About the Board of Directors
Members of the Ottawa Safety Council’s Board of Directors are motorcycle enthusiasts, parents, avid cyclists, and professionals who come to us with diverse skills and backgrounds. They value the shared integrity of road use and bring with them expertise in marketing, strategy, finance, and law. If you’re passionate about road safety and safe communities, and want to help the Ottawa Safety Council support their strategic goals, keep reading to find out how you can join our board.
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Meet our Board of Directors
Ziyad Rahme
BOARD CHAIR
Vice-President Investments, Sustainable Development Technology Canada
Ziyad has extensive experience developing and operationalizing strategy, program and project management, and building trusting relationships across organizations. Throughout his career, workplace health and safety has been a top priority for Ziyad. He has participated in world-class safety programs and learned from industry-leading practitioners. Outside the workplace, the emphasis has been no different. “As a father of two school-age children, I am highly sensitive to the health and safety of not only my family but all members of the community.”
William Skorupinski
TREASURER
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
DIRECTOR
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.”
Adrian Benjamin
Sr. Vice Chair
PR, Communications Professional
Before coming to Canada, Adrian held the position of Communications and Outreach Manager for the National Occupational Safety & Health Agency of Trinidad and Tobago. He is an internationally educated professional with over 15 years of experience in public relations/communications, marketing, project management and finance. Apart from being a very safe motor vehicle driver, Adrian is also a graduate of the OSC MTP and holds a valid M1 license. He is also an avid cyclist. He enjoys working with the OSC because he believes in the programs and the positive impact on our community. Adrian has a passion for safety and health issues and is a firm believer that safety is everyone’s business. We should all “prepare and prevent instead of repair and repent.”
Katie Brack
Secretary
Lawyer
With experience in general governance, human resources, policy development and strategic planning, Katie enjoys using these skills to help improve the day-to-day lives of Ottawa’s citizens as they navigate the city infrastructure. She also loves connecting with others who are passionate about road safety. As a lawyer, she has worked on behalf of Indigenous governments, private businesses and not-for-profit clients. “My preferred mode of transportation is walking year-round and biking in the spring-fall. I love the freedom that comes with biking, especially along the canal or Rideau river trails.”
Alfred Coates
DIRECTOR
Strategist, Marketer, Designer and an expert Project Manager
Alfred loves all motorized vehicles, cars, trucks, boats, scooters, mopeds, and motorcycles - if it has a motor, Alfred wants to ride or drive it. However, Alfred also understands that a part of enjoying the ride is an awareness of just how dangerous our roads can be for people not in cars. When he gets behind the wheel and heads to work or out to the cottage, he makes a conscious choice to drive defensively, to give other motorists plenty of space and to keep an eye out for those riding bikes, walking or jogging. “The freedom to travel where and when we want comes with a responsibility to share the road and adhere to the rules, for everyone’s safety.”
Greg Kostiuk
DIRECTOR
Systems Engineer, Canadian Defence Sector
What started as a passion for contributing to motorcyclists' road safety and giving back from his own experience taking the MTP course in 1986 has now broadened to embrace many aspects of road safety in Ottawa through his continued involvement as a Director. Besides encouraging road safety and awareness to new riders as a Director and OSC Volunteer MTP motorcycle instructor for over five years, Greg also enjoys riding his vintage 1985 BMW motorcycle and relaxing walks with his dog.
Erin Peruska
DIRECTOR
Environment Health and Safety Manager in Technology Sector
With her safety and risk management experience, Erin understands the extreme importance of road safety programs and resources. As an avid road user, she is often driving her kids to sports and activities or walking around her neighbourhood with her dog. “I love that I can see our work in action through the crossing guard program.”
Conal Slobodin
DIRECTOR
Government Relations Professional
Conal uses Ottawa's roads as both a pedestrian (who loves and prefers walking) and a motorist. His background is in government advocacy, partnerships, and strategy, which helps OSC build its relationships with the city and its stakeholders. “Without safe roads, we struggle to enjoy what our community has to offer sustainably."

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