2025 Conference & Trade Show Speakers
Alfredo C. M. Tan is a people-first leader, change agent, and impact-focused innovator with global experience. He was a founding team member of Facebook Canada in 2009 and has held senior roles in several storied companies — including Loblaw Companies Limited, WestJet, Rogers Sport & Media, Yahoo!, Bell Nexxia, and Sympatico MSN — helping to guide innovation, oversee strategy, and build transformative, high-performance cultures. As a keynote speaker, Tan shows audiences how to anchor the power of technology and digital capabilities to transform consumer experiences, deliver commercial results, increase enterprise value, and drive societal change.
Tan was a pioneering leader at Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook/Instagram/WhatsApp). As one of the first 1000 employees globally, he helped transform it into a global media and technology leader. He is currently the Chief Digital and Information Officer at Canada Goose, where he is responsible for the strategy, implementation, and adoption of all consumer-facing digital platforms. He and his team are also leading Canada Goose’s data and AI strategy to enhance commercial and enterprise performance.
Prior to this, Tan was the Senior Vice-President and Managing Director at Advance powered by Loblaw, the retail media division of the Fortune 300 company, Loblaw Companies Limited. He also served as the Senior Vice President of Strategy, Data, and Digital Products at Rogers Sports & Media, where he led the industry’s digital transformation, and was the first Chief Digital Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at WestJet Airlines, where he helped build a culture of innovation and transform the guest experience across all digital channels. Tan has global experience leading teams in Canada, the US, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
With his breadth of experience, Tan is an in-demand keynote speaker often found at leading technology, media, marketing, corporate, and various industry conferences. He has been profiled and quoted in Forbes, Marketing Magazine, The Economist, Strategy Magazine, The Globe and Mail, and many other leading publications. Tan is also an industry professor in the Strategic Management Faculty at McMaster University and a guest lecturer in The Directors College’s Innovation Governance program for board directors.
Tan is currently on the Leadership Council at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, the board of directors at Altitude Accelerator, and the advisory board of the Digital Transformation Research Center at McMaster University. He is also a founding executive of the Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Canada Chapter and a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). Tan has been recognized with the Desmond Parker Outstanding Young Alumni Award and the prestigious Arbor Award from the University of Toronto. He has also been inducted into the McMaster University Alumni Gallery.
Tan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in forensic science and biology from the University of Toronto, an MBA with a specialization in information systems and technology from McMaster University, and a Master of Laws with a concentration in innovation and technology from the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto. He is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School and the University of Oxford with a Post-Graduate Diploma (Masters-EQF Level 7) in finance.
Jill Doucette | Synergy|Founder & CEO
Jill founded Synergy in 2008 after completing her studies in biology. Passionate about how business, industry and communities can mobilize towards a low-carbon future, Jill works on the frontier of a number of sectors including community development, tourism, and clean technology.
An active writer and speaker, with three published books, Jill is also the Executive Director of the Synergy Foundation. In her spare time, she can be found exploring the west coast, fishing, camping and hiking.
Deborah Bourden | Hospitality Newfoundland & Labrador | Chair
Owner/Operator of Alphabet Fleet Inn B&B and Anchor Inn Hotel & Suites in Twillingate
Deborah is a passionate promoter of Newfoundland and Labrador as a unique tourism destination and especially her hometown of “Twillingate”. The first summer after High School she worked at the Twillingate Museum under the careful direction of Twillingate Tourism pioneer Lorna Stuckless and was forever bitten by the tourism bug. It just took her a while to find her way back to the industry that she first loved.
She is the co-owner/operator of the award-winning Anchor Inn Hotel and Suites, Vacation Homes; Amber Retreat and Above the Tickle and the Bed and Breakfast, Alphabet Fleet Inn, all located in Twillingate.
Craig Foley | Hospitality Newfoundland & Labrador | Chief Executive Officer
Craig Foley, Chief Executive Officer of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, has been working within Newfoundland and Labrador’s tourism industry for more than 21 years. Having held numerous positions on industry boards and committees, Craig believes collaborative partnerships are the best approach to advance the tourism industry and the operations of those working within it. Recognizing the potential of tourism to positively impact the economy and way of life for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, and with extensive experience in strategic planning, development and implementation, Craig works tirelessly to ensure sustainable industry development and growth.
Tara Saunders | Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada| Director of Business Development
Tara Saunders, a member of The Qalipu First Nation, works with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada as Director of Business Development. In her role, Tara is responsible for implementing programs, tools and resources to help develop the Indigenous tourism industry across Canada, as well as helping to develop and stabilize regional Indigenous tourism associations.
