6th Annual Ottawa Capital Connection - April 23 & 24, 2025

Pedro Antunes is the thought leader and spokesperson for the Conference Board’s suite of economic forecast products, as well as other reports and economic indicators that relate to Canada and its regions. Mr. Antunes has provided expert testimony before parliamentary committees. He makes numerous presentations on economic topics and dialogues with Canadian leaders, the public and media about issues important to Canada. Mr. Antunes joined the Conference Board in 1991 after working with the Canadian Forecasting Group at the Bank of Canada. In addition to his contribution to regular forecast products, Mr. Antunes led research on the impact of demographic change on the financial sustainability of public health care, productivity and other issues affecting the long-term economic growth for Canada and its provinces. He also worked on several international projects, helping decision-makers in Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan and Ukraine develop appropriate forecasting and policy analysis tools.  Pedro is fluent in both official languages. He is married with one son and enjoys hikes with his dog and playing soccer. Mr. Antunes holds an M.A. (Economics) from Queen's University and a B.A. (Honours Economics) from Bishop's University.

Rambod is one of Canada’s most respected trade, financial regulation and competition lawyers, offering dealmakers and business leaders critical insights into the regulatory forces shaping mid-market M&A and cross-border investments. With a career spanning high-stakes trade disputes, financial markets and competition law, he provides practical, business-focused strategies for navigating complex transactions in an era of increasing regulatory scrutiny. Rambod has been at the forefront of global trade and investment disputes, advising on NAFTA and WTO cases, antidumping measures, export controls and foreign investment regulations. His experience includes advising multinational companies, financial institutions and industry leaders on regulatory risks and compliance challenges in cross-border M&A. With postings to the WTO, he has firsthand knowledge of the shifting trade and regulatory landscape that impacts dealmaking and investment flows. Beyond trade, he has deep expertise in financial regulation and investment policy, having served as General Counsel at Finance Canada during the financial crisis. He advised on financial institution regulation, anti-money laundering and trade in financial services, helping businesses and investors navigate regulatory uncertainty and unlock growth opportunities in highly-regulated industries.  
As the Canadian Competition Bureau’s first Deputy Commissioner for Competition Promotion, Rambod played a key role in shaping Canada’s competition policy, focusing on economic analysis, compliance and international cooperation—critical factors for M&A professionals assessing competitive risk in transactions. A sought-after speaker and professor, Rambod has taught international economic regulation and litigation across Canada, the U.S. and Europe. His session will provide actionable insights for mid-market M&A dealmakers and business leaders, helping them anticipate regulatory roadblocks, mitigate transaction risk and capitalize on cross-border opportunities.

David Ross is the Chairman of the Board, CEO, and majority owner of Ross Video, where he has led the company through decades of sustained success. David holds a degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo and has received multiple honours for his contributions to the industry, including being named Ottawa CEO of the Year and earning an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa. He also holds an Emmy with his name on it and is recognized as a Fellow of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) and a Lifetime Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

Ruby Williams is a partner and the Canadian national leader of the transaction, diligence, execution and reporting practice of Deloitte.   Ruby has close to 25 years’ experience advising Canadian and Global companies on acquisitions and divestitures to optimize their business models and growth strategy.  Ruby has extensive experience in assisting clients in both buy-side and sell-side M&A cycle, including pricing analysis and valuation, due diligence reviews, carve-out and synergy analysis, deal structuring, negotiation, and related advisory services.  She has led hundreds of transactions over the years in Canada, US and globally and assisted many clients executing M&A strategies in the technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and industrials sectors.  She has served a diverse range of clientele including founder/owner-managed enterprises, public organizations, private equity firms, family offices, crown corporations, federal government agencies and departments.  Many of the companies involved have grown to over $1b+ market cap over the years. Ruby was also involved in several Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and other private equity financings, providing valuation and M&A services. Ms. Williams is a Chartered Accountant, a Chartered Business Valuator and a Chartered Financial Analyst charterholder.  She is a Forty under 40 award recipient and serves on several local non-profit-organizations.  When she is not busy deal-making, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys, dragging them from ski hills to golf courses.
 

