New executive team joins CEO Khawar Nasim to solidify the Agency’s leadership in investment attraction
Invest Ontario is pleased to announce the appointment of its new executive leadership team:
- Jennifer Block, Chief Operating Officer
- Ryan Marr, Vice President, Investment Structuring
- Heather Potter, Vice President, Business Development
Builning on the appointment of Khawar Nasim as CEO in April, this executive team brings a new depth of expertise to the Agency, reinforcing its ability to deliver on a growing mandate amid economic uncertainty and changing investor needs.
“I’m pleased to welcome Heather and Ryan to the team, and thrilled that Jennifer is continuing with us in a new capacity,” said Khawar Nasim, CEO of Invest Ontario. “Agility is the greatest strength an organization can have today. This group brings the expertise and strong leadership we need to move fast alongside our clients, adapt to changing market dynamics and unlock new opportunities that create meaningful economic impact for Ontario.”
Jennifer Block assumes the role of Chief Operating Officer after leading the Agency as Interim CEO during the search. A respected public service leader with over twenty years of experience in economically focused ministries, Jennifer joined Invest Ontario from the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, where she served as Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Administrative Officer. As COO, Jennifer will focus on strengthening Invest Ontario’s internal capabilities with innovation to ensure the Agency remains responsive, efficient and high-performing as it evolves.
Ryan Marr joins as Vice President of Investment Structuring, where he leads the Agency’s deal assessment and execution functions. Ryan brings two decades of experience in the investment management industry, with a track record of managing portfolios across asset classes for both high-net-worth and institutional clients in North America. Ryan’s expertise will bolster the Agency’s rigorous, data-driven approach to project evaluation, modelling, transaction structuring and performance measurement.
Heather Potter, Vice President of Business Development, leads the Agency’s efforts to provide best-in-class support to investors across priority sectors. Heather brings deep leadership experience from the public sector, including a decade in senior roles across multiple provincial ministries. She most recently served as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, where she played a key role in advancing the province’s business attraction strategy and was instrumental in the establishment of Invest Ontario.
With these appointments, Invest Ontario’s executive team is now fully in place. Their specialized roles work in concert to bring the strategic clarity and operational excellence required to meet the province’s ambitious investment goals.
Since its inception, Invest Ontario has announced more than $7.5 billion in investments that are creating over 9,500 jobs across the province. In recognition of this momentum, the 2025 Ontario Budget has committed an additional $600 million to the Invest Ontario Fund, bringing its total value to $1.3 billion.
Moving forward, Invest Ontario remains focused on partnering with businesses to accelerate their success and secure strategic investments that create high-value jobs and strengthen Ontario’s economic future. The Agency is expanding into new sectors including food processing and modular housing, diversifying its international reach, and enhancing its support for innovative homegrown businesses.
“We’re excited and ready to take on what’s next,” added Nasim. “We’re evolving with the needs of investors, seizing new opportunities and continuing to build the agile, high-performing agency Ontario needs to compete and win on the global stage.”
For more information about Invest Ontario, please visit www.investontario.ca.
About Invest Ontario
Invest Ontario is the dedicated agency for investment attraction in the province. We serve as global businesses’ partner and one-window access to Ontario, providing expertise and tailored services throughout their investment journey. With a focus on the advanced manufacturing, life sciences and technology sectors, we are committed to securing strategic investments that create jobs, generate returns to the province and drive Ontario’s long-term economic growth and global competitiveness.
