Keynote Speaker Biography
Jason Dunkel
Jason Dunkel is a consultant specializing in the travel and tourism industry. In his current role he advises tourism destinations, travel retailers, tour operators and accommodations on the best ways to use EA’s products and services to increase their customer base. Since joining the company in 2008, he has been named Employee of the Year as a product manager for ENVISION and finished first in the Alteryx Grand Prix, an annual competition to solve business challenges, involving the best Alteryx programmers in the world. A graduate of Queen’s School of Business, Jason holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with first-class honours in marketing.
Speaker Biographies
Kristy Adams
Program Coordinator Humber College
Program Coordinator Humber College
Kristy began her career in the hotel business in downtown Ottawa and quickly moved into positions throughout North America. She held the position of Director of Franchise Services, Canada for 65 hotels, Regional Director of Operations US Pacific Northwest for 14 hotels, and Vice President of Human Resources & Administration for an international hotel company with 10 hotel brands in Canada, the US and overseas and then was appointed President & C.O.O of Howard Johnson Franchise Canada Inc.
In 2004, Kristy joined Humber College. She has assumed the position of Program Coordinator for the Hospitality & Tourism Operations Management Post Graduate Program, the Tourism and Hospitality Management- Event Planning program and is presently the Program Coordinator for the Hospitality - Hotel & Restaurant Operations Management program.
She sits on the Board of Directors for the provincial body, RTO6 and is an active member of the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) and the Canadian Hospitality Marketing and Sales Executive (CHMSE).
In 2004, Kristy joined Humber College. She has assumed the position of Program Coordinator for the Hospitality & Tourism Operations Management Post Graduate Program, the Tourism and Hospitality Management- Event Planning program and is presently the Program Coordinator for the Hospitality - Hotel & Restaurant Operations Management program.
She sits on the Board of Directors for the provincial body, RTO6 and is an active member of the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) and the Canadian Hospitality Marketing and Sales Executive (CHMSE).
Andrew Weir
VP Communication Tourism Toronto
VP Communication Tourism Toronto
As Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Tourism Toronto, Andrew leads the organization’s global marketing and communications program to position Toronto as a top travel destination, develop new market opportunities and establish strategic partnerships. Andrew has been a member of the executive team at Tourism Toronto for 11 years and is an advocate and frequent spokesperson for the tourism industry in the Toronto Region, elevating the industry’s recognition as a vital economic sector. He currently serves on numerous advisory boards in tourism and related sectors. Prior to joining the tourism industry, Andrew served as Communications Director to an Ontario Cabinet Minister and spent nine years in communications and business development in the health care and biotechnology sector.
Sharlene Ketwaroo-Nanoo
Category Manager
Bell Canada
President of the Advisory Board
GBTA Canada
Category Manager
Bell Canada
President of the Advisory Board
GBTA Canada
Sharlene’s career in travel management began with Canadian Tire Corporation where she was integral to the growth of the travel program. Sharlene’s key accomplishments during this time included the implementation of a strategy to significantly increase program compliance and consolidation of the travel program making corporate travel the first area at Canadian Tire to manage at an enterprise level.
In her current role as Category Manager at Bell Canada, Sharlene’s responsibilities include sourcing and negotiating travel, meetings and incentive related categories for Bell Canada’s family of companies.
In 2014, Sharlene was named to the Global Business Travel Association’s Canadian Advisory Board and now serves as Advisory Board President. Along with her fellow advisory board members, Sharlene helps shape the association’s education, event and membership needs to keep her industry colleagues at the top of their game.
Although her passion for the travel industry keeps her busy, Sharlene still finds time to actively pursue opportunities for learning and recently completed her Business Communications Certificate at Ryerson University.
In her current role as Category Manager at Bell Canada, Sharlene’s responsibilities include sourcing and negotiating travel, meetings and incentive related categories for Bell Canada’s family of companies.
In 2014, Sharlene was named to the Global Business Travel Association’s Canadian Advisory Board and now serves as Advisory Board President. Along with her fellow advisory board members, Sharlene helps shape the association’s education, event and membership needs to keep her industry colleagues at the top of their game.
Although her passion for the travel industry keeps her busy, Sharlene still finds time to actively pursue opportunities for learning and recently completed her Business Communications Certificate at Ryerson University.
