Our Leadership Team
Board of Management, Operations Staff and Elected Officials
Business leaders from the Heart of Orléans BIA are elected to our Board of Management to represent our wide range of member businesses.
We have representation on the Board from various sectors including health and wellness, real estate, retail, food, law and financial professionals.
Meet Team Members
Board Members and Operations Staff are here to help. Feel free to connect with any one of us!
PASCALE BAZINET
Chair
Pascale was raised in Orléans and still proud to call it home as she raises her family in this great community.
Graduated with a Business Degree from the University of Ottawa, Pascale has also obtained a CMA, CPA designation.
Mme Bazinet has been working for Desjardins for over 30 years, returning in 2014 to the Orléans Branch as an Operation Manager for the Caisse Desjardins Ontario.
Desjardins has been contributing to the social and economic development of the community since 1946, and Pascale has been contributing her time and expertise to the BIA community since 2014.
Pascale currently serves on the Board as Chair.
Fraser has been working in the Commercial Real Estate industry for over 15 years where
he focuses on retail leasing representing tenants and landlord in Eastern Ontario.
While obtaining his Honours Economics Degree from the University of Ottawa, Fraser began his real estate career as a researcher while obtaining his Licensed Broker designation.
Prior to joining Marcus & Millichap in the spring of 2022, Fraser spent the previous 15 years working for real estate management and development companies, most recently with Colonnade BridgePort. Fraser is also a member of the International Council of Shopping Centres and active participant in the Ottawa Real Estate Forum.
Fraser was born and raised in the Orléans community where he continues to call home
with his wife, two children and dog. In his spare time, Fraser Is an avid water-skier, golfer, cyclist and runner and enjoys spending time with his family traveling.
FRASER PADDISON
Vice Chair
RENÉE LEBLANC
Treasurer & Chair of Marketing Team
Renée completed her Masters Degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Ottawa and her career path had led her to co-own Moveo Sports and Manual Physiotherapy, a newly established physiotherapy clinic in Orléans.
Renée has taken part in numerous professional endeavors and has a strong interest in providing the Orléans community with quality physiotherapy services while promoting and living a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Renée also recognizes the importance of being part of her community and enjoys being part of the BIA.
Renée joined the Board in 2016, and is currently Treasurer, as well as Chair of the Marketing Team.
DEBBIE O’CONNOR
Board Secretary
Debbie O’Connor was born and raised in Ottawa and lived in the east end for over 20 years before moving to Toronto to obtain her law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School in 2003. Debbie practiced law in Toronto before returning to Orléans in 2005 where she worked with the law firm of Dust, Evans.
Debbie later became a partner with Nelligan O’Brien Payne LLP. She opened her own law practice in Orléans in 2016 and focuses on all aspects of property law.
Debbie was a director on the Board of the Orléans Chamber of Commerce for over 10 years before the Chamber amalgamated with the Ottawa Board of Trade. She was also the co-chair of the Economic Development Committee of the Orléans Chamber for many years and now sits on the Heart of Orléans BIA board.
Todd has been working in the Orleans community for over 30 years, where he as been enjoying the entrepreneurial spirit of local small business and developing his passions for corporate culture.
Todd is a high-level strategic thinker with strong operations, business development, project management and team leadership skills. This drive, and experience, led to his current role at The Bookkeeping Bureau, wherein he enjoys empowering business owners and leaders to make educated decisions about their business through financial literacy and bespoke reporting.
He recognized the value of community and enjoys participating in the continuous improvement of Orléans through the contributions and initiatives of the Orléans Business Improvement Area (BIA).
In his spare time, Todd is an audiophile with a passion for music and stays fit playing hockey a few days a week. He is also a restaurant aficionado and enjoys culture and hospitality in all its forms and venues.
Todd lives in Alta Vista with his wife Amy, cat Ferris and parrot Kiwi.
