SPEAKERS & PANELISTS BIOS

Tuesday, February 10

ALBERTA EXPANSIONS PATH THE $25B IN TOURISM SPENDING

HON. ANDREW BOITCHENKO

Minster of Tourism & Sport

Mr. Boitchenko was born in Ukraine, immigrated to Canada as a teenager, and is a proud Albertan. Before entering politics, he was a successful real estate agent and property developer, mounting over 20 years’ experience in the building industry. Mr. Boitchenko is happily married to his wife Tatiana and is the proud father of 3 children and grandfather of one.

Andrew Boitchenko was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Drayton Valley-Devon on May 29, 2023.

THE FUTURE OF TOURISM IS IN YOUR HANDS: THE AURORA AI ADVATANGE

MAUREEN RILEY

VP, Industry Engagement, Destinations Canada

With 30 years of experience in the tourism sector, Maureen brings an unparalleled depth and diversity of experience in the tourism sector, both in Canada and globally. She began her career as a tour guide, building a strong foundation in visitor experience, and went on to work with a receptive tour operator, where she developed a deep understanding of the tourism supply chain and the communities and economies it supports.

Maureen further expanded her experience through leadership roles with Tourism Whistler and Travel Alberta, and later gained international experience as Managing Director for the Japan Market at Destination Canada. Building on her success as Vice President, International, Maureen is now the Vice President, Industry Engagement at Destination Canada. In this position, she champions Destination Canada’s commitment to sustainable growth, industry collaboration, and innovation—working closely with partners to advance the industry and strengthen engagement across the tourism sector.

NYKALA SHONE

Interim Senior Director Global Marketing, Explore Edmonton

Nykala Shone is a purpose-driven marketing leader who is passionate about creating meaningful connections between people and place. As Marketing Accounts Director at Explore Edmonton, she leads both consumer-facing and sales-driven strategies that drive visitation, fill stadiums and convention centres, foster civic pride, and showcase Edmonton’s distinct experiences to the world. Both hesitant of, and energized by, AI, Nykala is choosing to be curious over comfortable, and is using uncertainty to reimagine what’s possible.

MICHELE FOWLER

Marketing Manger, Events & Business Development, Explore Edmonton

Michele Fowler is Marketing Manager, Events & Business Development at Explore Edmonton, where she leads destination marketing strategies for leisure, business, and major events. She brings a creative and analytical approach to storytelling and believes marketing can (and should!) be a force for positive impact, including having fun experimenting with AI as a force for good to boost efficiency, insight, and impact.

BREAKOUT SESSION 2

REDEFINING PATHS TO GROWTH IN TOURISM CAREERS

PHILIP MONDOR

President & CEO, Tourism HR Canada

CARRIE ARMSTRONG

Senior Director of Industry Development

ANASUYA CHATTOPADHYAY

Manager Research & Performance, Travel Alberta

Anasuya leads research initiatives at Travel Alberta, delivering actionable insights and thought leadership to grow Alberta’s visitor economy. As an economist, she has supported organizations across sectors in making data-driven decisions. She holds an MBA in Finance and an MA in Economics from the University of Calgary.

JAMES OVERALL

Dean of the School of Hospitality and Tourism at SAIT & Dean of the School of Business

With more than 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, as well as the last eight years serving as Dean of SAIT’s internationally acclaimed School of Hospitality and Tourism, James Overall is a passionate advocate for the industry.

His professional career has included being a part of the opening teams of several restaurants, as well as leadership roles with the Hyatt, Marriott and Calgary Stampede. Through the years, he’s consulted on various projects including the opening of Mosaic Stadium in Regina and the plan to relaunch the King Eddy at the National Music Centre.

Always a believer in lifelong learning, Overall has completed two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Calgary — one in Commerce and the second in Hotel and Resort Management — along with a diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Management from SAIT. Years later, Overall completed his Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University, and is currently enrolled in a Doctor of Business Administration at the University of Bath in England.

