Heather Brisebois / Relationship Builder, Collaborator and Human Focused Innovator

I’m honoured to have the opportunity to highlight Heather Brisebois and the work Shelter Movers does in the Ottawa community. Shelter Movers is a national, volunteer-powered charitable organization that provides moving and storage services at no cost to individuals and families fleeing abuse. Working alongside local businesses and community agencies, the team supports people—primarily women and children—as they transition to a life free of violence. Their vision is a world where survivors can move on from abuse and violence with power and dignity. Heather is the Chapter Director for Ottawa.

© Dwayne Brown Studio / Heather Brisebois, Chapter Director of Shelter Movers (Ottawa)

Heather Briseboise - What does making a difference mean to you?

“Showing up authentically with an open mind and open heart. I’ve always been a helper and believe if I lead with heart, kindness, and some solid boundaries, it’s not a weakness, but a superpower. It means choosing to care and taking action collectively. It means leaning in to our strengths collectively while embracing our individual differences, and taking care of our fellow humans no matter the situation.”

Heather Briseboise
sheltermovers.com/ottawa
LinkedIn

Steve Beckta / Ottawa restaurateur and community builder

Today I’m sharing Steve Beckta—Ottawa restaurateur, community builder, and a person who’s always led with care. Last month, we photographed Steve in the studio ahead of his official appointment to the Order of Canada—a moment that felt both proud and well deserved.

From Beckta, Play, and Gezellig to years of service with BGC Ottawa, Steve’s work has helped shape how Ottawa gathers and gives back. When I asked what it means to make a difference, he spoke about caring in big and small ways—acts that surprise people, renew faith in humanity, and keep that virtuous cycle going.

© Dwayne Brown Studio / Steve Beckta C.M.

Steve Beckta - What does making a difference mean to you?

“Making a difference to me is about caring for others in authentic and intentional ways that create a positive impact on the lives of those around you, or your community, or the world at large.  

Caring in both big and small ways.  In ways that are surprising, and that renews people’s faith in humanity.  It’s a virtuous cycle that we are all responsible for feeding.”

Steve Beckta
www.beckta.com
LinkedIn

René Lafrance

René Lafrance is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran and former Bank of Canada finance executive with over 38 years of leadership experience in telecommunications and central banking. He holds a degree in engineering from the Royal Military College and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. Through his career, he fostered positive workplaces through coaching and mentoring, empowering employee growth and decision-making.

In his current pursuits, René channels his extensive experience and expertise into philanthropic endeavours. He dedicates his time and support to organizations focused on veterans, education, and mental health, further reflecting his ongoing commitment to making a meaningful impact in his community.

© Dwayne Brown Studio / René Lafrance, photographed at Drip House Coffee

René Lafrance - What does making a difference mean to you?

For me, making a difference means volunteering my time to support national and local philanthropic organizations. I believe it is important to give back or contribute to causes that matter to you, whether they have positively influenced you or your family, or because you consider them significant for the future.

In my case, I volunteer with groups that promote education, support Canadian Armed Forces veterans, and raise awareness of mental health issues. I leverage my diverse experience and background to serve on boards of directors, whether as a board director or as a member of key committees, such as audit and fundraising committees. Alongside sharing my experience in these roles, I value engaging with individuals who contribute positively to the community.

In my spare time, I also provide mentorship to leaders and aspiring leaders to help them navigate their careers.

For me, volunteering my time and supporting causes important to me is one way I feel I make a difference to the community and to myself.

René Lafrance
LinkedIn

Lisa Dupasquier / Team Leader, Causeway Work Centre

Lisa Dupasquier brings care, resourcefulness, and steady encouragement to her work supporting individuals who face barriers to employment. At Causeway, she designs and leads pre-employment workshops, builds lasting partnerships with inclusive employers, and walks alongside clients as they grow in skills and confidence. With experience across education, health, and employment sectors, Lisa’s approach is as practical as it is people-focused. She’s especially moved by those quiet moments when someone begins to believe in their own potential—often for the first time—and is proud to help make that possible.

© Dwayne Brown Studio / Lisa Dupasquier, photographed at Causeway Work Centre

Lisa Dupasquier - What does making a difference mean to you?

“To me, making a difference means helping people move from uncertainty to opportunity in a respectful and meaningful way. In an employment agency setting, especially with vulnerable populations, it’s about more than just finding a job — it’s about building trust, understanding individual barriers, and supporting them through the whole process so they feel empowered to succeed. It’s ensuring that each person feels heard, treated with dignity, and connected to work that aligns with their goals and strengths.

I see my role as guiding clients through obstacles, providing practical support (like resume help, interview prep, or connections to employers), and advocating for fair opportunities. Ultimately, making a difference is seeing someone gain confidence, secure employment that improves their stability, and knowing I played a part in helping them get there.”

Lisa Dupasquier
www.causewayworkcentre.org
Employment and Community Services Worker

Eryn O'Neill / Artist

Eryn O’Neill is an Ottawa-born painter whose work explores urban spaces in transition. With degrees from NSCAD University and the University of Waterloo, and advanced studies at Carleton University, she brings both academic depth and lived observation to her practice. Her studio is based in the ByWard Market at The Rectory Art House.

© Dwayne Brown Studio / Eryn O’Neill in her Ottawa studio.

Eryn O’Neill - What does making a difference mean to you?

“As an artist, to me it means demonstrating that painting can function as a legitimate mode of research and cultural critique. Through research-creation, painting becomes a way of producing knowledge, one that captures duration, instability, and progress. In creating a visual archive of Ottawa’s LRT expansion and major construction projects and presenting it publicly, the project opens space for dialogue about accessibility, safety, and everyday urban life.

To make a difference, then, is to intervene culturally: to expand what counts as knowledge, whose experiences matter, and how cities in transformation can be understood more fully and more humanely.”

Eryn O’Neill
www.eofineart.com
LinkedIn
Instagram