TODD MUISE
Board Treasurer
Lina Hariri is the Operation Manager for the Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Ottawa East Orleans. Lina has been in the hospitality industry for over 20 years at various destinations including Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and The Central Florida Hotel Lodging Association prior to moving to Ottawa, Ontario.
Lina has been extremely active in our Nation’s Capital as a member of a variety of associations, committees and/or boards over the years, such as Future Movement and the Operations Manager for the Orléans Chamber of Commerce.
LINA HARIRI
Interim Secretary & Chair of Festival & Events
Steffi Acevedo
Board Member
I was born in Colombia and have lived in Ottawa most of my life. After completing my Bachelor of Fine Arts at Concordia University, I pursued a minor in Psychology and courses concentrating on Art therapy.
I have a ceramics business (Steffi Acevedo Ceramics) which has allowed me to connect with the art community in Ottawa. As an artist, I have worked with the Ottawa Art Gallery, the Ottawa Hospital, the Heart Institute, the Science & Tech Museum and various local businesses that sell my work.
Orléans has been my home for the past 6 years where I share my life with my husband, 3 kids and 2 dogs. After a lifetime of art education, running my creative business, teaching locally and various jobs that allowed me to gain management and customer service experience, I decided to open ACE Arte Studio.
My goal with ACE Arte is to strengthen and grow the art community in Orléans, to share my passion for visual arts and to have a positive impact on the neighbourhood.
Elizabeth Iverson
Board Member
Elizabeth is a dedicated entrepreneur with over a decade of experience working for small businesses in Orleans. Currently the co-owner of Art of Bean Coffee Co. located in the newly expanded Heart of Orleans BIA, alongside her wonderful partner Jordan. Her passion for community drives Art of Bean, a community-centered specialty coffee shop serving as a cherished third space for its patrons.
With a degree in Music and a minor in Entrepreneurship, Elizabeth’s academic background has played a pivotal role in shaping her career, seamlessly blending creativity and passion for the arts with the strategic elements of business.
Elizabeth believes in the importance of strong business communities and looks forward to collaborating with the amazing Heart of Orleans BIA team to make a meaningful contribution to her community.
In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys great food, live music, and spending quality time with her partner Jordan and their two hairless cats, Joey and Steve.
Sunil Kurichh was born In India and raised in Canada, from Alberta to Ontario. Mr. Kurichh is happily married with two beautiful kids.
Starting his career as an Aerospace Quality Control Inspector, he found himself always with a passion for food.
While working as a QC inspector, Sunil created a small catering company. He then stumbled upon an opportunity to purchase a well established business in The Heart of Orléans BIA which ultimately lead to Sunil becoming the owner and operator of Little Turkish Village Dining Lounge, fondly known as LTV.
He has been operating LTV for the last 6 years and enjoys his work immensely.
During his days off, you will find Sunil relaxing, cooking and/or spending time with his family.
SUNIL KURICHH
Board Member
TANNIS VINE
Non-voting, ex-officio board member, Executive Director
Tannis Vine wants to live in a world filled with innovative businesses, close knit communities, and books that come bundled with extra dark chocolate. Tannis is a Certified Business Analyst specializing in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Change Management with over 25 years experience in Financial, IT, and training environments within a major Crown Corporation, real estate and most recently the Heart of Orléans Business Improvement Area (BIA).
Not only is she is known to be a knowledgeable team player with strong communication skills, but Tannis is a skilled Process Improvement Specialist with a proven reputation to present realistic business solutions to her clients and maintains a personal commitment to customer service excellence.
Tannis has thrives on serving her community in many capacities especially supporting the BIA in realizing their goals of attracting innovative businesses to the Heart of Orléans district and personally engaging with its enthusiastic membership.
When she’s not serving her community, you can find her spending quality family time with her husband and daughter, catching up on her reading, or watching obscene amounts of television without a trace of shame.
Katie Adelson is the Marketing and Communications Manager, bringing over 12 years of experience in the marketing and communications field. She has a proven track record in running her own PR business, where she successfully collaborated with local businesses across Ottawa and the Greater Toronto Area.