National Business Development Executive
Contiki Holidays
Contiki Holidays
Currently working as Business Development Executive for Contiki Holidays, Jenni works with the Sales & Marketing teams to drive sales nationally. With 13 years in the travel industry including experience with Trafalgar Tours and Insight Vacations she has worked in many different roles. Past positions within The Travel Corporation include Sales Centre Manager and on the road as Trade Sales manager for Ontario.
Susan Webb
President VoX International Inc.
President VoX International Inc.
Susan is the founding owner of VoX and is recognized within the industry as the absolute authority on destination marketing. She has previously held executive management positions with American Express Travel, Signature Vacations, Canada 3000 Airlines and Holidays and opened the Esprit Vacations/Carnival Cruise Lines office in Canada.
Her involvement in the travel industry is well recognized by all key players and she is currently Vice President of SKAL International Canada as well as previously holding board positions within associations such as PATA, ACTA, IATA, TICO, CATO and SITE. Susan is also a member of TMAC, SITE and President of Discover America Canada and was previously a marketing board member of CTO (Caribbean Tourism Organization). An Honours graduate from Sheridan College for Travel & Tourism Management, Susan has also completed courses at George Washington University. Most recently Susan has been nominated for RBC Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
www.voxtm.ca
Her involvement in the travel industry is well recognized by all key players and she is currently Vice President of SKAL International Canada as well as previously holding board positions within associations such as PATA, ACTA, IATA, TICO, CATO and SITE. Susan is also a member of TMAC, SITE and President of Discover America Canada and was previously a marketing board member of CTO (Caribbean Tourism Organization). An Honours graduate from Sheridan College for Travel & Tourism Management, Susan has also completed courses at George Washington University. Most recently Susan has been nominated for RBC Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
www.voxtm.ca
Andrew Weir
Donna Dooher has enjoyed over 25 successful years in the Canadian hospitality industry, beginning with her catering business, Avant-goût Catering, followed by the wildly successful Mildred Pierce Restaurant and Cookworks Cooking Studio. Donna is a recognized leader in Canada’s restaurant community.
Donna went on to publish the award-winning Out to Brunch with Mildred Pierce Cookbook and produced “The Cookworks with Donna Dooher” for the Food Network, launched the Wish magazine as the National Food Editor and contributes regularly to Breakfast TV and CTV’s The Social. In addition, she co-chaired the George Brown College YES CHEF fund raising campaign, volunteered with CESO Canada as a restaurant business consultant on a month-long project in Columbia and served as the Chair of Board and CEO of Restaurants Canada.
A strong believer in giving back to her community, Donna volunteers for dozens of charitable causes every year, ranging from Food Share’s Recipe for Change, to Porridge for Parkinson’s, to the Kitchen Sisters benefit for at-risk women, to name a few. In addition, she co-chaired the George Brown College YES CHEF fund raising campaign, volunteered with CESO Canada as a restaurant business consultant on a month-long project in Columbia and served as the Chair of Board and CEO of Restaurants Canada.
Donna has played a role in the federal government’s Canada Brand promotions, showcasing Canadian food and agricultural products at the Vancouver Olympics and in Osaka, Japan. Donna is the National Chair of Taste Canada and sits on the Greenbelt Fund’s Advisory Committee. In 2011 Donna received an Honorary Bachelor of Applied Business Degree in Hospitality Management from George Brown College and is a recipient of the Ontario Hostelry Institute’s Gold Plate Award for Life Time Achievement.
Donna went on to publish the award-winning Out to Brunch with Mildred Pierce Cookbook and produced “The Cookworks with Donna Dooher” for the Food Network, launched the Wish magazine as the National Food Editor and contributes regularly to Breakfast TV and CTV’s The Social. In addition, she co-chaired the George Brown College YES CHEF fund raising campaign, volunteered with CESO Canada as a restaurant business consultant on a month-long project in Columbia and served as the Chair of Board and CEO of Restaurants Canada.
A strong believer in giving back to her community, Donna volunteers for dozens of charitable causes every year, ranging from Food Share’s Recipe for Change, to Porridge for Parkinson’s, to the Kitchen Sisters benefit for at-risk women, to name a few. In addition, she co-chaired the George Brown College YES CHEF fund raising campaign, volunteered with CESO Canada as a restaurant business consultant on a month-long project in Columbia and served as the Chair of Board and CEO of Restaurants Canada.
