Appointee Biographies

JIM ARMOUR

Jim Armour is Managing Partner at Summa Strategies Canada, a government relations firm based in Ottawa. He has extensive knowledge of media relations, communications, advocacy, and advertising. Prior to joining Summa, Mr. Armour served as Director of Communications and Marketing at the Canadian Medical Association. He also worked on Parliament Hill from 1994 to 2000 and from 2002 to 2005. Originally from St. John’s Newfoundland, Mr. Armour has a B.A. (Hons) from McGill and a M.A. in Newfoundland History from Memorial University. He also earned his APR accreditation from the Canadian Public Relations Society and has a CAAP designation from the Institute of Communication Agencies. Outside of the office, Jim serves on the boards of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, the Canadian Pharmacists Association, the Shaw Centre, and the Gambling Research Exchange of Ontario. He also sits on the editorial board of the international Journal of Communication in Healthcare.

FRED SHERMAN

Fred Sherman is a principal of Hill Solutions Public Affairs through which he helps organizations and individuals motivate action, build relationships, and influence behaviors. Since 2000, Fred has taken on a number of national scale Government of Canada change management assignments including with National Defence, Health Canada, the Public Service Commission. Treasury Board, and the Parliament of Canada. He has advised political stakeholders including federal and provincial cabinet ministers, senators, standing committee chairs and municipal councilors. He has guided professionals on career transitions; trained Canadian teachers for international deployment, and military Public Affairs Officers for strategic communications capability. As active volunteer, Fred’s service on boards includes the Social Planning Council of Ottawa; Leadership Ottawa; the University of Windsor and the United Way. He was a proud steward of a University of Ottawa Law Faculty Endowment Fund; and enjoys coaching youth basketball in the Gloucester Cumberland Basketball Association. Fred Sherman is a graduate of the University of Windsor (Social Science); and was valedictorian of a University of Ottawa Senate and Board of Governors’ leadership practicum.

KAY (KATHLEEN) STANLEY

Kahleen Stanley has extensive experience in educational and governmental environments with demonstrated leadership in professional and voluntary organizations. Expertise in domestic and international affairs, federal-provincial relations and citizen engagement. Employment in federal Public Service; Deputy Head, Status of Women Canada (1986-1993); Assistant Deputy Solicitor General (1993), Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Canada (1993-1997) and Assistant Secretary, Treasury Board (1997-2002). Graduate of Ottawa Teachers' College and Carleton U. (B.A.) Numerous roles in the voluntary sector as Board Member/Chairperson, Children's Aid Foundation; Ottawa- Carleton Association for Persons with Disabilities; President's Advisory Council, Carleton U.; Board of Governors, Ottawa Hospital (Vice-Chair and Chair of the Quality Committee); Eldercare Foundation; National Capital Commission (Chair of the Governance Committee). Recipient of Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) and Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers (2018).

DAVID MUIR

David Muir was a partner in BDO Dunwoody Ottawa LLP and latterly Collins Barrow Ottawa LLP. He worked primarily in the federal and local government (municipalities, school boards and hospitals) sectors.

CYNTHIA BLAND

Cynthia Bland established Voice Found, a survivor-led, national charitable organization whose mission is to prevent childhood sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and human trafficking, and to support the healing and recovery from the health, financial and emotional impacts of these crimes. She was awarded the Attorney General’s Victim Services Award of Distinction for 2020-21 for her work in this area. In 2016, Cynthia was invited to participate at Atausiuqatigiingniq Inuusirmi Stakeholder Summit for Suicide Prevention and subsequently led development of 'Our Children, Our Responsibility', child sex abuse prevention training for Nunavut. Prior to establishing Voice Found, Cynthia enjoyed a successful career in global sales enablement at Cognos Inc (purchased by IBM), education development and delivery for the CaGBC, and as a consultant helping organizations in all aspects of program development, sales, education and marketing.

YILONG MA

Yilong Ma, of Ottawa, is a Broker with Coldwell Banker Sarazen Realty. Yilong’s community involvement has included serving as a member of the Chinese Community Association of Ottawa.

ANN MATEJICKA

Ann Matejicka is currently employed in the field of government relations for a large professional association. She has previously held senior roles as Director of Communications and Chief of Staff to federal Cabinet Ministers. Ms. Matejicka holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Winnipeg and a Diploma from Red River Community College (Winnipeg). She is a member of the Public Affairs Association of Canada and the Public Affairs Council.