President
Susan has lived with her husband in Old Ottawa South for over 30 years, and raised her daughter here. She has a Master of Science degree from McGill University. She spent the first 12 years of her career as a Speech-Language Pathologist working with children with physical and developmental disabilities, before moving into Management roles at the Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre and CHEO. She also taught for 10 years at the University of Ottawa. Most recently, she was the Director of Development and Rehabilitation at CHEO, where she led a department of over 300 staff through many periods of change, challenge and growth. She is well-respected for her organizational and communication skills, strong work ethic, and supportive leadership. Recently retired from full-time work, Susan is thrilled to be able to spend more time doing the things she loves, including travel, gardening, making music, playing tennis, and cross-country skiing. She is looking forward to working with OSCA to help make this wonderful community even better.
Vice President
Sue has lived in Old Ottawa South since 2004. Her interest is in the well-being of the whole community and in particular making the community’s streets and sidewalks safer for all. Sue retired from the federal government (Department of Canadian Heritage – most recently as Director of International Sport) and before that taught in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Toronto, Master’s degree from the University of Alberta and Doctorate from Ottawa University. Sue believes that her experience working on the policy side of government and serving on many volunteer Boards and Executives at all levels is useful in meeting some of the challenges currently facing the OSCA Board and the community. Sue is a lifelong volunteer. Her specific sport interest is the sport of field hockey where she held executive positions at the community, provincial, national and international levels for many years. She is also a keen hiker, cyclist, kayaker, reader and opera lover.
Treasurer
Elmer moved to Old Ottawa South in 2022 after retiring from the provincial Ministry of
Government Services in Toronto, where he worked for 38 years in information technology
services across many different departments.
Post 9/11, he was dedicated to the efforts around protecting access to government digital
systems, and specifically user identities and permissions for staff, public service users or
citizens to gain access to government programs. He has managed 24×7 operation centres, lead
the development and implementation of complex IT security systems and managed the
integration of ministry applications with government security systems.
Elmer has always believed in the importance of being involved in the community where he lives.
As a resident of the Town of Whitby, Elmer volunteered as a scout leader for several years,
coached soccer and volunteered for several different sports teams. He also served as President
and tour coordinator for the Oshawa Cycling Club.
Now that he is retired, Elmer is eager to get involved with the Old Ottawa South community. He
is always willing to lend a hand to his new neighbours. Elmer is an avid cyclist, loves the
outdoors and can now add gardening to his list of hobbies.
Elmer has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waterloo. He and his wife Alyson
have three adult children.
Jim has worked in international trade and development for almost 40 years, much of it with Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian International Development Agency. About half of that time was spent abroad, in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Planning and managing country and multilateral assistance programs has been the main emphasis, with the last decade spent leading corporate evaluation functions, first at GAC and then at the Caribbean Development Bank.
Since the late 90’s (when not overseas), he and Rebecca have raised four children in OOS, where the family feels deeply rooted. From campaigning to save St. Margaret Mary School to minor hockey and maintaining community rinks, Scouts and more, engagement in the OOS community has been a touchstone of their family life.
Krista is a retired federal civil servant and moved to Ottawa from New
Brunswick in 1993. She started her career at Statistics Canada focusing on
communications, then moved to the Department of Finance, gaining
significant experience in federal-provincial-territorial relations and major
financial transfers. She then moved to the Privy Council Office for two
years, and gained significant experience in understanding how government
makes its ultimate decisions, and had responsibility for briefing relevant
Ministers on a weekly basis when Cabinet was sitting, then finally moved
to Industry Canada (now Innovation, Science and Economic Development)
where she worked on both economic policy and program design and
delivery.
She graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a Bachelors of
Arts (Hon.), specializing in English literature, and subsequently graduated
with a Bachelors of Law, also from UNB. Now retired, she is looking
forward to some new challenges, including becoming more involved in her community.
Scott has lived in Old Ottawa South since 2021, moving from the nearby neighbourhood of Old Ottawa East which he moved to in 2014. Scott is a lawyer in private practice. He was called to the Alberta bar in 2009 and the Ontario bar in 2012. Scott hold a Bachelor of Science from the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Alberta.
Scott has long been involved in volunteer initiatives in the communities he has lived in. Scott was the producer of the weekly show Terra Informa on the University of Alberta campus radio station CJSR. Scott founded and operated a community bike share in Edmonton in 2007 and 2008 called the People’s Pedal. Over the following years, Scott has served on the boards of the Edmonton Bike Commuters, the Sierra Club of Canada, the Greater Ottawa Kingfish Swim Club, the Mainstreeter newspaper, and the Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club.
