Tracey Clark builds community one cup — or slice — at a time
The former CEO of Bridgehead is now busy in the pizza business.
Dan Plouffe is an Ottawa sports community leader — and a true life-saver
Dan Plouffe, founder of Ottawa Sports Pages and CAMPS, helps youth get exposed to sport, and reports on elite athletes
For mathematician Diane Guignard, race walking adds up perfectly
Diane Guignard is a provincial Race Walking champion and mathematician, who has recently been posting impressive numbers.
Madeleine Beauregard makes waves in the paddling world
Rising canoe-kayak athlete Madeleine Beauregard is a 17-year-old paddler from Ottawa’s Rideau Canoe Club who has risen to prominence as one of Canada's top young talents.
“This is what I am meant to do”: Cara Vaccarino works to reinvent mental health care in Ottawa
Cara Vaccarino stepped into her first CEO position in January 2024 at the Royal Mental Health Centre, and strives to destigmatize mental health.
Christine Crump: Hard Rock’s powerhouse with a heart
Christine Crump has spent more than 25 years in the gaming industry. She is known for her people-first leadership philosophy and commitment to philanthropy. Her work leading Ottawa’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, along with her philanthropic ventures, reflects the values that have guided her for her entire career.
Ottawa volunteer Sammita Chowdhury champions youth and equity
Recognized as the 2025 Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award winner, Sammita Chowdhury shares her experience with community work and advocacy efforts in Ottawa.
Ottawa reporter Caroline Phillips makes her own way in journalism
Caroline Phillips is an Ottawa-based reporter who runs her publication, Caroline in the Capital. She focuses on telling community-driven stories.
Double Experience’s Brock Tinsley inspires Ottawa creatives to ‘level up’
Brock Tinsley, the nerd rock guitarist, has spent a decade performing videogame-inspired music internationally and uses his experience to help artists reach the next level in their own career.
Elliott Hartell builds community for students with disabilities through sport
Basketball player Elliott Hartell creates a unified community for students with disabilities with his involvement in Special Olympics Ontario.
From identity to initiative: Jennifer San works to make Ottawa safer for Indigenous people
Jennifer San, an Indigenous well-being worker, details how her journey inspires her work as coordinator for the Indigenous Women's Safety Table.
Catharine Vandelinde works towards affordable housing solutions in Ottawa
Catharine Vandelinde has been working at Options Housing for eight years, where she uses her experience and expertise to fight homelessness in Ottawa.
Geoff Cass brings music to the neighbourhood with Red Bird Live
What is Red Bird Live? Its founder says it's a place to bring everyone together for the love of music.
The man behind the queen: Eric Vance brings ‘sunshine’ to Ottawa drag
In the Ottawa drag scene, Eric Vance is better known as Sunshine Glitterchild, the queen he's performed as for nearly five years.
Sharing plates and conversation: Revello Williamson fuels connection through food reviews
Learn more about an Ottawa-based food reviewer who spreads laughter and joy one review at a time.
Melanie Brulée has grown from singer-songwriter to music industry champion
Melanie Brulée has moved from folk-rock country artist to a leader of Ottawa's music industry coalition.
On ice presence: Thomas Kyte has excelled as a deaf hockey player
Thomas Kyte, a deaf hockey player from Ottawa, already has a legacy as a two-time silver medalist at Deaflympics and World Championships.
Here comes the night: Mathieu Grondin aims to bring new energy to Ottawa after dark
Mathieu Grondin became Ottawa's Nightlife Commissioner 15 months ago. His mandate in Ottawa includes implementing the city’s Nightlife Economy Action Plan and leading the newly created Ottawa Nightlife Office.
Judy Trinh’s journey from refugee to reporter
From fleeing Vietnam as a child to becoming a national correspondent with CTV News, Judy Trinh has built a career uncovering stories and giving back to her Vietnamese community.
Trinity Lowthian realizes her Paralympic fencing dream
Last year, Ottawa's Trinity Lowthian achieved her childhood dream of representing Team Canada.
TikTok influencer Gabriel Yorke shines a humorous spotlight on Carleton University
Gabriel Yorke is a marketing student at Carleton University. He is also a successful TikTok influencer with some 144,800 followers who enjoy his satirical take on university life.
‘A trailblazer’: Trina Mather-Simard shows the way for Indigenous tourism
Trina Mather-Simard's career has involved horses, festivals and workshops — but through it all, growing Indigenous tourism has always been at the heart of her work.
Althia Raj balances politics and community in Ottawa
Althia Raj has spent years reporting and providing analysis of the happenings at Parliament Hill. She is also active in Ottawa's arts scene.
Ottawa scientist Emilio Alarcón champions diversity in his research
University of Ottawa Scientist Emilio Alarcón has been named one of Canada's most inspiring immigrants for his disability advocacy and research.
Marisa Moher breaks down barriers for youth through community and compassion
Marisa Moher's position at Youturn is more than operations and finances. She is driven by the goal to give all youth in Ottawa the opportunity to succeed.
Leading the Charge: Gwyneth Philips’ rapid rise to be the team’s starting goalie
Gwyneth Philips returns to the Ottawa Charge's net. But how did she make such a large mark as a rookie?
