Our Team
We work with member CEOs, stakeholders, government representatives and the media to advance policy and advocate for the Council’s priority initiatives.
Goldy Hyder
President and Chief Executive Officer – Business Council of Canada
Goldy Hyder is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Business Council of Canada. Founded in 1976, the Council is a non-profit, non-partisan organization representing the chief executives and heads of 150 leading Canadian businesses, employing 1.7 million Canadians and composed of every major industry across the country.
From July 2014 to October 2018, Mr. Hyder was President and Chief Executive Officer of Hill+Knowlton Strategies (Canada), providing strategic communications counsel to the firm’s extensive and diverse client base. Prior to joining Hill+Knowlton in 2001, he served as Director of Policy and Chief of Staff to The Right Honourable Joe Clark, former prime minister and former leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party.
In addition to his achievements in business and public policy, Mr. Hyder has a long track record of service on behalf of several charities and non-profit organizations. He is a past co-chair of the United Way of Ottawa’s Campaign Cabinet, former chair of the Ottawa Senators Foundation, and a former member of the Board of Governors at Carleton University. Currently, he is vice chair of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada’s Asia Business Leaders Advisory Council, and is an executive committee member of the Century Initiative. In addition, he sits on the advisory boards of two leading organizations promoting advancement of women leaders: Catalyst Canada and the 30% Club (Canada).
Mr. Hyder is a regular commentator in the Canadian media on business, politics and leadership. He is the host of the “Speaking of Business” podcast, which features interviews with Canadian innovators, entrepreneurs and business leaders. In 2013, he received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his contributions to Canada. He holds a Master of Arts in Public Policy from the University of Calgary.
by Goldy
How are we going to pay this all back?
November 26, 2020
A seminal moment in the life of this crisis
November 24, 2020
Susan Scotti
Executive Vice President – Business Council of Canada
In her role as Executive Vice President, Susan Scotti manages the daily operations of the Council, including strategic planning, development of the Council’s policy priorities, oversight of financial and human resources, as well as membership development and events planning.
Prior to joining the Business Council of Canada in 2011, Susan was a senior executive with the Government of Canada for over 30 years. She was Senior Assistant Deputy Minister with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and has also held senior positions in the Ministries of Canadian Heritage, Communications, Indian and Northern Affairs and the Privy Council Office. In addition, Susan has worked as an independent consultant focusing on strategic planning, governance and organizational development.
John Dillon
Senior Vice President, Policy and Corporate Counsel – Business Council of Canada
Email: john.dillon@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-288-3863
In his role as Senior Vice President, Policy and Corporate Counsel, John Dillon has primary responsibility for the Council’s policy work related to energy, the environment and sustainable development, corporate governance, and business-Indigenous relations.
Over the past 30 years with the Council, John has developed an active network of contacts across business, government, and the NGO community in the pursuit of sound public policy solutions. One of his current priorities is working with like-minded organizations across the country to advocate for a more coherent national approach to energy, resource and climate policy. He also chairs an informal industry coalition that aims to positively influence government policy related to climate change and air quality.
Email: john.dillon@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-288-3863
by John
Ahead of the U.S. on carbon pricing
October 7, 2020
Businesses are already reducing their emissions
May 11, 2020
Ross Laver
Senior Vice President, Strategy – Business Council of Canada
Email: ross.laver@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-238-3862
As Senior Vice President, Strategy, Ross Laver conducts research and engages in policy development across a wide range of domestic and global issues. His primary areas of focus are economic growth and competitiveness. Prior to joining the Council, Ross spent 23 years as a journalist with Maclean’s magazine, The Globe and Mail and The Ottawa Citizen. He has also held corporate marketing and communications roles with two Ottawa-based technology companies. He is the author of two books: Random Excess (1998); and Savage Messiah (1993).
Email: ross.laver@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-238-3862
by Ross
Support will be needed for some sectors
July 13, 2020
Robert Asselin
Senior Vice President, Policy – Business Council of Canada
Email: robert.asselin@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-690-6609
Robert Asselin leads the Council's work on economic recovery and the development of policies that contribute to economic growth and job creation. He is also responsible for fiscal and tax policies.
Prior to joining the Council, Robert was Senior Global Director, Public Policy at BlackBerry. Robert brings more than 10 years of experience in providing economic advice to government, including in roles as Policy and Budget Director to Canada's Finance Minister and as Policy Advisor to Prime Ministers Paul Martin and Justin Trudeau.
