Rylan Williams
Owner, director of growth
Meet the team
With nearly a decade of experience in communications and public relations, Madison Meech brings a refined balance of strategy, creativity, and hospitality to Ashlar. Her career has spanned large-scale social media campaigns, brand storytelling, and client management, overseeing teams, accounts, and budgets with both precision and vision.
Ashlar was born from Madison’s belief that every couple deserves a premium experience no matter the guest count or budget. She recognized an opportunity in the market for celebrations that are intimate yet elevated, where couples can spoil those they love in a setting that feels both meaningful and refined.
As Venue Director, Madison works closely with every couple, from the first email to the final dance, ensuring their day receives the same care and attention she would give her own. Known for her creativity, warmth, and unwavering attention to detail, she leads with empathy and purpose, guided by the belief that everyone deserves a day that feels effortlessly perfect.
Owner, Venue Director
Madison meech
Favourite
luxury: slow mornings, a perfectly shuffled playlist, a fresh manicure.
cocktail: french 75.
season: autumn, you cannot beat a 24/7 golden hour!
wedding song: yeah! by Usher. you cannot beat the dance moves that come when this song starts playing!
Meet the team
With over 30 years of experience spanning fine dining, catering, and tasting-menu kitchens, Josh Gillard brings both mastery and intention to every plate. Deeply rooted in the Ottawa culinary community, his career reflects a lifelong commitment to creating food that connects people.
A natural-born chef, Josh’s love for cooking grew from his passion for taking care of others, a philosophy that still guides him today. His approach celebrates local ingredients, bold flavours, and presentation-driven design, finding the perfect balance between artistry and comfort.
As Culinary Director at Ashlar, Josh oversees menu development, ingredient sourcing, and full culinary execution, a hands-on leader present from prep to plating. Known among his peers as an absolute powerhouse in the kitchen, he’s calm under pressure, precise in his craft, and unwavering in his pursuit of excellence.
Guided by the belief that food should feel as good as it looks, Josh ensures that dining at Ashlar is never ordinary: it’s an experience worth remembering.
Owner, culinary director
JOsh Gillard
Meet the team
Favourite
luxury: home with the family having an ultimate Caesar watching the Sens game.
cocktail: extra dirty grey Goose martini.
season: Summer for the endless nights, being by the fire with some great tunes and s'mores.
wedding song: Thank you by Led Zeppelin, my actual wedding song.
Gillard
Laurie Viau
Owner, director of finance
Favourite Luxury: no weekend hockey for the kids
With more than 30 years of hospitality experience and a distinguished career in the public service managing multimillion-dollar teams and budgets, Laurie Viau brings both precision and heart to Ashlar. Her expertise spans client management, finance, marketing and communications, and visual multimedia design, a rare combination of analytical skill and creative vision.
As Co-Owner of Amuse Kitchen & Wine and now Director of Client Accounts at Ashlar, Laurie is a true jack-of-all-trades. She handles invoicing, vendor payments, and client accounts with meticulous care while remaining ready to step in wherever needed. Known for her organization, dependability, and perfectionist attention to detail, Laurie approaches every task with the same warmth and intention she brings to her hospitality roots.
Behind the scenes, she ensures every couple’s experience is seamless from start to finish, and she’s never far if something needs an extra hand. Laurie’s passion is simple: she wants every couple to have the best possible experience, and she’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.
Meet the team
Owner, director of FINANCE
Gillard
Laurie Viau
Favourite
Luxury: caramel latte on my front porch with a foodie magazine.
Cocktail: amaretto sour, can't have just one!
Season: summer without a doubt - nothing beats a pool lounging.
Wedding song: At Last by Etta James, a timeless classic that captures everything a wedding is, symbolising finally finding the ONE.
Meet the team
Rylan Williams
Owner, director of growth
Favourite
luxury: uninterrupted 18 holes of golf.
cocktail: espresso martini.
season: autumn, no bugs, crisp mornings, and hot afternoons.
wedding song: cupid shuffle. one hop this time! CRISS CROSS!
With extensive experience in business development, digital marketing, and venture growth, Rylan Williams brings a strategic, forward-looking perspective to Ashlar. His career began at a marketing agency in Montréal, before joining a globally recognized brand in footwear and apparel. There, he leads initiatives across digital innovation and new business ventures, collaborating daily with some of the world’s leading technology companies and venture capital firms.
At Ashlar, Rylan’s focus is clear: to ensure the venue remains one of Ottawa’s most trusted and innovative wedding destinations. He leads long-term growth initiatives, cultivates meaningful partnerships with local businesses, and drives a vision that keeps Ashlar evolving with purpose and integrity in a fast-moving world.
Grounded yet aspirational, Rylan blends analytical precision with creative ambition. His greatest motivation is seeing Ashlar become the backdrop for the best day of someone’s life, and a lasting legacy that continues to enrich the community for generations to come.
