Vernon White announced on LinkedIn this week that he has joined Ottawa’s Syntax Strategic part-time as strategic counsel to support the company on matters of national defence, security communication and operation-readiness.
“This division brings together a team with deep experience across military, policing, government, journalism, and crisis response — people who understand how defence and security organizations actually operate, and the responsibility that comes with that work,” he wrote in his post.
White spent 24 years with the RCMP before joining the Durham Regional Police Service as police chief in 2005. Two years later, he moved to Ottawa and spent nearly five years as police chief in the capital. It’s a role he left in 2012 to become a Canadian senator for nearly 11 years. At the same time, he worked with Australian-based organizations as an international fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and adjunct professor at Charles Sturt University.
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More recently, he’s worked for SSM Consulting and Right Door Consulting & Solutions. He has focused on organizations in multiple countries, helping manage cross-border projects and implement initiatives that drive business development and sustainable growth.
“Throughout my career in policing, public safety, national security, and federal policymaking, one thing has been constant: when the stakes are high, clear, credible, and grounded communications matter,” White said. “They matter to leaders. They matter to frontline personnel. And they matter to the public institutions we are trusted to serve.”
More people on the move
After two years with Ottawa firm Altis Recruitment, Andie Andreou is stepping away from her role as CEO. Andreou joined the company during a “pivotal stage of growth,” she said in a recent post on LinkedIn, adding that her leadership development work, which allowed her to watch individuals grow into successful leaders, was particularly meaningful to her. “None of these accomplishments would have been possible without these great leaders and every team member who worked to serve our clients exceptionally and create our success,” she said. Going forward, she said she’ll be focusing on business transformation, leadership mentoring, board work and supporting founders.
CTV’s Peter Angione is saying goodbye to Ottawa to take on a new role as director of broadcast content creation at CP24/CTV News Toronto. Angione’s career as a reporter and producer for various companies took him from Halifax to Winnipeg and from Barrie to Edmonton. He joined CTV News and came to Ottawa in 2004, spending nearly 22 years as news director. He said on LinkedIn this week, “From CTV News Ottawa, Your Morning Ottawa, to Newstalk 580 CFRA, we’ve built multiplatform content that informs, engages, and reflects our community.”
The National Arts Centre has appointed a new president and CEO. Last week, it announced that Annabelle Cloutier had been selected by its board of directors, taking over the role from Christopher Deacon. In a press release, the organization said Cloutier is the first Francophone woman to take on the role since the founding of the NAC in 1969. She brings 25 years of experience in the public and cultural sectors, including work in the arts, public affairs, governance, diplomacy, strategic planning and communications. She joined the NAC in 2018 as director of strategy and communications, as well as corporate secretary to the board of trustees. The NAC said she has become a “trusted leader and key member of the senior management team” within the organization.
Impact Hub Ottawa has welcomed Deirdre Laframboise as its new executive director, the organization announced this month. In a press release, the community co-working space said Laframboise brings 25 years of non-profit leadership experience that will be an asset to the organization. Throughout her career, she has led five national organizations, including Experiences Canada and Canadian Organic Growers. She was previously director of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and spent time as a freelance consultant to non-profits with Vectors Group.
The Council of Canadian Innovators has tapped Patrick Searle as its new CEO. The organization’s board of directors made the announcement this month, adding that, since joining in 2017, Searle has been a “driving force” for the tech lobby group, building up its corporate programming and strengthening its role in the wider innovation ecosystem. As part of the transition, Dana O’Born, who is currently vice-president of strategy and advocacy, will take on the role of chief strategy officer. Searle takes over from Benjamin Bergen, who recently left to head the Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association.
Jordan Pynn has been announced as the new president of Stratford Intellectual Property, the company said in a press release last week. Originally from Ottawa, Pynn joined Stratford Group in 2014 and since that time has led IP operations, expanded the firm’s U.S. presence by opening its California office, and helped advance M&A and fundraising capabilities. With more than 25 years of experience, he takes over the role from company founder Natalie Giroux, who retired in November.
Stephen Froom is the new chief operating officer of Ottawa wholesaler Bank & Vogue Ltd. The company announced the news on LinkedIn this week, adding that Froom’s passion for the industry and leadership experience will be an asset to its various divisions and global teams. After holding general manager positions with OSL Retail Services and Best Buy Canada, Froom spent four years with Rossman Architecture Inc., first as a business developer, then as director of revenue. Most recently, he spent nearly a year with architecture firm Lemaymichaud as head of business development for its Ottawa office.
Mental health non-profit Upstream Ottawa announced this week that Jake Naylor has joined the organization as director of development and communications. In 2016, Naylor launched Whiskeyjack Media, a marketing agency that specializes in helping businesses and non-profits with event management, sponsorship, fundraising and social media. In addition, he recently spent more than two years as development officer for Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. Upstream Ottawa said Naylor is a “recognized community leader” who will help the organization expand its services and wellness supports.
Hats off!
Ottawa brand and marketing agency Nine Brains & Three Hearts has added the Ottawa Titans baseball club to its roster of clients. Principal Jon Sinden made the announcement on LinkedIn last week, adding that baseball is “having a moment in the city.” The company, which uses data-driven strategies to help businesses achieve growth, has current and past clients that include Rugby Canada, Atletico Ottawa, Carleton University Ravens and TD Place.
Ottawa entrepreneur Michelle Weger was crowned inspirational speaker of the year at the ninth annual Grand Slam: Inspirational Speaking Finals in Toronto earlier this month. The founder and CEO of Ottawa-based automation agency Venture Creative Collection, Weger is also an author, invisible disability advocate and former OBJ Forty Under 40 recipient. Her five-minute talk, “Your Wake-Up Call,” likened her own neurological disorder, narcolepsy, to a phone battery that never charges past 40 per cent and can drop without warning. She is the first finalist and winner in the event’s history to compete with a service dog on stage.
