About Us
The Ottawa Safety Council is a not-for-profit organization offering an array of programs and services to the residents of Ottawa. Our programs include Motorcycle Training and School Zone Safety (Crossing Guards, Pedestrian Safety, Walking School Bus, and Bicycle Safety).
About OSC
Our History
Our Mission
EMPLOYED CROSSING GUARDS
HOURS OF EXPERIENCE OUR MOTORCYCLE INSTRUCTORS HAVE SINCE 1967
Media Queries
For interviews, speaking engagements, information and other media-related queries regarding the Ottawa Safety Council’s road safety programs, initiatives, and resources, please contact Jamie Kwong at jamie.kwong@ottawasafetycouncil.ca or 613.238.1513 ext.223
Meet our Team
OTTAWA BRANCH
Jamie Kwong
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
613-238-1513 ext. 223
jamie.kwong@ottawasafetycouncil.ca
With over 10+ years of experience, Jamie is a respected community builder, and led the following non-profit organizations as the Executive Director: The Ottawa Music Industry Coalition, The Vanier Business Improvement Area, and the Orléans Chamber of Commerce prior to joining the Ottawa Safety Council. She has a strong track-record for results, forging innovative collaborations, and is known for her advocacy efforts. She currently serves as the Chair of the Ottawa Arts Council’s Board of Directors. She holds a Master’s of Arts degree in criminology from the University of Ottawa and believes in the importance of prevention by creating the conditions that build healthy communities.
Kelly Banks
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
613-238-1513 ext. 225
kelly.banks@ottawasafetycouncil.ca
Ottawa’s roads connect Kelly to everything important in her life – family, friends, work and play. Whether she is biking, walking or driving, her most precious cargo is her son, Corbin, and her number one priority is his safety.
“Everyone we encounter on our roads share similar priorities, they have children, partners, family and friends that care about them, and we all play a part in making sure they get home safely.”
Sherry Cashman
FINANCE MANAGER
613-238-1513 ext. 222
sherry.cashman@ottawasafetycouncil.ca
Sherry is an avid road user. Whether she is commuting daily into Ottawa or leisurely biking, or walking down nearby rural roads, she appreciates the value of road safety advocacy. And when she is not on the road, you can find her snowmobiling in the winter or travelling to a beach in the summer.
Brian Robertson
Program Manager School Zone Safety
613-238-1513 ext. 232
brian.robertson@ottawasafetycouncil.ca
Brian has lived in small rural communities and in large major cities across Ontario. If there is one thing he knows, it is driving where the streets are busy with all sorts of travelers. Brian has over 20 years working with the community and at the forefront of his work is teaching children, youth and families valuable life skills, such as safety. Safety of all travellers is everyone’s responsibility and it involves prevention, promotion and preservation.
Kristi Reynolds
SENIOR PROGRAM COORDINATOR SCHOOL ZONE SAFETY
613-238-1513 ext. 229
kristi.reynolds@ottawasafetycouncil.ca
Kristi is a communications graduate of Algonquin College and she is eager to connect with members of the community to promote road safety for all road users in Ottawa. Kristi takes pride in collaborating with the Ottawa Safety Council team to deliver quality education and awareness to all. Outside of the office, Kristi enjoys being active outdoors and spending time with family.
Dominique Rutherford
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
613-238-1513 ext. 231
drutherford@ottawasafetycouncil.ca
Growing up in a rural area of Ottawa before moving to an urban centre, Dominique appreciates the different elements of Ottawa’s infrastructure and charm. “Our roads help us stay connected to others and the beauty of our community. It’s important that we remember their value and have consideration for one another’s safety”
Ella Trolly
OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
613-238-1513 ext. 225
ella.trolly@ottawasafetycouncil.ca
A safety patrol skater at 15, the bright orange safety vest has been part of Ella’s uniform since the beginning. Since then, she has been personally and professionally hooked on promoting safety, health, and wellness for all. Her professional experience comes from over 10 years working in a range of human service and not-for-profit sectors.
