I hold a Master’s Degree in Geography, specializing in Sustainable Tourism. I have held many key roles as tourism development officers and have overseen Destination Development and Stewardship teams for Destination Management Organizations and government entities.
I am a trained facilitator who has lead many collaborative and inclusive engagement processes.
I am a strategist who has designed visionary yet implementable destination development plans for communities, areas, regions and other long term roadmaps for organizations and destinations.
I am a inclusive trainer and educator (certified trainer with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council) who cares about helping people understand regenerative tourism.
Professional Experience
Tourism Strategist & Project Manager Oct 2024 – present
Freelance contractor
Manager, Destination Development – Invest in Iconics Strategy
Destination British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada | 2022 – 2024
- Development of strategic plans, projects and programmes to support sustainable, year-round tourism growth in British Columbia
- Integration of branding, marketing and destination management as a key driver of the Invest in Iconics strategy
- Strategic relationship development with key partners including government agencies, local authorities, businesses and Indigenous communities
- Project leadership within national partnership frameworks; management of business plans, budgets and public procurement processes
- Management and mentoring of a team of 8 staff members
Industry & Destination Development Specialist
Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association, Kimberley, British Columbia | 2011 – 2022
- Design and implementation of destination development strategies for the Kootenay Rockies tourism region
- Creation of the regional sustainable tourism charter and associated performance indicators
- Management of sustainable tourism certification processes: Biosphere and Sustainable Tourism 2030
- Training and support for businesses and communities in climate change adaptation and net-zero transition
- Grant writing and management of tourism infrastructure funding
- Support to local authorities, community organizations and tourism offices in governance and destination development
- Contribution to the financial and administrative management of the non-profit organization: preparation of the Annual General Meeting, annual tourism congress, annual reports and Board of Directors presentations
Tourism Development Officer
MRC de la Haute-Côte-Nord, Tadoussac, Québec, Canada | 2010 – 2011
- Feasibility study for the development of a port of call for international boutique and adventure cruise ships
- Outreach to cruise companies; destination positioning, branding and marketing
- Development of destination management plans for the area; collaboration and engagement of local experience and service providers
Director of Operations
Parc d’Aventure en Montagne des Palissades de Charlevoix, Québec, Canada | 2009 – 2010
- Site management: welcome and host visitors, sales, activity scheduling (climbing, hiking, via ferrata, canoeing), reservations, experience and product development
- Planning of site maintenance and improvement operations: trails, infrastructure, accommodation
- Marketing, communications and partnership development with government bodies, tourism operators and media
- Management of a team of 6 on-site professionals during the summer season
Economic Development Officer (internship)
Mission Montagne, Conseil Régional PACA, Briançon, France | 2007
- Impact study of nordic ski areas in the Southern Alps
- Study on improving the mountain hut offer
Education & Training
Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Sustainable Tourism Training
(4- week online training) 2025
Facilitation Skills for Leaders, University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business, Vancouver 2023
Diversity & Inclusion Training, Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion 2021
Indigenous Consultation & Engagement, Indigenous Corporate Training -One-day online course 2021
Working Effectively with Indigenous People™, Indigenous Corporate Training – In-person one-day course 2019
Thesis-Based Masters’ Degree in Geography Sp. “Sustainable Tourism and stakeholders dynamics”. Université Grenoble-Alpes, France. With Honours. 2009
Masters’ Degree Course in “Management and Development of Rural and Mountain Areas” Université de la Méditerrannée Aix-Marseille II, Gap, France. With Honours. 2008
Volunteering & Community Involvement
Vice-president, Association des parents d’élèves, Ecole les Mélèzes Dorés, Kimberley, BC, Canada 2021-2024
Vice-president, Willow Vista Strata Council, Kimberley, BC Canada 2019-2024
Youth program director, Kimberley Nordic Club, 2019-2022
Nordic Coach (National Community Certified Coach), Kimberley Nordic Club, 2018-2024