Donna has played a role in the federal government’s Canada Brand promotions, showcasing Canadian food and agricultural products at the Vancouver Olympics and in Osaka, Japan. Donna is the National Chair of Taste Canada and sits on the Greenbelt Fund’s Advisory Committee. In 2011 Donna received an Honorary Bachelor of Applied Business Degree in Hospitality Management from George Brown College and is a recipient of the Ontario Hostelry Institute’s Gold Plate Award for Life Time Achievement.
Audrius Valiulis
Audrius Valiulis started in the hospitality industry at the young age of 12. Family friends owned a banquet hall in Mississauga, ON and put him to the task of dish washer and general helper. This was Audrius’ first exposure to a commercial kitchen and the hospitality environment. Eventually, Audrius started working in a number of hospitality environments which included independent restaurants, Toronto Metro Convention Centre, Oliver & Bonacini Group, The Ontario Investment and Trade Centre, Starwood Hotels, Sobeys, apetito Canada (food manufacturing) and a few downtown Toronto nightclubs. In April 2015, Audrius joined QUASEP a division of Aramark. He continues to demonstrate his commitment to the industry by serving as a Board Member for the Toronto Professional Branch for the Canadian Association of Foodservice Professionals & as a Board Member for the Toronto Club of SKAL International. In his spare time he enjoys reading, exercising and a glass of wine.
General Manager
The Hazelton Hotel
The Hazelton Hotel
A passionate hotelier and graduate of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, Roustom joined The Hazelton hotel in 2016 and with him he brings a sharp focus on refined product and service excellence to Toronto’s only member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Roustom worked previously for the Shangri-La Hotel Toronto and before then with Four Seasons hotels in Washington D.C. and after in Toronto on Avenue Road until the launch of the new flagship Four Seasons Hotel on Yorkville Avenue in 2012, where he led the opening of the award-winning Café Boulud by Michelin starred Chef Daniel Boulud.
Bai Bunpanya
General Manager
Sandman Signature Toronto Airport Hotel
General Manager
Sandman Signature Toronto Airport Hotel
Bai Bunpanya immigrated from Thailand to Canada with his family in 1996. He grew up in Toronto and had his first job in hospitality as a server and bartender at a hotel. As he discovered his passion in hospitality, he enrolled as a student at Seneca College’s School of Hospitality and Tourism. While in school, Bai served as a student ambassador, mentor and was recruited for a position with Marriott Hotels and Resorts and, later, Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company. Bai’s career progressed relatively quickly as he was promoted to General Manager within 5 years of his tenure at the age of 28. He would spend nearly 10 years working at multiple Marriott properties in Toronto before eventually moving on to join the Canadian owned hospitality company, Sandman Hotel Group, in 2015. Currently, Bai is the General Manager at the 4-star, Sandman Signature Toronto Airport Hotel. To maintain the relationship with his former school, Bai is a regular guest speaker for Tourism students and is a member of the Program Advisor Council at Seneca College.
Ofir Perelman
Director of Food and Beverage at Tribute Communities Centre by Comcast Spectacor
Director of Food and Beverage at Tribute Communities Centre by Comcast Spectacor
- 12+ years of progressive management experience in event planning and management, management and operations in dynamic tourism and hospitality settings.
- 7 years of senior management experience in running different business operations.
- 7 years of recruiting and training experience, negotiating contracts with select vendors and ensuring compliance with bi-laws and health and safety regulations.
- 3 years of marketing, sales and supervising assigned projects, ensuring effective teamwork and communication to reach assigned goals.
-2 years of experience in travel tourism and marketing with an understanding of destination marketing and economic development.
-2 years of post-secondary teaching experience in hospitality and tourism programs in a college.
Experience in financial management and budgeting, developing annual budgets, implementing financial systems and controlling food costs and labour to achieve operational objectives in multi-department hospitality operations.
-Experience in leading teams in academics and hospitality operations in a unionized environment and managing human resources administration and employee training and development.
- 7 years of senior management experience in running different business operations.
- 7 years of recruiting and training experience, negotiating contracts with select vendors and ensuring compliance with bi-laws and health and safety regulations.
- 3 years of marketing, sales and supervising assigned projects, ensuring effective teamwork and communication to reach assigned goals.
-2 years of experience in travel tourism and marketing with an understanding of destination marketing and economic development.
-2 years of post-secondary teaching experience in hospitality and tourism programs in a college.
