Year: 2025

Annie Dahan

Annie’s background in architecture and sustainability led her to found Seacork Studio – a startup developing biodegradable acoustic panels from seaweed. Through her work designing with low impact circular materials, she strives to inspire a cultural shift that rethinks our relationship with the natural world. She has a bachelor in… Read more

Wanda Bogdane

As a panelist, Wanda will be exploring the theme of ‘Developing the Climate Resiliency of a Destination & Supporting Recovery’. As a senior marketing and communications professional, I’m compelled to connect. My work supports a variety of sectors including corporate, outdoor/adventure, tourism and hospitality, non-profit and all levels of government…. Read more

Sophia Hyder Hock

Sophia will be presenting on ‘Crafting Emotional and Value-Based Messaging for Advocacy and Impact’, as well as partaking as a panelist on ‘Reinventing the Workforce with Dr. Altaf Sovani’.   Sophia Hyder Hock is the Chief Inclusion Officer for Destinations International. In this role, Sophia provides thought leadership and strategic direction… Read more

Susanna Shankar

Susanna will be a part of our Dose of Innovation session, speaking on the topic of ‘Fostering Resilient Tourism Communities with Nature-based Solutions’. Susanna grew up in Alaska on Dena’ina Athabascan land, where the changing climate was always on her mind. Over ten years of experience in the travel industry… Read more

Megan Chan

Megan will speak on IMPACT’s Conscious Eating session on the topic of food and carbon accounting. Megan is a project analyst at Synergy Enterprises with multiple years of experience working with businesses to measure, analyze and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. With a specialization in food emissions, her passion for… Read more

Marcelino Alvarez

Marcelino will be part of our 7 Minute Solutions session, sharing innovative updates on Electric Vessel Motors.   Marcelino Alvarez, an accomplished CEO, has seamlessly blended his lifelong love for boating with a remarkable career in technology and innovation. Growing up in South Florida, he cultivated his passion for the… Read more

Brad Parsell

Brad will be a panelist speaking on the session “From Passive Visitors to Active Participants: Regenerative Practices from Destination Management Organizations”.  Brad Parsell was born in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and grew up in Brisbane, Australia. After graduating university with a double major in Management and Marketing, Brad moved to Canada… Read more

Julie Dubord

Julie will be a panelist speaking on the session “From Passive Visitors to Active Participants: Regenerative Practices from Destination Management Organizations”.    Passionate about culture and languages from around the world, Julie Dubord has been working in tourism for over 20 years, most of which has been at Tourisme Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean…. Read more

Amzy Vallenas

Amzy will be part of our 7 Minute Solutions session, sharing the innovative ways Biochar can be used for carbon sequestration. Amzy is a Senior Project Manager at Synergy Enterprises, where she develops customized sustainability strategies for organizations. With a dual background in Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Amzy blends her… Read more

Hege V. Barnes

Hege will be a keynote speaker, presenting a session on “Collaborative Pathways: Learning, Leading, and Acting Together for Sustainability: Innovation Norway”.   With an extensive global network from more than 27 years working in North America, Hege is an experienced leader, business developer, strategist, and marketer. Hege is responsible for… Read more