Bernie Ashe, Chair, was appointed to the Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. Board effective July 1, 2022. In October 2023 he was also appointed to the Board of Directors of Hydro Ottawa Limited and subsequently elected Chair of both Boards. He has enjoyed a successful career as a key community builder, contributing to Ottawa’s economic growth and making the city a better place to live and work. In 2015, Bernie was named the CEO of the Year by the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, and in 2018, he received the Order of Ottawa. Bernie is currently Executive Chairman and shareholder of Deslaurier Custom Cabinets, one of Ottawa’s leading suppliers of custom kitchens.

In his role as Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club (1990-97) Bernie helped establish the business of hockey and build the Canadian Tire Centre. As the first CEO of the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), (2013 -18), he was instrumental in the development of Lansdowne Park as a destination, and launching major sports franchises.

Bernie helped launch the OSEG Foundation and raise over two-million dollars to enable youth from all backgrounds to participate in team sports. He launched the Bernie Ashe Sports Fund, which provides children in care with the Children’s Aid Society a chance to participate in organized sport. He remains a member of the OSEG Foundation Community Cabinet.

A long-serving trustee (1993-2004) and former Chairman of the Board of CHEO (2000-02), Bernie also served on the Board of the Shaw Centre and the Board of Celebrations Ottawa, the organization planning the Ottawa events for Canada’s 150th anniversary. He was a member of the Mayor’s Leadership Table on Homelessness and acted as a mentor to future leaders as CEO in Residence of the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Business. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Ottawa Film Office (2018-2022), which advocates for film and animation production in Ottawa.

Bernie’s wife is Nancy and his children are Lauren, Christine, Anthony and Scout. They have 3 grandchildren.

Bryce Conrad has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro Ottawa since 2011. Under his leadership, Hydro Ottawa has become one of the most profitable, innovative and customer-oriented utilities in Canada, regularly winning awards and accolades for customer service and innovation. Since 2012, Hydro Ottawa has tripled its renewable generation, making it the largest municipally owned generator of clean, green energy in Ontario.

Prior to joining Hydro Ottawa, Bryce served as Assistant Deputy Minister – Program Operations at Infrastructure Canada, where he managed the implementation of the $4 billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, overseeing the selection and management of 4,000 projects that created more than $10 billion in economic activity. He was also responsible for the oversight and administration of the Building Canada Fund, the Green Infrastructure Fund and the Gas Tax agreements with provinces and municipalities.

An active community champion, Bryce served on the Board of Directors for The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, and on the Board of Directors for United Way/Centraide Ottawa.

Bryce has extensive governance experience, serving on the Board of Directors for industry associations including Electricity Canada, the Ontario Energy Association, and the Institute on Governance. In 2022, Bryce served as the Board Chair of the Electricity Distributors Association. Upon conclusion of his term as Chair, he transitioned to a Board member role, a position he held previously. He has been actively serving as the Vice-Chair of The MEARIE Group since 2022.

Bryce is fluently bilingual, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Queen’s University, a Master of Public Administration from Carleton University, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa.

Catherine Clark was appointed to the Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. Board effective July 1, 2022 and is a member of the Governance and Management Resources Committee. She is a nationally respected broadcaster, emcee, the President of Catherine Clark Communications and Special Advisor to Syntax Strategic, providing communications counsel to individuals and corporations.

Catherine is also the co-founder of The Honest Talk, a popular podcast which features frank discussions with notable women, sponsored by RBC, and the host of The Company We Keep, a podcast which looks at Canadian history through the eyes of the spouses, partners, children, and advisors of the political leaders who shaped our country.

Deeply committed to community service, Catherine writes the Giving Back column for Ottawa at Home Magazine and serves on the Board of Governors of The Ottawa Hospital.

Cathy Curry was appointed to Ottawa City Council, to represent Ward 4 (Kanata North) on November 10, 2021.

Cathy was raised in Scarborough, Ontario and summered with her family in Carmanville, Newfoundland. Moving to Kanata in 1992, as a high school teacher, Cathy taught English Literature at Sir Guy Carleton SS, Sir Robert Borden SS, A.Y. Jackson SS and West Carleton SS.

