Board of Directors

David Gudgel, Chair

Chair, Transportation and Destination Management Committee
President, Kenmore Air
Transportation and Sightseeing Sector

David currently serves as the President of Kenmore Air, with responsibilities for the company’s airline and charter operations.David shares a love for the Pacific Northwest and Alaska travel industry that was sparked over 30 years ago with his first job in the industry as a tour bus driver in Juneau, Alaska for Holland America Line. His career eventually led him to become the General Manager of Holland America’s motorcoach transportation divisions in Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. and on to Clipper Navigation where he served as the company’s CEO, becoming highly involved with Victoria’s visitor industry. David has served on the Destination Greater Victoria Board of Directors since 2020 in addition to serving on both the Transportation and Destination Management Committee as well as the Sustainability Committee.

Trina White, First Vice Chair

Chair, Finance and Membership Committee
General Manager, The Parkside Hotel & Spa
Director at Large

Trina White has an extensive background in hospitality with more than 20 years of experience in management roles. Recent recipient of the 2023 Hotelier of the Year Award from the BC Hotel Association for her leadership and focus on sustainability in the workplace and in the community, Trina is known for her commitment to integrating environmental practices into everyday business. Over the past 4 years she has been volunteering through Project Zero and The Decade of Action, as a business coach, in helping business start-ups that are focused on the circular economy and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Trina was instrumental in creating a sustainability committee with fellow peers within the Hotel Association of Greater Victoria in 2018. Trina is currently Vice Chair of Destination Greater Victoria’s Sustainability Committee and Vice Chair of Destination Greater Victoria’s Transportation and Destination Management Committee. In 2014, Trina graduated with a Masters of Arts in Tourism Management from Royal Roads and was the recipient of the Royal Roads University Founders’ Award. Currently she is an Associate Professor.

Brett Soberg, Vice Chair

Chair, Sustainability Committee
Co-Owner/Operator, Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Tours
Recreation and Outdoor Adventure Sector

Brett has been involved in tourism and hospitality since 1993, beginning at the Accent Inns and then moving on to the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort for eight years. Most recently, Brett is involved in the industry as co-owner and operator of Eagle Wing Tours Ltd. Eagle Wing operates year-round in the whale watching industry and Brett has been running tours since 1997, winning numerous awards and maintaining a #1 Trip Advisor ranking since 2007.

Brett has been heavily involved in many aspects of the business including marketing, web design, social media, networking, boat maintenance, office operations, staffing, reservations, and other. With a fine arts background, Brett also brings a creative element in thinking outside the box about tourism in the region.

Dan McGowan, Vice Chair

Chair, Sales and Marketing Committee
General Manager Fairmont Empress
Retail and Restaurants Sector

Since 2021 Dan has led the overall operations, performance, and strategic direction for Fairmont Empress. He has over 30 years’ experience working with the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brand. Previous to this role, Dan was the General Manager of Fairmont San Jose, and has held progressive leadership roles throughout Fairmont properties across North America including Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Fairmont Vancouver Airport, Fairmont Dallas, and Fairmont Palliser. Dan holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Hotel & Food Administration from The University of Guelph. His volunteer leadership roles include Board of Director of Tourism Richmond, Chair of the Hotel Association in Calgary, Board of Director at Tourism Calgary, Board of Director at Visit Dallas and Board of Director at Tourism San Jose, and currently Chair of the DMF Committee.

Allison Fairhurst, Director

Chair of the Governance, Human Resources and Risk Committee
General Manager, Abigail’s Hotel
Accommodation Sector – 49 Rooms or Fewer

Allison Fairhurst has worked in tourism for over 31 years. Born and raised in Halifax, she holds a degree in Hotel Management from the Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Switzerland and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Acadia University in Nova Scotia. Before moving to Victoria in 1996, Allison worked in luxury hotels in both Switzerland and France for several years, where she received hands-on training in all areas of the hotel industry. In Victoria, Allison has worked as Sales and Revenue Manager at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa, and was the Director of Sales & Marketing at Abigail’s Hotel for 8 years before being promoted to General Manager in 2015. She also previously served as a Director and Vice Chair on the DGV Board from 2016-2022, including as Chair of various Committees. Allison’s passion for the tourism industry, dedication to first class customer service, international experience, and marketing and revenue management know-how have been key drivers in her success; most notably the year over year growth of Abigail’s Hotel and its achievement as being voted TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice #1 Best Small Hotel in Canada.

