Directors at Large

Heather Tessier is a highly accomplished organizer and Executive Assistant with exceptional problem-solving and time management skills. Her career has spanned the high-tech sector, the halls of Parliament Hill and she was Executive Assistant for Ottawa Mayor, Larry O’Brien. Heather has advised and run political campaigns at the Federal, Provincial and Municipal level for over 20 years. She is a true motivator, and her enthusiastic style and flare are contagious.

Being in love with acting, drama, dance, and movies her whole life, Heather followed her dream to become an actress in 2020.  To date, she has performed in a feature film, a television series and appeared in many film productions. Heather was also the Co-Executive producer of the 50^th Anniversary Concert Series of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2022. Along with her talented, musician husband Yvan, they produced the entire show for three sold-out concerts that raised over $46,000. for Dementia Research.

Currently, Heather has accepted a contract as Senior Event Manager with Temple Scott Associates Inc. She will be providing event management services for the planning and execution of the June 2023 Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conference..   

Secretary

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

With over 7 years of experience within the Federal Public Service, Davy has occupied key roles in the areas of privacy law enforcement, stakeholder and public relations, programs, and policy. He has had investigative, analysis, advisory, and management roles. A seasoned project manager, he's also had strategic advisory roles, working closely or directly with senior management (from Director to Deputy Minister level). Throughout his time in government, he has worked at the Department of National Defence, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, the Department of Canadian Heritage, and the Centre on Diversity and Inclusion (Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer/Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat).

Prior to joining the Government of Canada, Davy Sabourin worked in Ottawa as a mental health and addiction counselor. In his spare time, through his community involvement, he fulfills his passion of being an educator, convener, and bridge builder between individuals, groups, and communities - particularly on 2SLGBTQI+ issues, anti-racism, and mental health.

Davy received the United Way's Community Builder Award in February of 2021, and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner's (OPC) Inaugural Wellness and Inclusivity Award in 2019. He is also the recipient of a Deputy Minister's Award for his 2SLGBTQI+ work in and out of the workplace (2021), and the OPC's Deputy Commissioner's Award in recognition of his "extraordinary contribution" to the historic reduction of investigations' backlog (2019-2021). More recently, he was the recipient of the OPC's Service to Canadians Award for his leading role in investigating the use of facial recognition technology by the private sector; and a Deputy Minister's Excellence Award for his contribution to departmental priorities related to anti-racism as part of Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy.

Davy holds a college degree in Police Services Technology, 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 of Public Administration.

Danielle McGee - A government and public affairs professional; she is currently the Manager of Public and Stakeholder Relations with Ottawa Community Housing (OCH). OCH operates as an arm’s length corporation to the City of Ottawa, and is the largest community housing provider in the City (providing homes for over 15,000 homes for ~32,000 people), and the second-largest in Ontario. 

From 2010-2022 she served as Director of Community Relations for Mayor Jim Watson, where she provided advice and communications support on a wide range of issues and community outreach activities.

Danielle also has experience on Parliament Hill, having worked for two Members of Parliament, and in the provincial government working in the constituency office of Jim Watson when he served as Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

A life long political organizer, she has been deeply involved in numerous Ottawa area provincial and federal election campaigns and party nominations, as well being a key organizer during the 2006 federal leadership campaign. 

Beginning her municipal career in Ottawa working on a citywide mayoral campaign in the 2010, she also led two successful mayoral re-election campaigns in 2014 and 2018 as Campaign Manager for Jim Watson.

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 two young kids. 

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.