As CEO of the Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation, David Gourlay is all about people, relationships and community. Turns out, he’s also a father of two, a lover of milkshakes and a Swiftie by proxy.
Gourlay started a career in the public service, developing expertise on government operations and policies, before joining the private sector and learning about sales, business development and relationship management. From there, Gourlay became inspired to make a difference in the community, working in sports by founding the Ottawa Champions Baseball Club and co-founding the Miracle League of Ottawa, an accessible sport facility to foster inclusion for children with special needs.
In 2009, Gourlay was recognized as one of OBJ’s Forty Under 40 recipients. Since then, he has also become a member of the Order of Ottawa and been named the Fundraising Professional of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Ottawa Chapter.
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In this instalment of My Ottawa, this community leader and people person lets us in on how he spends his days here in the capital, sharing his go-to spot for milkshakes, his prize possession (think baseball), and why the ByWard Market is one of his favourite spots in the city.
What area of the city/region do you live in?
I live in Kanata Lakes in beautiful Kanata North
What type of home do you have (condo, house, etc.)
I live in a house
What type of pet do you have?
I have a West White Highland Terrier dog, Tate
What type of car do you drive?
KIA Sedona!
What’s your favourite part of town?
I enjoy time in the ByWard Market – it’s our community meeting space with local shops, restaurants and people. I am excited to see how we will work together to elevate the Market even more in the future.
What is your favourite place to eat in Ottawa?
Zak’s Diner, especially with my daughter, for their amazing milkshakes. Once Barbie strawberry milkshakes were introduced, we became regulars 😊. If a Taylor Swift milkshake is made, we will have to move in.
What is your favourite activity in Ottawa?
Taking my daughter Sophia to cheer on our Ottawa Senators! Go Sens GO!!
What’s your favourite hobby?
I collect baseball cards with my prize possession of a Roberto Clemente rookie card!
What’s your favourite local charity or cause?
I’m so proud to be part of the Shepherds of Good Hope organization with our work to reduce chronic homelessness in our community.
What’s your favourite festival?
I love the colours and season that is the Canadian Tulip Festival and it is perfect for our family to enjoy the outdoors and community.
If you were to play tour guide for a first-time visitor to Ottawa for a day, where would you take them?
For a nice long leisurely walk along the Rideau Canal
What’s your favourite retailer in Ottawa?
I always enjoy being at Kichesippi Brewery to enjoy quality time with friends, in Bells Corners with a lunch from the food trucks onsite or a coffee at Trailside. Their team, led by an inspiring entrepreneur and friend, Paul Meek, knows how to connect purpose with passion!
What’s your favourite live music or entertainment venue?
The Rainbow
What type of music do you listen to?
As I type this response, spinning on my turntable is Peter Gabriel’s iconic album, “So” – love the ‘80s!
Where do you get your hair cut?
Westboro Spa
What’s your favourite weekend outing to do with family or friends?
We have young kids, so time outdoors with Jack and Sophia is always an adventure for us. We enjoy the Kanata and Carp farmers’ markets, Ottawa’s amazing greenspaces and local parks, followed by pizza at our new Crust and Crate in Kanata Lakes.
What Ottawa personality, past or present, do you admire?
Chef Joe Thottungal – Chef Joe is not only an incredible cook, he tells inspiring stories about his upbringing in the Kerala region of India, learnings on his curation of amazing thali meals, and how giving back to his community is his identity.
If you took a staycation in Ottawa, what would you do?
A visit downtown to the Market to support local businesses by picking up fresh flowers, seafood at Lapointe’s, Italian groceries at La Bottega and popping into Zak’s Diner for lunch and a milkshake with my daughter Sophia.
What’s your favourite business event or conference in Ottawa?
I always enjoy the Mayor’s Breakfast series at City Hall with fascinating speakers, the mayor’s updates on the work our City of Ottawa does with the business community, and the opportunity to connect with community leaders and learn more about their work and lives.
What’s your favourite thing to do in Ottawa to pamper yourself?
I love to walk the trails around my own ‘hood in Kanata Lakes. I walk three to four kilometres a day to keep my focus clear for my family and colleagues.
What local business or attraction do you think is one of Ottawa’s best-kept secrets?
The Ottawa Riverkeeper – its impact is profound on our ecological future and it is a space to learn about our local watershed.
What’s your favourite season to spend in Ottawa?
Spring – it’s full of optimism, hope and beautiful colours with the tulips!
What’s your favourite thing about Ottawa?
The people – our interconnectedness as a community inspires me as every person I connect with has a story, a background, experience and dreams. When we bring these together, we can make a profound difference.