A passionate advocate for local businesses, Katie enjoys exploring the vibrant shops and small businesses in Orléans, with a particular fondness for coffee and dessert spots.
Her commitment to fostering community engagement and supporting local entrepreneurs will drive her efforts to enhance the visibility of The Heart of Orléans’ unique offerings.
With two young kids, Katie spends much of her time at various seasonal activities, out at play dates, and embarking on new adventures throughout Orléans.
KATIE ADELSON
BIA Staff, Marketing & Communications Manager
RITA CHALABI
BIA Staff, Member Service Manager
Rita comes from a financial background having worked at Scotiabank for many years in different capacities, from customer service right up to branch manager.
After making a decision to retire early, Rita started working as a mortgage agent and continued for 6 years helping clients realize their dream of owning a home.
Rita also has many years of board experience starting with the Vanier BIA Board in 2007 to 2011 then moving to the Heart of Orléans Board of Directors in 2013 until 2016 where she was the Chair of Festivals and Events. Rita also holds the position of Chair of the Board for Lebanese Arab Social Services Or LASSA.
In 2019, Rita become a part of the Heart of Orléans BIA Operations staff and presently occupies the role of Member Services Manager.
In that capacity, she serves our membership through member visits, the creation of networking events and improving our BIA streetscape.
Kamay Urquhart is the Member Concierge for the Heart of Orléans BIA and an avid supporter of all things local.
While attending the University of Ottawa for Health Sciences, Kamay became a certified dance instructor for multiple disciplines including a ballet teaching certification with the reputable Royal Academy of Dance in London, England. It has afforded her many wonderful years of sharing the art and discipline of dance to thousands of students throughout the city and its surrounding area, eventually leading to a role as communications administrator and liaison for clients and families of a local studio.
Surrounded by entrepreneurs and business owners, the experiences and desire to continue supporting our local community has led Kamay to the BIA in hopes of creating lifelong connections and networks, while supporting the valuable businesses we have right here at home.
With two young children, Kamay spends much of her free time at local parks, with friends and family or you can find her at the Dance Studio T.
Kamay Urquhart
BIA Staff, Member Concierge
MATTHEW LULOFF
Non-voting, ex-officio board member Councillor Orléans East - Cumberland
Born and raised in Ottawa’s East End, Matt Luloff has always felt strongly about service to community and country.
He grew up in Orléans, graduated from St. Matthew High School, and spent his summers and weekends working as a lifeguard and instructor at a variety of pools including Bob McQuarrie Recreational Complex and The Ray Friel Centre.
As a member of the Governor General’s Foot Guards and later the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Matt served as a member of the Ceremonial Guard and deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. Fighting out of small combat outposts along the Arghandab River, Matt and his platoon patrolled the volatile Panjwai-Zharey districts of Kandahar Province.
After leaving the Canadian Forces, Matt graduated from The Arthur Kroeger College of Public Affairs at Carleton University with a Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management. He has worked as an advisor to several members of parliament and federal cabinet ministers.
As a strong mental health advocate, Matt produces and co-hosts Veteran X, a podcast for veterans and first responders transitioning to civilian life.
Passionate about local arts and culture, Matt has fronted the award-winning local band Hearts & Mines and continues to write, record and perform music.
As chair of the Ottawa Public Library, Matt and the Board eliminated late fees and brought in the most liberal intellectual freedom policy in North America. In addition to this role, during the 2018-2022 term of council, Matt simultaneously chaired the city’s Community and Protective Services Committee and served as both the liaison for Veterans and the Accessibility Advisory.
In 2020, Luloff launched the City of Ottawa’s Veteran Task Force which aims to support Ottawa’s veterans in the areas of housing, health and well-being and second careers. The Task Force is co-chaired by André Thivierge.
He lives in Orléans with his wife Laura, their daughters Elizabeth and Madeleine and their two dogs, Norman and Elliot.
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.
LAURA DUDAS
Non-voting ex-officio board member, Councillor Orléans West-Innes