While raising her four children, Cathy represented the Kanata community as a school council chair, Kanata Inter-School Council Chair, School Board Trustee and Chair of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.

Since 2016, Cathy has been a member of the Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre Board, the CHEO Board, the Ronald McDonald House Board, and Chair of the Ontario Centre of Excellence for Children and Youth Mental Health Strategic Advisory Committee. Cathy also served on the Ottawa Community Foundation’s Grants Committee, the Caldwell Family Centre Board, and the Ottawa Fusion Volleyball Board. At home, Cathy plays the piano and the guitar, and plays French horn in the Concert Band of Kanata.

Cathy has a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature and a Master of Science in Education. Cathy is currently working on her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology.

Matt Davies is the Founder and President of Hedgelake Digital and the former Chief Technology Officer for Shared Services Canada (SSC).  He regularly serves as a keynote speaker and panellist, sharing his valuable insights and expertise on future trends, strategy, digital transformation, cybersecurity, emerging technologies, and sustainability with audiences. In 2023, Matt was a recognized innovator, having received the prestigious Top 50 Government Innovators award and a global CCISO Hall of Fame Runner-Up award.  Matt had previously received the CCISO Award at the 2020 CISO Forum Canada in recognition of his outstanding contribution to cybersecurity in Canada.

Matt is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), a Chartered Director (C.Dir.) and has obtained both the Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) designations. He is a graduate of the University of Ottawa and has completed Executive Education Programs at the Tuck School of Business and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He has completed the National Association of Corporate Directors Cyber-Risk Oversight program earning the CERT Certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight issued by the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University and the Sustainability Leadership: Innovation for Growth program from the University of Toronto – Rotman School of Management and the ICD program on Board Oversight of Climate Change.

Matt joined the Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. Board in 2018.   He is the Chair of the Governance and Management Resources Committee and a member of the Audit and the Strategic Initiatives Oversight Committees. Matt also serves on the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Board and is the Chair of the IT Committee.

Councillor Laura Dudas was first elected to Ottawa City Council in 2018, serving as Councillor for Innes Ward. She was then re-elected in 2022 to the newly redistributed Ward of Orléans West – Innes. During her first term, Laura served as Ottawa’s Deputy Mayor under Mayor Jim Watson.

In her role as Councillor, Laura Dudas has sat on several committees including: Finance and Economic Development Committee, Transportation Committee, Community and Protective Services Committee, and Planning Committee.

As Councillor, Laura Dudas has also been involved with several of Ottawa’s Council-led sponsorship groups, including the Solid Waste Sponsors Group and the Climate Change Sponsors Group. She also serves as Ottawa City Council’s liaison to the United Way East Ontario Board of Directors.

Councillor Dudas has long been a vocal advocate for Ottawa’s east end, both during, and prior to, her tenure on City Council, supporting and campaigning for: significant investments in new and revitalized community parks; enhanced pedestrian, cycling, road and transit infrastructure, including the extension of light rail transit to the east; and the expansion of the Blackburn Hamlet Arena.

During her tenure on Ottawa City Council, the Councillor has focused on exploring and growing new economic opportunities for the City of Ottawa. Councillor Dudas served on the Mayor’s Economic Taskforce, which was formed to support Ottawa’s local business, festival, and tourism sector in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. As well, her work to advance the East-End Economic Corridor Program to coincide with the arrival of light rail transit to Ottawa’s Orléans community.

Prior to her election, Councillor Dudas worked for the City of Ottawa, providing strategic communications to the City. Prior to that, she worked as a journalist for several daily newspapers, including the Ottawa Sun, the Stratford Beacon Herald and the Cambridge Reporter.

Councillor Dudas has been a long time volunteer in her local community, serving as President of the Blackburn Community Association for nearly a decade. She was a member of the former Orléans Chamber of Commerce, prior to its amalgamation into the Ottawa Board of Trade, and remains an active supporter of the Heart of Orléans Business Improvement Association.

