter feeds, wayfinding maps or be lit up in unison for a visual effect. There are currently six between Dalhousie Street and King Edward Avenue, with a second phase planned for later this year or early in 2018. The area’s transformation played a role in the BIA relocating to 1 Nicholas St. in late 2015. “We strategically moved here because we knew Ogilvy Square was being redeveloped and we were asked to provide programming,” says Ms. DuCharme, referring to the new pedestrian plaza between Rideau and Besserer streets. The BIA, which represents 650 members over 53 square blocks, needed to customize its office space so it could be multi-functional and host large meetings and other events. Other requirements included storage and the ability for staff to securely access the building on evenings and weekends. “The space that was available needed a lot of reconfiguring,” Ms. DuCharme says. “The team at District Realty was really helpful in helping us attain our vision … They came up with floorplans, guided me on my budget and did all the work in record time.”

TOURISM

“This is a toe in the water for levelling the playing field.” – OTTAWA GATINEAU HOTEL ASSOCIATION’S STEVE BALL ON THE NEW AIRBNB TAX

Armed with fresh funding, local tourism sector avoids Canada 150 hangover Airbnb to charge 4% tax on rentals, making Ottawa first Ontario municipality to reach agreement with home rental service BY DAVID SALI david@obj.ca

he momentum Ottawa’s tourism industry gained during a recordbreaking Canada 150 year appears to be carrying over into the first few months of 2018, industry officials told OBJ recently. Hotel occupancy rates for the first quarter were very close to last year’s levels, when occupancy averaged 64 per cent, the city’s hotel association says. Meanwhile, Ottawa’s main downtown meeting space, the Shaw Centre, is slated to host 41 conventions this year – just one fewer than it welcomed in 2017. Ottawa Tourism CEO Michael Crockatt said that so far at least, the city is staving off the dreaded “2018 hangover” that many industry observers feared after the region drew a record 11 million tourists last year. “It’s very encouraging,” Crockatt said. “What we were prepared for was a little bit of a letdown (after 2017), but we certainly weren’t hoping for one. Here we are now, five months into the year, and our numbers are still looking very, very positive. We’re still looking like we’re holding our own versus 2017, which is fantastic.” The city announced in late May it was boosting its investment in the Major Events Fund, which Ottawa Tourism uses to attract big-ticket spectacles to the capital. The city already contributes $1.5 million a year to the fund and will now add another $1 million to that total for 2018. The city and Ottawa Tourism later followed that up by partnering to launch a new $1-million Destination Development

Fund that will help support local entrepreneurs who are creating new tourist attractions and events. The money will come from the new four per cent accommodation tax that was imposed on all hotels in the capital on Jan. 1. The tax replaced a voluntary three per cent levy that about half the city’s lodgings had been charging visitors for several years. The city will also pump about $500,000 in revenue from the tax into the Convention Development Fund. Ottawa Tourism and the Shaw Centre draw on the fund to lure corporate and international conventions to the region. The old voluntary hotel levy raised about $8 million a year, most of which went toward Ottawa Tourism’s marketing efforts. The new tax is expected to raise as much as $12 million annually, city officials say. “This new funding is really going to enable us to bid even more, win even more and host even more events here in the city,” Crockatt said. Industry officials are “working actively” to bring back successful Canada 150 events such as La Machine and Red Bull Crashed

Ice in future years, he added, and “funds like this are going to help us do that.” Another popular attraction from last year, the Canada Welcomes the World cultural festival, has already confirmed it will be back in 2018 with a slightly different format. Instead of individual countries being showcased on various weekends through the year, the 2018 version will feature a single celebration of various nations’ cultures on the Canada Day long weekend from July 1-3 at Lansdowne Park’s Horticulture Building. AIRBNB SIGNS ON Meanwhile, one of the world’s most popular online home rental services says it will start charging a four per cent tax on all its Ottawa listings this summer. Airbnb says it will require all guests at its 3,000 active hosts in the city to pay the tax as of Aug. 1. Although Ottawa is the first municipality in Ontario to have such a tax, the company has already been charging a 3.5 per cent levy on all its listings in Quebec.

Airbnb estimates the tax could generate between $300,000 and $360,000 a year, which will go to the city. “We think it’s important to contribute to the tax base,” said Alex Dagg, Airbnb Canada’s director of public policy. “This is a reasonable tax. It makes sense.” Airbnb hosted 185,000 guests in Ottawa in 2017, and the company estimates the city would have collected about $850,000 if the tax had existed last year. But Wendy Stephanson, Ottawa’s deputy city treasurer of revenue, suggested that figure was an anomaly due to the huge number of visitors for Canada 150. “Looking forward, we’re going to temper that number a little bit,” she said. “We’re going to monitor it and just wait and see what happens over time.” It will be up to council to decide what to do with the Airbnb revenue, she said. The new agreement is separate from the hotel tax, so the money likely won’t go to Ottawa Tourism, she added. Steve Ball of the Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association said he’s happy Airbnb has agreed to the tax, although he says hoteliers are still looking for assurances that the company is paying its fair share of corporate taxes and that its hosts are paying HST and tax on the extra income they earn from renting out rooms. “This is a toe in the water for levelling the playing field,” he said. Dagg countered that Airbnb pays all the taxes it’s required to, adding most of its hosts don’t make enough to reach the $30,000 annual threshold for remitting HST. “In my view, it’s a red herring,” she said of the hotel industry’s complaints.

Let’s Talk Technology

Paul Witherow, MBA, PMP T: 613.271.3700 ext. 501 E: paul.witherow@mnp.ca

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

Paul Witherow understands digital government experiences. As MNP’s Federal Government Market Leader and Digital Government Practice Lead, he works with public-sector clients to create engaging solutions that streamline processes and enable data-driven decision making. Leveraging his deep knowledge in project management and technology transformation, Paul helps to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public services. Paul joined MNP in 2016 with the merger of A Hundred Answers.

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Ottawa Arts Council honours champions of local cultural scene

Michael Curran, publisher of the Ottawa Business Journal, with Victoria Steele, executive director of the AOE Arts Council, and the chair of its board, Lisa Cruickshank, owner of State Farm Insurance in Orléans.

an important economic development opportunity for us here as well.” This year’s prestigious Victor Tolgesy Award, named in honour of the late Ottawa artist, went to Jon Bartlett, who is the founder of Kelp Music, a champion of local music in Ottawa and director of MEGAPHONO, an organization that

seeks to build the national capital’s music scene. As the city’s biggest arts prize, the award recognizes the accomplishments of those who have contributed substantially to enriching cultural life in our city. The exciting newness of the building

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

No publisher in town has handed out more awards than the Ottawa Business Journal’s Michael Curran, which is why it was such a novel experience for him to be on the receiving end, for a change, at the Ottawa Arts Council’s annual awards presentation. Only an hour earlier, Curran had been hanging out with a group of young business leaders who will be getting a Forty Under 40 award from him in a couple of weeks. Now here he was, accepting the Business and the Arts Recognition Award on behalf of OBJ, which was nominated by the AOE Arts Council. “While many media outlets have moved away from their abilities and commitments to report on the arts across our region, the Ottawa Business Journal has done the exact opposite,” AOE Arts Council board president Lisa Cruickshank told the audience inside the Ottawa Art Gallery’s new multi-purpose room, the Alma Duncan Salon. OBJ was recognized for its media sponsorship, as well as its arts and events coverage. It has been a supporter of the Artpreneur Ottawa Conference since 2013 and has been helping to link the business and arts communities. Curran was also a member of the AOE Arts Council board of directors for six years. “We don’t think the arts and business are mutually exclusive,” Curran said during his acceptance speech. “We take a much broader role of our job as reporters, as journalists. Certainly, I think – while the arts are primarily to be appreciated for their contributions to our culture – we also need to realize that the arts are

hasn’t worn off yet at the Ottawa Art Gallery, which celebrated the grand opening of its expanded and enhanced space one month ago. Since that time, it has welcomed 20,000 visitors and has been written up in the New York Times as a place to visit in Ottawa. Continued on page 41

