Natasha Laidlaw, flanked by hosts Sandra Plagakis and Derick Fage, was overcome with emotion after being the lone winner of $30,000 or a new Mercedes from Star Motors of Ottawa, during the Gold Plate Dinner in support of the Hellenic Community of Ottawa and the Heart Institute. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From Zorba to Zeroes: Gold Plate Dinner for Hellenic Community, Heart Institute dishes out big prize money
Natasha Laidlaw had never won anything in her life.
“Not even bingo,” she added after finding herself the final contestant in the last-person-standing draw for $30,000 or a new Mercedes, held during the 37th annual Gold Plate Dinner.
The senior associate at BDO Canada would have happily quit the contest sooner and split the prize money with the remaining contestants, had everyone been in agreement. In this game, the group has to be unanimous. If even one player chooses to press their luck to potentially win the whole shebang, the game continues, eliminating players one by one.
And so, as tax partner Darrell Bontes from EY kept spinning the drum and pulling out names, the original 20 contestants gradually dwindled to just one: Laidlaw. She had second-last contestant, Martin Veilleux, VP of finance for real estate company Brigil, to thank for insisting that they keep going. Once Laidlaw was the final winner, the crowd erupted into cheers. The sparkler fountains were activated at both sides of the stage. As for Laidlaw, she was left “shaking” with excitement.
As much as she’d love to drive a Mercedes-Benz luxury car from Star Motors of Ottawa, she indicated that she’ll likely stick with the car that she’s got – a Hyundai – and opt for the $30,000 in cash.
The exciting win followed an earlier reverse elimination draw for $10,000, which was split between Mpamba Nzowa, an underwriter at Laurentian Bank, and Richcraft Homes’ chief financial officer, Stephane Chartrand.
For the first time in the history of Gold Plate Dinner, the event moved from the Hellenic Event Centre to a new and more spacious venue: Infinity Convention Centre, allowing a larger crowd of 650 to attend in support of the Hellenic Community of Ottawa and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Returning as the premier sponsor was Dymon, joined by at least 50 other business sponsors.
The fundraiser has cumulatively raised well over $2.5 million over the years. It’s co-chaired by business partners Aik Aliferis and Nick Pantieras from commercial real estate services firm Institutional Property Advisors, a division of Marcus & Millichap Canada.
Some 650 people attended the 37th annual Gold Plate Dinner held for its first time at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Gold Plate Dinner co-chair Nick Pantieras (Marcus & Millichap), former Heart Institute patient David Renfroe (Renfroe Land Management), Gold Plate Dinner co-chair Aik Aliferis (Marcus & Millichap), and Lalit Aggarwal (Manor Park Holdings), at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The co-chairs, while publicly thanking the sponsors, also singled out one doctor in the room: the Heart Institute’s world-renowned heart surgeon Dr. Marc Ruel. He’s the doctor “that saved my life 20 years ago,” said Pantieras, who suffered a heart attack while playing hockey and had to undergo surgery and rehabilitation.
The organizing committee went above and beyond to deliver an exceptional evening for attendees, one that included cocktails, dinner, auction, prizes and an afterparty. Serving as hosts were morning radio show co-host Sandra Plagakis and Derick Fage, who would announce the next day that he’s joining CTV Morning Live Ottawa next month as a supervising producer. There was also a special appearance from comic Angelo Tsarouchas.
Attendees learned that Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer will serve as the honourary chair next year. His wife, Lucie Andlauer, who’s on the Ottawa Senators Foundation board, was in attendance that night.
From left, Lianne Laing (University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation), Lucie Andlauer (Ottawa Senators Foundation), Samar Saab, and Gold Plate Dinner co-chair Aik Aliferis at the fundraiser for the Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa, held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, world-renowned cardiac surgeon Dr. Marc Ruel from the Ottawa Heart Institute with his former patient, Gold Plate Dinner co-chair Nick Pantieras, Heart Institute chief resident Alex Nantsios, Heart Institute board chair and former Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty, and Heart Institute cardiac surgeon Dr. Vincent Chan at the 37th annual Gold Plate Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre in support of the Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Once seated, guests were treated to a Greek Zorba dance, with Pantieras’ brother Tony Pantieras playing the bouzouki. The dance began slowly and steadily before building into a lively performance.
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe thanked the Greek community for its contributions to Ottawa while its spiritual leader, Father Alex Michalopulos, took to the stage to tell one of his jokes and to lead the room in a prayer before dinner. Attendees included Greek Ambassador Ekaterina Dimakis and Stavros Hatziyiannis, the high commissioner for the Republic of Cyprus.
Once again, Brigil, represented on stage by the vice president of development and conception Jessy Desjardins, offered to generously donate $50,000 to the evening if the audience could collectively match the gift.
Contributors included Francesco Porcari of SerCo Construction, former Cognos CEO Michael Potter, KRB Lawyers, and the event’s co-chairs, Aik Aliferis and Nick Pantieras. It was all in the spirit of philanthropy, which is a Greek word, don’t you know? It literally means “love of humanity”.
