Directors at Large

Zenah Surani is an Ottawa native and Pharmacist/Owner of the Glebe Apothecary, a division of Shoppers Drug Mart. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts (Economics) degree from McGill University and her BSc. Pharm at The Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto.

Zenah also serves as Education Coordinator for the Ottawa-Carleton Pharmacists' Association, where she organizes monthly educational events for local pharmacists. She has previously served on the board of the Ontario Pharmacists' Association.

In the wider community, Zenah is currently also involved with the Ismaili Council for Ottawa as Deputy Communications Coordinator and with the United Way Ottawa's Women United initiative.

Zenah is a big Toronto Raptors fan and enjoys travelling!

Geoff is currently Vice President at Bluesky Strategy Group in Ottawa, providing government relations and communications strategies and services for a wide range of clients.

Prior to consulting, Geoff served almost 9 years as a political staffer in the Ontario Government at Queen’s Park, including senior policy and stakeholder relations roles serving the Minister of Finance, Solicitor General, and Minister of Labour. With years of hands-on experience working with cabinet, caucus and opposition members, legislative and cabinet committees, executive and front-line political staff, and working with a host of senior public servants, media and stakeholders – Geoff brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding about the politics, policy, communications and decision making processes at work inside and around government.

Long active in politics, Geoff has been a past candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada in 2006, has held senior full-time campaign team roles in four elections, and been a volunteer on over fifteen others, provincial and federal.

Danielle McGee is the Director of Community Relations for Mayor Jim Watson. She has been serving in the Mayor’s Office since 2010, and as Director of Community Relations since 2012.

She builds and maintains good relationships and provides advise and communications support on a wide range of issues and community outreach activities.

She was also the Campaign Manager for Jim Watson during his two successful re-election campaigns in 2014 and 2018.

Prior to this, Danielle worked on Parliament Hill for two Members of Parliament, on numerous Ottawa area provincial and federal election campaigns and nominations, as well as a federal leadership campaign, and worked for Jim Watson when he served as Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

She is a proud graduate of Carleton University with a BA (Hons) in Political Science, Concentration in Political Theory and Minor in Law.

She lives in Ottawa with her husband David and their wonderful daughter Sophia.

Mary Anne Carter brings a deep understanding of law, business and public policy to Earnscliffe clients, building their capacity to advocate effectively with government.

Having worked as a senior public affairs consultant, she has provided federal and provincial government relations counsel to clients across a range of sectors, and has developed strategic plans in key industries, including trade, intellectual property, consumer protection, cultural/heritage, education and health.

Mary Anne holds a Master of Laws degree from the University of Ottawa. Her previous work includes the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, where she served as legal policy director, managing the business and competition law files as well as intellectual property policy. She also directed Canada’s international arbitration committee at the ICC International Court of Arbitration in Paris and the national tourism file.

Mary Anne’s professional experience also includes industry associations in both Ottawa and Washington, D.C., ranging from mental health to international law.

She is a director on the board of the Canadian Club of Ottawa and the Government Relations Institute of Canada (GRIC), and has served as co-chair for the National Capital Region chapter of Equal Voice.

The Goderich Ontario native is a frequent commentator on Canadian government affairs.

With over fifteen years of experience in maximizing the value companies get from their accounting, tax and business advisor relationships; Bruce’s role is to represent and grow business for Welch LLP and Welch Capital Partners in the Ottawa and Toronto markets and also help our clients become more successful.

Bruce graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Commerce. Prior to joining Welch, he held senior business development positions at a large international accounting firm and in the high tech industry.

In 2005 Bruce was named one of Ottawa’s Top Forty under 40.

Community minded, Bruce is very passionate about Ottawa and things that can make our great city even better. He’s currently on the board of directors of the Canadian Club of Ottawa, the organizing committee for the Ronald McDonald House Corporate Skifest (since 2005), and a member of the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation Cabinet Committee.

When not introducing people who should know each other, Bruce enjoys music, food, various outdoor activities, and spending time with his family, including his son Josh Raganold who also works at Welch.

As Director of Regulatory and Government Affairs for RBC, George Wamala is part of the team that leads the Canadian policy and government relations activities of the organization. 

Prior to joining RBC, George did government relations work for the forest products industry, was a legislative advisor to a federal Member of Parliament, and an advisor to a Councillor at Ottawa City Hall.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Bakulu Power, a renewable energy company focused on serving communities in Sub-Saharan Africa.  

George is a graduate of the University of Ottawa. 

Sarah Watts-Rynard assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer at Polytechnics Canada in July 2018. Prior to this role, she served as Executive Director of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, supporting Canada’s apprenticeship community with research, promotion and by connecting stakeholders across trades, across sectors and across Canada.

Polytechnics Canada is the voice of leading research-intensive, publicly funded polytechnics, colleges and institutes of technology. The organization is involved in federal advocacy related to skills and innovation policy, reflecting the strengths of its member institutions.

Polytechnics collaborate with industry to develop the highly skilled people essential to the Canadian economy. Programs are career-focused and community-responsive across credentials that include bachelor degrees, diplomas, apprenticeships, post-graduate certificates, continuing education and corporate training. Experiential learning is an integral part of the polytechnic education model. Industry also turns to its polytechnic partners for applied research support, using their facilities, equipment and talent to propel business success.

Sarah is Vice-Chair of the Canadian Centre for Women in Science, Engineering, Trades and Technology (WinSETT Centre) and serves as a Director on the Boards of the Canadian Club of Ottawa and the CWB Welding Foundation.