Guest Speaker
Honourable Tony Wakeham | Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
Tony Wakeham was born in Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and has dedicated his career to public service and community leadership.
Before entering politics, his career spanned government, health care administration, and business, reflecting a lifelong commitment to improving the lives of people across the province. As a member of the public service, he served as a senior executive in the provincial Department of Health and was President and Chief Executive Officer of Labrador-Grenfell Health.
An accomplished leader in sport, Premier Wakeham’s passion for basketball began at Laval High School and Memorial University. He later coached Newfoundland and Labrador’s Canada Games team and served as president of both provincial and national basketball associations. His contributions to the sport earned him induction into the Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball Hall of Fame, underscoring his dedication to teamwork and community engagement.
Premier Wakeham’s vision is clear: put people first to build a stronger future for ALL of us. That means lowering taxes, improving health care, and creating safer communities so everyone feels secure.
Premier Wakeham and his wife, Patricia, are proud to call Kippens home, and their greatest joy is spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Elected as the Member of the House of Assembly for Stephenville–Port au Port in 2019, Premier Wakeham became Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party in 2023 and was sworn in as Newfoundland and Labrador’s 16th Premier in October 2025.
Keynote Speaker
Sarah McVanel | International Recognition, Culture, and Retention Expert
Sarah McVanel is passionate about guiding people to discover their own greatness and recognize the greatness in others. A recognition expert, she created F.R.O.G. — Forever Recognize Others’ Greatness. Her curated, customized talks explore why recognizing greatness is a fundamental key to improving morale, increasing top talent retention, and generating a positive corporate culture — all of which lead to sustained business success and a stronger bottom line.
McVanel is the founder of Greatness Magnified; bestselling author of several books, including Forever Recognize Others’ Greatness and Flip Side of Failing; and host of the podcast, Greatness Together. She has more than 25 years of experience training, coaching, and leading teams, and is a Certified Senior Organizational Development Professional (CSODP), Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL).
With clients including Resorts of Ontario, Horizon Utilities, Compass Group, and the Spark Women’s Leadership Conference, McVanel is one of 700 Certified Speaking Professionals (CSP) worldwide. She has a BA in Psychology, MSc in Family Relations, and Diplomas in Human Resources and Healthcare Administration.
Speakers
John Devereaux | Hospitality Newfoundland & Labrador | Chair
John Devereaux is an entrepreneur with a deep passion for tourism, community development, and the sustainable growth of Newfoundland and Labrador’s visitor economy. Born and raised in Trepassey, he left home to pursue athletics, playing basketball at Memorial University before a brief professional stint in Germany. However, his heart never truly left Newfoundland and Labrador, and in 2015, he made a bold decision to return to his roots—taking over and revitalizing the family inn his grandmother had established nearly 50 years earlier.
As chair of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, John brings a wealth of hands-on industry experience, a keen understanding of rural tourism development, and a commitment to fostering sustainable growth. His leadership supports advocacy efforts, industry partnerships, and initiatives aimed at strengthening the province’s tourism sector.
Todd Perrin | Hospitality Newfoundland & Labrador | Vice-Chair
Todd Perrin is a Newfoundland and Labrador–based culinary professional with deep roots in the province’s hospitality sector. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of Canada, Todd brings a practical, operator-focused perspective shaped by years of hands-on experience in food service, leadership, and business operations.
He is currently Executive Chef and Co-Operator at Rabble in St. John’s, where his work reflects a strong commitment to local sourcing, thoughtful menu development, and sustainable hospitality practices.
Todd also contributes to the broader tourism and hospitality ecosystem through governance and volunteer leadership. He serves as Vice-Chair of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador and as a Board Member with Destination St. John’s, supporting collaborative efforts to strengthen the visitor economy and ensure the sector remains resilient, community-driven, and future-focused.
Autumn Gale | Hospitality Newfoundland & Labrador | Secretary-Treasurer
Autumn Gale was born and raised in Western Newfoundland and Labrador. She holds a degree in Tourism and Business Administration from Memorial University and has worked in the tourism sector across Canada since 2009, with experience spanning accommodations, ground transportation, and agritourism.
In early 2019, Autumn returned home to Newfoundland and Labrador and joined Majors Contracting Ltd., where she played a key role in the development and launch of the Hew & Draw Hotel and Boomstick Brewing Company in Corner Brook. Most recently, she led the opening of Neddies Nook, a collection of cottages located in Gros Morne National Park. Autumn currently serves as Secretary-Treasurer on the Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador Board of Directors.
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.
Cathy Lomond | Hotel Port aux Basques | Owner
Cathy was recently recognized with a Leadership Award for her resilience, vision, and integrity. With over four decades in the hospitality industry, she has transformed her hotel into a trusted community hub that reflects pride, perseverance, and warmth.