Laura has lived with her husband and children in Blackburn Hamlet since 2006 and is proud to live in the Ward that she serves.

Jacqueline Gauthier, ICD.D, was appointed to the Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. Board effective July 1, 2020 and is the Chair of the Audit Committee and member of the Strategic Initiatives Oversight Committee. Jacqueline is an accomplished C-level executive who can provide a unique combination of extensive finance expertise as well as business transformation, corporate governance and risk management experience. With more than 30 years of experience in industry, she has provided executive leadership resulting in revenue growth, organizational transformation, risk management and M&A. Jacqueline also received the 2019 Best Ottawa Business CFO of the year award.

Jacqueline is currently a financial consultant. Prior to this, Jacqueline held the position of CFO for over 17 years at Calian Group. Working with a publicly traded board for almost 2 decades, Jacqueline has been instrumental in the development of the Corporation’s strategic plans, governance structure, executive compensation and enterprise risk management frameworks.

Jacqueline was a FCPA (FCA) until August 2023 and holds an ICD.D designation. Jacqueline has held various board positions in the past and she is currently the Chair of the Board of Directors of Patinage Quebec, and a board member and Chair of the Audit Committee of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

Jacqueline also worked at KPMG followed by Domtar and E.B. Eddy Forest Products in senior financial roles.

Paul A.G. McCarney, P. Eng. was appointed to the Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. Board effective July 1, 2020 and is the Chair of the Strategic Initiatives Oversight Committee and a member of the Governance and Management Resources Committee. Paul began his career with Ottawa developer Campeau Corporation in 1985 before transitioning to Graydex Ottawa Inc., a local sewer/watermain contractor, in 1987. Over the course of 20 years, Paul had a number of roles leading to President and majority owner.

In 2012, Paul sold Graydex to Tomlinson Group of Companies where he was responsible for the overall operations of the sewer/watermain division until January 2015.

Paul then moved to the Tomlinson Corporate Headquarters as Vice-President, Business Development leading Tomlinson’s growth mandate into major infrastructure projects and was promoted to Senior Vice-President of Tomlinson Group.

In March 2019, Paul joined Clean Water Works Inc. as President/CEO and spearheaded the sale of Clean Water Works in January 2022. In November 2022, Paul joined D Squared Construction Limited (“dsq”) as their new CEO; dsq is an Ottawa-based construction company specializing in municipal infrastructure rehabilitation, site plan development and major snow removal contracts.

Throughout his career, Paul has invested significant time, energy and financial resources into industry stewardship and community development. Paul served as President of the Board of Directors, National Capital Heavy Construction Association in 1998 and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ottawa Construction Association in 2013 and 2014.

Paul has provided leadership and support to the Ottawa community organizations and foundations including Christie Lake Kids, The Royal Ottawa Hospital, the Queensway Carleton Mental Health and The Ottawa Hospital. In recognition of his stewardship and community development efforts, Paul received the Canadian Construction Association’s “Community Leader of the Year Award” in 2012, the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in 2018, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Ottawa chapter, “Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser” Award in 2019.

Madeleine Meilleur was appointed to the Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. Board effective October 26, 2023 and is a member of the Governance and Management Resources Committee. Madeleine began her career as a registered nurse. She later went to law school and became a lawyer with a practice specialized in labour law. Madeleine has spent 25 years in politics at the municipal and provincial levels. During her tenure as a member of Provincial government, she held several portfolios including those of Attorney General, Community Safety and Correctional Services, Community and Social Services and Culture, as well as Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs throughout her 12 years in Cabinet. Retired from public life since 2016, she worked as a Senior Associate with the Institute on Governance from 2017 to 2020. She is now acting Executive Director at the Vanier Museopark.

Awards received include the Order of Ottawa (2017); Doctorate Honoris Causa from Dominican University College (2017); the Order of Merit (University of Ottawa, 2016); the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012); Officier de la Légion d’honneur, Government of France (2012); Order of College of Social Workers (2009); and the Order of Merit of the Association of French Speaking Jurists of Ontario (AJEFO, 2009). Ms. Meilleur is bilingual in English and French.