WORKSHOP: THE NEW NON-NEGOTIABLE: CYBER RISK READINESS
FOR TOURISM BUSINESSES

CASH WONG

Chief Executive Officer, SHING Digital

CaSh Wong is the CEO of Shing Digital Inc., which he founded in 2001 to help organizations turn technology into business results. A handson strategist, CaSh blends executive vision with technical expertise across cloud, cybersecurity, and infrastructure. He serves on the board of the Alberta Tech Alliance Association and previously held CTO roles at General Wireless Inc. and Renoback Inc. Known for translating complex concepts into clear, practical guidance, he advises on AI readiness, resilience, and modern security architecture. CaSh is a curious technologist who thrives on solving hard problems and empowering teams to operate smarter and more securely.

CONNECTING TRAVELLERS: KEY TO FUTURE PROOFING THE
CANADIAN ECONOMY

TARA JAGO

Senior Manager External Affairs, WestJet (Moderator)

Tara Jago is Senior Manager, External Affairs at WestJet, responsible for engagement with governments, industry partners, and tourism stakeholders. With a background that includes senior advisory roles in the governments of Alberta and Manitoba, Tara brings a strong understanding of public policy, stakeholder engagement, and issues management. Her work focuses on collaboration that supports community growth, regional access, and a resilient tourism sector.

CHRISTINE IVERSEN

Head of External Affairs, WestJet

ADRIAN WARCHOLA

Director, Air Service Development

Adrian Warchola is the Director of Air Service Development at Edmonton International Airport (YEG) in Alberta, Canada. Adrian and the Air Service Development team focus on building Edmonton’s air service network by developing relationships with airlines and travel partners here in Canada and around the world. As Canada’s fifth-busiest airport by passenger traffic, YEG generates an economic output of over $3.2 billion for the Edmonton Metro Region.

Over the course of his 12+ years at YEG, Adrian has contributed to the introduction of several new airlines and destinations and has been instrumental in the growth of international inbound tourism to Edmonton & Alberta. Adrian has led global partnerships with airlines, tourism and economic development agencies to foster passenger growth and economic activity. He is passionate about global business and brings value by leveraging collaborative partnerships across local and international networks.

Adrian completed his MBA in 2021 and holds an International Business and Marketing degree with a certificate in Leadership.

JEFF MORRISON

CEO, National Airlines Council of Canada

Jeff Morrison is the President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada.  Prior to this role, he served as Executive Director of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association; Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs with the Canadian Pharmacists Association; President of the Association of Canadian Engineering Companies and Director of Government Relations and Director of Environment for the Canadian Construction Association.  He serves on the Board of Directors of the Ottawa Humane Society, and previously served on the Board of Directors of A Way Home Canada, the Community Housing Transformation Centre, Bruce House, Operation Come Home, Board President of the Centretown Community Health Centre and was previously a candidate for Ottawa City Council. 

SHANE GETSON

MLA, Parliamentary Secretary of Economic Corridors

Shane Getson was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lac Ste. Anne–Parkland on April 16, 2019, and was re-elected on May 29, 2023. Prior to elected office, he owned a major projects consulting company and worked as a civil engineering technologist and private pilot, bringing more than 28 years of experience in industrial construction across sectors including oil and gas, mining, road construction, telecommunications, rail, and forestry, with hands-on involvement throughout all phases of major projects. As an elected official, Mr. Getson has served on numerous legislative committees, subcommittees, and international organizations representing the Government of Alberta, and currently sits on the PNWR Energy Council while serving as Chair of the Alberta–India Advisory Council. He has also led two significant task forces focused on Economic Corridors and Career Education, and was appointed Parliamentary Secretary of Economic Corridors in October 2022, continuing his strong advocacy for Alberta’s economy through leadership and collaboration.

BUILDING DESTINATIONS THAT MATTER

ALEX SARIAN

President & CEO, Werklund Centre & Best Selling Author, "The Audacity of Relevance

Alex Sarian is the bestselling author of The Audacity of Relevance: Critical Conversations on the

Future of Arts and Culture, and President & CEO of Werklund Centre (formerly Arts Commons),

where he is leading the $680 million Werklund Centre Transformation—the largest cultural

infrastructure project in Canadian history. In 2024, he was named by The Globe and Mail as one of

Canada’s 10 most influential arts leaders, recognizing his national leadership and fundraising

record. Prior to moving to Calgary in 2020, he spent 18 years in New York City as a senior executive

at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, where he oversaw its international consulting practice

across five continents. A 2022 Calgary Top 40 Under 40 recipient, he holds degrees from New York

University and is a graduate of leadership programs at Ivey Business School and the Stanford

Graduate School of Business.