Kayla moved to Old Ottawa South in 2020 with her husband and
2 boys and quickly embraced all the wonderful things this
community has to offer. Kayla has worked for the City of Ottawa
for 15 years in various departments, supporting the
advancement of the City’s legislative agenda and strategic
priorities. Kayla holds a Master of Arts in Public Ethics, and
undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of
Ottawa, and is PROSCI certified in change management.
Sandy Garland is a technical editor with a background in biology. Her clients include both medical and natural history organizations. She has lived in Old Ottawa South for over 45 years, and during that time was editor of OSCAR and a member of both the environment committee (ECOS) and OSWatch. In 2020, she was instrumental in reviving a community environment committee: the Enviro Crew of OOS. Currently, she has been putting her 30+ years of experience as a volunteer at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden to use in OOS, by introducing native plants into the street gardens and parks. She also enjoys reading, photography, and reducing her “footprint” on the planet
Madeleine has lived in Old Ottawa South since 2021. She comes from
a theatre and community arts background, working for over 15 years as
an artist, producer and arts administrator within the National Capital
Region. Currently, Madeleine works as a Program Officer with the
Canada Council for the Arts. One of her great passions is creating art
with communities, transforming their everyday spaces and exploring
issues and stories that are important to them. Outside of her
professional pursuits, Madeleine enjoys making and sharing food,
dancing with her loved ones, and walking/cycling the many beautiful
green spaces of OOS. To her work with OSCA, she brings her
experience in coordinating projects and events, grant writing,
organizational planning, and community consultation and collaboration.
She looks forward to connecting with more of her neighbours and
contributing to the great work of this association!
As a new resident in the Old Ottawa South, Alyson is happy to contribute to OSCA and is currently Acting Chair of the HR Committee.
She is an experienced and creative educational leader and administrator who is passionate about social justice in public education. Alyson is proud of the work she has done in centering equity, anti-oppression and inclusion throughout her 30+ years of developing curriculum, mentoring educators, and leading professional learning within her school district in the Greater Toronto Area. Alyson led the way in creating a virtual high school where she empowered educators in their capacity for change and collaboration. She is a founding member of the Durham Black Educators’ Network, an organization that successfully developed programming to optimize the educational experiences of students, staff, and families in the community.
Alyson is currently a curriculum contributor and occasional lecturer at McMaster University in the BHSc program. Alyson’s Caribbean and Amerindian ancestors have instilled in her the value of family, community, laughter, and joy in this life and she looks forward to learning and working together with new friends and neighbours in the OSCA community.
She is a long time resident of OOS and co-chair of SWOOS.
During her 40 year career as a professional social worker, Anna worked on First Nations reservations in B.C. and with homeless people in downtown Ottawa. Subsequently, she worked for 18 years at The Ottawa Hospital with patients suffering from mental illness and with trauma patients in the Emergency Department. Anna spent the last 10 years of her career working at Bruyère Continuing Care with patients who required chronic care, palliative care or rehabilitation services.
During her life, Anna started many initiatives such as psycho-educational groups on the reserves, pre-school playgroups and support groups. After raising her family in Old Ottawa South and retiring from professional social work, Anna became passionate about safe, healthy and happy Aging in Place. Over five years ago, she and likeminded spirits started OSCA’s Senior Watch Old Ottawa South (SWOOS).
This committee produced initiatives such as the well-known local Snow Mole audits, advocacy for additional street benches and an extra bus stop on Sunnyside.
SWOOS initiated collaborations with other communities, universities and organizations. In November 2023, this resulted in the online and printed Guide to Healthy Aging in the Community .
Laura joined the Old Ottawa South community in 2020 with her
daughter and husband and her family has since grown to include two
more daughters. She loves raising her family in this wonderful
neighbourhood.
Laura has worked as a public servant and in senior positions on
Parliament Hill, including serving as a senior policy advisor to a Prime
Minister and as a director in multiple Ministers’ offices. She has served
on volunteer boards previously and looks forward to working with the
OSCA board to contribute to our thriving community.
Laura holds a Master’s degree in Political Management from Carleton
University, a Project Management certificate from the University of
Toronto, and a Bachelor’s degree from McMaster University.
Mark is a native Ottawan and has lived with his
spouse Carla in OOS for over the past ten years. He
has over 30 years of business experience as a
successful entrepreneur and co-owner of Brymark
Promotions Inc. Mark has volunteered as a fundraiser
with a number of local charities and will bring his
talents to the board to help raise OSCA brand
awareness within the local community in addition to
providing advice on increasing revenues.
