Amal Masri is the CEO of Fix The Broken Rung, an organization with the mission of helping one million BIPOC and immigrant women get promoted. Her DEI work is informed by both her lived experiences and her firsthand experience as an executive leading large teams through organizational transformation.

HLI HAYKWHL ẂII XSGAAK, Melanie Mark is a bold and tenacious leader, advocate, and strategist. She has over 25 years' experience in the nonprofit sector, in government, as an elected official and as an entrepreneur- with a demonstrated track record advancing social, environmental, and economic justice through reconciliation.

Jennifer Heil is a visionary leader who has consistently redefined the limits of excellence. An Olympic Champion, Guinness World record holder, and multiple Olympic medalists, she is the most successful Canadian female skier in history. Honored as a AthletesCAN and a Stanford Graduate School of Business Leadership Award recipient, Jennifer’s impact extends far beyond the podium. 

One of Canada’s most esteemed culinary experts, Alexandra Gill is a driving force in the hospitality world, championing culinary excellence. As a former critic for The Globe and Mail, she was renowned for her forthright opinions and sharp prose.

Chef Sarah offers delicious, organic, Indigenous, sustainable nourishment at Tradish's The Ancestor Cafe. Her goal is to nurture a deeper appreciation for Indigenous culture through culinary experiences & offer visitors an opportunity to learn about Indigenous ingredients through traditional and innovative dishes

Judith Kasiama is the founder of Colour the Trails, an organization based in Vancouver, BC, with outreach in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. The initiative advocates for inclusive representation in outdoor spaces by collaborating with brand partners, businesses, and organizations to break down barriers and enhance accessibility.

Tess is a firm believer in the philosophy of transformation, with concrete examples throughout her 20+ years in the HR industry. She has catalyzed purpose-led paths for people and worked for global brands renown for their transformative People Practices. 

Beth Potter is a recognized leader with over 35 years of experience in provincial and national associations, including nearly 20 years in the tourism sector. Since March 2021, Beth has served as President & CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.

Born and raised in the Squamish and Sechelt Nations, Talaysay Campo is a respected Indigenous entrepreneur, health and wellness advocate, and keynote speaker specializing in business and economic reconciliation. Talaysay integrates cultural teachings, sustainability, and Indigenous knowledge into every venture.

Lauren Semple (she/they) is a dynamic leader at the intersection of inclusion, sustainability, and project management. With a human-centred approach to diversity, inclusivity and resilience, Lauren delivers specialized training and guidance to destinations and organizations, all rooted in authentic community connection.

Having trained under renowned chefs throughout her career, at the age of 21, Detkavich found herself competing for the title of Top Chef Canada; making history as the youngest and first Indigenous woman to ever compete.

Shobna Kannusamy (she/her) is the Founder and Principal Coach at Soirette Connections and the host of the Colour Me Brave Podcast. With a dynamic career spanning 25 years, Shobna’s journey led her from engineering to hospitality, opening her own bakery in downtown Vancouver, which she successfully ran for 10 years.

Richelle Akimow loves the hospitality industry, has been working in it since she was 16 years old, and has never left. She loves the humans in hospitality who give so much of themselves for others; their creativity, their passion, their innovation, and their deliciousness. Richelle has been with Gordon Food Service in British Columbia for 21 years and has been the General Manager since 2022. 

Joanne is an operations and commercial executive with 25-plus years of hospitality leadership experience for some of Canada’s most widely recognized franchised restaurant brands.

Joanne joined Northland Properties in 2019 as the president and COO of Moxies, overseeing 60 restaurants across North America. Before joining Moxies, she held executive-level marketing, operations, real estate, and development positions for Boston Pizza International.

Michelle Ng is on a mission to bring happiness and appreciation to people through food. Driven by this passion, she launched Vancouver Foodie Tours in 2010, aiming to uplift the community, support local artisans, and spread joy through delicious experiences. Her dedication has put Vancouver Foodie Tours on the map as one of Forbes' top 9 food tours globally, and they’ve been celebrated by Entrepreneur Magazine and the Vancouver Sun for their contributions to the community.

As Lead Recruiter at JRoss Recruiters, Jackie specializes in connecting inspiring leaders with leading brands in hospitality and retail across Canada. With deep service sector industry expertise, she thrives on matching professionals with meaningful career opportunities while helping employers build high-performing teams that drive business success.

Passionate, driven and results-oriented, Shelley brings 20 years of experience and earned reputation as one of Western Canada's leading hospitality public relations professionals. Her proven marketing communications strategies have boosted revenues and driven millions of dollars worth of true-to-brand editorial exposure that connect her clients to a wider audience both in British Columbia and beyond.

Amanda Ierfino is a passionate and results-driven sales leader with more than a decade of experience fostering innovation and growth in the airline industry. As Director of Sales at WestJet—one of Canada’s leading airlines—Amanda is dedicated to building high-performing teams and creating a culture of collaboration and accountability. Amanda empowers her teams to deliver customer-focused solutions that drive revenue and market expansion in a rapidly changing, competitive landscape.

After a wonderful 34 years in the hotel industry, the last 18 years as a General Manager, Marion retired in 2022. She joined the hotel industry straight out of college and worked her way up through F&B, Guest Services, Revenue Management, Sales & Marketing, Hotel Openings and General Management.  During her career, she had the privilege of working with multiple brands across Canada, and in resort and city hotels. 

Puneet (she/her) is an accomplished accountant with 15 years of experience, specializing in the hospitality industry for the past decade. Her passion for food, nurturing people, and promoting team-first philosophies led her to find a perfect match in this field.