Suzanne Obiorah offers leadership in improving access for all to public health in Ottawa
Suzanne Obiorah, CEO of the Somerset West Community Health Centre, works to minimize racial and social disparities in Ottawa.
Ottawa teen Kevin Tobin’s determination takes him to kayak bronze at world championships
Despite living with ADHD and autism, Kevin Tobin is dismantling stigma around disabled youth athletes by proving with tenacious determination that he can achieve his goals.
From refugee to changemaker: Solange Tuyishime Keita’s path to empower women and girls
From surviving civil war to becoming president and CEO of her own organization and competing in national pageants, Solange Tuyishime Keita has devoted her life to empowering women and girls.
Sarah Dobbin makes waves with marathon swim in support of Ottawa Riverkeeper
Sarah Dobbin had never swum more than 25 kilometres when she tackled a 50-kilometre swim from Parliament Hill to Wendover to fundraise for Ottawa Riverkeeper.
Ashley Fraser captures Ottawa through her camera lens
Ashley Fraser's camera has captured Freedom Convoy protests, Snoop Dogg's Ottawa visit and many more Ottawa events.
Bytown is “the best” for We Were Sharks guitarist Colin Jacques
We Were Sharks guitarist Colin Jacques explores his connection to Ottawa after performing in the city's biggest music festival.
Joel Kowalski brings whitewater adventure and a new beachside café to Ottawa’s waterfront
Former professional kayaker, Joel Kowalski, has turned his passion into a career as the president of Wilderness Tours. He is expanding the business into Ottawa with a new seasonal café and rentals at Westboro Beach.
Jessica Traina curates what Ottawa has to offer
Jessica Traina has turned a way to explore Ottawa into a career as an local content creator, sharing guides and tips with thousands of followers.
Bestselling author Katie Tallo sets mystery thrillers in Ottawa
Katie Tallo is an international bestselling author of mystery thrillers, who finds inspiration and sets novels in Ottawa neighbourhoods and businesses.
Heidi Bloomfield: Meet the CSO behind Ottawa’s new women’s professional soccer team
Heidi Bloomfield brings a community approach to Ottawa's new professional women's soccer team.
City Builder: Najia Haneefi advocates for Afghanistan women and girls’ liberation
Najia Haneefi is a long-time advocate for the educational freedom of Afghan women and girls. She is a co-chair of Right to Learn Afghanistan Ottawa, which is responsible for educating young Afghan children via online libraries and classes.
City Builder: Sarah Onyango’s mission: to honour the story Black veterans in Canada
Who is she? Sarah Onyango is a fixture on the Ottawa television and radio landscape, and a driving force in Ottawa’s Black community. She often lends her voice, global fluency and support to telling the often forgetten stories of underrepresented communities. Onyango told Capital Current her life’s objective is “building community, by facilitating connections for the good of the wider...
Local influencer Carla Salazar wants to prove Ottawa isn’t such a boring place
Have you ever thought that there isn't much to do in Ottawa? A local influencer may change your mind.
City Builder: Sheena Brady builds ‘something big’ with Tease Wellness and the Founder’s Fund
Sheena Brady is the Founder and CEO of wellness brand Tease Wellness, along with starting the Founder's Fund to support other entrepreneurs.
City Builder: Mark Monahan’s musical road has built an important legacy
Mark Monahan is the visionary behind Ottawa's very own Bluesfest.
City builder: Meet David O’Meara, Ottawa’s voice of English-language poetry
Known for his evocative language and exploration of contemporary themes, the Canadian poet has published multiple award-winning collections.
City Builder: Chef Ric Allen-Watson cooks up some hope with the Ottawa Mission
Ric Allen-Watson is the Ottawa Mission's Director of Food Services. He started the Mission's Food Truck in 2020, now serving 10,000 meals weekly, and founded the Food Services Training Program in 2004.
City Builder: Carlos González works to give Atlético Ottawa a winning tradition
Carlos González is the head coach of the CPL soccer club Atlético Ottawa. González has just completed his third season with the club.
City Builder: Wendy Stephanson wants to leave a legacy of collaboration
Ottawa city manager Wendy Stephanson oversees an operating budget of $4.6 million for the municipality.
City Builder: Dr. Christina Romulus works to inspire the next generation of Black doctors
Dr. Romulus is known for her work as a mentor and physician in Ottawa. Her involvement in mentorship and outreach has made her well known in spaces that support women, racialized communities, and small business owners.
City builder: Dulcie Clark is the mentor behind Ottawa’s animation success
The CEO of PIP Animation Services, Dulcie Clark, has been celebrated for her contributions to Canadian children’s programming.
City Builder: GCTC’s Sarah Kitz amplifies under-represented voices
Sarah Kitz champions IBPOC, female, trans, non-binary and other voices while trying to reflect Canadian society on the threatre scene.
City Builder: Allan Reesor-McDowell changes leadership roles, from refugees to released prisoners
On Sept. 6, 2024, Allan Reesor-McDowell became the new Executive Director of the John Howard Society of Ottawa.
City Builder: Altea Active is Ottawa entrepreneur Jeff York’s new passion project
Many people know that Jeff York's brother, Jason York, played for the Ottawa Senators, but not everyone knows that Jeff played hockey for Princeton University in the 80's and is now one of the owners of the Ottawa Senators.