Pan-Canadian Leadership to Shape and Support a Skilled, Resilient Tourism Workforce
Ottawa, Ontario – Tourism HR Canada is pleased to announce today the appointment of four tourism champions to its Board of Directors.
Joining the Tourism HR Canada Board are:
- Krista Bax, CEO, go2HR
- Juanita Ford, Chief Operating Officer, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
- Tracey Kalimeris, Vice President, Talent & Culture, Accor, North & Central America
- Beth Potter, President and CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO)
The Directors will help guide the organization in fulfilling its mandate to build a world-leading tourism workforce and offer leadership as it supports the hard-hit sector in recovering and building resiliency in the face of COVID-19. They will be welcomed to the Board at its next meeting, September 17, 2020.
“These tourism leaders bring highly valued competencies to our Board,” states Philip Mondor, President & CEO, Tourism HR Canada. “Their advocacy on behalf of the tourism sector, passion for human resources, strategic planning skills, and excellence in management complement the skills offered by fellow Directors. We welcome their diverse perspectives and fresh ideas at a time when the tourism landscape has been drastically altered.”
Krista Bax is a strategic leader who was recently appointed the CEO for go2HR, British Columbia’s tourism human resource and health and safety association. The organization plays a lead role in executing the province’s Tourism Human Resources Strategy. She has worked with various sector councils and is experienced in labour market economics, skills training, health and safety, Indigenous relations, strategic planning, and marketing.
“It is a privilege to be appointed to the Tourism HR Canada Board of Directors and join such accomplished tourism leaders,” shares Krista Bax. “I want to contribute to Tourism HR Canada’s pivotal and important role in identifying and addressing national labour market issues so in every community across Canada, tourism businesses have enough skilled workers to provide guests with exceptional, safe experiences and Canadians have good jobs. I am excited to carry forward the great work of Tourism HR Canada into all corners of BC and bring my experience from other industries in crisis to contribute to tourism’s short- and long-term workforce recovery efforts.”
Juanita Ford is a leader in the tourism industry, with a focus on human resources and industry development. At Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, Juanita leads the organization in strategic planning, marketing, revenue generation, and project management, working closely with the Hospitality NL Board of Directors and other industry stakeholders throughout the country. Hospitality NL is a non-profit membership association that leads, supports, represents, and enhances the province’s tourism industry.
“I have worked closely with the board and staff Tourism HR Canada for over 25 years to grow a professional and dynamic tourism workforce,” says Juanita Ford. “I am excited to return to the Board to address the current challenges and changes facing the industry and those who work in it.”
Tracey Kalimeris is a senior human resources leader translating business needs into human resource initiatives to improve performance and profitability. Tracey ensures the successful operation of the Talent & Culture function within hotel operations across North & Central America for Accor, a hospitality business with more than 30 brands, 80 partnerships, and over 5,000 hotels in 110 countries. She is also a member of the Policy Advisory Board at the University of Guelph.
Beth Potter is a strategic leader and planner, advocating on myriad issues affecting the tourism industry. Since 2011, she has been President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), which represents 189,000 tourism businesses and 400,000 employees across Ontario. She brings extensive experience working in the not-for-profit sector and as a member of several Boards and tourism groups.
“I’m delighted to join the board of Tourism HR Canada as I firmly believe in the work the organization undertakes,” states Beth Potter. “Our workforce is why tourism is one of the largest industries in Canada, and we need to ensure that it remains strong, professional and above global standards.”
The Tourism HR Canada Board comprises a cross-sectional representation of all stakeholders of the Canadian tourism sector, including national and provincial/territorial associations, education/research, and business.
Tourism HR Canada would like to extend its thanks and best wishes to outgoing Directors Shanna Munro, former President and CEO of Restaurants Canada, and Christine Willow, former partner/owner of Chemistry Consulting Group, for their guidance and expertise.