2025 Northern BC Tourism Summit

Yann Martel is a writer, the author notaby of Life of Pi, for which he won the 2002 Booker Prize, besides other awards, and which was adapted to the silver screen by Ang Lee, garnering four Oscars, and to the stage in London and New York. He is also the author of a collection of short stories, The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios, and three other novels, Self, Beatrice and Virgil, and The High Mountains of Portugal, in addition to a collection of letters, 101 Letters to a Prime Minister, in which he encouraged former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to read. His next novel, Son of Nobody, inspired by Homer’s Iliad and the Trojan War, will appear in March, 2026. He lives in Saskatoon.

Grace Dove is a First Nations actress from Canim Lake, BC, who has embraced the responsibility to uplift both her audience and her community. She first gained international attention in 2015 when she co-starred with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy in the Oscar-winning film The Revenant (filmed in Northern BC). Since then, she has built a remarkable career, starring in the Netflix thriller How It Ends alongside Forest Whitaker and Theo James, and appearing in the ABC series Alaska Daily with Hilary Swank, portraying a young Indigenous journalist navigating truth and identity.

In 2025, Grace reached a new audience through The Amazing Race Canada, where she showcased grit, determination, and cultural pride. Off-screen, she founded Thunderbird Dreams, a youth-empowerment program delivering mentorship and workshops to Indigenous youth in remote communities. Today, she is also a sought-after keynote speaker, inspiring audiences across North America with stories of resilience, representation, and the power of Indigenous voices.

Louise Pedersen has led the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC since 2019, bringing a strong focus on impact, inclusivity, and long-term sustainability in the outdoor recreation sector. She holds a Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management and a postgraduate diploma in Public Relations, and has spent over two decades working in communications and philanthropy for conservation organizations in Canada and the UK. Based in Revelstoke, Louise is an avid outdoor enthusiast with a love for kayaking, Nordic skiing, gravel biking, fishing, and camping.

With 20 years of experience in digital marketing, communications, and government relations, Peter excels as a versatile strategist dedicated to simplifying technology while embracing innovation. His mission is to demystify the AI landscape, enabling tourism professionals and businesses to navigate it with confidence.  

Gracen Chungath is a strategic leader with over 20 years of experience advancing economic growth, investment attraction, and destination development across government, non-profits, and the private sector. As Executive Director of Destination Development at Destination Canada, she leads the national strategy and a pan-Canadian effort to attract tourism investment, strengthen supply, and foster regenerative practices.

Her achievements include launching Canada’s first Tourism Corridor Strategy Program, initiating a Tourism Investment Thought Leaders Committee, convening the country’s first International Symposium on Destination Stewardship, and creating a national forum to accelerate collaboration and innovation. A recognized international voice, Gracen has shared Canada’s leadership in sustainability and innovation at the UNWTO, OECD, and other global forums.

Previously, she directed strategic operations at the City of Vancouver, managing a multibillion-dollar real estate portfolio. Gracen holds an MSc in Public Policy from SOAS, University of London, and an MBA from Creighton University, and serves on several non-profit boards.

Walt has been involved in the tourism industry for over 35 years, having worked at BC Pavco, Port Metro Vancouver, and Tourism Vancouver prior to joining the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC) in May 2015.

As CEO, Walt leads multiple advocacy/policy files, sets the strategic course for TIABC, builds relationships with members and industry stakeholders, and communicates the value of B.C.’s visitor economy to various constituents.

Before TIABC, Walt spent 15+ years at Tourism Vancouver as Vice President of Marketing Communications, Membership and Sport.

Paul’s career in tourism and hospitality began in the UK, where he studied the field before moving to Canada in 1995 to join Banff Caribou Properties. He went on to hold senior roles with Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, Travel Alberta, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, the Canadian Tourism Commission (Destination Canada), and Destination Greater Victoria. While based back in the UK, he helped establish overseas offices in the UK, Germany, and France for Destination New South Wales, Australia.

Prior to joining the BC Hotel Association (BCHA), Paul was vice president, destination development and marketing at Explore Edmonton Corporation, leading global marketing, sales, event attraction, and destination stewardship. A committed advocate for sustainability, he has championed regenerative tourism initiatives throughout his career. Since joining BCHA as President & CEO, Paul has worked closely with members and partners to advance BC’s accommodation sector.

Jessie Olsen is the Director of Economic and Community Development for the District of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. Since 2018, she has focused on building partnerships that connect outdoor recreation with tourism and community development. Jessie works closely with the Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark,  Museum, and Outdoor Recreation Association, helping to align their efforts to attract visitors, support local businesses, and enhance the quality of life for residents. These collaborations highlight Tumbler Ridge’s extensive trail networks, mountain biking opportunities, and geo-heritage. Jessie also serves on the Board of Northern BC Tourism, contributing to regional strategies supporting resilient, year-round tourism economies.

Originally from the Lower Mainland, Carmen studied Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management at UNBC and later completed a Graduate Certificate in Tourism Management from Royal Roads University. Now based in Prince George, BC working as the Director of Business and Destination Development for Tourism Prince George, Carmen is passionate about growing her community through a sustainable lens that values environmental stewardship, supports local growth, and protects the heritage and culture of the Lheidli T’enneh, whose lands she is grateful to live and work on.

Michelle started her her journey into invasive plants in 2025 as the Executive Director for the Northwest Invasive Plant Council. She completed her degree in environmental science from UNBC and is a Professional Agrologist. In her free time she grows food in her garden and supports local agriculture through the Farmers Institute.

Clint Fraser has been the CEO of the Northern BC Tourism Association for 9 years. In the CEO role, he leads and supports the team at NBCTA in their work to further enhance the tourism industry across the north. Clint has represented NBCTA on different committees/boards and is currently the Chair of the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat and a member of Destination BC's Provincial Tourism Marketing Committee. In addition, he continues work to market the region to film producers and location managers with the intent of developing a viable film industry in northern BC. Clint served as the marketing director for 11 years before becoming the CEO