Erin O’Toole is the President and Managing Director of ADIT North America and serves on the executive committee of ADIT Group in Paris.  He assumed this role after leaving elected office and having served as the Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.  Erin was elected to the Canadian Parliament four times serving in cabinet and as Leader of the Opposition. He had a particular policy focus on foreign policy, defence, trade and economic issues. Erin ran to become Prime Minister in the 2021 general election held amid the COVID-19 pandemic winning the popular vote. Erin is one of Canada's most respected thought leaders on domestic and foreign policy as a result of his service in elected office, but also due to his service in the Canadian Armed Forces and his decade as a corporate lawyer and advisor.  A graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada, Erin served as an officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force flying on the Sea King helicopter in support of naval operations. He was decorated for his twelve years of service in the military. A graduate of Dalhousie Law School, Erin practiced law for a decade working for two of Canada's largest law firms and as corporate counsel for Procter & Gamble.  During his legal career, Erin developed expertise in competition law, product liability litigation and energy regulation. He was also recognized at P&G and in the Canadian corporate counsel community for developing one of the first successful anti-counterfeiting programs to combat intellectual property theft. Erin and his wife Rebecca live in Toronto and are the proud parents of Mollie and Jack.  He continues to comment on geopolitical and economic competitiveness issues in Canada and hosts the popular Blue Skies podcast exploring these issues. 

An active entrepreneur and investor in manufacturing, technology, and novel business solutions in Canada, I like to focus on strategy and execution, particularly customer engagement. My philanthropic interests mirror my business interests, I look for novel solutions to longstanding problems that are entrepreneurial in nature.  I believe strongly in building excellence in people and organizations. 2007 – 2020, a general partner in a boutique Canadian focused venture capital fund.  In 2011-12 a general partner in an ag tech private equity fund. In 2020, a co-founder of Stormont Partners, Canada’s only real estate focused merchant bank.  Stormont launched Glengarry Farm Finance as a farm lending platform in early 2021 to become Canada’s largest institutional non-bank farm lender today. In 2020, a founding investor and director of Fieldless Farms – a pioneer in indoor controlled environment agriculture in Canada. Sold our family business in 1999, since then invested in and co-founded more than 25 businesses, some startups and some buyouts in manufacturing. Engaged in local and African philanthropy. Have spent many years with TOSTAN and Talent Beyond Boundaries, as a board member and donor.  Also co-founded the Last Resort Fund with the local United Way to help keep families in their homes after they have exhausted all other gov’t funding.  Working on new models for Affordable Housing.  Working to increase the local medical education capacity with St. Lawrence College.

Andrea Johnson is a partner in the Corporate group of the Dentons Ottawa office. She serves on Dentons’ Canada Board of Directors and is a member of the Dentons Global Board. Her practice focuses on M&A, corporate finance and securities law, with an emphasis on technology and emerging growth companies. She has extensive experience in the private equity and venture capital area and has acted as lead counsel on many of the largest VC financings in Canada. Andrea also advises TSX-listed companies on IPOs, financings, stock-based compensation and corporate governance. Andrea has acted as a director and officer of public, private and not-for-profit corporations, and has completed the Directors Education Program (DEP) of the Institute for Corporate Directors. She has also served in global and national practice and sector group leadership roles for Dentons

Loren Rafeson is Partner, Growth Equity Partners, at BDC Capital where he helps leading Canadian companies scale nationally and internationally. Since joining BDC in 2018, Loren has been involved in the execution of BDC’s investments in BCES Global, Firmex, Groupe Tecnic, Monarch House, Preciseley Microtechnology, and Resolute Health. He currently serves on the boards of BCES Global, Groupe Tecnic, Monarch House, and Resolute Health and previously served on the boards of Firmex, InvestorCOM, and Neighbourly Pharmacy (formerly Rx Drug Mart). Loren has 20 years’ experience in private equity and corporate finance having worked for several investment management firms in Canada and the United Kingdom, as well as the merchant bank and the investment bank of two Canadian financial institutions. Loren holds a BBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University and an MBA from INSEAD in France and Singapore. In addition, he is a CFA charter holder.