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RIVERKEEPER GALA RIDES WAVE OF SUCCESS TO RAISE RECORD $270K If you’re looking for a party that’s really going to float your boat, try the annual Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. It was back for its sixth sensational year on May 30, bringing along a fun crew of 500 for the ride, under dry skies and ideal weather conditions. And just like a river’s water – always moving and never the same – the gala popped up in a beautiful new location along the Ottawa River. It was held at 50 Sussex Dr., right next to Rideau Falls at the home of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Guests, dressed in “river chic”, soaked up the stunning views of the waters on which rowers and boaters could be seen navigating, silhouetted by a setting sun. By the end of the night, the gala had reached an all-time gross fundraising high of nearly $270,000. Everyone was free to roam among the different areas, from the clear-topped elegant party tents with hanging chandeliers and lights to the RCGS building and its riverside terraces. There were chill-out

lounge areas, creative food and drink stations and such activities as ping-pong, fussball and Pac-Man. A nice whimsical touch was the tree swings. Some guests, including iPolitics editor and publisher James Baxter and his wife, Sarah, got into the spirit of the environmental cause by cycling to the gala in their party clothes. This year’s gala committee was 15-people strong. It included Opinicon Resort coowner Fiona McKean, wife of Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke. Thyme & Again was back to cater the $250-a-ticket fundraiser, with its usual panache, while columnist, political journalist and radio host Evan Solomon returned as emcee. He and longtime Ottawa Riverkeeper Meredith Brown go way back to their days of tree planting together. “The river is the most beautiful part of this city,” said Solomon of his favourite running route. Henry Burris, retired quarterback for the Ottawa Redblacks and a three-time

From left, Ottawa Riverkeeper executive director Patrick Nadeau, Sarain Fox, Meredith Brown, Paul Dewar, Henry Burris, Kevin Vickers, Craig Stewart and Ottawa Riverkeeper chair Geoff Green.

Grey Cup champ, took on the role of this year’s Honorary Riverkeeper. The native of Oklahoma and his wife, Nicole, along with their two boys, now call Ottawa home. Burris is one of the hosts of CTV Morning Live. Burris touched on the benefits that the outdoors have on our physical and mental health, and how it’s up to all of us to make sure we leave behind a city we’re proud of for our children. He compared it to a relay race, and how a runner tries to smoothly pass the baton to the next runner so that they can get a good start in their dash toward the finish line. “What type of tomorrow will you hand off

to them?” asked the inspiring speaker. The evening also presented Water Leader awards to young Canadian water activist Autumn Peltier, from Wikwemikong First Nation on Manitoulin Island (accepting the award on her behalf was Sarain Fox, an Indigenous activist and dancer of Anishinabe heritage), and to Paul Dewar, former NDP MP for Ottawa Centre. Dewar, who was diagnosed earlier this year with brain cancer, has been a longtime advocate for and admirer of the Ottawa Riverkeeper team and its leader, Brown, for their engagement and dedication toward keeping the waters clean and pollution-free.

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Stories and photos by Caroline Phillips

MOTORS

NETWORKING EVENT

Rideau Club aims to inspire female leaders Dozens of female leaders in the business and non-profit sectors took the elevator ride up 15 floors on May 22 to the Rideau Club to attend the first of a new series of networking events geared toward women. The inaugural Entre Nous get-together just happened to take place in the portrait presence of Sir John A. Macdonald – Canada’s first feminist prime minister, some have said. The initiative, supported by the Rideau Club, Foundation (WCPD), and the nonprofit organization Elevate International, is part of a broader effort to bring more women into leadership roles. In Canada, only 14 per cent of board seats are occupied by women, and that’s just not good enough, said Elevate International founder and CEO Solange Tuyishime. “If we want more girls to be leaders,

they need more role models,” she said in her opening remarks inside the private club, to which she belongs (as do the likes of Algonquin College president Cheryl Jensen, RBC regional president Tina Sarellas and Startup Canada CEO Victoria Lennox). Incidentally, the Rideau Club saw more new members join last year than any other year in the club’s 152-year history, and that’s partly due to the leadership of its new (and first female) general manager, CarolAnn Goering. In the room were such familiar faces as construction industry trailblazer Shirley Westeinde, retired non-profit chief executive Barbara McInnes and community builder Sarah Onyango. Attendees also included the Rideau Club’s membership liaison, Ted Wagstaff, and Peter Nicholson, president of

Ted Wagstaff with Nadine Fowler of the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation and Brenda Rothwell of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation.

Foundation (WCPD), a public donor-advised fund. As well, OBJ publisher Michael Curran dropped by. The featured guest speakers were Carley Schelck, partner and CEO of The Urban Element, and Kathy McKinlay, the president and CEO of Ottawa Network for

Education (ONFE), which collaborates with community partners and works side-byside with educators to bring innovative and essential programs into schools. Organizers plan to turn the new networking series into a quarterly event, featuring one or two speakers each time.

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From left, Coun. Allan Hubley with event co-chair Sara Cinq-Mars and her husband, Kevin Cinq-Mars, president of major sponsor Tomlinson Group of Companies.

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and go to school and go to parties – may be really struggling. So, we just have to be supportive,” she told the crowd. “My hope for QCH is that people struggling with mental illness will walk through those doors and feel like they have arrived at the right place, that this is a safe place, a positive place, a happy place and a place full of hope,” she said. Attendees included Ferguslea Properties president Dan Greenberg and his wife, mental health advocate Barbara Crook, who together donated $1 million to the Hopes Rising campaign when it was first launched. The $5-million Hopes Rising campaign was beyond the $3-million mark prior to the sold-out benefit. Also seen were QCH president and CEO Tom Schonberg; the hospital’s chief of psychiatry, Dr. Kathi Kovacs; and the chair of the QCH Foundation board, Deborah Bourchier. From presenting sponsor Mattamy Homes was its division president, Kevin O’Shea, who has a familial tie to hospitals – his father-in-law is Dr. Jack Kitts. Retired Ottawa Senators player Chris Phillips continues to serve as honorary cochair with his wife, Erin Phillips, who’s now selling million-dollar homes as a real estate agent with Royal LePage. Hubley is one of 10 city councillors who has committed to raising $500,000 for the campaign. He listed the names of the other members: councillors Eli El-Chantiry, Rick Chiarelli, Keith Egli, Jan Harder, Scott Moffatt, Shad Qadri, Michael Qaqish, Mark Taylor and Marianne Wilkinson. Also at the farm party that night was Mayor Jim Watson.

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

Clearly, generosity is in season. The Queensway Carleton Hospital reaped a bumper crop of support at its fabulous spring soirée held May 24 out at the awardwinning Saunders Farm. Organizers blasted past their fundraising target to raise $520,000 toward the hospital’s plans to breathe new life into its mental health unit. It hasn’t been renovated since the hospital opened nearly 42 years ago. Hope Blooms at the Farm truly was a tranquil evening, with sunny skies, warm temperatures and a pastoral beauty that makes the one-hour drive from downtown Ottawa worth it. The farm is run as an agricultural attraction by Mark Saunders and his wife, Angela Grant Saunders, in southwest Ottawa. The evening, which included a surprise $100,000 donation made by J.D. Brulé, was co-chaired by two big boosters of mental health awareness: Sara Cinq-Mars and Kanata South Coun. Allan Hubley. “My family knows what can happen when you have someone in crisis and the right help is not available in a timely manner,” said Hubley, who tragically lost his son Jamie to suicide in 2011. Cinq-Mars touched on a time in her family’s life when “things went sideways” and they needed professional help for one of their three sons. Her husband is Kevin Cinq-Mars, president of Tomlinson Group of Companies. “I really want people to understand we’re all doing our best to change the stigma around (mental illness), but people – while they can put on a brave face and go to work

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130-year-old Baptist church converted into Batstone’s Northern Ramble

RENFREW IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS Prior to purchasing the building, Batstone’s connection to Renfrew County was limited to having played shows there over the course of his career. “I ended up in Renfrew because of the building,” says Batstone. But the benefits of opening a business in the town quickly became apparent when he got to work converting the former church, as he found support from both municipal officials and the surrounding business community.

Dean Batstone stands in front of the former Baptist church. Photo by Sherry Haaima.

Batstone had to rezone the property for commercial and residential use, having built himself an apartment in the basement of the space. From the get-go, the municipality of Renfrew was supportive, helping the new business owner with the necessary applications and answering questions as they arose. Even the town’s mayor, Don Eady, stopped in and is now one of Batstone’s loyal patrons.

