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Melissa Reeves

Melissa Reeves is the COO of Linebox Studio, an award-winning architecture firm in Ottawa. After a decade on Bay Street and a rewarding stint in Marketing at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Melissa followed her entrepreneurial instincts and helped scale Linebox into a nationally recognized firm serving clients like Shopify, Klipfolio and Element AI.

A passionate advocate for women in business, Melissa mentors young professional women and serves as Chair of the Ottawa Community Housing Foundation. She is a proud recipient of the 40 Under 40 Award.

Outside the boardroom, Melissa’s love of fashion, athletics and live music keeps life vibrant — as does travelling with her husband Andrew and daughters Chloe and Ashlyn. Trilingual in English, French, and Portuguese, she brings warmth and curiosity to everything she does.

Melissa is thrilled to support ����ֱ�� and the incredible difference mentorship makes in young lives.

Duane Francis

Duane Francis is a Portfolio Manager and Branch Owner with Capital Wealth Partners – Mandeville Private Client Inc. in Ottawa. Through Mandeville, he provides clients with comprehensive financial planning and wealth creation and preservation strategies across a broad range of investment options, including both public and private securities.

Duane is a respected source of financial advice in Ottawa and across Canada. He holds several industry designations, including Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute, one of the highest honours in financial services. In 2010, he was named one of Ottawa’s Top Forty Under Forty for business excellence and community involvement.

Outside of work, Duane and his wife Julie stay busy with their three sons—Connor, Cole, and Carson—who all love sports. Duane also enjoys sports and music and is the co-founder of the “Let’s Take a Swing at Cancer” annual golf tournament supporting the Ottawa Cancer Foundation.

Tara Shannon

Tara Shannon is a Canadian singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, educator, and advocate dedicated to empowering creative communities. With a career spanning more than three decades, she has built a reputation as both a respected recording artist and a champion for the business and wellbeing of music creators.

Tara is the founder of Willow Sound Records where she supports artists in developing sustainable careers grounded in creativity, resilience, and balance. She is also the author of YOU and the Music Business, a guide helping creatives navigate the modern music industry while staying connected to their purpose.

A passionate educator and speaker, Tara frequently speaks on stages across North America. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Ottawa Festival Network and is a founding member of the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition.

Tara has just released her seventh studio album, Cover Story, produced by legendary producer Jim Ed Norman.

Claire Hafner

Claire Hafner is a public affairs leader, opera singer, and nationally ranked professional boxer whose career has been defined by reinvention, resilience, and service. As Director of Public Affairs at the Alzheimer Society of Canada, she leads national advocacy and awareness efforts for those living with dementia.

A passionate mentor and longtime supporter of BBBSO, Claire believes deeply in creating opportunities for others to grow and lead.

Colin Mills

Colin Mills is the Program Coordinator and Professor of Music Business in the Music Industry Arts Diploma Program at Algonquin College in Ottawa, Canada. Over a long career in the music industry, he has held executive roles in audio production, media manufacturing, and private music education, while also promoting and managing Canadian artists.

In 2021, Colin received the Victor Tolgesy Arts Award from the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Arts Council in recognition of his contributions to the city’s cultural life.

At Algonquin College, he serves on several committees and remains deeply involved in the broader music community. A founding board member of the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC), he served as Treasurer from 2015 to 2019, Secretary from 2020 to 2024, and is currently President of the Board of Directors.

A lifelong musician, Colin continues to perform and record with numerous Canadian artists.

Christine Crump

Christine Crump is the President, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa.

She has held progressive leadership roles in the casino industry in Ontario over the last 26 years. She moved to Ottawa in late 2023 to ‘join the band’ to lead the launch of the “Hard Rock” brand in our nation’s capital.

Christine has served on various charitable boards in the GTA and is currently a member of the Ontario Chapter Advisory Board for Make a Wish Canada.

Christine is the past recipient of the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade, Businessperson of the year (2023) and the Enterprise Leader of the Year (2025) at the Ottawa Businesswoman of the Year Awards.

Christine lives an active, health-conscious lifestyle with her two children.

Sonya Shorey

Sonya Shorey is President and CEO of Invest Ottawa and Co-Founder of SheBoot, with more than 25 years of leadership experience across Canada’s innovation economy. An award-winning executive, she has spearheaded over $300+ million in public-private funding to accelerate entrepreneurs and scale-ups in Canada’s Capital and beyond.

Previously Invest Ottawa’s Vice President of Strategy, Marketing and Communications, Sonya helped launch transformative initiatives including the Women Founders and Owners Strategy, the Pan-Ontario ScaleUp Platform, Bayview Yards innovation hub, and Area X.O, a $54 million R&D complex for next-generation technologies.

Through SheBoot, she has helped catalyze more than $50 million in follow-on investment for women tech founders since 2021. A Carleton University graduate and former technology sector leader, Sonya also serves on several mission-driven boards and is a passionate champion for inclusive innovation and economic empowerment.

Sam Laprade

Sam loves to connect people! As an award-winning radio broadcaster, author and professional fundraiser Sam works closely with the community to give a voice to new ideas, tough topics, and philanthropy.

Sam’s extensive experience, for over three decades, in media, fundraising and municipal politics has created an impressive network of community and business leaders.

Over a 35-year period Ms. Laprade has raised money for important charities in her community such as: The Ottawa Hospital Foundation and the Ottawa Mission Foundation.

Combining her love of philanthropy and talents as a broadcaster, Sam created and hosts of “An Hour to Give” on Rogers tv Ottawa and Country 101.1. The show highlights volunteerism and philanthropy.

Sam is an engaging, inspiring international speaker who takes audiences on a journey during her presentations. From emotional issues to stand-up comedy, she leaves them on their feet cheering.

Simran Kochar

Simran Kochar is the Business Development & Flooring Division Manager at Stone Design Concepts, where she oversees builder client contracts and coordinates ceramic and flooring solutions for residential projects. With over seven years in the flooring industry and a background in both restaurant and real estate sectors, she brings a dynamic and solution-focused approach to her work. Known for her organization, integrity, and collaborative style, Simran is passionate about excelling in a traditionally male-dominated industry while building strong, lasting relationships with clients and colleagues.

Beyond her professional role, Simran embraces creativity and self-expression. She has a love for bold colour, fun fashion, and discovering new trends, often viewing style as another way to celebrate individuality and confidence. When she’s not working, Simran enjoys travelling, cooking, and spending quality time with her husband and three children—always with an eye out for great food, inspiring places, and fabulous outfits.

Sueling Ching

Sueling Ching is the President and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade.
She is a dedicated community builder with a passion for innovation and business advocacy. Sueling’s connection to the Ottawa business community began in 2016, when she took on the role of CEO at the West Ottawa Board of Trade. In this position, she played a pivotal role in the consolidation of three local chambers of commerce, resulting in the creation of the Ottawa Board of Trade, a unified and influential voice for businesses across the city.

With more than twenty years of experience in business, leadership, and community development, Sueling has held a variety of key roles, including CEO of the YMCA of Brockville and Area, and CEO of the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

A committed community advocate, Sueling has supported numerous volunteer and charitable initiatives, including 100 Women Who Care, Make-A-Wish, Rotary International, and The Royal Ottawa Foundation. More recently, she pursued her passion for entrepreneurship by launching a consulting firm focused on women’s leadership, community development, and personal wellness.