GENERAL MANAGER
(Acting Executive Director)

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Melanie is deeply immersed in the world of markets, boasting over a decade of experience in market management in Ottawa and beyond. Her passion lies in collaborating with producers and fostering community engagement with local artisans and makers. Melanie comes equipped with a background in environmental studies, with a concentration on local food systems and food security. She is also a board member with Farmers Markets Ontario - eastern Ontario representative and the Ottawa Festival Network.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER

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Jeanne contributes a strong commitment to social and environmental sustainability to the team. Equipped with a master's degree in business strategy, she possesses substantial expertise in critical strategic analysis and metrics evaluation. Raised in France, Jeanne's cultural background includes a dedication to supporting local producers at public markets, reflecting her belief that eating locally is a vital environmentally friendly practice.

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

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Victoria, a former radio anchor and news director, brings extensive experience in writing and communications to her role. With over a decade in local news, her passion for community engagement has evolved into a keen interest in municipal governance and affairs. In her current position, Victoria is tasked with shaping and improving the market's public image, as well as developing and executing the corporation's branding and marketing strategy and media relations. She is also a board member at Synapcity, a local organization for civic engagement.

PROPERTY MANAGER

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Samson is responsible for overseeing the daily activities of commercial properties in the ByWard Market district. With close to ten years of experience in managing both commercial and residential properties and a foundation in Business Administration, Samson is actively pursuing certification as a property manager (CPM designation) through the Real Estate Institute of Canada.

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

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Newly settled in Canada, Ahmed brings a fresh perspective to the ByWard Market District Authority’s communications team. With a Master’s degree in Advertising from the UAL: London College of Communication, Ahmed blends strategic thinking with creative storytelling to showcase the people and energy that make the ByWard Market District come alive.

Before joining the BMDA, he spent five years in one of Morocco’s leading advertising agencies, where he worked as a Copywriter, Social Media Manager, and eventually as interim Head of Social, crafting campaigns that connected audiences and brands in meaningful ways.

MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR

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Asieh is a Jane-of-all-trades at the ByWard Market District Authority. She is hands-on, handling everything from setting up seasonal stands to decorating the building while coordinating countless other invisible tasks. Asieh ensures the smooth daily operation of the ByWard and Parkdale Market areas.

OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

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Over the last decade, Craig has collaborated with local small businesses to enhance public markets in eastern Ontario by supporting farmers and entrepreneurs. His goal is to revitalize the ByWard and Parkdale markets, transforming them into community spaces that promote health and well-being with a commitment to accessibility for all.

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

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Fadoua is an experienced professional with a master's degree in International Management from HEM Business School in Morocco and five years of expertise as a purchasing manager. Having moved to Canada in June 2024 to experience Canadian life, Fadoua is now responsible for the administrative coordination of the ByWard Market and office management. Passionate about organization and efficiency, Fadoua is dedicated to supporting the success of the ByWard Market community.

TOURISM & DESTINATION LEAD

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Nathalie Lavergne is an experienced event producer and community builder with over 30 years in cultural programming, tourism, and large-scale logistics. Her career spans iconic projects like the Montreal Jazz Festival, Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. After coordinating the 2015 Pan Am Torch Relay, she settled in Brockville, co-founded the award-winning Spitfire Café, and led popular local events.

Nathalie has held leadership roles in tourism and business organizations and now serves as Tourism Liaison Lead for the ByWard Market, focusing on grants, reporting, and major public events.

VENDOR COORDINATOR

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Nathan’s passion for building healthy, enduring relationships is the cornerstone of his practice in every role he pursues. He is a community relations and organizational leadership professional, bringing over a decade of experience working with grassroots businesses and multi-national brands alike. No stranger to the ByWard Market, his familiarity with the local economy is founded upon an 11-year history working in some of the city’s most popular nightlife venues. Supporting this experience is an academic portfolio which includes a Master of Arts in Transformative Leadership, as well as credentials in Social Communications, Conflict Studies, and Risk Management.

In addition to his work with the ByWard Market District, Nathan is a professor at Algonquin College’s School of Business and Hospitality, and a member of the region’s search and rescue team on a voluntary basis.

EVENT COORDINATOR

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With experience coordinating large-scale festivals and downtown activations, Nora brings creativity and organization to every event she helps bring to life. Her background includes work with the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival and Downtown Smiths Falls BIA, where she honed skills in event logistics, marketing, and community engagement while developing a love for bringing people together. Thriving off organized chaos and the energy of a lively crowd, Nora approaches each event with a mix of strategy, collaboration, and a sense of humour. 

DIGITAL MEDIA CONTENT CREATOR

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Born and raised in Ottawa, Norman got his start working in the ByWard Market and has carried that local connection with him around the world. He’s lived in Australia and Thailand, creating content along the way and honing his craft behind the camera.

With an advanced diploma in Advertising, Marketing, and Communications Management, Norman has turned his passion for videography and photography into a career focused on capturing community, culture, and public space. Today, he brings a global lens to local stories—always grounded in a love for the people and places that make Ottawa unique.

Sandy Smallwood, Chair

Suzanne Valiquet, Vice-Chair, and Chair, Human Resources Committee

Stephen Berry, Treasurer

Mischa Kaplan, Chair, Governance Committee

Mamadou Conté, Chair, Community Safety and Well-Being Committee

Bryan Chandler, Director

Nina Kressler, Director

Mark Kaluski, Director

Mark Suttcliffe, Mayor, City of Ottawa

City of Ottawa Delegate:

Sheilagh Doherty, Director, Economic Development Services, City of Ottawa

Observer:

Stéphanie Plante, City Councillor, Ward 12

For all media inquiries, interview requests, or press materials, please contact our communications team at communications@byward-market.com We’re happy to provide information, images, or connect you with a spokesperson.