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Support has also come from the wider business community. “Businesses here in the Ottawa Valley – much more than you might see in the city – seem less competitive (with one another),” says Batstone. Fellow business owners are committed to “cross-pollinating,” he explains, expanding services that complement other local businesses as a way to attract and retain new clients to the area.

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a great opportunity: An intimate venue, designed with acoustics in mind, in the heart of the music-loving Ottawa Valley. In January of 2017, he opened Batstone’s Northern Ramble, a concert venue with a capacity for 85 people in the former church.

HWY 416

fter a 30-year career touring throughout Canada and the U.S., Dean Batstone felt it was time to settle down. The career musician dreamed of establishing a new concert venue and set upon a search for a building with great acoustics, comfortable seating and an inviting ambience that he could repurpose. After a dozen tours through basements and coffee shops, Batstone landed in the town of Renfrew, at the old Baptist church. “I fell in love with the building,” says Batstone. “It was all built by local craftsmen.” From the metal on the pews to the stonework in the church’s foundation, the 130-year-old building stands as a testament to the region’s history in the skilled trades. For Batstone, it also stood as

APPETITE FOR THE ARTS While there are plenty of opportunities to see live music in the region’s bars and restaurants, there are no other local businesses that brand themselves as concert halls first. “I don’t really want to compete with other local businesses. I want to offer something a little bit different,” says Batstone. The venue doesn’t serve alcohol or food, an intentional choice on Batstone’s part. Concertgoers enjoy the show uninterrupted, with no servers circulating to take or deliver orders. And since opening last year, word has spread quickly in the music scene about the Ottawa Valley performance space. “I’m getting musicians from the U.S., and from Vancouver to St. John’s who are coming through, know about the room and want to play there,” Batstone says. The venue accepts acts of any genre, but most commonly sees bluegrass and folk performers roll through.

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SPOTLIGHT ON RECRUITMENT

How to attract and retain top talent in Ottawa’s hot job market With unemployment at its lowest in more than a decade, local employers are applying innovative strategies to engage their top staff

ttawa’s hot economy continues to add jobs month after month, leading to the region’s tightest labour market in a generation. Statistics Canada recently reported that Ottawa-Gatineau’s unemployment rate sunk to 4.4 per cent in April, reportedly its lowest level in more than 30 years. While that’s great news for job-seekers, it can present challenges for employers. A low unemployment rate means there are fewer job candidates on the market. It also means that those candidates who are looking for a career change get snapped up quickly and have more leverage when negotiating salary, vacation time and benefits. To thrive in such a hot job market, there are several steps employers can take to ensure they attract and retain the city’s top talent.

ATTRACTING THE BEST

qualified candidates, the firm cuts down on the time it might otherwise take for a client to find a similarly skilled selection on their own. Once the client chooses a particular individual, the firm’s recruiters then act as a mediator in the negotiation of the employment terms. As full-time hiring experts, Stevenson & White is able to focus all of its efforts on closing out a talent search, which can make a big difference in situations where in-house HR professionals are required to divide their attention between several equally important tasks.

TALENT RETENTION

Unfortunately, the challenges don’t end when a firm hires the best person for the job. The nature of today’s job market means that employees, especially younger ones, are more apt to seek a change every few years. For employers, the first line of defence in retaining top talent is to be honest about the opportunity when conducting a search. Misrepresenting the scope of a position or the company’s culture will ultimately work counter to the hiring company’s goals, as candidates will be quick to leave if they discover they were misled during the hiring process.

Finance. Accounting. Payroll.

“The process has to be shorter. It can’t drag on for two months, because candidates will get an offer somewhere else.” – Sharon Lloyd, recruiter, Stevenson & White.

Similarly, it’s important to show employees that you appreciate the contributions that they make to the company. “It can be as little as a compliment or it can be as big as a bonus,” says Stevenson. “If people don’t feel that appreciation, they’re going to move on.”

Stevenson & White can help. Head to stevensonandwhite.com for more information or call 613-225-5417.

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“Because of the talent shortage, it’s become increasingly important for companies to appeal to candidates,” explains Matt Stevenson, a partner and recruiter with Stevenson & White. The local recruitment firm specializes in filling finance, accounting and payroll positions, and has a wealth of experience

navigating the challenges of a candidatedriven market. As Stevenson explains, one of the most important things for employers to realize is that the job market has changed significantly in recent decades. Gone are the days when employees were expected to prioritize work above everything else in their lives – now, many candidates put work-life balance at the top of their list of deciding factors when considering a new job. “A great way to lose an excellent candidate is through lack of flexibility,” says Stevenson. Whether in terms of work hours, remote work options or time off, employers must be conscious of coming off as old-fashioned or rigid. With fewer candidates to choose from, employers must also be decisive when conducting a talent search. “The process has to be shorter,” says Sharon Lloyd, a recruiter with Stevenson & White. “It can’t drag on for two months, because candidates will get an offer somewhere else.” Stevenson & White helps its clients control for this by streamlining the extension of job offers between hiring companies and selected candidates. By hand-picking a shortlist of highly

“That’s one of the benefits that we bring,” says Lloyd. “As outsiders coming in to meet with a company, we can get a sense of the culture and be a little bit more objective about what we’ve seen.” Once a new hire is onboarded, there are measures employers can take to ensure staff remain fulfilled by their work. Growth potential is a major consideration for employees debating a career move. Whether in the form of a promotion, mentorship or professional development, today’s workforce wants to know they’re benefiting from time spent with an employer.

REAL ESTATE Ottawa-based Minto plans IPO of new apartment REIT Local real estate giant plans to make new entity ‘sole vehicle’ for its Canadian multi-residential rental properties BY DAVID SALI david@obj.ca

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

OBJ.CA

ne of Ottawa’s largest real estate firms says it plans to spin off part of its residential portfolio into a new publicly traded real estate investment trust. Minto Properties said last month that 22 rental properties, consisting of 4,279 suites in Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton, would be acquired by the newly formed Minto Apartment REIT, which will be listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. That includes 14 local properties, the largest of which are the Minto one80five highrise at 185 Lyon St. and the 393-unit Parkwood Hills Garden Homes & Townhomes off Meadowlands Drive. A prospectus filed with regulators does not state how much Minto plans to raise in the IPO, although Bloomberg pegged it at $200 million earlier in May. In the document, Minto says it plans to maintain a “significant” ownership stake in the REIT over the long term. The new company would be staffed by both former Minto employees and employees who work for both Minto and the new REIT. Minto said the REIT will eventually become the “sole vehicle” for all of its Canadian multiresidential rental properties. Current Minto Group CEO Michael Waters, who has run the company for the past five years, will also become chief executive of the new entity. In an email to OBJ, Waters said at this point in the process, he “can’t provide any comment” on the company’s IPO plans beyond what was provided in a media release and documents filed to regulators. Founded in 1955, Minto develops, owns and manages residential and commercial real estate. The company says it’s built more than 85,000 new homes and currently manages 13,000 residential units and 2.5 million square feet of office and retail space. In the prospectus, Minto says the new entity will be “well-positioned” to capitalize on the growing demand for rental housing across Canada. A Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. report on Ottawa’s rental market last fall, for example, found that the vacancy rate for rental housing in the city had dropped from three per cent in 2016 to below two per cent last year, while the average rent rose 2.1 per cent to $1,113. Minto says the average rent of the properties in the new REIT would be about $1,358, which it says would be the highest

The Minto one80five highrise is one of 14 local properties that will become part of Minto’s new publicly traded real estate investment trust.