Experience in financial management and budgeting, developing annual budgets, implementing financial systems and controlling food costs and labour to achieve operational objectives in multi-department hospitality operations.
-Experience in leading teams in academics and hospitality operations in a unionized environment and managing human resources administration and employee training and development.
Jennifer Kirkland
Professor– School of Hospitality and Tourism Flight Services
Professor– School of Hospitality and Tourism Flight Services
Jennifer Kirkland has been involved in the Airline Industry for over 14 years. She began her career as a Flight Attendant with Kelowna Flightcraft, then switching to a vibrant company new to the Toronto flying scene called WestJet Airlines. At the time, Westjet flew less than 20 domestic flights a day out of Toronto, and currently flies to more than 100 destinations including North America and Europe. She has worked as a Customer Service Agent, a relief Daily Duties Coordinator, IROP Coordinator and found her home in the air as a Flight Attendant. Jennifer happily joined the WestJet Recruiting team in 2014 and helps find new talent. In the fall of 2014, Jennifer achieved her ultimate goal of teaching at Seneca College in the School of Hospitality and Tourism – Flight Services, her favourite kinds of students, future Flight Attendants.
Jennifer has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Laurentian University – specializing in History and Geography. She has studied abroad for a semester to Chamberay – France to study at the University of Savoy specializing in French Language and Culture. She is currently pursuing her Master of Education at Athabasca University. Her latest projects with Seneca College include introducing iPad’s in the classroom and interactive learning, developing Ibooks using Ibooks author, and speaking at Tourism Conferences about the importance of Interactive Learning.
Jennifer has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Laurentian University – specializing in History and Geography. She has studied abroad for a semester to Chamberay – France to study at the University of Savoy specializing in French Language and Culture. She is currently pursuing her Master of Education at Athabasca University. Her latest projects with Seneca College include introducing iPad’s in the classroom and interactive learning, developing Ibooks using Ibooks author, and speaking at Tourism Conferences about the importance of Interactive Learning.
Chris Dawber
Senior Technologist & Team Lead
Senior Technologist & Team Lead
I have always been a tech/data guy even while in the food industry for most of my working life. In my 3.5 years at Seneca I have really found my love in data and analytics i.e. letting the data speak to you. PeopleSoft came naturally to me as it fits into a relational database schema so creating the process documents was something that came naturally.
I have consulted in FCET creating a Big Data and Analytics course using Cloudera, HortonWorks and visualization software Tableaux. I pride myself with coming to work every day with a smile on my face. I will put in an honest days work and always give everything I can to ensure the job gets done.
I am currently Team Lead of the Active Learning Initiative for the School of Hospitality and Tourism. Training faculty and developing new and exciting ways to deliver Seneca's message to our students.
I have consulted in FCET creating a Big Data and Analytics course using Cloudera, HortonWorks and visualization software Tableaux. I pride myself with coming to work every day with a smile on my face. I will put in an honest days work and always give everything I can to ensure the job gets done.
I am currently Team Lead of the Active Learning Initiative for the School of Hospitality and Tourism. Training faculty and developing new and exciting ways to deliver Seneca's message to our students.
Donna is a registered dietitian and red seal cook. She shares her passion for driving innovation through the concept of culinary wellness with her business clients, colleagues and Humber College students. She continually explores new and effective approaches to encourage the preparation and consumption of great tasting food that happens to be nutritious. She has over 20 years of experience advocating for positive changes in the food industry creating and managing numerous corporate wellness and sustainability strategies, programs and promotions.
Vlad Toma
Vlad Toma, B.B.A, M.A Professor – Seneca College School of Hospitality and Tourism
Vlad Toma, B.B.A, M.A Professor – Seneca College School of Hospitality and Tourism
Vlad is a passionate researcher, interested in changing societal systems, of which service leadership, service-dominant logic economics and service science are seminal topics. His research and published work also includes capitalism as a global interconnected network, empathy as experiential education and social entrepreneurship. Vlad’s master thesis topic was on the changing ontological and cognitive structures of capitalism and modernity.
Student Panelists
Keeron Ali Food and Beverage Management.
