DESTINATION GREATER VICTORIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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.

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.

A career hotelier and GM for more than 15 years, Eda is thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of the hospitality industry in Victoria. Eda’s career has spanned Alberta and BC, city-centre and airport properties as well as resorts in both Whistler and Sun Peaks. In addition to supporting her teams with a hands on approach, Eda believes strongly in being part of the communities we work in. Over the years she has supported various organizations and was recently Board Chair at Tourism Richmond. Eda continues to represent the BCHA on the go2HR Board, where the focus on labour has never been more relevant. Eda’s experience includes sales missions and supporting various community and sector events from the Chamber of Commerce to Canada's West Marketplace. Eda continues to love the industry and if possible, feel even more strongly about what the industry contributes to the economy and culture of our community. As we look to restoring our industry from the pandemic we have a responsibility to be at the table and wherever needed to ensure our recovery.

Darlene is the General Manager of The Bay Centre in downtown Victoria and has been employed in commercial property management for the past 25 years with Cadillac Fairview, Westcliff Property Management, 20Vic Management Inc. and most recently Cushwake Asset Services ULC. Darlene is passionate about Greater Victoria, which she has proven by volunteering to create change. Since joining Destination Greater Victoria in 2011, she has sat on numerous boards and committees, including those of Destination Greater Victoria, where she is currently Chair of the Board of Directors and also a past Chair of both the Governance, Human Resources and Risk Committee and also the Finance and Membership Committee.

Darlene is a member of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Governors. She is the past Chair of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce (2013), Greater Victoria Economic Development Agency (2009-2014), and Downtown Victoria Business Association (2007-2009) where she served as a Board Member from 2005-2013. Darlene is Past President of BOMA Victoria (2009/10) and Board Member since 2006. Currently, she is a member of the International Shopping Centre Association, British Columbia Shopping Centre Association and International Downtown Association.

On the philanthropic side, Darlene is Chair of the Steering Committee for the Victoria Hospitals Foundation – Visions Gala since 2016. She has sat on numerous committees including the Mayor’s Task Force on Breaking the Cycle of Mental Illness, Addictions and Homelessness, is a past Board Member of the Leadership Council for the Greater Victoria Commission to End Homelessness and has been the United Way’s Workplace Community Advisory Chair for 2020.

Theresa is the Principal of Blue Mountain Solutions, with more than 30 years of experience in hospitality and tourism internationally, including England, Canada, the USA, Mexico and her homeland of Jamaica, she is passionate about people and their growth.  Theresa, her husband Chef Takashi Ito and the team develop leaders to reach their full potential, assisting them to make sound business decisions and grow strong and engaged teams whilst delighting their guests. Blue Mountain Solutions operated in the UK for many years before Theresa and her family moved to Canada in 2008.

Theresa is a dynamic trainer, leadership & team trainer and public speaker, delighted to develop others within in-person groups or webinars, meetings or workshops. All delivered with her big smile. 

Theresa has held senior leadership positions including General Manager in hotels in Canada and the Caribbean. 

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.

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.

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.