The Ottawa Business Journal and the Ottawa Board of Trade celebrated this year’s Forty Under 40 recipients at a gala at the Casino Hilton Lac-Leamy on Friday. The awards recognize business leaders for their business accomplishments, professional experience and community involvement.
Just for fun, while these professionals have already demonstrated success in their current ventures, OBJ asked recipients what their dream job would be if they weren’t doing what they’re doing now.
Here’s what some of them had to say.
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Michael Lalonde
Co-owner, Purecolo
Full-time touring musician.
Alberto Aguilar
Founder and CEO, Plantaform
Professional food taster for Michelin-starred restaurants.
Erin Hennessy
Director of Operations, CVE Inc.
A yoga retreat leader in the woods or jungle empowering women!
Brett Merriman
CEO, TryCycle Data Systems
Golf course architect.
Andrew Montague-Reinholdt
Partner, Nelligan Law
Screenwriter.
Joel Kowalski
Vice-President and River Operations Manager, Wilderness Tours
Professional athlete in surfing or skiing/president of Destinations Canada or of a major ski resort.
Idan Scher
Rabbi, Congregation Machzikei Hadas
A tour guide or a forest ranger.
Rumi Prince
General Manager, Prince Mortgage Team
My dream job would be leading a national non-profit focused on asthma awareness, education, and family support — creating systemic change so no parent ever has to lose a child to a preventable condition. Helping others breathe easier would be my life’s mission.
Marry Gunaratnam
Senior Vice-President of IT, Northern Credit Union
My dream job would be building AI-driven solutions that solve real-world problems — shaping how technology enhances everyday life, from smarter cities to more equitable financial systems.
Maximillian Bailey
CEO, Spoonity
Prime minister.
Matthew Brown
Vice-President of Customer Success, Solink
Professional athlete.
Jennifer Beckert
Director of Finance Transformation, Shopify
I’ve always dreamed of having a B&B or several tiny houses on a lake where I could bake bread and sweets and have the ability to spend more time outside.
Dedrick Sterling
Owner and Construction Project Manager, Merakey Construction & Management
I would be a travel agent.
Evan Dudley
Director of North America Sales, Giatec Scientific Inc.
Owner and operator of a local café.
Rose Caddy Nwaha K.
Founder and CEO, Rocaderm Clinic Ltd.
A journalist/reporter.
Nadine Atkinson
Partner, BDO Canada LLP
An artist.
Diana Birsan
Co-founder and CEO, Downpay
As a heritage garden curator or horticulturist at Ottawa’s Experimental Farm, I’d get to preserve rare plant varieties and design living landscapes that connect history, ecology and beauty. It’s the perfect blend of creativity, science and storytelling, rooted in place and purpose.
Jenniffer Alvarenga
Broker and Co-founder, Goodstory
I’d be a Montessori teacher – I truly believe our future depends on how we nurture the next generation.
Mary Anne Carter
Principal and Partner, Earnscliffe Strategies
Become a Canadian ambassador to another country.
Kody Wilson
Partner, GGFL LLP
Batman.
Liam Mooney
Founder and CEO, Jackpine
San Francisco 49ers football coach.