George Brown
Victoria Rinsma Culinary Management Program
Graduating Student Durham College
Santiago Espinel Otero 4th semester Hospitality student
Seneca College
Sarah Minard Graduate of Hospitality Management Program
Humber College
George Brown
Victoria Rinsma Culinary Management Program
Graduating Student Durham College
Santiago Espinel Otero 4th semester Hospitality student
Seneca College
Sarah Minard Graduate of Hospitality Management Program
Humber College
Keynote Speaker at Annual General Meeting – Friday, May 5th, 2017
Trevor Lui
Director of Operations & Sustainability at the International Centre Global Trustee & Canadian Chair, MPI Foundation
Director of Operations & Sustainability at the International Centre Global Trustee & Canadian Chair, MPI Foundation
It’s really about a life-long passion having been immersed in this industry since childhood. Starting from humble beginnings growing up in the family restaurant business, the love for food and events is in Trevor’s DNA. From the dish lines of a tiny restaurant to producing some of the largest and most prestigious events in Canada, he’s always focused on thinking outside conventional trends and a strong advocate for change. Trevor’s love will always be with food, drink and events but the focus is now much bigger and strategic. As Director of Operations & Sustainability for The International Centre, his passion is in the development of sustainable events and transforming the experience for today and the future. Whether it’s local ingredient sourcing, philanthropy or carbon reduction, his mission is simple; utilize his twenty years of knowledge and experience to change the way people think before they plan to meet, eat and socialize. Trevor is currently on the Global Board of Trustees and the Chair of the Canadian Council for the MPI Foundation. He can be found wired to social media, engaging audiences, penning an article or strategizing sustainable ideas and start-ups that challenge the status quo through his idea incubator enga8e group. As a life-long foodie, Trevor has stepped back into his past, jumping back in to things as co-creator and owner some of Toronto’s foremost food experiences, Kanpai Snack Bar, Yatai and La Brea Food. He considers himself a #ChangeAgent and #SerialInstigator and is always seeking to connect with.
Victoria Behune
President & CEO Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC)
President & CEO Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC)
President & CEO Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC)
Victoria Behune has been President & CEO – OTEC for 11 years. With over 30 years’ experience at the senior executive level within the Tourism, Hospitality and Service sectors, Ms. Behune has directed the sales, marketing, operations, and training for a host of public, private and not-for-profit organizations. Hired to reposition & build businesses, partnerships, and brands, she has led teams incorporating a wide range of occupational categories, and whose focus included “customer service and leadership excellence”. Ms. Behune combines training and operational processes to support service delivery and organizational goals, as well as marketing, brand, and strategic priorities for OTEC as well as OTEC’s destination and tourism and hospitality clients. In addition to her own business ventures, Ms. Behune’s past positions included: Vice President Membership, Travel and Marketing – CAA Midwestern Ontario; and Vice President Revenue Development and Partnerships for Tourism Toronto. Previous to that she was Director Marketing and Visitor Services, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, and Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Toronto Tours Ltd. Victoria began her career at the Ministry of Tourism and then joined Ontario Place Corporation to create and manage the first sales department. Victoria has held a number of tourism industry Board positions, including President, Attractions Ontario, and was on the inaugural Board of the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation. Victoria has served on Ryerson University’s and several College Tourism and Hospitality Advisory committees, and has sat on the Board of Tourism H.R. Canada since 2006.
Victoria Behune has been President & CEO – OTEC for 11 years. With over 30 years’ experience at the senior executive level within the Tourism, Hospitality and Service sectors, Ms. Behune has directed the sales, marketing, operations, and training for a host of public, private and not-for-profit organizations. Hired to reposition & build businesses, partnerships, and brands, she has led teams incorporating a wide range of occupational categories, and whose focus included “customer service and leadership excellence”. Ms. Behune combines training and operational processes to support service delivery and organizational goals, as well as marketing, brand, and strategic priorities for OTEC as well as OTEC’s destination and tourism and hospitality clients. In addition to her own business ventures, Ms. Behune’s past positions included: Vice President Membership, Travel and Marketing – CAA Midwestern Ontario; and Vice President Revenue Development and Partnerships for Tourism Toronto. Previous to that she was Director Marketing and Visitor Services, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, and Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Toronto Tours Ltd. Victoria began her career at the Ministry of Tourism and then joined Ontario Place Corporation to create and manage the first sales department. Victoria has held a number of tourism industry Board positions, including President, Attractions Ontario, and was on the inaugural Board of the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation. Victoria has served on Ryerson University’s and several College Tourism and Hospitality Advisory committees, and has sat on the Board of Tourism H.R. Canada since 2006.