Ottawa, September 19, 2025 — Invest Ottawa, the lead economic growth agency for knowledge-based industries in Canada’s Capital, today announced new members to its Board of Directors at a time of significant collaborative impact, achieved together with the clients, partners, and ecosystem we are honoured to serve.  

Earlier today, Invest Ottawa released its 2024 economic impact results and reported $635 million in GDP contribution, an 11.5 percent increase over 2023. This outcome, realized in collaboration with our community, underscores the collective strength of Ottawa’s innovation ecosystem. With this strong foundation, the addition of new Board members comes at a pivotal time, ensuring we can build on this momentum, and position our city for even greater impact in the years ahead. 

“Our city is at a critical juncture. Amid economic uncertainty, global competition, and rapid technological change, there is also immense opportunity,” said Sonya Shorey, President and CEO of Invest Ottawa. “With the leadership of our Board and the ingenuity of our tech and business community, we will navigate these challenges with unity and purpose. By harnessing our depth of expertise in disruptive technologies, strengthening collaboration across high-growth sectors, and further diversifying our economy, we will drive disproportionate economic impact and create lasting prosperity for Ottawa and our residents.”  

To guide this next phase of evolution, four accomplished leaders have been appointed to Invest Ottawa’s Board of Directors:  

• Andrew Waitman, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder, Assent; Managing Partner, Blackswan Ventures 
• Susan Rohac, ICD.D, Corporate Director and former Managing Partner, Climate Tech Fund, BDC  
• Benoît Rousseau, Vice President GaN Automotive & Managing Director of Infineon Technologies Canada Inc. 
• Sean Webster, Principal, GT & Company; and Managing Director, Chelsea Strategy Group 

In addition to new appointed Directors, Invest Ottawa is honoured to welcome the following leaders to ex officio seats of the Board: 

• Marie-Eve Sylvestre, S.J.D., Ad.E. President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ottawa 
• Dr. Wisdom Tettey, President and Vice-Chancellor, Carleton University 

The organization also announced a leadership transition within its Board.  

• Adam Miron, Serial Entrepreneur, Co-Founder and Chief Advisor of Founded Partners, who has served as Industry Co-Chair since May 2023, will step down from this role as his term concludes. He will continue to serve as an Invest Ottawa Director. 
• Adam is succeeded by Devan Pennell, CPA, CA, a seasoned public company executive, entrepreneur and President of Northern Counselling and Therapeutic Services and LKC Consulting Corp., who has served as a valued member of the Board since February 2024. Over the past year, he served as Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee.  
• Invest Ottawa is also honoured to welcome Councillor Cathy Curry, Councillor for Kanata North, to the Board of Directors as Deputy Co-Chair and Officer of the Corporation; and  
• David Telka, Partner, Technology Strategy and Transformation with PwC Canada, and one of the Area X.O co-founding partners, as a Strategic Advisor to the Invest Ottawa Board of Directors. 

These leaders join the following returning Directors of the Invest Ottawa Board who will generously continue to share their expertise and experience with Invest Ottawa and the ecosystem it serves: 

• Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa; Co-Chair of Invest Ottawa 
• Claude Brulé, President and CEO, Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology 
• Lynn Casimiro, President and CEO, Collège La Cité  
• Aquilas K. Dapaah, B.A LLB-JD, Trial Lawyer, Author, Financial Empowerment Advocate, Founder of Financially Savvy Girl & Co-Founder of Women Investors Network 
• Jason Flick, CEO, Serial Entrepreneur, Investor and Advisor 
• France Hébert, Division President Defence & Security Canada and Global Operations Lead, CAE 
• Shavonne Hasfal-McIntosh, Founder; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Human Resources, Employee Experience, and Corporate Culture Leader, SHM Consulting Company 
• Dobrila Rancic Moogk ICD.D , Senior Vice President, Marketing, Giatec Scientific Inc.
• Solmaz Shahalizadeh, Co-Founder, Backbone Angels 
• Mike Weider, Co-Founder and CEO, Frugal; Investor  

