'C-Suite in the Sens Suite' unites young business leaders for ONFE's School Breakfast Program

‘C-Suite in the Sens Suite’ unites young business leaders for ONFE’s School Breakfast Program

Published On: January 26, 2025By Caroline Phillips

For the past couple of years, local young business leader Jonathan Gilman had been wanting to host a huge party at an Ottawa Senators game, one that would combine his love of professional networking, hockey and social impact.

He had his cause picked out: the School Breakfast Program run by Ottawa Network for Education – Réseau d’Ottawa pour l’éducation to prevent children from having to start their school day hungry. The 29 year old invested thousands of dollars of his own money last summer to reserve a 400-level private suite and to purchase 120 tickets in advance. All that was left for him to do was find a way to properly connect with the hockey club and its charitable arm, the Senators Community Foundation.

How serendipitous that, last fall, the season ticket holder found himself on the same domestic flight as Ted Wagstaff, president of revenue development and strategic partnership consulting firm North45 and a member of the hockey club’s local ownership group. They were seated right next to each other.

Gilman, owner of landscape construction business Ottawa Interlock Repair, wasted no time introducing himself and sharing his event idea. His luck continued: Wagstaff’s spouse is Jacqueline Belsito, president of the Senators Community Foundation.

Wagstaff was eager to help. “He said, ‘We’re going to make it happen’,” recalled Gilman.

On Saturday, the C-Suite in the Sens Suite was launched. Gilman easily sold all his tickets, plus standing-room-only ones, for a night of food, drinks, fundraising and networking at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata. The event netted $6,000, with further donations still expected, for ONFE’s School Breakfast Program. It’s one of the charities the Senators Community Foundation supports.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Gilman of the big night. “I am beyond excited. I just love supporting the Sens and supporting the community, so this seemed like the perfect fit for me.”

What made the evening extra special was the Ottawa Senators’ 2-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, whose fans’ blue jerseys infiltrated the crowd in almost alarming numbers.

Ottawa MP Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, attended, as did Dean Trudeau, CFP, CIM from sponsor OPES Family Advisory.

Of course Waggstaff was there, as was Belsito with her team, Jennifer Cameron and Cassandra Chiasson. Also spotted was Ottawa Senators’ widely respected president, Cyril Leeder.

In high demand was team community ambassador Chris Neil, who made meeting and connecting with new people seem so effortless. Neil played 16 seasons with the team, becoming a respected fan favourite, before retiring in 2017.

Chris Neil was a welcomed addition to the 'C-Suite in the Sens Suite' event held in support of ONFE's School Breakfast Program. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Brock Murray, co-founder at seaoplus+, with his daughter Ava Murray at the 'C-Suite in the Sens Suite' held during the Senators versus Leafs game on Saturday night. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Cyril Leeder, president of the Ottawa Senators, with young business leader Jonathan Gilman, organizer of 'C-Suite in the Sens Suite' networking fundraiser. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Jacqueline Belsito, president of the Senators Community Foundation, with new addition Cassandra Chiasson (event specialist) and Jennifer Cameron, director of events and fundraising relationships. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Guests heard from ONFE president and CEO Heather Norris about the increased post-pandemic demand for its school breakfast program. The number of meals and snacks it serves young students every day has skyrocketed to more than 22,000 each school day.

To put that number into context, the capacity at the Canadian Tire Centre is just over 18,000, she told her audience, adding: “Every school day, we are filling this facility and having a huge lineup out the door.”

It was heartbreaking to hear there are kids asking if they can take any extra food home with them to share with hungry siblings who don’t have access to the breakfast program.

It’s been about 15 months since Michael Andlauer purchased the Ottawa Senators. A group of local business leaders, many with strong ties to the region, pooled their money to form a minority ownership group that includes recent Order of Ottawa recipient Jeffrey York and such former Ottawa CEO of the Year award recipients as Mike McGahan and Kyle Braatz .

Wagstaff delivered inspiring remarks to the young business owners and professionals about the exciting developments that lay ahead in the national capital region, from the technology and innovation happening in Kanata North, to the re-imagining of such downtown areas as the ByWard Market and LeBreton Flats.

Gilman is also a co-chair of RedBlacks Summer Rush, the city’s largest networking fundraiser for young business leaders and professionals. The concept was created by community leader and Southgate Dental’s Dr. Nalin Bhargava, who provided guidance for the C-Suite in the Sens Suite event. “He encouraged me every step of the way,” said Gilman.

Bhargava was at the party with a number of buddies from his recreational hockey team, including well-known lawyer Lawrence Greenspon, who helped out as volunteer emcee and charity auctioneer.

At one time, Lawrence was in the same position as Gilman, starting out in charity fundraising and learning the ropes from mentors, such as the late legendary Dave Smith.

Said Bhargava: “If we don’t engage and inspire the next generation of community fundraisers, then soon we won’t have any.”

Young Ottawa business leaders, including organizer Jonathan Gilman (centre) at a networking-fundraising party in support of ONFE's School Breakfast Program during the Sens versus Leafs game on Saturday night. Photo by Caroline Phillips