Sonya Shorey Announced as Interim President and CEO of Invest Ottawa
November 6, 2023; Ottawa, ON – Invest Ottawa, lead economic development agency for knowledge-based industries in Canada’s Capital, today announced that President and CEO Michael Tremblay will step down on November 30, 2023, to join Calian Group Ltd. (TSX: CGY), as President of IT and Cyber Solutions. Sonya Shorey, Invest Ottawa’s VP of Strategy, Marketing and Communications will serve as Interim President and CEO as the Board initiates a search for a successor.
Since joining in 2017, Michael has significantly increased the impact of the organization on entrepreneurs, companies and Ottawa’s economy, and further established Canada’s Capital as a global tech and business hub. During his tenure, Michael led the establishment and delivery of Invest Ottawa’s five-year strategic plan. Key achievements include the creation of Area X.O, the $51M R&D complex for next-gen smart mobility, autonomy and connectivity technologies and the ScaleUp Platform which aims to help build more anchor tech companies that generate $100M and grow sustainably in Canada.
“It has been a profound honour to serve at the helm of Invest Ottawa, Bayview Yards, and Area X.O, and help drive job creation and a path to sustained prosperity in Canada’s Capital. As President and CEO, and a board member, I have witnessed the remarkable dedication of our team delivering impactful programs and services in every corner of our community, supporting its many diverse founders and firms,” said Michael Tremblay. “I am very grateful to our Board of Directors, our steadfast government funding partners, dedicated industry sponsors, our many economic development collaborators, and all coaches, mentors, and volunteers. I look forward to watching this great city continue to flourish in the years to come.”
“I want to sincerely congratulate and thank Michael Tremblay for his leadership and commitment over the past seven years at Invest Ottawa. Mike has steered the organization through a time of challenge and opportunity, has elevated Ottawa in the global marketplace, and has positioned us for great success in the future. I want to wish Mike all the best in his new role at Calian, where he will still be a member of Team Ottawa. And I’m very excited to see Sonya Shorey take over as Interim President and CEO of Invest Ottawa. Sonya has been a tremendous leader not just at Invest Ottawa but in our community. Her vision and expertise will be critical in this next period. Thank you Sonya, for taking on this role,” said Mayor Sutcliffe, co-Chair of the Board.
“On behalf of the Invest Ottawa Board of Directors, I would like to extend deep thanks to Michael for his leadership, and many contributions to our economy and community over the last seven years. We are delighted that he will join Calian, a global company headquartered in Ottawa for more than 40 years. We also look forward to collaborating with Sonya and the entire Invest Ottawa team as we chart this important new chapter and initiate the search for a new CEO,” said Adam Miron, Co-Chair of Invest Ottawa.
The Board of Directors is now initiating a search for the next President and CEO of Invest Ottawa. Sonya Shorey will undertake the role of Interim President and CEO through this transition period with the full support of the senior leadership team to ensure continuity during the recruitment process.
Shorey has served as a Vice President of Invest Ottawa, Bayview Yards, and Area X.O since 2017 within her 24 years of leadership with public and private organizations. Since 2005, Sonya has led and contributed to $250M in successful public-private sector multi-year funding proposals, including almost $100M with Invest Ottawa and regional partners for Canada’s Capital and Eastern Ontario. She led the creation of IO’s Women Founders and Owners Strategy and is a Co-Founder and Director of the Board of SheBoot. She also serves as a Director of the Royal Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research and Chair of its Research Committee; Women in Automotive Tech; Mindtrust; and Elevate International.
“Building on Michael’s strong leadership, it is an honour to serve as Interim CEO and collaborate closely with our team, Board and community during this next phase of our evolution. Together, we are creating the jobs, economy and community of the future. Guided by our shared vision and updated strategic plan, we will continue to help founders and companies pursue bold moonshots, drive economic growth and job creation for our region, and achieve impact as a global tech and business hub,” said Sonya Shorey.
Invest Ottawa looks forward to celebrating Michael’s many contributions to our economy and ecosystem in the days ahead.
About Invest Ottawa
Invest Ottawa is the lead economic development agency for knowledge-based industries in Canada’s Capital, facilitating economic growth and job creation in Ottawa. Guided by a vision to help realize Ottawa’s full potential as a globally recognized, innovative, inclusive, and future-ready city, Invest Ottawa delivers venture development, global expansion and talent programs and services that catalyze the growth and success of entrepreneurs and firms. These include small business training, mentorship, acceleration for technology firms, foreign business and investment attraction, local business retention and expansion in targeted sectors, commercialization, and marketing Ottawa’s diversified economy and high quality of life. Invest Ottawa is also the manager of Bayview Yards, Ottawa’s innovation hub and one-stop business acceleration shop, and founder and operator of Area X.O, the R&D complex for next-gen smart mobility, autonomy and connectivity technologies. Since 2013, Invest Ottawa has supported almost 14,000; contributed to the creation of more than 14,700 jobs; helped domestic companies raise $1.86 billion in capital; and attracted $1.47 billion in domestic and foreign direct investment to Ottawa. Explore Invest Ottawa’s 2022 Economic Impact Report for additional details, or visit www.investottawa.ca.