Her leadership was especially evident during Hurricane Fiona in 2022, when she opened her hotel to displaced families, first responders, and volunteers, providing stability and compassion during a crisis. Beyond her business, Cathy is a strong advocate for rural tourism and community development, and often mentors others that want to take the leap into the hospitality industry. Cathy leads with empathy and purpose, demonstrating that true leadership strengthens both businesses and communities.
Robbie Hickey | Gros Morne Adventures | Owner
Robbie Hickey is the co-owner of Gros Morne Adventures and works to oversee and deliver marine adventures and backcountry experiences.
He is inspired by the beauty of our province and the authenticity of its people and believes that through a strategic approach we can emerge as a global leader in tourism.
He is a certified commercial vessel operator, trained sea kayaker, experienced backcountry guide and established marketer. Gros Morne Adventures was the winner of the Sustainable Tourism Award at the 2023 HNL Awards Gala.
Robbie, his wife Kristen, and their two young children live on the west coast, sharing their love of this special place with visitors and residents alike.
Robbie holds a B.B.A. from Memorial University.
Ian Stone | Tour Gros Morne | Owner
Ian Stone was born and raised in Newfoundland and Labrador. After graduating from Memorial University of Newfoundland, he spent more than a decade working in Western Canada before returning home. A passionate advocate for place-based tourism, Ian has promoted Newfoundland and Labrador through his roles with Parks Canada and as part of the multi-award-winning team at the Gros Morne Cooperating Association.
Living in Gros Morne National Park inspired Ian to launch Tour Gros Morne and Gros Morne Inn, delivering sustainable, customized tourism experiences. His work includes Taste of Gros Morne culinary tours, single- and multi-day park explorations, and hospitality offerings rooted in strong local partnerships. Ian is actively involved as a volunteer and advocate in his community and is committed to creating authentic visitor experiences across Western Newfoundland and Labrador.
Gloria Loree | Destination Canada | SVP, Marketing Strategy & Chief Marketing Officer
Gloria’s leadership purpose is to enable and inspire teams to be effective. She is proud to lead a team of passionate marketers who share a common vision of inspiring those with open hearts and minds to fall in love with Canada. Following a 20+ year career in the arts, journalism and tourism, Gloria joined Destination Canada in 2006 where she has gained a reputation as a skilled strategist and passionate champion of the tourism industry.
Lynn Taylor | Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts & Recreation | Assistant Deputy Minister
Lynn Taylor is the Assistant Deputy Minister for Tourism and Parks within the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. In this role, she provides strategic leadership to advance the province’s tourism sector, working collaboratively across government and with industry stakeholders to support sustainable growth and innovation. Lynn brings a multidisciplinary background to her work, with experience spanning communications, policy development, and program implementation across both public and not-for-profit sectors.
She holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology (Co-operative) and a Master of Business Administration from Memorial University of Newfoundland. She lives in Mount Pearl with her two children, and is deeply committed to enhancing the province’s economic, social, and cultural vitality through tourism.
Philip Mondor | Tourism HR Canada | Chief Executive Officer/President
Philip is an accomplished leader with nearly 40 years of experience working with labour market stakeholders across Canada and abroad. His work spans over 15 industrial sectors and in 11 countries, with most of his career focused on the tourism industry.
Currently, he is an advisory member of the Labour Market Information Council and a Board member of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. Throughout his career, he has been called upon to offer input to various workforce policy directives with governments and associations. Philip has worked with a variety of boards and committees, and volunteers for causes that help advance workforce issues and improve opportunities for people to engage in community and meaningful employment.
Janick Cormier | Restaurants Canada | Vice-President, Atlantic
Restaurants Canada is a non-profit organization and has been the voice of the foodservice industry in Canada since 1944, now representing over 100,000 food services businesses throughout the country. Restaurants Canada works with all levels of government to ensure the voice of food service is heard.
With over a decade of experience in federal politics, she’s now back home in New Brunswick, where she was born and raised. Cormier’s career journey began in the kitchen of an East Side Mario’s at 14 years old and she continues to work in the restaurant industry as a server in her spare time for the love of it.
Her combination of real restaurant experience and government experience gives her a unique skillset to advocate for the restaurant industry in Atlantic Canada.
Nik Mills | Tourism Industry Association of Canada | Senior Director, Strategic Growth & National Partnerships
As Senior Director, Strategic Growth & National Partnerships with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), Nik spearheads collaborative initiatives that support local economic development, business growth, and capacity building while enhancing TIAC’s vision for Canada’s tourism sector to be the most competitive in the world.
