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 is an agency of the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.
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 Tourism, Culture, and Gaming.
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.
Todd Halpern
Chair, Destination Ontario /President, Halpern EnterprisesTorontoTodd Halpern
Chair, Destination Ontario /President, Halpern EnterprisesTorontoTodd Halpern is self employed. His community involvement includes serving as a member of the Board of Trustees and Vice-Chair for UHN.
Danielle Chretien
Operator, Lake on the Mountain ResortPrince Edward CountyDanielle Chretien
Operator, Lake 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.
Andrew Galloro
Director, Corporate Communications, Four Seasons Hotels and ResortsTorontoAndrew Galloro
Director, Corporate Communications, Four Seasons Hotels and ResortsTorontoAndrew is the global Senior Director of Corporate Communications at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, leading crisis communications, corporate messaging, and executive media relations. Andrew was previously a consultant at the communications firm Navigator and served in communications roles at the federal and provincial government. Andrew sits on the communications committee of the Board of Directors for Wellspring, a national cancer care organization, and is also a long-time volunteer at Casey House, Canada’s first stand-alone hospital for people with HIV/AIDS.
Jesse Hamilton
Vice President, Hospitality, Blue Mountain ResortThe Blue MountainsJesse Hamilton
Vice President, Hospitality, Blue Mountain ResortThe Blue MountainsJesse Hamilton is Vice President of Hospitality at Blue Mountain Resort. Prior positions include, Vice President at Freed Hotel and Resorts, and General Manager positions with Deerhurst Resort and East Winds Saint Lucia. Jesse’s community involvement includes serving as Vice-Chair for the Ontario Restaurant Hotel Motel Association.
Cathy Kirkpatrick
Owner, CMK Consulting /Senior Advisor, AlphabetOttawaCathy Kirkpatrick
Owner, CMK Consulting /Senior Advisor, AlphabetOttawaCatherine 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
Founder and Principal Consultant, Glocal MarketingMississaugaSumeeta Kohli
Founder and Principal Consultant, Glocal 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.
Dennis Matthews
President, Creative Currency /Partner, Enterprise CanadaTorontoDennis Matthews
President, Creative 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. Dennis is also a partner at Enterprise Canada, a national strategic communication firm.
Jerry Pribil
President, Marienbad HospitalityLondonJerry Pribil
President, Marienbad 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.
Dr. Jasveen Rattan
Consultant, JKR ConsultingMississaugaDr. Jasveen Rattan
Consultant, JKR 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. Jasveen’s experiences and educational background is diverse and expands across all sectors, it includes: a Diploma in Hospitality Management (Humber College), a Bachelor of Applied Management in Hospitality and Tourism (University of New Brunswick Saint John), a Master of Arts in Tourism Policy and Planning, and a PhD in Recreation and Leisure Studies (University of Waterloo).
Lacey Rigg
Coordinator, Meetings, Conventions and Sports Tourism, City of TimminsTimminsLacey Rigg
Coordinator, Meetings, Conventions and Sports Tourism, City of TimminsTimminsLacey is the Coordinator of Meetings, Conventions and Sports Tourism for The City of Timmins. Her community involvement includes an Auxiliary Constable for the Timmins Police Service, a long serving board member of the Timmins Rock Junior A Hockey Club as well as a level 3 hockey trainer for various teams.
Rob Taylor
Director, Policy and Government Relations, Wine Growers CanadaOttawaRob Taylor
Director, Policy and Government Relations, Wine 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.
Vincenza Ronaldi
President and CEODebra Mansillo
Vice President, Industry Relations and International MarketingLauchlan Rogers
Acting Vice President and Chief Marketing OfficerSue Harrison
Vice President, Corporate Services and OperationsLydia Devereaux
Director, International MarketingTodd Eastman
Director, Northern Partnerships and MarketingGarlene Kubisheskie
Director, Ontario Travel Information ServicesJennifer Stubbs
Director, Technology and InsightsRonald Ting
Director, Finance and Corporate ServicesKate Vrancart
Director, Strategic Engagement and CommunicationsJulia Holliday
Director, Corporate Affairs and Strategic Operations
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 31, 2024