David is currently Sector Head, Global Energy and Diversified Industries for the TMX Group Inc. In his role, David is responsible for developing and implementing sector listings business development strategy and tactics for both the Energy and Diversified Industries practices for the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV). Prior to joining the TMX Inc., David spent 25 years in the Canadian capital markets industry both as an investment banker and as an institutional equity sales professional.  While in the employment of various Canadian investment banks David executed over 55 public and private equity financings and advisory mandates for a cumulative dollar value in excess of $800MM. In 2009, David founded First Resource Capital Corp. (“FRCC”).  FRCC was a natural resource focused investment bank that was registered (until August 2016) as an Exempt Market Dealer.  FRCC's business model consisted of assisting both private and publicly listed Canadian companies (mostly natural resource exploration and development companies) raise capital (debt and/or equity) from sophisticated institutional investors  (i.e. private equity funds, hedge funds, pension funds, mutual funds, flow-through funds, natural resource focused funds, and investment counselors / portfolio managers, etc.). David was awarded a Master of Business Administration (Finance Major) degree from the University of Calgary, Richard Haskayne School of Business in 1997 and a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science / Economics) degree from the University of Alberta in 1991. David has also successfully completed various Canadian Securities Institute courses and exams including the Canadian Securities Course, the Conduct and Practices Course and the Partners, Directors and Senior Officers Qualifying Examination.

As Co-Managing Partner, Hai is responsible for the overall strategic direction and management of the Fund. In addition, Hai is actively involved in leading and overseeing the investment team’s activities in transaction origination, execution, and portfolio management. Hai has over 20 years of experience in private equity and investment banking. He is passionate about working with entrepreneurs and has a track-record as an active partner with portfolio companies. Prior to joining CBGF in 2018, Hai worked at Signal Hill Equity Partners, Regimen Equity Partners, and TD Capital (TD Bank’s merchant banking group), and CIBC Capital Markets. Hai graduated with an MBA from Columbia Business School and received a Bachelor of Science degree from McGill University. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Rachael Belanger is a lawyer in the Ottawa office of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. As a partner in the financial services group, her practice focuses on advising lenders, investors and corporations on financing arrangements across diverse sector and industry areas, providing comprehensive legal solutions for clients seeking to navigate the complexities of financing transactions. She acts for lenders, sponsors, funds and target companies in structuring, negotiating, and documenting various debt instruments, including acquisition financing, syndicated loans, bilateral loans, project financing, intercreditor issues, bond issuances, securitizations, private debt and other secured and unsecured debt arrangements. Rachael is passionate about empowering clients to achieve their goals by ensuring that their financing arrangements are tailored to their unique needs and strategically advantageous. With more than 750 lawyers, intellectual property agents, and other professionals working in six major Canadian cities, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is the largest Canadian full-service law firm focusing on business law, litigation and intellectual property solutions, providing bilingual services in virtually every area of law.

Glenn founded ONE9 in 2013 while serving as an Assaulter Officer in Joint Task Force 2 and has grown ONE9 into one of Canada’s leading defence and security ecosystems with a focus on investing in dual-use technologies that are validated by national security end-users. Having deployed on multiple combat tours in Afghanistan, sensitive information operations in the Middle East and hostage recovery efforts in Africa, he experienced first-hand how technological implementation and overmatch is a force multiplier for success. Armed with a deep knowledge of the capability requirements of national security organizations Glenn is an advocate that a Tier 1 Special Mission
Unit is an untapped technology incubator; accelerating talent, innovation and imaginative problem solving.

Nicole is a Vice President at Alphi Capital and is actively involved with the firm’s investing and portfolio company value creation activities.
Prior to joining Alphi, Nicole was a strategic finance and operations lead at Cohere, a prominent AI-focused technology company. Prior to that, she was an associate at Birch Hill from 2019 to 2021, where she worked on investments across the industrials and aviation space.
Nicole started her career as an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs in Toronto, where she worked on a number of M&A and capital markets transactions across diversified industries. Nicole earned her Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s University (First Class Honours).

Bob Dunn is managing director for GF Data, leading all aspects of the business for its owner, the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG).
Prior to joining GF Data and ACG, he served as Chief Development Officer and General Manager of Portfolio Management Research for With Intelligence (FKA Pageant Media). Prior to that he ran Hedge Fund Intelligence and Institutional Investor Intelligence for Euromoney Institutional Investor. Prior to that he ran Dow Jones Private Markets for Dow Jones & Co. with oversight of product management. Bob has experience in both corporate and start-up environments, and an in-depth knowledge of private and public markets, including asset management, corporate finance, private equity, venture capital and hedge fund industries. Bob began his career as a journalist covering private equity. He received his BA from Bowdoin College, and his MS in journalism from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University.