Appointee Biographies

TODD HALPERN

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

SUMEETA KOHLI

Sumeeta Kohli is the Owner, Operator and Marketing Consultant for Global Marketing, and an Owner and Operator for Z-teca Mexican Eatery. Her community involvement includes serving as a Chairperson for Panorama India.

JESSE HAMILTON

Jesse Hamilton is the Vice President of Freed Hotels and Resorts as well as the General Manager of Deerhurst Resort. Jesse is the former general Manager for East Winds Saint Lucia. Jesse’s community involvement includes serving as Chair for the Ontario Restaurant Hotel Motel Association, Chair of the Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax Association and Chair of Huntsville/Lake of Bays Resort and Hotel Association.

LACEY RIGG

Lacey Rigg is a lifelong resident of Northern Ontario, only leaving during her post-secondary studies at Brock University. As the Coordinator of Meetings, Conventions and Sports Tourism with the City of Timmins, she strives to build a better quality of life for her community. From small 1-day events to multi-million-dollar festivals, she is highly organized and pursues the project with upmost pride. Lacey is also an Auxiliary Police Constable for the last 6 years with the Timmins Police Service, a position that she is honored to hold.

CATHY KIRKPATRICK

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.

JASVEEN RATTAN

Dr. Jasveen Rattan is the CEO of JKR consulting and is passionate about helping her clients create responsible initiatives and sustainable solutions for their organizations. She has consulted on community projects 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: 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). Jasveen is currently pursuing her Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability at St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto.

DENNIS MATTHEWS

Dennis 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 Board of Directors of Destination Ontario and the Marketing and Communications Committee of the Michael Garron Hospital. Dennis is also a partner at Enterprise Canada, a national strategic communication firm.

DANIELLE CHRETIEN

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.

ROB TAYLOR

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. Rob played instrumental roles in designing the development of Canada’s original "Federal Tourism Strategy", developing the "Marquee Tourism Events Program", the "Local’s Know" domestic tourism marketing initiative, and delivering the “Connecting America” integrated US marketing re-investment initiative.