Just over a year ago, OBJ formed an editorial advisory board to help us understand the dynamics of various sectors of the economy and get views on issues important to the business community.
Since that time, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with the board a number of times throughout the year. The input of board members has formed the basis of many great stories and allowed us to reflect a range of perspectives throughout the city.
At the end of the one-year cycle, we’ve had a few members step away and others join us. I’d like to thank the outgoing members for their invaluable contributions, and welcome four new members:
OBJ360 (Sponsored)

Ottawa Jazz Festival’s location is key to its success – and to revitalizing the downtown core
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Ottawa Jazz Festival, one of the city’s premier live music events and Canada’s second oldest jazz festival. Despite the ever-changing (and expanding)

Matching donations matters: How local companies help enable life-saving care for children in need
Self-storage company Access Storage is proud to support healthy communities where its employees work and live – and in the case of Ottawa, that means joining a host of other
- Lianne Laing, VP Philanthropy Ottawa Heart Institute, President, Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation
- Nick Quain, VP Venture & Entrepreneurship, Invest Ottawa
- Justin Schurman, Regional Vice President, Business Financial Services, Royal Bank of Canada
- Pierce Ujjainwalla, Co-Founder and CEO of Knak
They join current members:
- Annie Boucher, President, Fuse Communications and Public Affairs,
- Jennifer Cross, Director of Business Development, MARANT Construction
- Dave Donaldson, Managing Partner, Bo’ness Management Consulting
- Darren Fleming, CEO, Real Strategy Advisors
- David Gourlay, VP Philanthropy, Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation
- Shawn Hamilton, VP Business Development NCR, Canderel
- Anish K Mehra, Owner/GM, East India Company
- Alex Nasrallah, Senior Accountant, Lekadir LLP
- Shail Paliwal, CEO/Founder, PLG
- Amir Rahim, Owner/Operator, Grounded Kitchen
- Andrew Reeves, Founder/Owner, Linebox Studio
Thanks to our board members for volunteering their valuable time. Feedback on our editorial coverage is always welcome at editor@obj.ca