Ella is a dual citizen of Canada and Ireland and a Band Member of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation, as well as a passionate 2SLGBTQIA+ Ally. In her spare time, you can catch her walking in the woods with her family.
Clifton Bond
ROAD SAFETY PROGRAMS COORDINATOR
613-238-1513 ext. 226
clifton.bond@ottawasafetycouncil.ca
Roads have been a big part of Clifton’s life. From biking to work as a teenager and working as a rideshare driver and crossing guard, to walking his dog through their neighbourhood. But his favourite roads are the ones that lead to his family and friends or out into wild nature getaways.
Bita Dehizadeh
Office Administrator
613-238-1513 ext. 224
admin@ottawasafetycouncil.ca
A graduate of Algonquin College’s Administration Program, Bita brings to the OSC years of previous experience in office management roles. Bita’s excited to be joining the team; she believes that when it comes to how we are each using the roads, safety is no accident.
Outside of work, Bita spends quality time with her husband Mike, her daughter Kimia, and her dog Snowy. She also enjoys exercising, shopping, and cuddling up with a good movie.
Christine Tambeau
MOTORCYCLE TRAINING PROGRAM COORDINATOR
613-238-1513 ext. 228
christine.tambeau@ottawasafetycouncil.ca
Christine grew up riding motorcycles, snowmobiles and ATVs around her family home in Quebec. She tried her brother’s dirt bike when she was 12 years old, and the love for two wheels grew from there. “I enjoy riding my motorcycle around Ottawa but find the most pleasure in taking the long way through the winding country roads.”
Hayley Lang
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
613-238-1513 ext. 230
hayley.lang@ottawasafetycouncil.ca
Hayley brings to the OSC a decade of experience in communications, both in non-profit and agency sectors. Having lived in both Ottawa and Toronto, Hayley knows how important road safety is everywhere and she is eager to help bring awareness to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians across the province.
Hayley enjoys spending leisure time with her family, friends and partner. You can usually catch her camping at Algonquin Park in the summer and sledding with her nephews in the winter.
TORONTO BRANCH
Akshay Mahajan
QUALITY ASSURANCE COORDINATOR
416-250-7287 ext. 304
akshay.mahajan@schoolzonesafety.org
A graduate from Algonquin College, Akshay has had a diverse career spanning over 8 years within and outside Canada. From Customer Engagement and Workforce Management to Risk Management and Teaching, Akshay has donned many hats over these years. He has a natural problem solving attitude and a love for technology and long walks.
Meet our Board of Directors
William Skorupinski
CHAIR
Automotive Services Division, CAA
William joined the Ottawa Safety Council to share his expertise of road safety that he has gathered not only within Ottawa but throughout North America and Europe. The CAA and the Ottawa Safety Council have very similar interests: safety while enjoying the roads no matter how you travel, be it on foot, bicycle, or motorized vehicle. William uses Ottawa’s road network for travel within the community, running, and as a novice cyclist. “Living on the edge of the urban boundary allows me to appreciate the safety challenges in both an urban and a rural environment.”
Cathy Anderson
SR. VICE CHAIR
Client Executive, NTT Data – managing growth and delivery for Ottawa customers
Logging over 5000 km per year cycling, Cathy’s preferred method of transpiration is her road bike. In the summer, she also rides a gravel bike on gravel roads in rural Ottawa and a fat bike in the winter. She is a runner and participates in most local running events. Cathy has extensive education and 25 years of experience helping organizations modernize technologies, transform service delivery, and in strategic growth for both private and not-for-profit organizations. “As one of the injured parties in the "Kanata 5" cycling accident in 2009, my interest in safe transportation is very personal.”
Jennifer Hyatt
TREASURER
Jennifer has many professional titles including Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified General Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, and mediator. Over the course of her career as a Forensic Accountant, Jennifer has worked with thousands of people involved in motor vehicle accidents which makes her passionate about making our roads safer for everyone.
