Who We Are
Destination Ontario is the lead tourism marketing organization for Ontario, Canada. We market Ontario to travel consumers within Ontario, Canada and around the world. We inspire travellers to make Ontario a must-see destination on their travel list and to return to the beauty of Ontario again and again. Key to our success is working collaboratively with our tourism partners to benefit from shared content, joint partnerships and delivering a visitor-first approach to our marketing.
Established in 1999, Destination Ontario, legally the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation, is an agency of the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
Mission
To generate increased visitation by Ontario, Canadian and international tourists, enhance tourism expenditures in Ontario, and contribute to provincial economic prosperity through impactful marketing and results oriented investment partnerships.
Board of Directors
Destination Ontario is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of business leaders who are appointed by Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor in Council, based on recommendations from the Minister, Tourism, Culture and Sport.
If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors please visit the Government of Ontario’s Public Appointments Secretariat site for more information.
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Mr. Todd Halpern
Chair, Destination OntarioPresidentHalpern EnterprisesTorontoMr. Todd Halpern
Chair, Destination OntarioPresidentHalpern EnterprisesTorontoTodd Halpern is self employed. His community involvement includes serving as a member of the Board of Trustees and Vice-Chair for UHN.
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Ms. Danielle Chretien
OperatorLake on the Mountain ResortPrince Edward CountyMs. Danielle Chretien
OperatorLake on the Mountain ResortPrince Edward CountyDanielle Chretien is a former GIS and remote specialist for Space Imaging, and a former GIS consultant for American Ref-Fuel. Her community involvement includes serving as a volunteer event coordinator for Standing Ovation.
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Mr. Jesse Hamilton
General ManagerDeerhurst ResortPort CarlingMr. Jesse Hamilton
General ManagerDeerhurst ResortPort CarlingJesse Hamilton is a general Manager at Deerhurst Resort, and a formal general Manager for East Winds Saint Luca. Jesse’s community involvement includes serving as Vice-Chair for the Ontario Restaurant Hotel Motel Association.
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Ms. Cathy Kirkpatrick
PartnerAlphabetOttawaMs. Cathy Kirkpatrick
PartnerAlphabetOttawaCatherine Kirkpatrick is a partner at Alphabet, and a member for the Indigenous Tourism Association of Ontario. Her community involvement includes serving as a board member for Algonquin College.
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Ms. Sumeeta Kohli
Founder and Principal ConsultantGlocal MarketingMississaugaMs. Sumeeta Kohli
Founder and Principal ConsultantGlocal MarketingMississaugaSumeeta Kohli is the Founder and Principal Consultant for Glocal Marketing, and an Owner and Operator for Z-teca Mexican Eatery. Her community involvement includes serving as a Chairperson for Panorama India.
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Mr. Dennis Matthews
PresidentCreative Currency / Partner, Enterprise CanadaTorontoMr. Dennis Matthews
PresidentCreative Currency / Partner, Enterprise CanadaTorontoDennis Matthews is the President of Creative Currency, an advertising agency and content studio in Toronto. Dennis leads a team that works with major leaders, brands and causes to tell their story and move public opinion. He was an advertising advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a veteran of numerous political campaigns, and remains a frequent media commentator on advertising, digital and political issues. He was recently recognized as an Adweek Magazine Toronto Brand Star and is a member of the Marketing and Communications Committee of the Michael Garron Hospital.
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Ms. Lauren McDonald
Director of Digital + Campaign StrategyCreative CurrencyTorontoMs. Lauren McDonald
Director of Digital + Campaign StrategyCreative CurrencyTorontoLauren McDonald is the Director of Digital + Campaign Strategy at Creative Currency, an advertising agency and content studio. She is a former Director of Marketing for the Office of the Premier of Ontario.
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Ms. Nelly Morgado
DirectorCanadian Cancer SocietyMississaugaMs. Nelly Morgado
DirectorCanadian Cancer SocietyMississaugaNelly Morgado is currently the Director, Organizational Effectiveness with the Canadian Cancer Society, where she leads a portfolio which includes talent acquisition, culture, employee engagement, learning & development, and JEDI program development. She has spent the last eight years of her career in the not-for-profit sector driving change and growth in mission driven organizations.
