Christine Leadman, a veteran of Ottawa’s business community, is wrapping up her time as executive director of the Centretown BIA, which recently rebranded from the Bank Street BIA.
In an interview with OBJ last week, Leadman confirmed that Oct. 18 will be her last day with the organization. Current assistant director and wellness coach SabriNa Lemay will take over as executive director.
Leadman joined the Bank Street BIA as executive director in 2013, replacing Gerry LePage following his retirement.
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She was well-known across Ottawa’s business scene at the time, having previously helmed two other business improvement areas.
She spent 14 years with the Westboro BIA from 1992 to 2006, then decided to seek public office in the 2006 municipal election. She served one term as city councillor of Kitchissippi Ward, before losing her seat in the 2010 election to Katherine Hobbs.
After her defeat, she joined the Glebe BIA as executive director from 2010 to 2013, when she made the switch to Bank Street.
At the time, she said it was her goal to forge a new identity for downtown Bank Street and build its reputation as an urban community.
In recent years, Leadman has been a fierce advocate for business owners navigating post-pandemic recovery and the challenges of working in the downtown core.
Businesses have struggled with rising costs due to inflation, as well as changing customer bases as more companies adopt permanent hybrid work models. According to Leadman, many businesses have been forced to leave the area due to lack of foot traffic, costs and unreliable public transit.
“People aren’t coming to the area; they’re not coming to shop,” she said in a July interview with OBJ. “This is the future, so there has to be a plan. Businesses have to adapt or revisit their business plan, as we are ourselves, in terms of what we do.”
There are also concerns about safety, as the city continues to grapple with simultaneous housing and opioid crises.
“We need recognition that the situation for businesses is not acceptable,” she said. “If the core is going to survive, you need to put money in the care of people. There needs to be more than just crisis intervention, there needs to be full wraparound services and housing.”
During the pandemic, the Bank Street BIA provided assistance to businesses outside of its boundaries, which sparked conversations about extending the BIA’s reach.
“We stepped up to the plate because we knew the businesses needed support,” she said. “At the same time, throughout that, so did the community. And we’ve been at the table with them for the last few years to see how we make things better and easier for our communities to grow.”
Under her leadership, the Bank Street BIA recently rebranded itself as the Centretown BIA, launching its new name and look this past August.
According to Leadman, the change allows the BIA to expand its support to others within the area’s business community, while adjusting to a changing post-pandemic landscape.
“Every area goes through ebbs and flows and we’re going through a period of transition,” said Leadman at the Centretown BIA launch in August. “This strategy we’ve been working on is a natural step for us to recognize that our world is changing and we need to adjust to ensure we thrive and grow for our members and our community at large.”
The launch also included the announcement of the Centretown BIA’s new 10-year strategic plan, outlining its goals to grow the neighbourhood’s business community and take on initiatives to revitalize and beautify the area.
Outside of her work with the BIA, Leadman has contributed to efforts to breathe new life into the downtown core as a member of the Downtown Ottawa Revitalization Task Force, which was struck in 2022.
“My constant refrain was always safe, clean and green,” she said in an interview about the task force in July. “Those are critical things because, to revitalize our core, we need to make this area a community where people feel they can walk the street and they’re comfortable.”
SabriNa Lemay to be named executive director
With Leadman stepping away, Lemay will take over as executive director of the Centretown BIA.
Based in Ottawa, Lemay is a registered holistic nutritionist and yoga instructor who has worked with the BIA since 2018.
“I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter as executive director within the BIA, having had the privilege of being part of the BIA team for the past six years,” she said in an emailed statement to OBJ. “I am deeply excited about the opportunity to contribute to the vibrant community we have. I am eager to collaborate, innovate and lead initiatives that will continue to showcase the remarkable essence of Centretown.”
Lemay added that, in her time with the BIA, she’s been inspired by the diversity and creativity of local businesses in the area, which she said she’ll continue to foster in her new role.
“The businesses that call this area home showcase the heart and soul of our neighbourhood,” she said. “I am ready for the challenge and look forward to working together to create a future that truly reflects the spirit of our community.”
