OTTAWA FILM OFFICE ANNOUNCES 2023-2024 BOARD

For immediate release
June 23, 2023

Ottawa – The Ottawa Film Office (OFO), the local not-for-profit organization dedicated to growing Ottawa’s film and television industry, is delighted to announce today the re-election of its Board of Directors and the appointment of three new members. The following new members were elected for a two-year term during the OFO’s AGM held on June 22, 2023:

  • Kelly Haussler, Director, Destination Development, Ottawa Tourism
  • Catherine Leteinturier-Guissé, Business Centre Manager, BDC
  • Vanessa Poirier, Employment and Labour Lawyer, Bird Richard

“I am thrilled to welcome Kelly, Catherine, and Vanessa to the OFO’s Board of Directors,” says Ottawa Film Commissioner Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos. “I’m grateful for the expertise and leadership that they’ll bring in support of the organization’s initiatives and goals.”

The OFO Board and staff extend their deepest gratitude to outgoing members Catherine Callary (Past Chair), Daniel Feeny, and Tom McSorley as their final term comes to an end. “It has been incredible to work with Catherine, Daniel and Tom, and I want to thank them for their leadership and exquisite collaboration skills,” adds Lise Sarazin, Chair of the Board. “We are going to miss them and we wish them the best. We have a great Board of Directors, diversified and inclusive, and they are so ready to push forward OFO’s big projects.”

The film office’s Board of Directors serves in a voluntary capacity, providing oversight to all corporate activities.  

Ottawa Film Office Board of Directors 2023-2024:

  • Erin Benjamin
  • Shane Boucher
  • Sean Devine
  • Michelle Groulx (Vice-Chair)
  • Kelly Haussler
  • Don Herweyer (ex officio, non-voting)
  • Kwende Kefentse
  • Catherine Leteinturier-Guissé
  • Vanessa Poirier
  • Christina Ruddy
  • Heather Ryall
  • Lise Sarazin (Chair)
  • Frédéric Thibault-Chabot
  • Jeff Westeinde
  • Chris Wightman

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About the Ottawa Film Office
The Ottawa Film Office is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to help stimulate Ottawa’s economy by attracting film and television production to the region, fostering the growth and development of the local film and television industry, and promoting the region as a preferred industry destination. Its services include location support, production attraction and development, and industry and government liaison and advocacy.