TIAC's Regional Roundtable Series: Meet The Panellists

Marsha Walden (President & CEO, Destination Canada)

Marsha’s career spans leadership roles in strategy and organizational renewal, marketing and communications, corporate social responsibility, operations management, and business innovation. She has worked with enterprises in many of Canada’s flagship industries and found her true calling in tourism.

Marsha joined Destination Canada as President and CEO in August 2020 in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. She is proud to lead a team of passionate professionals who share a common purpose of inspiring those with glowing hearts to fall in love with Canada – enriching the lives of visitors and enhancing the quality of life of Canadians. Previously, Marsha led the team at Destination British Columbia, initiating ground-breaking strategies for tourism development and data-driven performance marketing.

Teresa Ryder (Director of Partnerships, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada)

As Director of Partnerships at ITAC, Teresa Ryder is a driving force behind strengthening relationships and implementing programs that support the growth of regional Indigenous tourism associations across Canada. Teresa oversees corporate communications, market research, international projects, and ITAC membership. In 2020, she led the $16 million Stimulus Development Grant program, stabilizing over 675 Indigenous tourism operators during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 2018, Teresa has guided the growth of the International Indigenous Tourism Conference into the world’s largest Indigenous tourism event, contributing to its success since its inception. A proud Musqueam descendant and Simon Fraser University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Teresa has dedicated more than a decade to Indigenous tourism development. She began her career with Indigenous Tourism BC, working to improve market readiness and implement regional and provincial destination strategies that elevate Indigenous tourism operators.

Philip Mondor (President & CEO, Tourism HR Canada)

Philip is an accomplished leader with nearly 35 years of experience working with labour market stakeholders across Canada and abroad including foreign governments, pan-global organizations, Canadian and non-Canadian businesses, and various education and training bodies. His work spans over 15 industrial sectors and in 11 countries, with most of his career focused on the tourism industry.

Tourism HR Canada is a pan-Canadian organization that works on behalf of 272,000 employers and 2 million workers with a mandate aimed at building a world-leading tourism workforce. With representation from business, labour, workers, academia and more, Tourism HR Canada facilitates, coordinates, and enables human resource development activities that support a globally competitive and sustainable industry and foster the development of a dynamic and resilient workforce.

Currently, Philip member of the Labour Market Information Council and a Director on the Board of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. Throughout his career, he has been called upon to offer input to various workforce policy directives with governments and associations. Philip served on federal ministerial advisory committees, several Board of Directors, and volunteers for causes that help advance workforce issues and improve opportunities for people to engage in community and meaningful employment. 

Walt Judas (CEO, Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia)

Walt has been involved in the tourism industry for over 35 years, having worked at BC Pavco, Port Metro Vancouver, and Tourism Vancouver prior to joining the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC) in May 2015.

As CEO, Walt leads multiple advocacy/policy files, sets the strategic course for TIABC, builds relationships with members and industry stakeholders, and communicates the value of B.C.’s visitor economy to various constituents. 

At present, he is on tourism program advisory committees for Capilano University, Western Community College and Vancouver Community College.  He also serves on the City of Vancouver’s Sport Hosting Grant Committee. In 2021, he was appointed Chair of the Provincial & Territorial Tourism Industry Association (PTTIA) and currently serves on the board of TIAC.

Walt holds a Bachelor of Hospitality Management Degree from Vancouver Community College (VCC), as well as a Diploma in Broadcast Communications Technology from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).

Alison McKay (Vice-President, Destination Management, Destination BC)

Alison is the Vice President of Destination Management at Destination BC, where she leads efforts to strengthen and sustain British Columbia’s tourism sector. She oversees destination management programs that support the industry’s resilience, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability.

In her role, Alison guides the Destination Management team in implementing strategic initiatives and annual programs. She also collaborates with the Executive team on corporate-wide priorities, including Invest in Iconics, Destination Stewardship, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility. Additionally, she works closely with Indigenous Tourism BC on initiatives that support Indigenous communities.

Alison holds a Master of Applied Environmental Studies in Tourism Policy & Planning from the University of Waterloo. Based in Coquitlam, on the unceded traditional territory of the Coast Salish Peoples and the Kwikwetlem First Nation, she enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family and is an active volunteer in her local youth soccer and lacrosse communities.

Richard Porges (President, Destination BC), Nancy Small (CEO, Tourism Richmond)

Richard Porges is Destination BC’s president and CEO and previously served as the corporation’s Vice President of Corporate Development. Richard originally joined the corporation’s research department and subsequently moved to progressively more senior roles within Destination BC and the provincial government. Before joining Destination BC, Richard taught Economics at the University of Victoria and served as a consultant for several government and non-profit organizations.