With extensive experience in public affairs, research and business consulting, Nik has helped industry associations, government departments, and NGOs to solve problems, think strategically, and develop impactful strategies, studies and government relations initiatives that grow visitor- and culture-based economies across the country.
Nik studied political economy, communications, and innovation policy at Toronto Metropolitan University, York University, and the University of New Brunswick.
Nancy Healey |Commissioner for Employers
Nancy Healey has been appointed as the Commissioner for Employers at the Canada Employment Insurance Commission for a three-year term, effective July 26, 2023. Ms. Healey was first appointed to the CEIC as Commissioner for Employers in July 2021.
Ms. Healey is an award-winning chamber executive with 20 years of strategic and innovative leadership as a champion for business. From 2008 to 2020, she was the chief executive officer of the St. John’s Board of Trade, where she helped businesses succeed through advocacy work at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. Prior to that, Ms. Healey served as the executive director of of Hospitaltiy NL.
Dr. Khalid Al Hariri |Association of New Canadians |Director of Employment Services
Khalid Al Hariri is the Director of Employment Services at the Association for New Canadians (ANC), where he leads workforce development initiatives by connecting local employers with qualified and skilled newcomers. His work also involves identifying and addressing professional training needs to support newcomers’ successful integration and retention. He serves on local and national advisory and working groups that promote newcomer workforce retention. Khalid holds a PhD in education from Memorial University; he examined multiculturalism and social justice in hiring language teachers. In 2026, he was recognized as one of the Most Inspiring Immigrants in Atlantic Canada.
John Steele| Steele Hotels| CEO
John R. Steele is CEO of Steele Hotels which operates 7 locations throughout Newfoundland & Labrador and one location in Fredericton, NB. He has held this position since 1991. He is also CEO of Long Play Capital Corporation and is President of Brigus Production Company Inc. which produces the Iceberg Alley Performance Tent in St. John’s, NL.
Katelyn Budgell |Cruise Newfoundland & Labrador |Managing Director
In her role, Katelyn works closely with ports, cruise lines, tourism operators, industry partners, Indigenous partners, and government stakeholders to support sustainable cruise growth across Newfoundland and Labrador. Her work focuses on strengthening access to both marquee and rural destinations, improving port readiness, and ensuring cruise tourism delivers long-term value to communities across the province.
Katelyn leads initiatives related to cruise route development, familiarization tours, and direct engagement with cruise lines, with a strong focus on access, transportation logistics, and community readiness. She regularly represents Newfoundland and Labrador at national and international industry events and works directly with cruise partners to align itineraries with the province’s geography, culture, and infrastructure.
Through a partnership-driven approach, Katelyn is committed to positioning cruise tourism as a responsible and meaningful contributor to economic growth, regional dispersal, and authentic visitor experiences in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Ashlynn Gillis |PAL Airlines | Vice President of Commercial Operations
Ashlynn Gillis is the Vice President of Commercial Operations at PAL Airlines, where she has spent the past decade helping shape the airline’s commercial strategy and regional growth. A Chartered Accountant by training, she oversees both the daily operation and long term planning of the airline with teams in business development, customer service and ground operations, as well as the airline’s Air Canada Express program. Ashlynn is passionate about strengthening regional air access and improving connectivity for communities across Eastern Canada.
Joanne Dobson | Air Canada |Government Relations – Federal and Ontario
Joanne Dobson is Senior Director of Government Relations responsible for the Federal and Ontario governments. Joanne joined Air Canada at the beginning of 2021 during COVOD with the goal of opening borders so the company could begin to rebuild.
Prior to joining Air Canada, she was Senior Advisor at Summa Strategies, one of the leading public affairs firms in Canada. Joanne spent a few years as the Senior Strategic Government Relations Advisor at the ePort of Vancouver, and eight years at Hill & Knowlton in various roles including Vice President and Deputy Group Leader, Public Affairs.
Joanne started her career on Parliament Hill as an advisor to Senior Cabinet Ministers. Joanne sits on several boards and committees related to the transportation industry, along with several that focus on community relations and the not-for-profit sector.
Colin Tibbo |Marine Atlantic Inc. |Vice President, Service and Innovation
Colin Tibbo is responsible for ensuring that Marine Atlantic investment in technology-based solutions drive innovation and support the business goals of the organization. As Vice President he is responsible for modernizing the overall customer journey including reservations, customer service and relations, revenue generation, and marketing.
Alex Blagdon |The Cape Retreat |Culinary Director
Alex’s passion for food began in the forest and shores of Newfoundland and took her to kitchens worldwide. Trained in restaurants, villas and farms, she mastered her art and how to minimize food waste.
Now she brings out land and sea to your plate, connecting you to the wild with the wild.
Photo credit: Johnny C.Y. Lam