Invest Ottawa also extends its deep gratitude to the following departing board members for their leadership and invaluable contributions to Invest Ottawa and our local economy: 

• Rob Cameron, Senior Director, Corporate Business Development & Strategic Alliances, Intel 
• Jennifer Francis, High Tech Mentor, Advisor, and Investor; Chair of the Capital Angel Network; Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee of Invest Ottawa 
• Jacques Frémont, Former President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ottawa 
• Jerry Tomberlin, Former Interim President and Vice-Chancellor, Carleton University 

“I want to sincerely thank all incoming, returning, and outgoing directors for their service to our city, as well as everyone who applied to serve on our Board,” said Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Co-Chair of Invest Ottawa. “We are grateful to Adam Miron for his outstanding leadership as Industry Co-Chair over the past two years and for his many contributions to our business community. I also want to thank Rob Cameron, Jennifer Francis, Jacques Frémont, and Jerry Tomberlin for their leadership and years of dedicated service to Invest Ottawa and to our city. I look forward to working with Devan as our new Industry Co-Chair, with Councillor Cathy Curry as Deputy Co-Chair, with all of our new and returning directors, and with Sonya Shorey and the Invest Ottawa team as we continue building the future of Ottawa’s economy.” 

The combined expertise of these new and returning directors in entrepreneurship, investment, global business, finance, and technology innovation ensures the Board is uniquely equipped to fuel Ottawa’s evolution as a capital of global opportunity, economic growth and shared prosperity. 

“It has been a privilege to serve as Industry Co-Chair of Invest Ottawa and help guide its important mission,” said Adam Miron. “With this renewal, the Board is entering an exciting new chapter, one that will deliver even greater impact for our companies, our community and our economy. I’m especially excited to see Devan step into this role, to welcome Councillor Curry as Deputy Co-Chair, and to work alongside all new and returning directors. I have no doubt this Board will achieve remarkable things together.” 

This announcement follows a rigorous governance process designed to ensure the Board reflects the diverse expertise, experience, and skills required at this critical juncture in the development of our city, our agency, and our economy. The Board recruitment campaign attracted more than 45 highly accomplished candidates. 

“It is an honour to build on Adam’s incredible impact and undertake the role of Industry Co-Chair with such an esteemed Board at this critical juncture for our city, economy and community”, said Devan Pennell, new Industry Co-Chair of Invest Ottawa. “Our directors bring the strategic insight and leadership required to guide Invest Ottawa’s refreshed Strategic Plan launching in January 2026. I am excited to collaborate with these leaders, Sonya and the entire Invest Ottawa team to chart a visionary path forward. Together we will strengthen support for founders, scale Canadian firms, attract global investment, and advance the long-term economic and social impact of our region.” 

“It is a privilege to welcome these accomplished leaders to our Board,” said Sonya Shorey, President and CEO of Invest Ottawa. “We are at a pivotal moment in our history.  Transformational technologies such as AI, and opportunities in critical sectors including defence, security, and semiconductors, are reshaping global economies and our future. Our renewed Board brings the leadership, expertise, and vision we need to help entrepreneurs and companies seize these unique opportunities, fulfill Ottawa’s potential, and fuel long-term economic growth and shared prosperity for our residents, city and country.” 

More information and full biographies of the Board of Directors and Officers can be found here: https://www.investottawa.ca/about-us/board-of-directors/ 

 

Media contact: 

Lindsey Fair – Vice President, Marketing and Bayview Impact
Invest Ottawa, Area X.O and Bayview Yards
613.857.7779
[email protected] 

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About Invest Ottawa

Invest Ottawa is the lead economic development agency for knowledge-based industries in Canada’s Capital Region, 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 2017, Invest Ottawa has supported and delivered $3.7 billion in GDP impact, 29,343 jobs, and $622 million in government revenues.

www.investottawa.ca