Honorary Riverkeeper Diana Fox Carney and her 20-year-old daughter Cleo in conversation with Ottawa Riverkeeper board member David Runnalls at the Chair's Reception portion of the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Rainbow skies and river pride at Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala on Lemieux Island
This year’s Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala was a reminder that while no man is an island, some celebrations are better when held on one.
So too with river stewardship, which depends on an entire community pulling together.
A sold-out crowd of 375 came together on Lemieux Island on Wednesday night to raise nearly $320,000 for a local non-profit organization that’s been protecting, advocating for and improving the health of the Ottawa River watershed for the past 25 years. The event was held at this scenic spot twice before, back in 2016 and 2017.
The island, which is also home to one of the city’s municipal treatment facilities, allowed attendees to party the night away surrounded by the rushing waters. It is accessible by road, allowing guests to arrive by shuttle, on foot or by bicycle.
The outdoor venue featured large party tents, cozy lounge areas and whimsical decor, where a canoe doubled as a serving station. The evening was blessed with near-perfect early-summer conditions. Even the few raindrops that fell early in the evening gave way to a rainbow stretching across the sky.
A rainbow formed over the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala on Lemieux Island following a short-lived shower. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Just prior to the gala, Laura Reinsborough, who serves as both the Riverkeeper and CEO of the organization, helped welcome a small crowd to the Chair’s Reception sponsored by RBC. The bank has contributed nearly $1.9 million to Ottawa Riverkeeper over the last 15 years through its RBC Foundation.
Board member Tim Carmack, who is also regional operating officer at RBC, shared how pleased he was to get involved with the organization after moving from British Columbia to Ottawa seven years ago.
He grew up listening to his father’s stories of adventures in the North. His father, Dr. Eddy Carmack, was a leading Canadian expert in climate oceanography and, for decades, among the few scientists tracking the impact of climate change on the Arctic Ocean.
“That is why the work of Ottawa Riverkeeper reflects something I believe deeply in: that the health of this river and the health of communities are inseparable,” said Carmack.
Among those present was Honorary Riverkeeper Diana Fox Carney. Noticeably present was her daughter Cleo Carney, who, at 20, carried herself with confidence, ease and genuine warmth. Fox Carney and her husband, Prime Minister Mark Carney, were named inaugural Honorary Riverkeepers at the first gala in 2013.
Speakers included board member and Indigenous leader Gilbert Whiteduck, who reminded the room that the Ottawa River was “put there for our use, but not our abuse.” Local MP Mona Fortier was also in attendance.
From left, Kaitlin Creighton, regional manager of environmental impact at RBC, with vice president Daniel Thiruganaratnapathy, regional director of marketing and citizenship Glenn Sheen, RBC Dominion Securities branch manager Mila Starodoub and regional operating officer Tim Carmack, who’s also on the board of Ottawa Riverkeeper, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at Lemieux Island on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Laura Reinsborough, who serves as both the Riverkeeper and CEO of Ottawa Riverkeeper, with Kimberly Biggs, CEO of POP Inc. and emcee of this year’s Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at Lemieux Island. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Mona Fortier, MP for Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester, smiled while being recognized for her support at the Chair’s Reception held immediately prior to the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Ottawa Riverkeeper board vice chair David Coletto, founder, chair and CEO of Abacus Data (and avid cyclist) arrived by bike with his wife Lisa to this year’s Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala held on the road-accessible Lemieux Island. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Indigenous leader Claudette Commanda offered her words of greeting, reminding everyone that “water is life, the river is beautiful, and we are all beautiful,” not in a superficial sense, but in a more spiritual one. Commanda shared how proud she is to be an Honorary Riverkeeper.
Another Honorary Riverkeeper at the gala was former diplomat, parliamentary security officer and politician Kevin Vickers, accompanied by his granddaughter Reese Vickers.
Four members of the Eagle River Singers traditional drum group performed during the evening. Later, Toronto-based band The 99s took to the stage and got attendees dancing.
The evening was emceed by Ottawa Riverkeeper supporter Kimberly Biggs.
