IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism – ONTARIO: A Regional Event 2025

DR. DANIEL SCOTT
University of Waterloo

Dr. Daniel Scott is a Distinguished University Professor and Research Chair in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Waterloo (Canada).

Daniel is recognized as one of Canada’s top scholars. He was inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2023 and inducted into the International Academy for Tourism in 2025.

He has advised and led projects for a wide range of tourism organizations around the world, including the United Nations World Tourism Organization, World Travel and Tourism Council, European Tourism Commission, and Caribbean Tourism Organization, as well as World Bank, International Olympic Committee, OECD, US Senate, and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Daniel’s research has been featured in many leading media outlets, including The Economist, New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Guardian, Aljazeera, BBC, Sports Illustrated, National Geographic and many other others.

KELLY HAUSSLER
Ottawa Tourism

Kelly Haussler is Director of Destination Development at Ottawa Tourism, where she led the creation of Ottawa’s 10-year Destination Stewardship Plan. Previously, she spent six years with a sustainable tourism consultancy in Australia, leading strategic projects, mentoring small businesses, and co-authoring national publications.

Kelly chairs the Ottawa Film Office Board, sits on the Indigenous Tourism Collaborative of the Americas, and serves on Destinations International’s Advisory Leadership Board. Named one of Ottawa's Forty Under 40 in 2021, she holds an MBA Essentials certificate from LSE and a B.Sc. (Honours) in Marine Biology and Oceanography from Dalhousie University.

ANGELA NAGY
GreenStep Solutions Inc.

Angela is a sustainability expert with more than 20 years of experience in project management, business development, marketing, and public relations. She has lived and traveled extensively throughout the US and Canada, working with all levels of business, and utilities, as well as various levels of governments, on a variety of engineering, energy efficiency, environmental and sustainability-related projects.

Angela is certified in Organizational GHG Accounting and as a Sustainability Practitioner through The Natural Step.

DR. JOHN P. SMOL
Queen's University

John Smol, is a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Biology at Queen’s University, where he also held the Canada Research Chair in Environmental Change (2001–2021). He founded and co-directs the Paleoecological Environmental Assessment and Research Lab (PEARL), focusing on global environmental change, particularly in lake ecosystems. With over 680 publications and 23 books, Smol’s research addresses climatic change, acidification, eutrophication, and other environmental stressors.

He has received numerous honors, including 6 honorary doctorates, 70+ awards, and the NSERC Herzberg Gold Medal. He was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2013 and a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2018. Smol also served as President of the Academy of Science, Royal Society of Canada (2019–2022) and is a Canadian Geographic Ambassador.

ANDREW SIEGWART
Tourism Industry Association of Ontario

Andrew Siegwart brings extensive experience to his role at TIAO. As President and CEO of the Blue Mountain Village Association (BMVA) for eight years, he drove advocacy efforts, built stakeholder coalitions, and raised the organization's public profile. Under his leadership, BMVA achieved key milestones like increased member engagement, award-winning marketing programs, and regional economic development.

Previously, as Senior Vice-President at the Retail Council of Canada, Andrew led various teams in areas such as events, education, communications, and membership, while addressing critical issues like labor supply and workforce development through strong coalitions and partnerships.

STEVEN DEBASSIGE
Indigenous Tourism Ontario

Steven, a proud Ojibway Anishinaabe from M’Chigeeng First Nation, brings over 30 years of senior hospitality, business management, and operations experience to his role as Cultural Integrity Lead at Indigenous Tourism Ontario.

He has worked with leading Canadian hospitality brands, from small independents to major national and global companies. As a business development-focused leader, Steven is passionate about customer service, attention to detail, and guest satisfaction.

A lifelong learner with a deep connection to nature, Steven continues to explore his history and culture, supporting his growth through Sundance ceremonies and Firekeeping practices aligned with the Seven Grandfather teachings.

JULIA COSENTINO
Ottawa Tourism

Julia Cosentino, Manager of Destination Development at Ottawa Tourism, strives to make a difference in her community through the positive force of tourism. Julia led the creation of Ottawa Tourism’s Shine On Program, which has trained hundreds of Ottawa’s front line tourism professionals in customer service excellence, as well as the Shine On Awards which recognizes their important contributions to the tourism industry.

Julia is a Destinations International 30 Under 30 winner and has made a home in tourism after graduating from the University of Toronto with a joint degree in Arts Management and Art History (High Distinction).

TOVA DAVIDSON
Sustainable Waterloo Region

Tova leads our organization under the Board of Directors, and is responsible for developing our strategic direction, supporting team members, and building key relationships throughout Waterloo Region. She brings her experience in public relations and communications to creatively approach sustainability opportunities. Paired with her business background, Tova is uniquely qualified to collaborate with organizations in Waterloo Region to help drive change locally and provincially.

A former recipient of the City of Guelph Mayor’s Award of Excellence and member of the Guelph Mercury’s Top 40 Under 40, Tova always leads by example while inspiring others to do the same.

JILL DOUCETTE
Synergy

Jill founded Synergy in 2008 after completing her studies in biology. Passionate about how business, industry and communities can mobilize towards a low-carbon future, Jill works on the frontier of a number of sectors including community development, tourism, and clean technology.

An active writer and speaker, with three published books, Jill is also the Executive Director of the Synergy Foundation. In her spare time, she can be found exploring the west coast, fishing, camping and hiking.

RICK LAYZELL
Boating Ontario Association

Rick’s career in the marine industry began in 1990 with a 3-year run with the Canadian National Sportsmen’s Shows. This was followed by a short stint with Grew boats, 19 years of commitment managing Yamaha Motor Canada’s marine division, a brief period with Gordon Bay Marine, several years with MD Marine Insurance and a new beginning with Boating Ontario in 2017.

Volunteering has been a constant in his career, firstly with Boating Ontario (formerly OMOA) serving on multiple Boards & Committees and the National Marine Manufacturers Association over an 11-year period including six years as Board Chair. Additionally, Rick served on the Canadian Discover Boating Board.

KEVIN NICHOL
Ontario Snow Resorts Association

With over 45 years in the Hospitality and Tourism industry, Kevin has followed his love of the outdoors with a focus on the snow resort sector. His career has focused on resort operations management, equipment manufacturing and supply, insurance and loss control and his current role leading the Ontario Snow Resorts Association supporting Ontario’s 60 Alpine and Nordic venues and over 100 industry partner organizations and businesses.