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Ms. Maud Murray
Deputy MinisterMinistry of Red Tape ReductionBramptonMs. Maud Murray
Deputy MinisterMinistry of Red Tape ReductionBramptonMaud Murray became the Deputy Minister of Red Tape Reduction in June 2022. She previously served as the interim Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT), from March 2022 to June 2022. Prior to this appointment, she served as the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Office of Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Division at MEDJCT. She has an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Hispanic Studies from Trent University, a Master of Arts in Comparative Literature from the University of Western Ontario and an LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School.
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Mr. Jerry Pribil
PresidentMarienbad HospitalityLondonMr. Jerry Pribil
PresidentMarienbad HospitalityLondonJerry Pribil owns and operates Marienbad Restaurant and Chaucer’s Pub in London, ON. He obtained his MBA at the Universidad Europea in Madrid. Jerry has international executive management experience in hospitality and tourism industry and as a university professor in the United States and Europe, teaching strategic management in hospitality & tourism.
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Mr. Benjamin Purkiss
PartnerPendulum GroupGrimsbyMr. Benjamin Purkiss
PartnerPendulum GroupGrimsbyBenjamin Purkiss is a Founding Partner of Pendulum Group, a boutique communications firm with a focus on media, design and analysis. He is an award-winning Creative Director with experience in both the public and private sectors within Canada and the United States working alongside global corporations and leaders.
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Dr. Jasveen Rattan
ConsultantJKR ConsultingMississaugaDr. Jasveen Rattan
ConsultantJKR ConsultingMississaugaDr. Jasveen Rattan is a consultant who is passionate about helping her clients create responsible initiatives and sustainable solutions for their organizations. She has consulted on community projects, and presented at conferences, in Canada, USA, Grenada, England, Thailand, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Australia.
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Mr. Rob Taylor
Director of Policy and Government RelationsWine Growers CanadaOttawaMr. Rob Taylor
Director of Policy and Government RelationsWine Growers CanadaOttawaRob Taylor has vast travel and tourism industry experience ranging from event operator, industry advocate, consultant, and ministerial advisor. As the former VP of Public Affairs and interim CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) Rob worked closely with Destination Canada on the management of RendezVous Canada, Tourism Town Halls, GoMedia, and TIAC conferences.
Executive Leadership
Destination Ontario is guided by the executive leadership of a diverse, accomplished and driven group of individuals who collectively support the entire Destination Ontario team.
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Lisa LaVecchia
President and CEO -
Debra Mansillo
Vice President, Industry Relations & International Marketing -
Melanie Robert
Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer -
Vincenza Ronaldi
Vice President, Corporate Services & Operations -
Lydia Devereaux
Director, Industry Relations, Northern Partnerships & Corporate Communications -
Sue Harrison
Director, Ontario Travel Information Services -
Lauchlan Rogers
Director, Marketing & Creative Services -
Jennifer Stubbs
Director, Technology and Insights -
Ronald Ting
Director, Finance & Corporate Services -
Kate Vrancart
Director, Industry Relations and Communications
Mandate
Destination Ontario is governed by Ontario Regulation 618/98 under the Development Corporations Act. Its mandate, as provided for in the regulation, is:
- to market Ontario as a travel destination;
- to undertake joint marketing initiatives with the tourism industry;
- to support and assist the marketing efforts of the tourism industry; and
- in cooperation with the tourism industry, the Government of Ontario, other governments and other agencies of governments, to promote Ontario as a travel destination.
The following principles support the mandate:
- Destination Ontario is to lead the marketing of Ontario as a travel destination nationally and internationally;
- Destination Ontario and regional organizations are to work together to market travel within Ontario;
- Destination Ontario is to deliver marketing services that contribute to regional and economic development;
- Destination Ontario is to become a centre of excellence supporting provincial marketing; and
- Destination Ontario is to engage in partnerships to support the above objectives.
Last updated: October 3, 2022