“There has been limited new supply of purpose-built rental accommodation in the country since 1990. Management believes that growing demand coupled with a supply-constrained market creates a compelling investment opportunity for investors.” – PROSPECTUS ON MINTO’S PLANNED IPO

among all public multi-residential rental REITs focused on the Canadian market. “There has been limited new supply of purpose-built rental accommodation in the country since 1990,” the document says. “Management believes that growing demand coupled with a supply-constrained market creates a compelling investment opportunity for investors.” Minto predicts the 22 properties in the REIT will generate $82.2 million in revenue over the 12-month period ending June

30, 2019. Unit-holders will receive about $16.3 million in distributions, leaving a net income of nearly $18 million after expenses. While Minto plans to use much of the proceeds from the TSX offering to further expand its real estate portfolio, the prospectus also says the IPO will provide Minto’s owners, the Greenberg family, “with an effective means of implementing their own estate-planning arrangements.” In recent years, Minto has sold more than $600 million worth of its assets in

Ottawa alone, led by its divestiture in 2017 of a 50 per cent interest in its downtown Minto Place office building to the Investors Group for $391.2 million. In 2016, Minto sold a five-property portfolio, consisting of 850 rental units, to CAPREIT Apartments for $180.25 million. In a separate transaction, Minto received $26.1 million for the Emerald Plaza mixed-use development at 1547 Merivale Rd., located just north of Meadowlands Drive. – With files from Peter Kovessy

The Ottawa Real Estate Show is a new online broadcast dedicated to commercial property in Canada’s capital. Watch the show at http://bit.ly/OttawaRealEstateShow. The Ottawa Real Estate Show is sponsored by Mann Lawyers and CBRE Ottawa.

Dogs in the office? Ottawa landlords wooing tech tenants through flexibility

horter lease terms, bicycle parking and an occasional willingness to allow canine tenants are some of the ways downtown Ottawa landlords are marketing buildings to the growing number of tech firms looking to expand or relocate in the core, experts say. The growth of urban tech tenants is reshaping the commercial real estate market in Ottawa’s central business district, which has traditionally been dominated by the public sector and professional services firms. The federal government is still the largest player downtown. However, tech firms now lease more space downtown than the legal and accounting sectors combined, according to real estate services firm CBRE. The largest is Shopify, which announced plans in 2017 to take some 325,000 square feet inside the former Export Development Canada tower at

“It shows the flexibility of more modern landlords” – ALLAN WILLE, CEO OF KLIPFOLIO

234 Laurier Ave. on top of its space inside Performance Court on Elgin Street. Additionally, Klipfolio, SurveyMonkey and Telesat have collectively absorbed some 150,000 square feet of office space in downtown Ottawa in recent months. The Ottawa Real Estate Show recently visited Klipfolio’s brand-new office space inside the former movie theatres at the World Exchange Plaza to speak with CEO Allan Wille about the market from a tech tenant’s perspective.

“The first thing that every tech entrepreneur wants to see is shorter leases,” Wille said. “A 10-year lease for a tech company is an enormous amount of time and commitment if you’re growing like crazy or the future is uncertain.” After running out of space at its former Centretown offices, Klipfolio toured several buildings before settling on 17,000 square feet of class-A office space inside World Exchange. Wille said he met several landlords that were open to adding bike cages in parking garages and providing shower facilities for employees who run or do yoga at lunchtime. “It shows the flexibility of more modern landlords,” Wille said. “We’ve got dogs in the office. That was something that they were happy to negotiate, and now we have back staircases to let the dogs in and out.” – Peter Kovessy

Allan Wille is the CEO of Klipfolio, which recently moved into the former movie theatres at World Exchange Plaza after they were converted to office space. FILE PHOTO BY CAROLINE PHILLIPS

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MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

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NEWS Canopy Growth continues global expansion

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BY CRAIG LORD craig@obj.ca

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anopy Growth took another step towards cannabis world domination in late May with a multimilliondollar deal that brings the Ottawa-area pot producer onto its fifth continent. The Smiths Falls-based company announced it had acquired southern Africa’s Daddy Cann Lesotho, otherwise known as Highlands. The deal, which will see Canopy issue nearly 100 million shares to the sole owner of the Lesotho-based producer, is worth as much as $28.8 million at the firm’s current stock prices. It’s the first inroad into the African cannabis market for one of Canada’s largest pot producers. Lesotho, a sovereign kingdom contained entirely within South

Africa, was the first nation on the continent to legalize medical cannabis in 2017. A release states that the region’s high altitudes and 300 days of sunshine per year provide the ideal conditions for cannabis cultivation. Canopy Growth considers the acquisition a strong foothold in southern Africa’s emerging cannabis market, where momentum behind legalizing the drug for medical use is growing. With this latest acquisition, the smalltown Ontario grower’s ambitions of building a global cannabis powerhouse come closer to reality. CEO Bruce Linton made no qualms about his vision for the company while speaking at the Mayor’s Breakfast Series in 2016. “We want to be really not very Canadian. We want to dominate the world,” he said.

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GO GLOBAL “Since nobody’s ever produced powder like ours before, nobody knew what it could do. It’s opening up whole new ways of printing things or repairing things that weren’t possible before. It’s kind of reinventing design.” – EQUISPHERES CEO KEVIN NICHOLDS

Ottawa startup not letting high-tech powder opportunity slip through its fingers Equispheres attracts tens of millions of dollars from investors who believe it is poised to revolutionize the 3D printing industry BY DAVID SALI david@obj.ca

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

OBJ.CA

38 Kevin Nicholds launched Equispheres three years ago. PHOTO BY MARK HOLLERON

local entrepreneur believes a powder made of fine aluminum particles is the raw material that will build Ottawa’s next billion-dollar company. Kevin Nicholds is the president and CEO of Equispheres, a three-year-old startup. He thinks his firm just might have discovered the Holy Grail of 3D printing: A metallic powder that can be used to consistently create products such as airplane and automotive components – and even human body parts – that are stronger, lighter and more efficient than anything now on the market. A growing number of investors and potential customers – including some of the world’s largest aerospace companies and automakers – are betting he’s right. Last week, Lockheed Martin announced it is pumping US$5 million into Equispheres to help the fledgling firm develop cutting-edge materials at its Kanata headquarters. That brings the company’s total funding haul since its inception to more than $24 million in Canadian funds – most of it from

well-heeled Ottawa angels, as well as a number from Calgary and Toronto. Not bad for an operation that started generating revenue just a couple of months ago. “They’ve often said that it’s the bestkept secret in Ottawa,” Nicholds says, describing his investors’ reaction when they find out what Equispheres is doing. “(The company) has raised $18 million (from angels), it’s got global interest. I guess it’s just sort of the magnitude of the opportunity, the pace that the company has (set) and the kind of people it’s attracted.” Nicholds and his team have spared no expense in their effort to become world leaders in the metallic powder industry, which he predicts will be worth billions of dollars in the next five to 10 years. Since its launch, three-quarters of the company’s spending has been devoted to research and development, and about half of its 30 or so employees are scientists and engineers. The result of their labours, Nicholds says, is a free-flowing powder made of particles that are almost perfectly spherical and uniform in size, making them ideal for creating customized metal objects in 3D printers. During the printing process, a

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Equispheres is working with partners in Canada and around the world on its patented technology, including about half a dozen universities, the National Research Council and some of those aforementioned billion-dollar companies, though he won’t divulge which ones.

Ottawa International Airport enables long-haul tourism Close connection with tourism pays off

ith Ottawa’s busy summer tourism season warming up, visitors arriving from both near and far are descending on the National Capital Region. Some are coming to spend a night with friends or family. Others turn a road trip to Ottawa into a weekend getaway. But a highly coveted segment of tourists arrive in the capital from more distant parts of Canada, the U.S. or elsewhere in the world. These visitors typically stay longer, shop more, frequently dine out at local restaurants and have a greater overall impact on the local economy. And they often arrive via the Ottawa International Airport. “The airport serves the entire region – including the Outaouais,” says Mark Laroche, the president and CEO of the Ottawa International Airport Authority. “Working with partners on both sides of the river to promote the destination is key to attracting international visitors.” Residents of foreign countries other than the U.S. are the fastestgrowing segment of visitors to the nation’s capital, according to Ottawa Tourism. Last year, the number of international visitors grew by nearly 11 per cent, the organization says. Attracting visitors is a joint effort. The airport is a driver of tourism, stimulating demand for travel and acting as a gateway to Ottawa, Gatineau and surrounding communities. “Aviation goes hand-in-hand with tourism and plays a key role in the economy,” says Ottawa Tourism president and CEO Michael

Crockatt. “It is essential for the tourism industry to work with YOW in supporting air service, and thus welcome even more visitors to Canada’s Capital Region.” Economic development representatives from both Ottawa and Gatineau sit on the airport’s board, plus Ottawa Tourism and the airport have representation on each other’s boards, further enhancing common mandates – particularly in regards to growing the number of international travellers. During last year’s Canada 150 celebrations, for many, the Ottawa International Airport was the first point of welcome for visitors and played an essential role as the primary gateway to the festivities. Visitors knew the moment they stepped into the airport that they were in for something special. For example, 2017 pageantry was displayed throughout the terminal, and technology provided visitors with a glimpse into what the region had to offer, including what events were taking place. While every organization has a role to play in enhancing visitors’ experience, working together is the most effective means to grow tourism and share the resulting social, cultural and economic benefits with the community. “As a major gateway into the region, YOW plays a key role in helping attract visitors who contribute to our economic wellbeing,” says Geneviève Dumas, president of Tourisme Outaouais’ board of directors.

