Meet the Board

Oksana is Vice President, Insights at Abacus Data. Shecombines her passion for data and her curiosity to create impactful research plans, cultivate new practice areas, and support Abacus’s growing portfolio of clients.

With nearly a decade of experience in the market research industry, Oksana has worked with clients large and small to ask the right questions and provide insights that our clients can leverage today, tomorrow, and beyond. Whether the project calls for focus groups, a survey, or any of the other research tools we use, Oksana always take the time to understand the broader context and how research can strengthen your work.

Originally from Saskatoon, Oksana loves to spend time outside (especially in a canoe or kayak), or learning how to use a new tool for a DIY project.

Robyn Osgood is the CEO of Vantage Canada. With more than 30 years of experience providing communications counsel, Robyn has worked with C-suite leaders on large-scale, national campaigns, helped organizations manage through crises, and led teams through change-management initiatives. 

She has a track record of creating strategies that have impact, that can be practically implemented and measured, and that reflect each client’s unique situation. She is often called upon to help clients secure support from widely divergent groups, and has earned their trust through her ability to manage the sensitivities and diverse interests associated with complex multi-stakeholder engagements.

 Robyn is Board Chair of the BGCO (formerly known as Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa), a member of Women Get on Board and recently finished her term on the Board of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

Connect with Robyn on LinkedIn. 

Michael Gullo is Vice President, Policy at the Business Council of Canada.

Michael leads the Council's work on energy security, natural resources and infrastructure policy. He is the secretary to the Council's CEO working group on energy security and resource development working group.

He has more than 20 years of experience working in government and for a leading management consultancy specializing in corporate strategy and resource development policy. 

Prior to joining the Council in 2020, he led the policy and public affairs activities for a national industry association. Michael is the chair of a national industry committee with representatives from more than 50 companies and associations committed to advancing climate and clean air policy in Canada.

He holds degrees from the University of Waterloo and Dalhousie University in environment and natural resource management.

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn. 

DIRECTOR

Laura D’Angelo is Vice President of National Strategy & Public Affairs at Enterprise Canada, where she co-leads the firm’s Ottawa office and national government relations practice. A trusted advisor to senior decision-makers across sectors, Laura helps clients navigate complex political environments, advance policy priorities and build influence where it matters most.

Laura brings more than 15 years of experience at the highest levels of Canadian politics and public affairs. She previously served in the Prime Minister’s Office as Senior Manager of the Executive Branch.

A seasoned political strategist, Laura has held senior roles in multiple national and provincial Liberal campaigns, including during the historic 2015 federal election and as Director of Campaign Operations for the 2019 federal campaign.

Before joining Enterprise Canada, Laura was General Manager of the Equality Fund, the world’s largest feminist investment initiative, following a landmark $300-million investment from the Government of Canada.

Laura is also a regular political commentator known for her insights into Canadian politics and public affairs. She frequently appears on CBC’s Power & Politics, The Vassy Kapelos Show and CTV’s Power Panel.

Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Communications from McGill University.

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn. 

Director

Andrew Bisson is Anishinaabe from M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. He currently resides in OttawaAndrew is the Chief Executive Officer of the Assembly of First Nations, a position he has held since August 2024.

Andrew has an extensive and diverse work experience, including positions at a First Nations tribal council, a national First Nations organization, a government department, a federal Deputy Minister’s Office and a federal Minister’s Office. His work experience includes policy and communications roles.

He has a Masters of Public Administration from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) in Public Administration and Governance from Toronto Metropolitan University. He has also taught two part time university courses at a joint program delivered in partnership between Toronto Metropolitan University and the First Nations Technical Institute (First Nations Technical Institute is based in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario).

Andrew also serves as an elected councillor in his home community of M’Chigeeng First Nation, elected in September 2023 as one of the first off-reserve councillors elected in M’Chigeeng.

Alla Drigola Birk is the Director of Global Government Affairs and Public Policy at Sun Life Financial. She brings over a decade of experience in government relations, politics and campaigns, and public relations to the Canadian Club of Ottawa.

Prior to joining Sun Life, Alla was the Senior Director of Parliamentary Affairs and SME Policy at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, where she led the organization’s advocacy on business support programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alla has also spent time running an MP’s office on Parliament Hill, as a government relations consultant across a wide range of industries, and has held several roles on political campaigns both federally and provincially. She has also appeared before numerous Parliamentary committees and in print, radio, and TV media.

Alla holds a Master of Political Management from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) from Simon Fraser University.