Robert also spent nearly a decade in academia as Associate Director of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa and as Visiting Public Policy Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. He continues to serve as a Fellow at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and at the Public Policy Forum.
Email: robert.asselin@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-690-6609
by Robert
Build a case for fiscal and economic measures
November 29, 2020
Looking for clarity on targeted aid
November 26, 2020
Nancy Wallace
Vice President, Corporate Services – Business Council of Canada
A longtime member of the Council’s headquarters staff, Nancy Wallace is responsible for the organization of all members’ meetings of the Council, as well as special events. She is responsible for managing the Council’s finances, including the collection of membership fees, contracting, payroll and audit. Nancy oversees membership inquiries and manages administrative matters for the Council team.
Amy Castle
Vice President, Communications – Business Council of Canada
Email: amy.castle@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-288-3854
Amy Castle provides leadership in the planning, management and oversight of all communications activities for the Council and the CEO and provides advice on broad policy issues.
Prior to joining the Council, Amy was Executive Producer of the CBC television show Power & Politics. She has nearly three decades of journalism experience covering a diverse range of topics including politics, business, science and medicine, international affairs, and arts and entertainment.
Amy holds an honours Bachelor’s in history from Queen’s University and a Master’s in Journalism from Western University.
Email: amy.castle@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-288-3854
Michael Gullo
Vice President, Policy – Business Council of Canada
Michael Gullo supports the Council’s policy work on economic growth and job creation with a focus on supply chains and infrastructure, the environment and corporate social responsibility. Michael also leverages his experience in working with members and stakeholders to build consensus on policies and strategies that strengthen the investment climate for Canada’s business community and enhance competitiveness.
Prior to joining the Council, Michael directed the policy and public affairs activities for the Railway Association of Canada, and previously worked as a management consultant and an analyst with the federal government.
He holds degrees in natural resource management and environmental studies from Dalhousie University and the University of Waterloo.
Howard Fremeth
Director, Communications – Business Council of Canada
Email: howard.fremeth@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-288-3869
Howard Fremeth works with the Council’s team to develop and execute communication strategies, manage its social and digital media presence, lead strategies to enhance member activities, and leverage new channels to reach key audiences.
Prior to joining the Council, Howard was the Director of Media Relations and Content Strategy with NATIONAL Public Relations where he led accounts for a variety of clients in different sectors from defence to agriculture and museums to foreign embassies. From 2011 to 2016, Howard was the Director of Communications at the Embassy of Israel in Canada where he oversaw all media and public diplomacy activities during a period of growth in bilateral ties.
Howard holds a PhD in Communications from Carleton University where he still serves as an Adjunct Professor and teaches courses in professional communications and digital diplomacy. He is also a Board Member of the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom and a recipient of the Freiman Family Young Leadership Award – recognizing someone under 40 for exceptional service to Ottawa’s Jewish community.
Email: howard.fremeth@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-288-3869
Callum Smith
Communications Officer – Business Council of Canada
Email: callum.smith@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-818-6497
Callum Smith joined the Business Council in 2016. In his role as Communications Officer, Callum is responsible for producing the Council’s visual and digital communications products. He supports the Council executive with projects, publications and digital media solutions. Callum holds a degree from the University of Guelph in Media Studies, and a Diploma in Media Communication from the Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning.
Email: callum.smith@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-818-6497
Trevor Kennedy
Director, Policy – Business Council of Canada
Trevor Kennedy leads the Council’s work on Canada’s international trade and investment ties. He advises and executes the Council’s trade policy initiatives, liaising with Canadian policymakers as well as business networks involving key international partners, primarily in North America, the Indo-Pacific and Europe. Trevor also contributes to industry and innovation policy and is responsible for the Council’s Corporate Innovator Network.
Prior to joining the Council in 2016, Trevor was a Trade Policy Officer at Global Affairs Canada. He also worked with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada as a Junior Research Fellow focused on trade policy. He has lived and worked in Japan with the Japan Exchange (JET) Programme and speaks fluent Japanese.
