Ottawa, Ontario – September 21, 2026: Invest Ottawa, lead economic development agency for knowledge-based industries for Canada’s Capital, today announced the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors as Ottawa navigates a rapidly changing national and global economy:

• Lisa Carroll, Partner, Deloitte Canada
• Shan Gu, Founder and CEO, Foci Solutions
• Amy MacLeod, Vice President, Corporate Communications, MDA Space
• Dave Telka, Partner, Technology Strategy and Transformation, PwC Canada

Together, these leaders bring decades of expertise spanning entrepreneurship, AI, defence and space, procurement reform and policy, communications, business transformation and governance.

Nearly 50 highly qualified leaders put their names forward, reflecting the exceptional depth of leadership across Canada’s Capital. Through a rigorous, skills-driven governance process, the four new directors were selected for their experience, expertise and perspectives aligned with Ottawa’s evolving economic priorities, challenges and opportunities.

“The calibre of leaders who stepped forward was extraordinary,” said Devan Pennell, Industry Co-Chair of Invest Ottawa. “We are grateful to every candidate and to our departing directors who helped build a strong foundation. Our incoming and returning directors bring the expertise, perspectives and leadership to build on that momentum and seize the opportunities ahead.”

Geopolitical uncertainty, trade disruption and rapid technological change are reshaping the global economy, creating new challenges for founders, companies and communities. At the same time, many of the priorities driving national and global investment align directly with Ottawa’s strengths, from defence and security, AI and semiconductors to telecommunications, aerospace and advanced technologies.

“This is a consequential moment for Ottawa, and an extraordinary opportunity for Canada’s Capital,” said Sonya Shorey, President and CEO, Invest Ottawa. “We can translate our unique strengths into even greater economic outcomes: more companies launched and scaled; greater access to customers, capital and global markets; more strategic investment; stronger IP and tech commercialization; increased AI adoption and productivity; more procurement and R&D; and more high-value jobs.

We enter this moment with significant momentum and ambition. By working together as one city and harnessing the full potential of our region, we can accelerate critical sectors including defence, security and semiconductors, pursue transformative opportunities, strengthen Ottawa’s position on the world stage, and build an increasingly competitive, diversified and resilient economy that creates shared prosperity for generations.”

Building on Five Years of Impact

Ottawa enters this next chapter with significant momentum, driven by the founders, entrepreneurs, business owners, companies, investors and partners building and investing across our region. Since 2022, Invest Ottawa has been privileged to work with and for this community, helping to facilitate 7,642 jobs, $1.28 billion in domestic and foreign investment, and $1.31 billion in capital raised.

Invest Ottawa is completing its 2025 Economic Impact Assessment and preparing to launch its refreshed Strategic Plan in the new year, focused on accelerating economic outcomes and pursuing bold opportunities with the potential to transform Ottawa’s economy, strengthen its resilience and competitiveness, and create new sources of growth.

“No single organization, sector or part of our city can realize Ottawa’s full economic potential alone,” said Shorey. “Our ability to collaborate is one of our greatest competitive advantages. By working together and harnessing the extraordinary talent, expertise, assets and opportunities across our region, we can build on our momentum, pursue transformative opportunities and create shared prosperity for generations to come.”

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Building on Strong Leadership and Impact

Invest Ottawa extends its deep thanks to all departing and continuing directors and officers for their leadership, expertise and invaluable contributions to the organization, the founders, companies and community it serves, and Ottawa’s economy:

Departing Directors

• Aquilas K. Dapaah, Assistant Crown Attorney and Lawyer, Government of Ontario; Founder of Financially Savvy Girl
• Dobrila Rancic Moogk, ICD.D, Marketing and Technology Executive; former Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board
• Shavonne (Shav) Hasfal-McIntosh, Director Community Ecosystem & Partnerships, Tangerine; DEI Advisor, Bloom; and Entrepreneur; former Chair of the Women Founders and Owners Committee of the Board
• Solmaz Shahalizadeh, Founding Partner, Backbone Angels; Data & AI Operating Advisor, Bessemer Venture Partners

Returning Directors

• Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa; Co-Chair
• Devan Pennell, CPA, CA, President, Northern Counselling and Therapeutic Services & LKC Consulting Corp.; Co-Chair
• France Hébert, Division President, Defence & Security Canada and Global Operations Lead, CAE; Vice-Chair
• Claude Brulé, President and CEO, Algonquin College
• Lynn Casimiro, President and CEO, Collège La Cité
• Jason Flick, CEO, Serial Entrepreneur, Investor and Advisor
• Adam Miron, Entrepreneur and Investor; Co-Founder and Chief Advisor, Founded Partners
• Susan Rohac, ICD.D, Corporate Director and former Managing Partner, Climate Tech Fund, BDC
• Benoît Rousseau, Vice President GaN Automotive & Managing Director, Infineon Technologies Canada Inc.
• Dr. Marie-Eve Sylvestre, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ottawa (ex officio)
• Dr. Wisdom Tettey, President and Vice-Chancellor, Carleton University (ex officio)
• Andrew Waitman, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder, Assent; Managing Partner, Blackswan Ventures
• Sean P. Webster, Principal, GT & Company; Managing Director, Chelsea Strategy Group
• Mike Weider, Co-Founder and CEO, Frugal; Investor

Board of Director Officers

• Cathy Curry, Deputy Co-Chair; Councillor, Kanata North, City of Ottawa
• Shannon Montpellier, Vice President, Finance, Invest Ottawa
• Sonya Shorey, President and CEO, Invest Ottawa

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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. For additional information, please visit: www.investottawa.ca

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Media Contact

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