From left, Rick Iafelice (Main + Main Asset Management), Stephen Greenberg (Osgoode Properties), Gold Plate Dinner founding chair Steve Ramphos and Sam Firestone (Marcus & Millichap) at the Gold Plate Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre in support of the Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Father Alex Michalopulos in conversation at the Gold Plate Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre in support of the Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Micheline Saikaley, Elie Nasrallah, Arlie Koyman and Michael Potter at the 37th annual Gold Plate Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre in support of the Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Heart Institute Foundation board member Jonathan Murray (Heartee Foods) and board chair James Annis (BMO Nesbitt Burns) at the 37th annual Gold Plate Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre in support of the Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Jessica Greenberg (Osgoode Properties), Jennifer Mulley (Shoppers Drug Mart) and Leslie Feldman (Boyden) at the Gold Plate Dinner in support of the Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Gold Plate Dinner founding chair and District Realty president, founder and broker Steve Ramphos and Jason Shinder, broker of record and CEO of District Realty, at the Gold Plate Dinner for the Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Attendees of the Gold Plate Dinner were treated to a Greek Zorba dance performance, with Tony Pantieras on bouzouki. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Infinity Convention Centre co-owners Sonny Sohal and Anand Aggarwal at Gold Plate Dinner, held at the special events venue on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in support of the Ottawa Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Contestant Martin Veilleux indicated he wanted to continue the reverse elimination draw, with a “keep it rolling” gesture, while on stage with fellow contestant Natasha Laidlaw at the Gold Plate Dinner for the Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From premier sponsor Dymon, Brent Wilson (left) and Steve Creighton, joined by Bill Malhotra (Claridge Homes), and Dymon CEO Glen Luckman at the Gold Plate Dinner for the Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Gold Plate Dinner co-chair Aik Aliferis on stage with Jessy Desjardins from Brigil, which offered to donate $50,000 if the audience could collectively match the gift — which it did. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Julie Francis and Duane Francis (Capital Wealth Partners) at the Gold Plate Dinner for the Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Ottawa Senators vice president of operations and retired hockey player Chris Phillips and Mark Noonan (Deloitte) at the Gold Plate Dinner for the Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Gold Plate Dinner co-chair Aik Aliferis, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Gold Plate Dinner co-chair Nick Pantieras at the fundraising gala, held at Infinity Convention Centre, in support of the Ottawa Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Mpamba Nzowa seeks input from his dinner table on whether to split the $10,000 pot while on stage with Stephane Chartrand at the Gold Plate Dinner for the Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From the Brazeau Seller Law firm were, from left to right, Fred Seller, Harold Feder, Danene Whiting, Kundera Provost-Yombo, Julia Gadd, Alexandra Mazgola, David Reid, Tricia Smith, Trina Fraser and Howard Yegendorf at the Gold Plate Dinner in support of the Ottawa Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Hellenic Community of Ottawa president Dimosthenis Sartzetakis, Greek Ambassador Ekaterina Dimakis, her husband, Thore Groev, and Stavros Hatziyiannis, the high commissioner for the Republic of Cyprus, at the Gold Plate Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre in support of the Hellenic Community of Ottawa and Heart Institute. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Julie Francis, one of the contestants of the reverse elimination draws, was a good sport after her name was picked from the lottery drum during the Gold Plate Dinner, held at the Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Michael Polowin and his son Jacob Polowin, both partners at Gowling WLG, at the Gold Plate Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre in support of the Hellenic Community of Ottawa and Heart Institute. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Sam Chowieri and his three daughters, Tanya (left), Samantha and Katherine (KTS Properties) at the Gold Plate Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre in support of the Hellenic Community of Ottawa and Heart Institute. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Mehrdad Azadeh and Kaveh Rikhtegar, guests of Stars Motors of Ottawa, at the Gold Plate Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre in support of the Hellenic Community of Ottawa and Heart Institute. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Nick Pantieras and Aik Aliferis, co-chairs of the Gold Plate Dinner and business partners at Institutional Property Advisors, a division of Marcus & Millichap Canada, welcomed guests to the fundraising gala, held at the Infinity Convention Centre on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in support of the Hellenic Community of Ottawa and Heart Institute. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Natasha Laidlaw, left, reacts in shock after Sandra Plagakis announces her as the winner of the reverse elimination draw, for either $30,000 or a brand-new Mercedes-Benz from Star Motors of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Eli Samra (E Landscaping Group) with team members from BDO Canada LLP, including: Georgios Logaras, Jeff Johnson, grand prize winner Natasha Laidlaw, Kevin Vroom, Nadine Atkinson, who’s also a 2025 Forty Under 40 recipient, at the Gold Plate Dinner. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Joel Haslam (Joel Haslam Creative) and visual artist Leanne Cusack, and Jim Orban, former president and CEO of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation, at the Gold Plate Dinner, held at Infinity Convention Centre on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Contestants of the $10,000 reverse elimination draw at the Gold Plate Dinner had to decide unanimously whether to split the prize money or push on to individually try and win more. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Sandra Plagakis hugs Natasha Laindlaw, who had the choice of $30,000 in cash or a new Mercedes-Benz from Star Motors of Ottawa, after winning the reverse elimination draw at the Gold Plate Dinner in support of the Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Joseph Pamic, vice president of corporate development at Power-Tek Group, and Brad Ezard, partner in mergers and acquisitions for Confederation M&A, at the Gold Plate Dinner in support of the Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Darrell Bontes from EY was in charge of randomly picking contestants’ name from the lottery drum during the reverse elimination draws at the Gold Plate Dinner. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Staff and supporters of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute/University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation gathered for a fun group photo in the outdoor lounge area at the Gold Plate Dinner in support of the Heart Institute and Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Natasha Laidlaw, left, and Martin Veilleux waited to learn from co-host Sandra Plagakis which of them won the reverse elimination draw — and with it, either $30,000 or a brand-new Mercedes-Benz from Star Motors of Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Natasha Laidlaw from BDO Canada was the grand prize winner at the Gold Plate Dinner held at the Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Gold Plate Dinner featured an afterparty in the main lobby of the Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Gold Plate Dinner featured an after-party (Simran Kochar, Rocio Darevic, Julie Francis, John Robinson and Duane Francis) in the main lobby of the Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel and RBC.
hello@carolineinthecapital.ca
SHARE THIS STORY
Stay in the know
Get stories + event highlights from the capital delivered to your inbox.
