Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer and player agent Andy Scott, co-chair of Martini Madness, an annual fundraising evening held at Lago Bar & Grill in support of Crohn's and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Shaken, stirred and super generous: Martini Madness breaks its record for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
-Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer and his wife, Lucie, were among the hundreds who turned out for one of the hottest cocktail parties in town, shining a spotlight on a cause that rarely gets one: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Martini Madness returned last night to Lago Bar & Grill with a crowd of 350, including the co-chairs: senior investment advisor Jon Beckman from Beckman Wealth Management and lawyer/NHL player agent Andy Scott (Scott Law Group).
The presenting sponsor was local law firm Kelly Santini, where Scott practiced earlier in his career. Founding partner Pat Santini was out to support the cause, along with his daughter Lauryn Santini of Santini Gallery and her husband, David Warren, managing partner of ReferralMortgages.com. They’re both members of the event’s planning committee.
TSN 1200 legal expert Eric Macramalla, partner at Gowling WLG (where Scott also previously worked) used his gift of the gab to emcee. The fundraiser featured silent and live auctions, the latter of which was led by criminal defence lawyer Lawrence Greenspon, who’s been volunteering at charity events for more than 40 years.
The annual benefit raised a record-breaking $120,000-plus for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, supporting research into finding cures for inflammatory bowel diseases.
The Andlauers were joined by staff from the hockey club and its foundation, as well as business leader brothers Neil and Shawn Malhotra, who are part of the Sens’ local ownership group. Their family-owned Claridge Homes was one of the many sponsors that night.
From left, volunteer planning committee members David Warren and Lauryn Santini with co-chairs Andy Scott and Jon Beckman at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, held at Lago Bar & Grill on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Neil Malhotra (Claridge Homes) and his wife, Ainsley Malhotra, Lucie Andlauer and her husband, Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer, and Louise Malhotra and her husband, Shawn Malhotra (Claridge Homes) at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, held at Lago Bar & Grill on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, criminal defence lawyer Lawrence Greenspon with his long-time friend Pat Santini, founding law partner at presenting sponsor Kelly Santini LLP, at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, held at Lago Bar & Grill. Photo by Caroline Phillips
What’s special about Martini Madness is that — beyond the high-profile mingling — the event has real heart. As loud and lively as the room is, everyone stops and listens when someone shares their very private health struggle. Andy Mac Isaac delivered an excellent speech, candidly describing what it’s been like to live most of his life with the debilitating illness of Crohn’s. The young man was diagnosed at age 9.
“I’ve seen everything this disease can throw at a person,” he said. “With the support of my family — my mom, especially — I made it known that this illness was just part of me and not me, entirely.”
One of his outlets has been hockey, whose players pride themselves on being tough and brave. “As a patient with a chronic illness, being tough and brave also means being tired, beaten down, or in pain,” said Mac Isaac, who has endured surgeries, extended hospital stays and, at one point, an ostomy bag.
As a teenager, he was temporarily placed on a feeding tube due to severe weight loss. “My life was literally and figuratively in the toilet.”
Many tears were shed over the years, both by him and his mom, who he described as his “safety net, rock and shoulder to lean on”. One of his regrets is that now, with his health improved, she’s no longer around to see it. She passed away from cancer two years ago. “The first appointment after she died, I got good news. I went to call her and realized I couldn’t.
“I had just wanted some time with this disease where I wasn’t worrying the ones around me and, when that time came, she wasn’t there to enjoy it.”
Andy Mac Isaac was the keynote speaker at this year’s Martini Madness, held at Lago Bar & Grill on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in support of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The room took a moment to remember business and community leader Fraser Sutherland, 47, an important member of the Martini Madness committee. The married father of three passed away suddenly this past January. “He was one of the most kind and thoughtful guys I ever met, and I’ve thought about him every day,” said Andy Scott, who also paid tribute to one of his mentors, Gerry Baker, who died of cancer last December at age 73. “I miss him every day, as well.”
Among those with a personal connection to the cause was Jason Hunt, portfolio manager at First Avenue Investment Counsel. Diagnosed at 18 with colitis, he underwent four surgeries performed by Ottawa surgeon Dr. Robin Bouchey. In 2017, Hunt was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, which he now manages with biologic medications.
“For a lot of people who have these illnesses, they really affect them and their quality of life,” said Hunt. “Fortunately, I live a normal life – I feel fine, I feel good – but a lot of patients don’t.”