Chris Watson, Past Chair

General Manager, Best Western Plus Carlton Plaza Hotel
Director at Large

Chris Watson currently manages the Best Western Plus Carlton Plaza Hotel in downtown Victoria, a 108 room and suite hotel with six leased store fronts, restaurant and pub. Chris is a graduate of the University of Victoria, in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Mathematics and in 2008 with a Bachelor of Education Specializing in Secondary School in the fields of Mathematics and Science.

After working in School District 62 for four years as a Math and Science Teacher, while continuing to work various positions in hospitality, Chris transitioned his career path to hospitality. Chris worked as the General Manager of the Travelodge Victoria in 2012 before being appointed as General Manager at the Best Western Plus Carlton Plaza in 2013. In 2020 Chris was appointed to the Board of Directors of the British Columbia Hotel Association.

Theresa Ito, Director

Principal, Blue Mountain Solutions
Director at Large

Theresa is the Principal of Blue Mountain Solutions. With more than 35 years of experience in hospitality and tourism internationally, from England to Canada via the USA, Mexico and her homeland of Jamaica, Theresa develops leaders to reach their full potential, assisting them to make sound business decisions and grow strong and engaged teams whilst delighting their guests. She has operated the company since 2015 in Canada and 8 years before in England.

Theresa is a dynamic trainer, leadership & team trainer and public speaker, delighted to develop others within in-person groups or remote webinars, meetings or workshops. All delivered with her big smile. Theresa previously held senior leadership positions in Victoria at The Fairmont Empress Hotel, Inn at Laurel Point and Swans Hotel and Brewpub owned by the University of Victoria.

Karim Mohammad, Director

Matthew White, Director

Michelle Le Sage, Director

General Manager, Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour
Accommodation – Convention Hotel

Spencer Walker, Director

Commercial Banking Director and Team Lead, CIBC
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Appointee

Spencer has been with CIBC for over 10 years, currently as Commercial Banking Director and Team Lead in Victoria BC. Spencer received his CPA designation in 2021 and brings that knowledge along with past experiences to client relationships to understand ambitions and execute on strategic objectives. The team works to bring the full strength of CIBC to client relationships by leveraging our teams in Capital Markets, Private Wealth Management, Retail Banking, and CIBC USA.

Councillor Stephen Hammond, Director

Councillor, City of Victoria
City of Victoria Appointee

Stephen Hammond was elected to the City of Victoria’s City Council in October 2022. Stephen’s been a resident of Victoria since 2005, although he was born in Winnipeg, spending years there, as well as rural Manitoba, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Stephen is lawyer by trade and is non-practising member of the Law Society of B.C. However, for the last 30+ years, he’s made a living as a professional speaker in the field of workplace human rights and workplace behaviours. He’s the author of three books, with mostly a focus to support managers.

Stephen’s partner, Jack Boomer is actively involved with the community, including his leading the Arbutus Singers for 25 years. He and Stephen met in 2000 and married in 2007 (when it became legal). They love dogs and Baxter and Rufus know it.

Stephen and Jack are big world travellers, so have a decent lens on what tourists are looking for, even in our own city.

Stephen’s volunteer time includes Big Brothers Big Sisters (with his fourth “little”) and has been on the boards of The Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Tenants Rights Action Coalition, Gorge View [Housing] Society and Our Place Society. His pastime includes cycling, golfing and skiing.

Councillor Susan Brice, Director

Councillor, District of Saanich District of Saanich Appointee

Susan Brice was born and raised in Victoria and was an elementary school teacher. She has served in many elected positions including Chair of Greater Victoria School Board, Mayor of Oak Bay, MLA for Saanich South and Cabinet Minister. Currently she is elected to Saanich Council and CRD, is Chair of Victoria Regional Transit Commission, Board Member of BC Transit and is the CRD representative to the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.

Susan is very pleased to have been appointed by Saanich to serve on the Board of Destination Greater Victoria as she understands the critical role that tourism plays in the economic vibrancy of the region. She understands the value of maintaining a healthy environment as many guests are seeking opportunities to enjoy our natural environment and unique dining and shopping experiences. Visitors to Victoria are looking for those gems around the region such as Mt. Doug Parks, Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary and the Oak Bay Village.