David is an experienced financial and governance professional with over 30 years of leadership in corporate controllership, specializing in financial management, accountability, and operational oversight. He brings strong skills in strategic planning, fiscal responsibility, and collaborative decision-making.
David is deeply committed to community involvement and volunteerism. His past service includes leadership roles with the Canadian Institute of Management (CIM) as Branch President, and seven years on the board of the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia, where he served as President, Vice President, and Treasurer.
David and his family moved to Ottawa in 2007. After 10 years in the Glebe, they settled in Old Ottawa South in 2018, where they value the neighbourhood’s vibrant community spirit. David is eager to contribute to OSCA’s mission of fostering an inclusive, engaged, and resilient community through thoughtful governance and service.
After raising their two daughters in the Glebe, Amanda and her husband Tim, embarked on a new venture, building a semi-detached dwelling in OOS. They now live in one half and rent out the other three units. Having been warmly welcomed to the community, Amanda is keen to get
involved.
After obtaining her MBA, Amanda worked for ten years in the automotive industry in both the finance and marketing departments of Ford of Canada and Jaguar Canada. In 2004, the family made the move from Toronto to Ottawa in search of a more balanced lifestyle. Since moving to Ottawa, Amanda has taught in the Accounting and Management program at Cégep Heritage College in Gatineau and was the Department Co-ordinator for many years. She has also served on the boards of the Glebe Co-operative Nursery School and the Ottawa Children’s Choir.
Amanda is hoping to contribute financial and business skills to the OSCA Board.
Farzam has been a proud resident of Old Ottawa South since 2021 and loves its walkable streets, local businesses, and the neighbourhood’s strong sense of community. He holds a PhD in Building Engineering and currently works with the City of Ottawa on climate-related initiatives. Farzam is also the host of the Neutra Sustainability Talks podcast and founder of Neutra, where he explores innovative solutions for a more sustainable future. With a background in energy policy, environmental research, and public engagement, he is excited to contribute to OSCA’s efforts to build an inclusive, resilient, and environmentally conscious neighbourhood.
Matt has lived in Old Ottawa South with his spouse since 1997. They raised a family of three children here and now their empty nest life is regularly, and happily, interrupted by boisterous grandchildren. Over the years they have benefited greatly from OSCA programming including the After Four program, exercise classes and the gym. In 2022 Matt retired from Health Canada where he most recently led regulatory changes to increase transparency of clinical trial data submitted for licensing of drugs and medical devices.
Matt is a lifelong cyclist, cross-country skier and camper. In retirement he is also now a part-time first responder, woodworker and aspiring choral singer. He has long admired the contributions other community volunteers have made to improving our community. Having recently completed another volunteer commitment, he is eager to help support the work of OSCA and to help strengthen connections among residents of our community.
Joel is currently a member of the OSCA Traffic and Safety Committee. Following the resignation of the previous Chair of the Committee, Joel stepped forward to join the Board and, if elected, serve as the Chair of the Traffic and Safety Committee.
Beyond his committee work, his perspective on traffic and safety is informed by both personal experience and professional expertise. As a physician specializing in chronic pain management, he witnesses firsthand the profound and lasting consequences when traffic and safety issues are overlooked—consequences that extend far beyond immediate accidents. Additionally, as a cyclist and parent to three school-age children who walk and cycle to school, he understands the importance of creating safe, accessible conditions for all our community members. This combination of professional knowledge and lived experience deepens his commitment to maintaining Old Ottawa South as a safe neighbourhood where active transportation is viable and encouraged.
Director Emeritus
Michael and his wife Phyllis have been residents of Old Ottawa South for over 40 years and raised two sons here. Michael has been on the OSCA Board since 1998, having served as OSWATCH Chair, Vice-President and recently as chair of the HR working group. He served as President from 2002 to 2013. A retired senior public servant, Michael worked in a number of federal departments dealing with science and technology, industrial development and consumer protection issues. For over 8 years he was also the Chair of the Committee on Consumer Policy at the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Michael has a BA (Hons.) in history, politics and economics from Trent University and an MA (Econ.) and Ph.D. in government from the University of Manchester in the UK and has written books and articles on public policy issues. In 2002 he was awarded the City of Ottawa’s Whitton Award for community service, in 2012 the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for public and community service, and in 2014 the Public Service Award of Excellence for Outstanding Career which was presented by the Governor General.
*As of June 27, 2025