39 OBJ.CA

‘RACE TO SCALE’ Building a viable business in such a research-intensive industry is not without its challenges, he explains. It calls for a deep pool of talent and capital and, just as importantly, endless reserves of patience. “We’re just in a flat-out race now to scale,” Nicholds says. “It’s no longer, ‘Will this work, will people care?’ Now it’s, ‘How fast can we get to market?’ “It’s a new process. It takes six, 12 months to get validation from different customers.” For now, Equispheres plans to focus on a core of about 10 major customers while it finds its footing. But interest in the firm continues to grow, Nicholds says, noting officials from a “major European automaker” jetted to Ottawa to tour the plant a couple of weeks ago. A wider range of powders made of metals such as titanium are also in the works, he adds. “We don’t want to be half-good at 10 things. We want to really get a wedge in the market and say, this is the world’s best (aluminum) powder and it works great, and now we’ll work on the other materials.” Equispheres is aggressively hunting for more capital, Nicholds adds, so it can “make hay while we’re unique.” He’s currently wooing VC investors south of the border and expects to land up to US$25 million in a new round before the end of the year. The firm expects to use much of that cash to boost its R&D department as well as beef up its sales and marketing team, and Nicholds expects the firm to employ between 50 and 60 people by this time next year. Eventually, he foresees eight-figure annual revenues and a billion-dollar valuation. He knows he’s not the first Ottawa entrepreneur to make such a prediction, and he certainly won’t be the last. But he’s prepared to stand by his bold prognostication. “I’d never want to chase sales, but when you look at the size of the market, the value-add of our product and the adoption, if we can execute and scale as fast as we want to, then I don’t think it’s a crazy (prediction),” he says. For the dyed-in-the-wool Ottawan, accomplishing all that in his hometown would be the icing on the cake. “We’re a nice story,” Nicholds says. “It’s all export, high-value added, using Canada’s core strengths. It just checks all the boxes of what Canada says it wants to achieve.”

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

tiny laser thinner than a human hair effectively fuses the metallic particles together in layers to “print” an object. Existing powders typically feature fragments of various shapes and sizes, which makes them less likely to form a strong, consistent bond, Nicholds explains, using a popular children’s toy as an analogy. “If you were making a part out of Lego, but all your Lego blocks were different shapes and sizes, it would be hard to make a good structure,” he says. The longtime businessman predicts printed metal parts could revolutionize health care in addition to the aeronautics and automotive industries. He foresees a day when replacement knees, hips and even vertebrae could be custom-designed for each patient. “At some point, who’s going to want off-the-shelf (body) parts?” he says. “People are going to want parts for their body that are unique. “Since nobody’s ever produced powder like ours before, nobody knew what it could do. It’s opening up whole new ways of printing things or repairing things that weren’t possible before. It’s kind of reinventing design.” It’s also a high-tech twist on a centuries-old industry that’s near and dear to Nicholds’ heart. Before launching Equispheres, he was president of Dollco Integrated Print Solutions, a local company that was owned by the Nicholds family for three generations. After selling Dollco to the LoweMartin Group in 2012, Nicholds left the business the following year. He and his buddy Jeff York, the head of Ottawabased food retailer Farm Boy, were brainstorming new opportunities when they had an epiphany: 3D printing was the future, but no one had yet come up with a viable way to consistently churn out products made of metal. After spending the first year in stealth mode experimenting with their product, Nicholds and his co-founders knew they were really on to something when the company issued a news release in 2016 with magnified photos of the tiny aluminum particles. Right away, the phone started ringing. “Within two weeks, we had two dozen billion-dollar companies reach out to us,” he says with a grin. “The best of the best in the world looked at it and they said, ‘That’s incredible. How did you do that?’ We were kind of shocked that it had that level of interest. That’s when we sort of put all of our marketing plans in the bucket because now we had an issue of supply, not an issue of demand. We had all the customers we could ever hope for.” Since then, the firm has continued to pour time, money and human resources into preparing its powder for mass production. Nicholds says

BUILD A GREAT BUSINESS MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

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SEPT. 9, 2018

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Stories and photos by Caroline Phillips

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From left, Ottawa Arts Council board members Stephanie Chong, Julia Johnston (board chair), Beverly Ford and Stefani Truant.

Continued from page 28 “We now have the perfect space – a landmark, a destination – that finally reflects the artistic quality in this region,” OAG chief executive Alexandra Badzak told the room in her welcome remarks. The ceremony, which was emceed by Michael Mancini, shone a light on artists at all stages of their careers. It also attracted donors, sponsors and artists. Regional vice-president Mike Belliveau was there on behalf of sponsors RBC and the RBC Foundation. As well, Colleen Hoey, a partner at Mann Lawyers, and Margo Sunter, COO of GGFL Chartered Professional Accountants, were there to hand out an award together. Presenters also included Mayor Jim Watson, who gave a special shout-out to the Ottawa Arts Council’s longtime executive director Peter Honeywell for his largely unrecognized but influential role in the Ottawa Art Gallery expansion and Arts Court redevelopment project. “He could write a book on effective lobbying,” the mayor joked.

Also taking to the stage were Arts Award committee chair Joanne Guillemette and Ottawa Arts Council board chair Julia Johnston, a real estate agent with RE/MAX. The awards program, which was launched 30 years ago, has recognized 191 artists and arts supporters over the years and has awarded more than $300,000, Johnston told the crowd. Chosen artists are at all stages of their careers and in a variety of disciplines, including visual arts, theatre, music, dance, film and written and spoken word. Musician Justin Duhaime received the RBC Emerging Artist Award, while filmmaker Pixie Cram landed the midcareer artist award. The winner of the young artist award was Gwyneth Orr. The event saw funding to promote and foster photographic excellence go to artist Neeko Paluzzi, while subDevision, a live theatre event that takes place in unconventional spaces in a massive party-like atmosphere, got support from an endowment fund that supports the evolution and creativity of new initiatives.

From left, Rideau-Vanier Ward Coun. Mathieu Fleury with Peter Honeywell and Marco Pagani, president and CEO of the Ottawa Community Foundation.

Colleen Hoey (left) and Margo Sunter.

Ottawa Arts Council executive director Peter Honeywell (left) is seen with a very sharply dressed Jon Bartlett, recipient of The Victor Tolgesy Arts Award.

In the heart of our Ottawa campus, the state-of-the-art DARE District is dedicated to Discovery, Applied Research and Entrepreneurship. Through it, we are charting a daring new future — for our College, and for our community. Thank you to all who contributed to the successful completion of this flagship building. Our doors are open, and we’re ready to welcome you.

41 OBJ.CA

Bring your innovation and your ideas. Let’s dare together. algonquincollege.com/dare

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

Building a daring future for Algonquin — and Ottawa

“Everyone pulls on the rope together,” he says. There are no motivational posters on the wall at FarmLead’s offices. On display instead are dozens of jars of seed – canola, mustard, malt barley, yellow peas, all sent from the firm’s own customers’ farms – which nonetheless serve a similar purpose. At FarmLead’s recent holiday party, Turner said he’d give $50 Starbucks gift cards to any employee who could name 75 per cent of the seeds on that wall – a clever incentive program to get employees invested in the crops behind their code. “I actually had to pay a little more than I was expecting, to be honest,” he says with a laugh.

