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 Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.
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 of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.
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.
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.
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.
Mr. Andrew Dowie
Professional EngineerCity of WindsorTecumsehMr. Andrew Dowie
Professional EngineerCity of WindsorTecumsehAndrew Dowie is a licensed Professional Engineer and is employed by the Corporation of the City of Windsor. Fluently in French and English, his career has included technical design and construction management, as well as assignments in strategic planning, special events, and economic development. He serves in various capacities on several community boards and committees, including as Group Commissioner of the 35th Tecumseh Scout Group and as Municipal Councilor for the Town of Tecumseh.
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.
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.
Ms. Sumeeta Kohli
Marketing Consultant / EntrepreneurGlocal MarketingMississaugaMs. Sumeeta Kohli
Marketing Consultant / EntrepreneurGlocal MarketingMississaugaSumeeta Kohli is the Owner, Operator and Marketing 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.
Mr. Dennis Matthews
Vice PresidentEnterprise CanadaTorontoMr. Dennis Matthews
Vice PresidentEnterprise CanadaTorontoDennis Matthews is Vice President at Enterprise Canada, a national strategic communications firm. At Enterprise, he works with leaders, major brands and causes to move public opinion. Dennis served as an advertising advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and is a veteran of numerous political campaigns. He has worked at a major media company in Toronto and is a frequent commentator on advertising, digital and political issues. His work has been published in the Globe and Mail, Maclean’s Magazine and The Sun newspaper chain.
Ms. Lauren McDonald
DirectorDigital + Campaign Strategy Creative CurrencyTorontoMs. Lauren McDonald
DirectorDigital + Campaign Strategy Creative CurrencyTorontoLauren McDonald is a Director, Digital + Campaign Strategy at Creative Currency, a former Director of Marketing for the Office of the Premier of Ontario, and a former Public Affairs Consultant for Enterprise.
Nelly Morgado
DirectorCanadian Cancer SocietyMississaugaNelly 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.
Mr. Benjamin Purkiss
Creative DirectorBen Purkiss DesignGrimsbyMr. Benjamin Purkiss
Creative DirectorBen Purkiss DesignGrimsbyBenjamin Purkiss is an award winning Creative Director with experience in both the public and private sectors within Canada and the United States. He was a Founding Director and Creative Director of a marketing firm working alongside global corporations and leaders.
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.
Mr. Rob Taylor
Executive DirectorRide For Dad CanadaOttawaMr. Rob Taylor
Executive DirectorRide For Dad 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.
Lisa LaVecchia
President and CEODebra Mansillo
Vice President, Industry Relations & International MarketingMelanie Robert
Vice President & Chief Marketing OfficerVincenza Ronaldi
Vice President, Corporate Services & OperationsLydia Devereaux
Director, Industry Relations, Northern Partnerships & Corporate CommunicationsSue Harrison
Director, Ontario Travel Information ServicesElizabeth Knox
Director, International MarketingLauchlan Rogers
Director, MarketingJennifer Stubbs
Director, Technology and InsightsRonald Ting
Director, Finance & Corporate ServicesKate 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: April 27, 2022