He holds a Master of Arts in Asia Pacific Policy Studies from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from St. Thomas University, New Brunswick.
by Trevor
Britain remains a key trading partner
November 19, 2020
Important that consumers have trust in the system and data is protected
November 18, 2020
Amanda DeYoung
Research Associate – Business Council of Canada
Email: amanda.deyoung@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 905-920-1255
Amanda DeYoung works with the senior leadership team by providing research, analysis and project management to implement Council priorities, and support Council working groups and task forces.
Prior to joining the Council in February 2020, Amanda worked as a research assistant for public opinion and government relations firms while pursuing her post-secondary education. She also brings with her extensive experience as a volunteer for several organizations, including the Canadian Advocacy Network and the Government Relations Institute of Canada.
She holds a Master’s in Political Management from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario.
Email: amanda.deyoung@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 905-920-1255
Owen Brown
Research Associate – Business Council of Canada
Email: owen.brown@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 647-328-6227
Owen Brown works with the senior leadership team by providing research, analysis and project management to implement Council priorities, and support Council working groups and task forces.
Prior to joining the Council in February 2020, Owen held several internships and work placements with organizations in Canada and around the world, including the International Criminal Court, Morneau Shepell and the Ontario Energy Board.
He holds a Master of Arts in International Relations from Kings College London and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of St Andrews.
Email: owen.brown@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 647-328-6227
Chantal Roy
Executive Assistant to the President and Chief Executive Officer – Business Council of Canada
Chantal Roy
Executive Assistant to the President and Chief Executive Officer – Business Council of Canada
Email: chantal.roy@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-238-3735
Chantal Roy is Executive Assistant to the President and CEO. She handles the many demands on the CEO’s time and schedule. She previously worked with the Honourable John Manley from 2002- 2018: in the President’s office at the Business Council of Canada; at the law firm of McCarthy Tétrault; in his various ministerial positions as well as supporting Mr. Manley in his Corporate Director responsibilities at CIBC, CAE, TELUS and CP, among others. Chantal has also worked with other elected officials on Parliament Hill and was with Imperial Oil Limited for five years in the government relations office in Ottawa.
Email: chantal.roy@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-238-3735
Monique Raymond-Dubé
Executive Assistant – Business Council of Canada
Email: monique.raymond-dube@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-288-3865
Monique Raymond-Dubé, Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice President, joined the Council in May 2002. She provides day-to-day support to the Executive VP and other members of the senior leadership team. She also assists in the planning and execution of the Council’s triannual membership meetings. Educated at Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology and Laurentian University, she began her career as a legal secretary before spending 18 years at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Email: monique.raymond-dube@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-288-3865
Patti Matchem
Senior Administrative Associate – Business Council of Canada
Email: patti.matchem@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-288-3856
Patti Matchem joined the Council in May 2006. As Senior Administrative Associate, she is responsible for the administration of Council membership and recruitment. She manages the membership database and the Council’s network of contacts. Patti has extensive administrative experience and a certificate in business administration.
Email: patti.matchem@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-288-3856
Christine Bogie
Senior Administrative Associate – Business Council of Canada
Christine Bogie joined the Council in 2017 as a Senior Administrative Associate. She provides organizational and logistical support to members of the senior leadership team responsible for international trade, fiscal policy and economic growth.
Prior to joining the Council she was assistant to a senior executive at Rogers Communications and held positions supporting several national member-based organizations. She has broad experience in both the private and non-profit sectors.
Christine has a B.A. in political science from York University.
Meagan Lachance
Administrative Associate – Business Council of Canada
Email: meagan.lachance@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-288-3864
Meagan Lachance has been with the Council since 2009. She coordinates technology support for the Council’s staff and is the administrative assistant to the VP of Corporate Services and the SVP of Strategy. In addition, she provides administrative and logistical support for membership meetings. Meagan holds a B.A. in psychology from Carleton University.
Email: meagan.lachance@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-288-3864
Brighid Meldrum
Administrative Associate – Business Council of Canada
Email: brighid.meldrum@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-288-3871
Brighid Meldrum joined the Business Council in January 2018. She provides organizational and logistical support to the senior leadership team. Brighid also assists in planning the Council’s triannual membership meetings. Educated at the University of Guelph and Nipissing University, she began her career as a public school teacher before taking on an administrative role at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in 2015.
Email: brighid.meldrum@thebusinesscouncil.ca
Phone: 613-288-3871
Board of Directors
Governance of the Council is provided by the Board of Directors, a 24-member body drawn from the membership.