Lynn Norton, C.A., CPA, was appointed to the Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. Board effective October 26, 2023 and is a member of the Audit and Strategic Initiatives Oversight Committees. Lynn is one of the original founders of Leisure Days RV Group, Canada’s largest RV Group, and the COO of the Butler Automotive Group. The Group operates 50 locations consisting of automotive, RV, powersport and utility trailer dealerships, Marinas, and Campgrounds across five provinces and one US state. The Group has been built through strategic acquisitions and greenfield developments, and growth has been led by Lynn and his team. Lynn’s expertise lies in his ability to lead transformation, shape policy, and oversee projects at grand scale while maintaining control of the key details.

Lynn holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Accounting from Clarkson University; and has obtained his professional designations of Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA). Lynn is also a Commissioner of Oaths for the Province of Ontario.

Lynn is a passionate community member and serves his communities in many capacities, including being a national board member of the Motorcycle Ride for Dad (since 2010), the chair of the board for the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation (since 2011) and a director in the Loaves and Fishes Fund of Ottawa (since its inception in 1999), a charitable organization supporting the special needs community in Ottawa.

Lynn resides in Ottawa with his wife Mary Jane, and has two children, Madison and Patrick who along with their spouses live in the Ottawa area.

Cyrus Reporter was appointed to the Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. Board on July 1, 2021 and is a member of the Governance and Management Resources and Strategic Initiatives Oversight Committee. He is currently a Partner with the international law firm Gowling WLG where he is a trusted advisor to many of Canada’s leading private sector companies and non-governmental organizations. Recently, Cyrus served as Vice-President, Government and Regulatory Affairs at Canadian National Railway, overseeing engagement at all levels of government in both Canada and the United States and leading stakeholder and community relations.

Cyrus has served as a ministerial chief of staff and senior adviser to the Prime Minister of Canada.

Cyrus has been an active member of the Ottawa community. In recent years he has served as a director of the Indo Canada Ottawa Business Chamber, director of Ottawa Community Immigration Services, a member of the City of Ottawa Transit Commission, and a member of the Carleton University Board of Governors.

Cyrus holds a law degree from Dalhousie University.

Rumina Velshi, P. Eng, ICD.D, was appointed to the Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. Board effective October 26, 2023 and is a member of the Governance and Management Resources and Strategic Initiatives Oversight Committees. Ms. Velshi was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission in August 2018. She has had a long association with the CNSC, having been a Commission member from 2011 until her appointment as President and CEO.

Ms. Velshi has extensive technical, regulatory and adjudication expertise in the energy industry. Throughout her career, she has worked in various capacities at Ontario Hydro and Ontario Power Generation, and previously served as a part-time Board member of the Ontario Energy Board.

In February 2020, Ms. Velshi was appointed Chairperson of the Commission on Safety Standards (CSS), established by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for a four-year term.

Ms. Velshi very actively promotes careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), especially for young women. Since joining the CNSC as President and CEO, she has launched a women-in-STEM initiative to consider ways to support women in STEM careers at the CNSC and elsewhere, and to further STEM education by working with interested partners. She has also delivered several international keynote addresses about breaking down barriers for women in STEM.

Ms. Velshi was one of the founding members of Canada’s Women in Science and Engineering and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Institute for Women in Engineering and Science (CIWES), an institute that advances education in the STEM fields worldwide through an international network of organizations, foundations and experts.

She has served as Vice-Chair on the Board of Directors of Scientists in School, a non-profit organization that offers STEM-focused workshops to more than 700,000 students each year. Ms. Velshi is one of 150 Canadian women whose stories are compiled in Your Turn, a book published to mark Canada’s 150th anniversary and inspire the next generation of women leaders.

Ms. Velshi holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in civil engineering, a Master of Engineering degree in chemical engineering and a Master of Business Administration, all from the University of Toronto.