From left, Elliott Bourgeois, senior manager of private client group at First Avenue Investment Counsel, and portfolio manager Jason Hunt, were out to support Martini Madness, which raised more than $120,000 for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The live auction featured a dinner for 10 at North & Navy, purchased by loyal Martini Madness attendee Shawn French, founder of sRftware.com, for $5,000.
Also up for grabs: an eight-person dinner at Harmons Steakhouse, which sold for $3,600, and a Gold Bar Whiskey package involving a San Francisco 49ers game that Pat Santini helped to secure.
A bidding war broke out over a one-week stay at Grand Island Resort & Spa in Exuma, The Bahamas, donated by Foundation WCPD president Peter Nicholson. In a generous move, Nicholson agreed to sell the trip to both top bidders — at $7,200 each. One of them was Ontario Court Justice Jacqueline Loignon.
Nicholson’s wife, Anabel Bane, had the highest bid of $1,200 on a team-signed Ottawa Senators jersey, which she proudly put on as soon as she won it.
Another popular item was the opportunity to catch a Sens game next season in the 100-level Owner’s Suite, donated by the Ottawa Senators. It sold for $8,700 to a group from the Orleans Veterinary Hospital. It’s a good thing their spouses were there to support their purchase. Now they won’t be in the doghouse.
Anabel Bane from Foundation WCPD was the winner of the team-signed Ottawa Senators jersey that was auctioned off at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Sean Heffernan, the new CFO at The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, with Welch LLP director of business development Bruce Raganold and his wife, Giselle Bergeron-Raganold, Welch LLP partner Zoran Vranjkovic and lawyer Albert Chang (Canadian Internet Registration Authority) at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Shawn French, left, seen with his buddy Nick Hannah, vice president of Paradigm Commercial, was the highest bidder on a dinner at North & Navy restaurant during the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Peter Nicholson, president of The Foundation (WCPD), with his wife, Anabel Bane, and Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Martini Madness featured music played by a professional DJ, seen on stage next to the list of sponsors of the fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Ottawa Senators Foundation board member Lucie Andlauer with team members from the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club, including Jeff Harrop, Sandy Stewart, Brendan Du Vall, Kaylee Press, Kyle Gourgon and Jennifer Cameron (Senators Community Foundation) at Martini Madness for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Grace Lapp-Sullivan seen pouring drinks for guests at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Ontario Court Justice Jacqueline Loignon seen bidding on the one-week stay at the Grand Isle Resort & Spa in Exuma, The Bahamas during the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
There was an endless supply of martinis at the Martinis Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, held at Lago Bar & Grill on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From the Star Motors team, from left, Stefan Bandula, Ashley Andrade, Lina Caruso and Nathan Maurier at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Jeff Todd, vice president of marketing and communications at Wealth (WCPD) and Joanne Kudakiewicz (Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network) at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Martini Madness co-chair Andy Scott, entrepreneur Andre Cloutier and Alexander Kealey (Sutherland Investment Group) at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Janet Gallant, on behalf of Gallant MacDonald Investment Management, and her good friend Katherine Jeans at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, emcee Eric Macramalla, partner at Gowling WLG, joined by Lago Bar & Grill owner Dale Hill, also a partner at Gowling WLG, and Giovanni Pallotta, a sales specialist with Teva Canada, at Martini Madness, held at Lago in support of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Ottawa entrepreneur Bruce Linton and his wife, Heather Linton, at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Ottawa lawyer Pat Santini promoted a Gold Bar Whiskey package involving a San Francisco 49ers game in San Francisco during the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Lucie Andlauer and Michael Andlauer in conversation with Drew McMillan, president of Ages Group of Company, at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Reg Southee and James Annis (BMO Nesbitt Burns) at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Volunteer Deborah Power holds up the signed jersey that was auctioned off by Lawrence Greenspon at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Courtney Turk (Courtney Turk Interiors), Tammie Trellert (Capital Wealth Partners), Ashley Hopkins (Paradigm Commercial Group of Companies) and Amanda Foget (Meerkat Marketing) at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Shawn French and co-chair Jon Beckman of Martini Madness, held at Lago Bar & Grill in support of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Dr. Kurt Streib, Janet Streib, Dr. Warren Skippon, Denise Als, Dr. Mary Kinch, Dr. Kirk Als were the highest bidders on an Ottawa Senators game at the Canadian Tire Centre, viewed in the 100-level Owner’s Suite. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Martini Madness returned to Lago Bar & Grill on Thursday, May 8, 2025, to raise funds for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. 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
SHARE THIS STORY
Stay in the know
Get stories + event highlights from the capital delivered to your inbox.