CONNECTING TECH IN OTTAWA

“Everyone’s getting the chance to get a little farmer blood in their blood.” – FarmLead CEO Brennan Turner

FarmLead co-founders Alain Goubau (left) and Brennan Turner. File photo

FarmLead employees come from three distinct camps, Turner says: People who grew up on a farm in small-town North America; others who might have a bit of farming in their family; and more typical tech talent, those who likely couldn’t tell the difference between corn stalks and wheat leaves. Bringing these disparate backgrounds together is a core challenge for the startup. To that end, Turner says the company has started a FarmLead book club, where employees can come together to learn about relevant topics in the industry such as genetically modified organisms. Also in the office are toy trucks and tractors – visual aids to explain how crops are seeded. Of course, nothing beats an oldfashioned field trip. Turner says the firm recently took employees to Goubau’s farm in eastern Ontario to see real examples of crop seeding. firms ranking on the international list. FarmLead takes trips like this every After raising its series-A round roughly quarter or so as an excuse to get out a year ago, FarmLead is right in the middle from behind the computer and see where of scaling up its product, an online grain its platform is in action. Before these marketplace. In the past year the number excursions, many employees had never set of farmers using the Ottawa startup’s foot on a farm, let alone had the chance to platform has tripled to nearly 10,000. see the rigours of tending the soil up close. FarmLead’s office on Bank Street is Tech firms can often be accused, fairly quickly filling, with roughly 30 employees or unfairly, of being disconnected from the today and an expected headcount of problems they’re actually trying to solve. around 50 by year’s end. FarmLead’s founders believe the best CEO Brennan Turner, who, like his way to deliver a platform that works for co-founder Alain Goubau, grew up on farmers is to build a company that shares a Canadian farm, says the firm’s strong its customers’ culture. culture comes from bringing quality “Everyone’s getting the chance to get a people together and aligning them on the little farmer blood in their blood,” Turner FarmLead mission. says.

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

How Ottawa’s FarmLead cultivates award-winning culture

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Techopia talks to CEO Brennan Turner about how the growing startup brings farm life to its employees – and vice-versa by Craig Lord

f an Ottawa startup is in the midst of scaling up, there’s one concern you’ll often hear on the lips of leadership: culture. Maintaining a company’s shared vision while keeping the days fresh and fun around the office becomes increasingly difficult as the workforce and the amount of work itself grows. As important as culture may be, it’s also a tricky thing to describe. It’s

everything from the way a new hire is brought into the fold to the mood in the office when challenges are fiercest. It’s useful, then, to look at how a firm actively cultivates culture – and in this regard, Ottawa-based FarmLead may be the cream of the crop. The local agri-tech startup was recently named to the Business Intelligence Group’s annual list of the best places to work, one of the few Canadian

TECHOPIA LIVE

Techopia Live brings Ottawa’s hottest startups and coolest tech execs to your screen every week. The live tech show airs at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays on Techopia’s Facebook and Twitter channels. Check out our ever-growing video archive of 80+ Ottawa tech interviews at http://bit.ly/TechopiaLive, and if you’re reading our digital edition, click play below.

Lumenera harnessing Ottawa’s ‘hotbed’ of imaging tech by Craig Lord

Robot Missions founder Erin Kennedy with her bot, Bowie. Photo by Andrea Tomkins

Ottawa-made robot to clean up Westboro beach this summer by Craig Lord

43 OBJ.CA

local startup is rallying the community to crowdfund a made-in-Ottawa fix for trash littering the National Capital Region’s beaches. Bowie, a 3D-printed robot on wheels, is that fix. His creator, Erin Kennedy, is the founder of Ottawa-based Robot Missions. She tells Techopia that she was inspired to create a robot that could clean up shorelines when she noticed a pile of trash at her feet a few years back. It was the small stuff – cigarette butts and tiny plastics – that most passers-by wouldn’t concern themselves with, but which nonetheless adds up to significant environmental harm. Nearly 400,000 kilograms of trash has been picked up off of Canadian shorelines in the past three years as part of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. Tiny plastics or foam and cigarette butts are the two most common forms of waste found on shorelines. Kennedy realized that the effort of bending down and collecting small bits of litter could seem like a big task for a person – but not for a robot. “Why not build a robot, and combine the efforts of techies and environmentalists to tackle this global challenge?” she asks. Bowie stands at less than a foot off the ground. Equipped with a shovel and a filter on its back, the robot can scoop sand and dump the debris back into its body, letting the earth fall through but catching any litter. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau got to see Bowie in action during a recent visit to Bayview Yards. Since its inception, Robot Missions has made

use of a number of grants from organizations including Ontario Centres of Excellence and Awesome Ottawa. That funding, combined with pitchfest wins and an earlier $10,000 crowdfunding campaign, has kept Kennedy and her team of four volunteers in business. One of the most significant supporters, however, has been MadeMill. The makerspace at Bayview Yards has lent its support to Robot Missions, giving Kennedy tips on 3D printing. She says she also developed a new drive system with the help of the shop’s waterjet cutter. Kennedy now works as an electronics designer at MadeMill, and Robot Missions will be using one of the shop’s Innovation Pods on Westboro Beach this summer. The City of Ottawa has granted Robot Missions permission to test its cleanup capabilities on the local beach, with Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper giving the pilot his seal of approval. For the trial to be fully productive, Kennedy says, the firm’s Kickstarter campaign will need to hit its $13,500 target. At the time of writing, funding was around $10,000 short of that goal. Kennedy says she opted to go the crowdfunding route because Robot Missions is, at its core, a community-led initiative. She says Westboro residents have embraced seeing Bowie outside, and that if more people buy in, they’ll see tangible results in their own neighbourhoods. Robot Missions has already inspired students at the University of Ottawa. During a recent design day event, more than 100 engineering students developed new modules for Bowie, including seed dispensers and weed snippers. Kennedy says people see the robot as an open platform for their improving local environments. The young founder would like to see a Bowie in every park in Ontario by 2030. Beyond that, municipalities could roll out fleets of autonomous robots to clean neighbourhoods after a storm or festival, and residents could rent their own Bowie from a local library to experiment on their own projects. Though the robot itself is one small step for machines, Kennedy believes Bowie could be one giant leap for humankind. “We’re going to need better tools to tackle the challenges we’re facing and the ones to come.”

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

tepping in front of the camera last week on Techopia Live was a member of Ottawa’s own imaging experts – Lumenera. Dany Longval, the firm’s vice-president of worldwide sales, joined the show to discuss how the local digital Lumenera vice-president of camera company is worldwide sales Dany Longval. snapping up imaging Photo by Carlo Lombard opportunities. Lumenera isn’t responsible for the camera in your iPhone. Instead, the Ottawa-based firm develops and manufacturers specialized cameras for scientific and industrial use – everything from microscopes to astrophotography. “There’s cameras everywhere. For us, that’s a very good market to be in,” Longval told Techopia Live. Lumenera’s production is entirely in-house, which Longval says gives the company control over its product and the ability to respond more quickly to the needs of customers. If you’re surprised the photonics and imaging firm has chosen Ottawa for its home base, don’t be. Longval said Ottawa is a “hotbed of imaging technologies,” adding that he sees local companies at events all over the world. Some of these firms – working in software, optics and photonics – are Lumenera’s customers and partners. “For us to be in Ottawa, we can harness that knowledge,” he said. That expertise extends to reputation. Longval explained that being a Canadian firm opens doors for the company to do business in China and around the world as customers are very receptive to the maple leaf. That doesn’t stop some people from being surprised at Lumenera’s far-reaching sales. “People ask me all the time, ‘You sell electronics in China? Isn’t is supposed to be the other way around?’” Longval said the imaging company is seeing the most growth today in life sciences, where demand is driven by emerging needs in health care. “People need better health care, better ways to deliver on their promises. Imaging makes that happen.” That’s where the industry is today, but in the future, Longval says imaging won’t be about solely capturing the photo – it’s about understanding what’s in the image. Digital cameras that can analyze data from an image – without a human eye to interpret – are the kinds of technology Lumenera is shooting for in the future.

THE LIST Company / Address Phone / Fax / Web

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

No. of Ottawa staff

Local/ national offices

Managing partner(s)

Year est. in Ottawa

Services offered

384

560

4 55

Mark Noonan

1946

Full-service firm providing audit, tax, consulting, risk management and financial advisory services.

PwC 800-99 Bank St., Ottawa, ON K1P 1E4 613-237-3702 / 613-237-3963 pwc.com/ca

232

320

2 26

Carol Devenny

1907

Provides professional assurance, tax and advisory services to the private and public sectors.

