Directors at Large

Davy Sabourin, of Jamaican and French-Canadian heritage, is an award-winning federal public servant and human rights advocate.

Before joining the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat with Canadian Heritage (PCH) in August 2020, he worked in privacy law compliance at the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada for almost five years. Starting as an Intake Officer for two years (FSWEP student), he made his way up to assuming the role of Senior Investigator, during which he led complex investigations under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, including in the areas of facial recognition and artificial intelligence. Most notably, he led and was part of the joint team that investigated Cadillac Fairview’s use of facial recognition technology in digital information kiosks. During his last year at the OPC, Davy acted as Strategic Advisor and Business Intelligence Officer to the Deputy Commissioner of Compliance, in addition to his investigative duties. He was also responsible for the establishment of the OPC’s Young Professionals Network.

Prior to joining the Public Service, Davy worked in Ottawa as a Mental Health and Addictions Counselor.

In his spare time, Davy is a human rights advocate who, through his community involvement fulfills his passion for being an educator, connector and bridge-builder between individuals, groups and communities, particularly on 2SLGBTQ+ issues, anti-racism, and mental health. Until very recently, he was the Chairperson of Capital Pride, one of Canada's largest Pride organizations serving Ottawa-Gatineau. He remains actively involved in his communities in Ottawa-Gatineau and Montreal.

Davy has received the United Way's Community Builder Award in February of 2021, and the OPC's inaugural Wellness and Inclusivity Award in 2019. More recently, he was honoured to have received a Deputy Minister's Award at PCH for his 2SLGBTQ+ work in and out of the workplace (2021), and the OPC's Deputy Commissioner's Award in recognition of his "extraordinary contribution" on the historic reduction of investigations' backlog (2019-2021).

Davy holds a college degree in Police Foundations, a college post-diploma in Mental Health and Addictions, as well as a Bachelor of Social Sciences, in the fields of Conflict Studies and Human Rights, and Social Work. He is currently undertaking a Master in Public Administration.

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.

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.