Conal Slobodin
SECRETARY
Government Relations Professional
Conal works for Walmart Canada, where he is responsible for the development and execution of the company’s federal and Ontario government relations strategies. He brings over a decade of experience in government relations and public policy to the OSC and currently serves as Secretary and Chair of the Governance Committee. He is proud of the role OSC continues to play in road safety programs and advocacy in Ontario.
Conal has called Ottawa home since 2010 and lives in Gloucester with his wife and young daughters.
Prasath Sarma
DIRECTOR
Prasath is a highly flexible executive with experience in strategic planning, engineering, operations and IT. He enables transformation through cultural change and is committed to organizational and individual success. He has an engineering degree from Ryerson and has lived in Ottawa for the past 15 years.
As a father of 2 school-aged boys, safety is a top priority for Prasath. He loves walking with his dog and going on family bike rides throughout Ottawa. "I'm glad to be part of organizations like OSC that embed the safety culture so we, as a community, can live, work and enjoy our city safely."
Dwight Stewart
DIRECTOR
Dwight is an experienced professional with a background in Information Technology and Public safety. He has been acknowledged as being a calm and decisive leader under stressful situations, and he has worked as a trainer and mentor to his colleagues.
He Is frequently outdoors and using Ottawa's roadways from driving, to motorcycling, or with family members cycling. He has young children that love the outdoors, and he is enthusiastic about helping to ensure that they and all the members of our community can safely enjoy our beautiful city.
“I could not be happier than to be part of an organization that helps to protect the children that will form our future."
Lori Henderson
DIRECTOR
Commercial Relationship Manager, Scotiabank
Lori, originally from Atlantic Canada, moved to Ontario in 2005 where she learned how to ride a motorcycle on the winding roads of Northern Ontario soon realizing the need for road safety. Cyclists, whether motorized or not need to be the most defensive when on the roads. Living in Ottawa for the past 12 years and careers as a banker and entrepreneur for the past 19 years Lori brings her finance knowledge to OSC and hopes to help in the growth of the organization and sees the importance of advocating for safer roads. A mom to a daughter and 2 stepsons that are now adults, Lori watched her children walk to and from school, benefiting from the crossing guard program and keeping them safe.
Jonathan Thompson
DIRECTOR
Jonathan is an experienced lawyer who has spent the majority of his career conducting criminal and regulatory prosecutions on behalf of the Crown. He has extensive courtroom experience related to road safety cases under the Highway Traffic Act and the Criminal Code, as well as taking part in legal education for police officers and university students. Jonathan is an enthusiastic cyclist (and a reluctant runner), and he’s excited about making Ottawa’s roads safer for everyone.
Nathalie Guthrie
DIRECTOR
Nathalie is the Human Resources Director for the Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN), who has a strong passion for promoting safety and wellness in the workplace. As an executive of the CENGN organization, she has extensive experience in leadership, strategy, and governance, which are essential qualities for a board member. She also has a proven track record of creating and implementing effective policies and procedures that promote ethical practices and compliance. As a wife and mother of 2 children who bus, walk and/or bike to school, Nathalie is personally invested in road safety in her community.
Dave Donaldson
DIRECTOR
Managing Partner, Bo’ness Management Consulting Inc.
Dave Donaldson is the retired Dean of the School of Business at Algonquin College with over 20 years as a senior college administrator in Vancouver and Ottawa, following a career with several organizations in senior marketing roles. Community activity includes the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, Association of Canadian Business Schools, Tourism Development Council of Ottawa Tourism, and a past director with that organization. He is currently the Board chair of Shepherds of Good Hope.
Help Support the Ottawa Safety Council
Donations to the Ottawa Safety Council help us to continue building new programming and creating and delivering awareness campaigns to bring road safety advocacy and awareness to everyone in Ottawa, regardless of how they travel.
Our Latest Blogs
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