BDO Canada LLP 100-1730 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, ON K1G 5L1 613-739-8221 / 613-739-1517 bdo.ca

209

232

9 116

Stéphane Savage

1963

Full service bilingual assurance and accounting; tax, U.S. tax, and advisory services, including government incentives; valuations; litigation support; insolvency and debt restructuring, consulting (planning, performance, transformation, change); risk management, technology software solutions; business transition and wealth advisory.

Ernst & Young LLP 1200-99 Bank St., Ottawa, ON K1P 6B9 613-232-1511 / 613-232-5324 ey.com

210

233

1 16

Deanna Monaghan Managing Partner

1906

Full-service firm: assurance, IT audit, fraud investigation, advisory services, cybersecurity, domestic/cross-border tax, transfer pricing, transaction advisory, emerging growth services, private client services, not-for-profit, government.

MNP 800-1600 Carling Ave., Ottawa, ON K2A 4B2 613-691-4200 / 613-726-9009 mnp.ca

157

189

4 70

Michael Dimitriou Sean Murphy

1981

Accounting; tax; consulting; succession planning; enterprise risk; privacy; corporate finance; valuations; forensics; mergers and acquisitions; corporate recovery; bankruptcy; technology advisory; cyber security; digital transformation; AI; Blockchain; data analytics; client relationship management (CRM)

6 7

Welch LLP 123 Slater St., 3rd floor, Ottawa, ON K1P 5H2 613-236-9191 / 613-236-8258 welchllp.com

150

198

1 11

Micheal L. Burch

1918

Personal and corporate tax planning; SR&ED tax credits; accounting/financial reporting; business advisory; doing business in Canada; financial statement audit; government contribution audit/compliance audit; M&A; corporate finance

Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton 2505 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, ON K1H 1E4 613-236-2211 / 613-236-6104 rcgt.com

135

167

9 108

Jean Schnob, Marco 1947 Perron, Alain Tremblay, Stanley Loiselle, Marc Lafrenière

Bilingual full-service firm specializing in audit, tax, strategy and performance consulting, IT audit, contribution audit, tax credit, business succession and continuity, business valuation, sales and acquisitions, recovery and reorganization (businesses and individuals)

KPMG LLP 1800-150 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON K2P 2P8 613-212-5764 / 613-212-2896 kpmg.ca

243

2 35

Grant McDonald

1840

Full-service firm, operating through four service lines: audit, tax, advisory, enterprise (private company advisor).

Collins Barrow Ottawa LLP 400-301 Moodie Dr., Ottawa, ON K2H 9C4 613-820-8010 / 613-820-0465 ottawa.collinsbarrow.com

117

2 47

Kenneth Tammadge

1963

Full service firm: audit and assurance; taxation (personal, corporate, estate, international); insolvency and debt restructuring; business valuations; financial advisory; government consulting

Marcil Lavallée 400-1420 Blair Pl., Ottawa, ON K1J 9L8 613-745-8387 / 613-745-9584 marcil-lavallee.ca

2 0

Lionel Nolet

1980

Auditing and accounting; taxation; financial and management services; business startups; accounting personnel recruitment

Ginsberg Gluzman Fage & Levitz LLP 287 Richmond Rd., Ottawa, ON K1Z 6X4 613-728-5831 / 613-728-8085 ggfl.ca

184

4 5

Deborah M. Bourchier

1946

Full-service, specializing in owner-managed businesses. Assurance; advisory; accounting and tax services; insolvency; corporate restructuring; estate and succession planning; real estate; medical and dental professionals; construction; notfor-profits

McCay Duff LLP 141 Laurier Ave., 6th floor, Ottawa, ON K1P 5J3 613-236-2367 / 613-236-5041 mccayduff.com

1 0

Jason Howarth

1946

Full service: auditing; accounting; taxation (corporate and personal); business advisory; business valuation; corporate reorganizations; fund administration; succession planning; business purchase and sales

Crowe BGK LLP 400-340 March Rd., Kanata, ON K2K 2E4 613-836-8228 / 613-836-8338 crowebgk.com

1 1

Michael B. McCrann

1950

Full-service firm providing audit and accounting; business advisory; mergers and acquisitions; SR&ED and government grants; U.S. tax; personal and corporate tax; reorganizations; estate planning; commodity tax

Hendry Warren LLP 200-881 Lady Ellen Pl., Ottawa, ON K1Z 5L3 613-235-2000 / 613-235-2643 hwllp.ca

1 0

Marie Fraser

2002

Full-service firm for small and medium entrepreneurial businesses and high net worth clients; taxation planning and compliance services including corporate restructuring, purchase and sale of business, succession and continuity and estate planning; business valuation and start-up advisory services

Connelly & Koshy Professional Corp. 1445 Woodroffe Ave., Ottawa, ON K2G 1W1 613-224-0212 / 613-225-0730 ck-ca.com

3 0

Luc Imbeau

1968

Full-service firm providing audit, tax, consulting, risk management and financial advisory services.

Logan Katz LLP 105-6 Gurdwara Rd., Ottawa, ON K2E 8A3 613-228-8282 / 613-228-8284 logankatz.com

1 0

Gary Katz

1994

Personal; corporate; SR&ED; cross-border; U.S. taxation; tax planning and compliance; assurance; business advisory; corporate reorganization; back office support; estate and succession planning; recruiting services; bookkeeping

Andrews & Co. 540 Lacolle Way, Orléans, ON K4A 0N9 613-837-8282 / 613-837-7482 andrews.ca

1 0

Jeff LeBlanc David Brighten

1979

Audit and assurance; business management services (outsourcing); personal; corporate and estates/trusts taxation; financial statements; bookkeeping; business succession planning; restructuring and financing; bank financing; mentoring; planning; business valuations

18 19

Parker Prins Lebano 1796 Courtwood Cr., Ottawa, ON K2C 2B5 613-727-7474 / 613-727-3715 parkerprinslebano.com

1 0

Steve Parker

1996

Full service, except bankruptcy

Bouris, Wilson LLP 1701 Woodward Dr., 2nd floor, Ottawa, ON K2C 0R4 613-727-8500 / 613-727-8585 bouriswilson.com

1 0

Jennel Recoskie

1960

Full service, except bankruptcy, actuarial and benefits

Ouseley Hanvey Clipsham Deep LLP 200-205 Catherine St., Ottawa, ON K2P 1C3 613-562-2010 / 613-562-2012 ohcd.ca

1 0

Eric Wilson

1984

Accounting; auditing; corporate tax; personal tax; financial consulting services

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(RANKED BY NUMBER OF ACCOUNTANTS)

Deloitte 1600-100 Queen St., Ottawa, ON K1P 5T8 613-236-2442 / 613-236-2195 deloitte.ca

No. of Ottawa/ Gatineau CPAs

LARGEST ACCOUNTING FIRMS

WND = Would not disclose. Should your company be on this list? If so, please send details to research@obj.ca. This list is current as of May 31, 2018. © 2018 by Ottawa Business Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced by any method in whole or in part without written permission by Ottawa Business Journal. While every attempt is made to ensure the thoroughness and accuracy of the list, omissions and errors sometimes occur. Please send any corrections or additions by e-mail to research@obj.ca. OBJ lists are primarily compiled using information provided voluntarily by the organizations named. Some firms that may qualify for the list are not included because the company either failed to respond to requests for information by press time, because the company declined to take part in the survey or because of space constraints. Categories are drawn up in attempt to gather information of relevance to the Ottawa market. Research by Rosa Saba. Please send questions and comments to research@obj.ca.