High-energy auctioneer Ryan Watson from Raising the Bid sold off several enviable packages. They included dinner and wine for four at Arlo, a regular on the Top 100 Restaurants in Canada list, a seven-day wilderness rafting experience from Nahanni River Adventure that went for $17,000 and, closer to home, a guided Ottawa River adventure with Boreal River Expeditions.
Portfolio manager and wealth advisor Janet Geiger successfully bid $19,000 for a stay at the remote Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland and Labrador, saying she’s always wanted to visit the province. There to watch her win it was Ernst Hupel, one of the interior design partners for the Fogo Island Inn, known for its striking architecture and deep community roots.
Watson also led the Fund-A-Need that raised well over the $10,000 required by the Ottawa Riverkeeper to purchase a boat to help it conduct the scientific work it does on the river. The final amount raised was around $25,000.
Ryan Watson from Raising the Bid was back at Ottawa Riverkeeper to help raise tens of thousands through the live auction and Fund-A-Need. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Reinsborough reflected on Ottawa Riverkeeper’s 25 years and how the organization has worked hard to build trust and a good reputation.
Last year, Dow’s Lake became open to public swimming after the National Capital Commission added a dedicated recreational dock and unsupervised swimming area across from Commissioners Park.
Reinsborough was one of the first people to jump in, figuring it was the best way to demonstrate how safe the water was for swimming. Twenty-five years ago, she said, that would have been “unimaginable.”
“The Ottawa Riverkeeper started with a few community members coming together and seeing that there was untreated sewage coming into the Ottawa River, and nothing seemed to be done about it,” said Reinsborough, describing how a community meeting was held involving 100 people wanting to take action. This community, she added, has since grown to include thousands.
Of all the public comments about swimming at Dow’s Lake, Reinsborough shared her favourite one: “Well, if Ottawa Riverkeeper says it’s safe, I’m going to swim in it.”
Said Reinsborough: “I hold that comment to heart because it shows that we’ve grown to develop trust. It shows that people look to Ottawa Riverkeeper as a trusted source of information, and I can guarantee you every sample we took from Dow’s Lake last year passed with flying colours. It is safe.”
Reinsborough then raised a toast to 25 years of ecological health, quipping that it may not have the catchiest ring to it.
Laura Reinsborough, who serves as both the Riverkeeper and CEO of Ottawa Riverkeeper, led the room in a toast to the organization on its 25th anniversary. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Ottawa Riverkeeper board treasurer Margot Sunter, chief innovation officer and chief operating officer at GGFL, Honorary Riverkeeper Diana Fox Carney, Ottawa Riverkeeper board member David Runnalls, Senior Fellow at the Smart Prosperity Institute, and supporter Shirley Westeinde. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Jeff Parkes, president of Taggart Realty Management and a former volunteer fundraiser with Ottawa Riverkeeper’s The Big River Give Campaign, and his wife, Gillian Rowan-Legg, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Welch LLP director of business development, Bruce Raganold, and his wife, Giselle Bergeron-Raganold, Kristi Dean, Dr. Bella Mehta and Sanjay Shah, founder of ExecHealth and executive advisor to WELL Health Medical and Longevity Centres, and Jim McConnery, managing partner at Welch LLP, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Jeff Mierins, owner of Star Motors of Ottawa, and his wife, Tara-Leigh Mierins, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, which raised nearly $320,000 for Ottawa Riverkeeper, a local environmental organization that protects, advocates for and improves the health of the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Dave Dickinson, senior partner and co-founder of PRIME Benefits Group, with his wife, Jill Dickinson, president at CKL Properties, and luxury realtors Marilyn Wilson and daughter Reba Wilson from Marilyn Wilson DREAM PROPERTIES® Christie’s International Real Estate, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Ottawa Riverkeeper board member and senior HR consultant Jessica Ferguson and Jennifer Stelzer, director of strategic impact at EnviroCentre, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Algonquin Anishinabe leader Celine Whiteduck, Honorary Riverkeeper Claudette Commanda, Mercedes “Gogo” Cote and Jan Cote, all from the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala held on the unceded and unsurrendered traditional territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Frédérik Larouche, a director with StrategyCorp, and Dr. Rosie Ashton, who travelled from the Cayman Islands to attend the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Ashbury College director of development Stephanie Young, director of strategic programs and partnerships Padme Raina, Anna Rumin and her husband, Norman Southward, head of Ashbury College, were out supporting the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held this year on Lemieux Island. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Janet Geiger, second from left and seated next to Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala committee member Lara Van Loon (far left), was the highest bidder on a stay at Fogo Island Inn. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Ottawa Riverkeeper supporter Mathieu Fleury, Wilderness Tours president Joel Kowalski, Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester MP Mona Fortier and Terry O’Sullivan, general manager of the Westboro Beach Club, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Ottawa Riverkeeper board member Gilbert Whiteduck welcomed guests to the Chair’s Reception held immediately prior to the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. To her left is Ottawa city councillor and mayoral candidate Jeff Leiper. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Riverkeeper emeritus Meredith Brown, director of environment and lands relations at Canadian Geographic, with Ottawa’s Riverkeeper, Laura Reinsborough, who’s also CEO of the Ottawa Riverkeeper, at the environmental organization’s signature fundraising gala, held at Lemieux Island on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, which was back on Lemieux Island for its second time, featured whimsical decor. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, lawyer, strategic advisor and community leader Whitney Fox; Geoff Green, founder and president of Students on Ice Foundation and chair emeritus of Ottawa Riverkeeper; National Capital Commission CEO Tobi Nussbaum; and Velma McColl, principal at Earnscliffe Strategies, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Cleo Carney, 20, seen socializing with fellow guests at a reception she attended with her mom, Honorary Riverkeeper Diana Fox Carney, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, TD’s manager of community engagement, Lee Rose, with district vice president Sandra Mikhael, senior manager Talia Silvestri, district vice president Alicia Oakie and region head George Dalal at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala held Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The Toronto-based party and cover band The 99s performed at this year’s Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Sheila Whyte, owner of Thyme & Again Creative Catering, and Ernst Hupel, partner at 2H Interior Design, were out supporting Ottawa Riverkeeper at its signature fundraising gala held on Lemieux Island, located on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Several members of the Eagle River Singers performed during the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, which was back at Lemieux Island after having been last held there in 2017. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Dentons associate Rachel Kuchma and counsel Stephanie Lewis at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala held Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips
A special shout-out to John Goldsmith, seen with Rosemary Thompson from Canadian Geographic, for wearing his fish-themed button-down shirt to the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Ottawa Riverkeeper supporter Michael Scrivens, partner at Scrivens Insurance Broker, Ottawa Riverkeeper director of philanthropy Chloe Hillier, and Sanjay Shah, founder of ExecHealth and executive advisor to WELL Health Medical and Longevity Centres. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Sara Bouliane and Philip Gauthier from GMS Système de Sécurité at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Heather Bradley (left), who used to be the head of communications for the Office of the Speaker of the House of Commons, was seen catching up with Honorary Riverkeeper Kevin Vickers, who attended this year’s Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala with his granddaughter, Reese Vickers. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Ottawa Riverkeeper supporter Michel Drouin and his wife, Denise Prégent-Drouin, participated in the live auction portion of the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at Lemieux Island. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The Toronto-based party and cover band The 99s performed at this year’s Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, John Geiger, CEO of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and president and CEO at Canadian Geographic, and Ottawa Riverkeeper chair emeritus Geoff Green, founder and president of Students on Ice Foundation, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, which was back on Lemieux Island for its second time, featured whimsical decor. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Jeff Todd, vice president of marketing and communications at WEALTH (WCPD) and his wife, Patrícia Santos, owner and founder of Atomic Lavender Social Media Management, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Carole Saad, director of Chic + Swell Event Designers and president of LouLou Lounge Furniture Rental, snuggles up with François Bordeleau in one of the seating areas at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WEALTH (WCPD), Syntax Strategic, RBC, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law and Prime Benefits Group.
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