Year: 2025

Wade Davis

Wade Davis served as Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society (2000-2013) and Professor of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia (2014-2024). His 24 books, published in 23 languages, include the international bestsellers The Serpent and the Rainbow (1985), One River (1996), The Wayfinders (2007), and Into the Silence (2011),… Read more

Vanessa Bechtol

As Vice President of Destination Stewardship, Vanessa leads Visit Tucson’s destination development, sustainability, and community engagement, along with leading the membership and visitor services departments. In 2023, she launched Visit Tucson’s sustainability initiative by participating in the GDS-Index sustainability benchmarking and earning a Green Business Certification through Local First Arizona…. Read more

Dr. Jennie Knopp

Dr. Jennie Knopp is the Community and Science Director for Oceans North and was recently an Expedition Leader and Documentary Film Producer for National Geographic Pristine Seas during their expedition to northern Canada. Jennie has over 15 years experience working alongside Indigenous leaders and community members on marine and freshwater… Read more

Rochelle Turner

Rochelle works for Intrepid Travel, a tour operator offering small group adventure holidays in over 100 countries. Her role as Intrepid Travel’s Global B Corp Impact Manager is to help the company genuinely and actively embed and integrate sustainability reporting and positive impact into all aspects of the business.   Rochelle… Read more

Dilan Ilhan

Dilan Ilhan is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business, University of Victoria. A former Valedictorian of Victoria High School in Victoria, BC, Dilan was recognized with the Mayor’s Entrepreneurship Award in 2020 for her contributions to sustainability and student initiatives. Drawn to business during… Read more

Ching Hei Cheung (Chris)

Ching Hei Cheung (Chris) is a graduate student in the Master of Arts in Tourism Management program at Royal Roads University, where he is conducting thesis research focused on exploring place attachment and the impacts of landscape changes in Victoria’s Chinatown, with the goal of balancing cultural preservation and urban… Read more

Treska Watson

Treska was born and raised in Victoria. After school she pursued a career in hospitality on the West Coast in Tofino and then with Canada Post in leadership on the North Island and Sunshine Coast. It was always her goal to return to Victoria and give back to the city… Read more

Sarah Fallavollita

Sarah Fallavollita is the Destination Stewardship & Sustainability Specialist at Destination Greater Victoria, with a wealth of knowledge in business and sustainability. With a background in clothing and textile sustainability, Sarah has a passion for the circular economy, holding a particular interest in waste reduction, reuse, and repair practices. Sarah… Read more

Guilherme (Gui) Alves Ferreira

Guilherme (Gui) Alves Ferreira is currently taking the Applied Tourism and Hospitality Management Post-Degree Program at Camosun College, while also working at Chateau Victoria Hotel as a Front Desk Agent. Originally from Brazil, they have had the opportunity to work in the tourism industry in ski resorts in the United… Read more

Minister Spencer Chandra Herbert

First elected in a by-election in 2008, and re-elected five times since, Spencer Chandra Herbert has deep roots in Vancouver’s vibrant West End community. As an MLA, Spencer has stood up for renters facing illegal evictions, worked to reduce homelessness by founding Vancouver’s Rent Bank and led the successful fight… Read more