FOR THE RECORD Contracts

TELUS Communications Company 215 Slater St. AV Meeting Rooms/Video Recording and Reproduction Equipment Buyer: DND $3,679,047

The following contains information about recent contracts, standing offers and supply arrangements awarded to local firms. Primex Project Management Ltd. 119 Walgreen Rd. RCAF DRMIS Aircraft Maintenance & Materiel Mgmt Informatics Professional Services Buyer: DND $4,033,077

S I Systems Ltd. 170 Laurier Ave. W. Informatics Professional Services Buyer: PWGSC $2,872,997

People on the move

TPG Technology Consulting Ltd. 887 Richmond Rd., Suite 100 TBIPS Automatic Identification Technology Buyer: DND $2,825,325 Primex Project Management Ltd. 119 Walgreen Rd. RCAF DRMIS Aircraft Maintenance & Materiel Mgmt Informatics Professional Services Buyer: DND $2,590,563

Dynamic Personnel Consultants 420 O’Connor St. Consulting Services, Change Management/Organizational Development Buyer: PWGSC $1,041,935

EXP Services Inc. 100-2650 Queensview Dr. Designated Services/ Hazardous Material Assessment and Waste Audit Services Buyer: NCC $500,000

Rampart International Corp. 2574 Sheffield Rd. Modular Pack Systems Buyer: DND $859,893

Golder Associates Ltd. 1931 Robertson Rd. Designated Services/ Hazardous Material Assessment and Waste Audit

Services Buyer: NCC $500,000 WSP Canada Inc. 300-2611 Queensview Dr. Designated Services/ Hazardous Material Assessment and Waste Audit Services Buyer: NCC $500,000

and Pleora Technologies. FRAMOS provides imaging components and services for industrial, scientific and medical customers.

Mike Gagnon has joined Ottawa artificial intelligence firm Atomic X as its first chief financial officer. Gagnon has more than a decade of financial expertise in the technology field. Prior to joining Atomic X, he served as comptroller for Shopify, where he helped lead the e-commerce firm through two private financing rounds as well as its successful IPO in 2015. The Canadian College of Health Leaders announced that Alain Doucet will become its new president and CEO effective Aug. 20. Doucet has been assistant dean of external relations at the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management for 14 years, helping raise more than $70 million and boosting engagement with alumni across Canada and in global markets. FRAMOS Technologies announced that industry veteran Chris Barrett is the firm’s new vice-president of sensor engineering. Before joining FRAMOS, Barrett served as co-CEO of International Datacasting and was vicepresident of engineering at Lumenera

Christina Tessier has been appointed director of the National Museum of Science and Technology. Tessier had been director general of the Canada Science and Technology Museum since 2014. The National Museum of Science and Technology encompasses three national institutions: the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the Canada Science and Technology Museum.

MASONRY REPAIRS WATERPROOFING CAULKING COATINGS CONCRETE REPAIRS

Hats off Beau’s Brewing Co. and its offshoot, Halcyon Barrel House, each earned a medal for their beer at the 2018 Canadian Brewing Awards in Halifax. Beau’s took home a gold in the Kellerbier/Zwickel category for Zwickel, a German-style auburn lager. Halcyon Barrel House was awarded silver in the Belgian-Style Sour Ale – Fruit Lambic category for Waking Dreams, a barrelaged sour gold with haskap.

RON JONAS

• Masonry Repairs • Waterproofing 3717 ST. JOSEPH BLVD, ORLEANS, ON, K4A 0Z7 TEL: 613-837-0111 FAX: 613-837-6724 • Caulking • Coatings • Concrete Repairs www.jonasrestoration.com Ot

RON JONAS s the attitudes, perception Exclusive insights into s leaders ines bus s wa’ Otta of ns and pla

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2018 RESULTS AVAILABLE NOW

IDENCE BUSINESS CONFTA L PI CA E IN TH MARKET OUTLOOK

HIRING INTENTIONS

WORKPLACE TRENDS

MAYOR’S RATING

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2018

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Splintered chambers need one strong voice

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

Ottawa is gaining economic momentum, Mischa Kaplan says, but the city is also facing challenges that cry out for greater co-operation among its three main business advocacy organizations

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ast September, I wrote a piece for this newspaper in which I suggested that Ottawa is currently undergoing a positive transformation which will fundamentally alter the character of the city. There is an optimism that seems to have gripped this city, and it is visible across a broad variety of areas. In the case of education, our city’s post-secondary institutes continue to grow and innovate. In the field of public transit, our politicians seem to finally be making progress, with the upcoming opening of the LRT having the potential to transform the way Ottawa residents travel and connect with each other. In the case of our growing

technology sector, we punch well above our weight, and the oft-cited success of Shopify is but one example of a thriving and dynamic tech sector. In terms of city growth, our urban centre is constantly evolving, and our suburban regions are bursting with new development and energy. We are also fortunate to have an ambitious and, more importantly, consistent city council that values development and collaboration. But despite all this positive energy, Ottawa remains fractured in terms of its approach to economic development and business advocacy. Unlike other large Canadian cities,

Ottawa currently has three separate chambers of commerce (the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, West Ottawa Board of Trade and Orléans Chamber of Commerce), each of which have their own unique missions, organizational structures and member-led priorities. While these three chambers have collaborated extensively over the past year on a variety of events and initiatives, such a system is less than ideal for truly impacting the direction of our city’s business sector. With three different organizations working independently, there is an inevitable loss of efficiency and organizational impact. This is the case not

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Business owners across this city should be calling on a daily basis for a strong and activist chamber that can make the voice of business heard not just in Ottawa’s City Hall, but as far as Queen’s Park and even Parliament Hill While it is hard to find exact figures on the number of registered businesses in Ottawa, my own estimate (based on some number-crunching of Statistics Canada figures) is that there are roughly 35,000 corporations in the Ottawa area, which would mean that the current “capture rate” or market penetration rate for chamber membership in the city is just above four per cent. Is this a good number? Well, consider that Edmonton – a city roughly the same size as Ottawa in terms of population – has a chamber membership in excess of 2,200. Moreover, the U.S.-based Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives estimates that average market penetration rates for chambers south of the border is about 32 per cent – significantly higher than

Ottawa’s four per cent. These figures suggest that Ottawa’s chamber network is not having the impact it should. In my mind, this is unacceptable, and it is explained by one sad but undeniable fact: The business advocacy community has failed to convince the majority of Ottawabased business leaders that a chamber membership is an invaluable business tool. In other words, Ottawa’s three chambers have not delivered a compelling enough value proposition to prospective clients (in this case, those businesses that have chosen not to become a member of one of the three chambers). Despite all the incredible work done by these chambers, the reality is that this work has not been enough to convince the majority of Ottawa businesses that the positive aspects of chamber membership far outweigh the financial costs. Considering this, it seems clear to me what the mission of Ottawa’s business advocacy community must be as we move forward as a city: to convince the bulk of businesses here in Ottawa that the city’s private sector needs a united voice, and that this united voice can most effectively be developed through a robust and united chamber of commerce. Ottawa’s privatesector community is one of the most vibrant and dynamic business communities in this country, and there is no question that businesses are taking a decisive lead in helping to foster the tremendous growth of our city. But to truly drive change in a way that helps our businesses thrive, these voices and efforts need to be brought together in a united front. To this end, the boards of directors of the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and the West Ottawa Board of Trade have now signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to consolidate the operations and structures of the two organizations. On June 5 and 6, these chambers will put the issue to their memberships for a vote. If the members respond positively to this

initiative and the two organizations can strike a path to move forward together, a new chapter will be born in the history of Ottawa’s business community. Make no mistake, the stakes are high. Some of the most pressing challenges related to the economic development of this city desperately require a strong and united voice from business, be it the LeBreton Flats redevelopment, interprovincial trade and travel between Ottawa and Gatineau, the choices that City Hall makes in regards to economic development priorities or

provincial-wide issues related to labour law, corporate tax rates and government regulations. Business owners across this city should be calling on a daily basis for a strong and activist chamber that can make the voice of business heard not just in Ottawa’s City Hall, but as far as Queen’s Park and even Parliament Hill. Now is the time for Ottawa’s business community to shine and take a decisive leadership role in the continued transformation of this great city.

Inspire Us

The Order of Ottawa

2017 Recipients

2018-077_03

just with the work these organizations do, but with their reach. Take, for example, the fact that the combined membership of these three organizations is roughly 1,500, which is an incredibly small number considering that the size of Ottawa’s economy is estimated at somewhere between $40 billion and $60 billion.

Recognizing outstanding service and excellence in our community Nominate a deserving resident by September 7, 2018.

Mischa Kaplan is the CEO of Cardinal Research Group and the chair of the West Ottawa Board of Trade.

Visit ottawa.ca/orderofottawa This advertisement is gratefully provided compliments of the Ottawa Business Journal.

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