Prior to her work with ITAC, Tara worked as the Director of Culture, Tourism and Community Development for Qalipu First Nation, which, with close to 24,000 members, is one of the biggest First Nations in the country.
During her work with community, Tara oversaw the implementation of the Nation’s tourism development strategy; Experience Qalipu.
Tara also led the development of the provincial Indigenous Tourism strategy from Newfoundland and Labrador, took part in the incorporation of the Newfoundland and Labrador Indigenous Tourism Association and became the inaugural chair of the association in early 2020.
Isabelle de Bruyn | Tourism HR Canada|Vice President, Labour Market Intelligence
Isabelle de Bruyn has over 30 years of experience in Economic Development and the Visitor Economy across France and Canada. She has held several key leadership positions, including Executive Director and Project in several para-governmental entities, demonstrating her ability to drive strategic initiatives and lead diverse teams.
As the Vice-President of Labour Market Intelligence at Tourism HR Canada, Isabelle collaborates with an expert team and powerful stakeholders to tackle the acute workforce crisis in the tourism industry. Her leadership has been instrumental in promoting Francophone and bilingual tourism in Ontario, significantly enhancing the sector’s growth and visibility.
Isabelle is a staunch advocate for tourism as a sustainable economic engine for Francophone and Canadian communities. She actively participates on various committees, including the TIAO and the Ontario Culture Days Boards of Directors, where her leadership continues to make a substantial impact.
She holds a Master of Engineering in Tourism Management from the University of Savoie and a Bachelor of Arts from North London University. Since emigrating to Canada in 2000, Isabelle has been deeply involved in economic and local development, particularly in rural areas, for over 20 years.
Amy Butcher | Tourism Industry Association of Canada|Vice-President, Stakeholder Relations and Engagement
Amy Butcher is a seasoned communications professional with over 20 years of experience in public affairs, communications, and strategic leadership roles. With a proven track record in crisis management, Amy has successfully navigated media crises and emergencies with strategic insight and calm efficiency. Her expertise in branding and marketing strategies has enabled her to influence decision-making processes in high-pressure environments.
Amy has held pivotal positions throughout her career, including Press Secretary to the Prime Minister of Canada and Director of Communications and Parliamentary Affairs to the Minister of Transport. Throughout her career, Amy has provided strategic advice and managed complex challenges in both public and private sectors.
Amy’s comprehensive understanding of government machinery, corporate relations, and stakeholder engagement processes allows her to approach complex issues with diplomacy and tact. Amy also has extensive experience managing health issues, having served in senior roles at the Public Health Agency of Canada. During her tenure, she led key initiatives in health policy, crisis communication, and public health promotion.
Known for her strong organizational skills and collaborative leadership approach, Amy excels in guiding teams toward success. Fluently bilingual in English and French further enhances her ability to navigate diverse environments.
David Rheault | Air Canada|Vice President, Government and Community Relations
David Rheault is Vice President of Government and Community Relations at Air Canada. A lawyer by training, he joined Air Canada in 2007 as Counsel, litigation.
Mr. Rheault represented Air Canada before courts and administrative tribunals and advised the company on various litigation files in Canada and foreign countries. Today, in his current role, Mr. Rheault is responsible for the company’s relationships with all levels of governments and has been involved in many complex regulatory and policy matters.
He is also responsible for Air Canada’s community partnership program, which has supported over 350 events and developed partnerships with 250 organizations from the aviation, tourism, and business sectors.
Prior to joining Air Canada, he served as policy advisor at the Office of the Premier of Québec and for the Minister of Economic and Regional Development and Research. After earning a degree from Université Laval Faculty of Law, he was called to the Barreau du Québec in 2000. He practiced commercial litigation and transport law at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg and at Fasken Martineau.
Mr. Rheault currently sits on the Board of the National Airlines Council of Canada, the Canada China Business Council and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. He has previously been on the Boards of the Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Tourisme Montréal (where he was also a member of the Governance Committee).
Brendon Hickey | The Newfoundland Embassy Pub and Eatery|Co-owner and Operator
Brendon Hickey is Co-owner and Operator of The Newfoundland Embassy Pub and Eatery, located in the heart of downtown St. John’s. Brendon has over 10 years of experience in the bar and restaurant industry. The Embassy is run by the Hickey siblings who have worked diligently to develop community ties with businesses and non-profits across the city, recently being awarded the Community Champion award by the St. John’s Board of Trade.
In 2023, The Embassy partnered with Eastern Health to begin a Naloxone campaign aimed at making this life-saving drug readily available in bars and restaurants, as well as hosting training sessions for businesses and the public.