Who We Are

Todd Halpern is self employed. His community involvement includes serving as a member of the Board of Trustees and Vice-Chair for UHN. 

Danielle 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.

Andrew 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. 

Jesse 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. 

Catherine 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. 

Sumeeta 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. 

Dennis 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.

Lauren McDonald is a Director of Digital Public Affairs & Campaign Strategy Proof Strategies, a former Director of Marketing for the Office of the Premier of Ontario, and a former Public Affairs Consultant for Enterprise.

Benjamin 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 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.

Deborah Richardson is a seasoned intergovernmental affairs executive and Indigenous relationships expert with a background in the finance industry. Her professional foray into Indigenous Affairs began as Executive Director of the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto in 1999. She is a proud Mi’gmaq woman with strong ties to her home community of Pabineau First Nation on the north shore of New Brunswick. Deborah and her husband, Bob, are proud parents of five children. 

Rob 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.