Culinary Tourism Alliance
Board of Directors

The CTA seeks to maintain a Board with a diversity of experience and perspectives, including race,  gender, geography, and areas of expertise to support organization in achieving its mission and vision.  

The CTA Board strives to meet the 50/30 challenge and will be holding space for candidates that enable us to advance gender parity and increased diversity on the Board. 

Annually in May, a call for nominations to fill any open positions on the Board of Directors goes out to the CTA member network. As per our governing By-Laws the CTA requires a minimum of eight (8) and maximum of eleven (11) Board members from the membership to govern the organization.

The terms of service on the Board are for two (2) or three (3) years, for a maximum of 6 years. The Board of Directors meets a minimum of four (4) times a year, usually virtually.

Meet the Board

  • Richard Willett

    (he/him)

    Chair

    Operating Partner, Basin Ventures South

    Connect with Richard on LinkedIn

  • Emily Haynes

    (she/her)

    Vice Chair + Interim Treasurer

    Executive Director, Taste of Nova Scotia

    Connect with Emily on LinkedIn

  • Sarah Jarvis

    (she/her)

    Secretary

    Director of Community Engagement, Destination Toronto

    Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn

  • Carl-Éric Guertin

    (he/him)

    Executive director, The ÉCONOMUSÉE® Network Society

    Connect with Carl-Éric on LinkedIn

  • Ellen Walker-Matthews

    (she/her)

    CEO, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

    Connect with Ellen on LinkedIn

  • Jackie Tenuta

    (she/her)

    Vice President, Tourism Growth and Research at Travel Manitoba

    Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn

  • James Leppan

    (he/him)

    Director, Destination Strategy

    Connect with James on LinkedIn

  • Lisa John-Mackenzie

    (she/her)

    Industry Relations Manager, Durham at Central Counties

    Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn

  • Lorie Watson

    (she/her)

    Economic Development Specialist, Town of Okotoks

    Connect with Lorie on LinkedIn

  • Nancy Small

    (she/her)

    CEO, Tourism Richmond

    Connect with Nancy on LinkedIn

Board Perspectives

  • “Serving on the Board of the Culinary Tourism Alliance has given me the opportunity to see firsthand the impact of its work across Canada. By bringing together destinations, communities and tourism operators through the power of culinary tourism and agritourism, CTA is strengthening connections, creating opportunities and contributing meaningfully to the future of Canada’s visitor economy.”

    — Richard Willet, Basin Adventures South

  • “Serving on the Culinary Tourism Alliance Board has reinforced for me that culinary tourism isn't simply an enhancement to the visitor experience, it's a powerful driver of economic development, community identity, and destination growth. What stands out most is the Alliance's ability to bring together leaders from across Canada to share ideas, challenge conventional thinking, and advance culinary tourism as a strategic industry. It's an honour to contribute to an organization that is helping communities recognize the economic and cultural value of food and beverage experiences.”

    —Lorie Watson, Town of Okatoks