Chair
Executive Director, Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement Area
Tracy has spent most of her career in leadership positions within the charitable and non profit sector - with a visit to the corporate world. She is currently the Executive Director of the Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement Area. Tracy is an avid volunteer within the community and sits on many boards and committees.
Past Chair
General Manager, Homewood Suites by Hilton Cambridge-Waterloo
Vanessa Stevenson is the General Manager of the award winning Homewood Suites by Hilton Cambridge Waterloo. Since moving to Cambridge in 2009 Vanessa has involved herself with organizations that make a positive impact on this community. Vanessa joined the Board of Directors in 2011 and has been Chair twice during her time with the organization.
Vice Chair
CAO, Township of Woolwich
David is the CAO for the Township of Woolwich and a graduate of the University of Waterloo. He joined the Township of Woolwich in 2007 – in time to be a founding Board member for Explore Waterloo Region. David is actively involved in the KW Community Foundation.
Treasurer
CAO, City of Waterloo
Tim is the CAO for the City of Waterloo and a graduate of the University of Guelph. Tim joined the City of Waterloo in 1990 and became CAO in 2010 and the Board of Explore Waterloo Region in the same year.
Secretary
General Manager, African Lion Safari
Trish Gerth is General Manager at African Lion Safari, with 15+ years’ management experience in the leisure, travel & tourism industry. Trish brings her skills of Operations Management, Customer Service, Marketing Strategy, Hospitality Industry, and Tourism Management to the Board. Trish graduated with an Honours Business Administration degree specializing in Human Resources from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Trish is an active board member for various organizations including Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums, Explore Waterloo Region, Hamilton Halton Brant Regional Tourism Association, as well as an active parent on Holy Spirit Catholic School Advisory Council.
Board Member
Director of Athletics and Recreation, Wilfrid Laurier University
Peter is Wilfrid Laurier’s Director of Athletics and Recreation on both the Waterloo and Brantford Campus. He is currently serving as President of Ontario University Athletics (OUA). During his time as Director, 40 OUA championships and 10 national championships have been won by Golden Hawk teams. Peter is a certified "Solution-focused Coach" for clients in Business, Life, and Performance coaching. His coaching consulting company is named "BaxterCoaching.com" for business and sport leaders, sport coaches and athletes.
Board Member
President, Bingemans
Mark is the President of Bingemans, a hospitality and entertainment company providing more than 80 years of service in the Waterloo Region. Mark's passion and vast experience with hospitality complexes, marquee events and continued involvement with economic development within the Region provide a great asset to WRTMC.
Board Member
CAO, City of Kitchener
Dan was appointed CAO of the City of Kitchener in September 2017. He joined the city in 2005 as director of financial planning, and was most recently deputy chief administrative officer responsible for finance and corporate services.
Board Member
General Manager, Radisson Kitchener Waterloo
Nancy is the General Manager of the Radisson Hotel Kitchener. Originally from New Brunswick, she began her career in the hotel business in St. Andrews. NB. Nancy has a CHA (Certified Hotel Administrator) and Hotel Management Diploma. She worked in Alberta, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland before coming to Ontario in 1999 as General Manager of the Holiday Inn Guelph. She joined the Radisson as General Manager in 2007. Nancy is an active member of the Waterloo Region Hotel Association.
Board Member
Owner, Heidelberg Restaurant & Motel
Bob and his wife Gayle are the proprietors of the Heidelberg Restaurant, Tavern & Motel in Heidelberg in the heart of Mennonite country. Bob is an avid curler and volunteer for curling events in Waterloo Region and beyond.
Board Member
Commissioner of Planning, Development and Legislative Services, Region of Waterloo
Rod joined the Region of Waterloo in 2016 after spending 11 years at the helm of Economic Development for the City of Kitchener. Rod is a University of Waterloo graduate, with a Master of Arts degree in Regional Planning and Resource Development. He's previously held positions with the City of Hamilton and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Board Member
City Manager, City of Cambridge
David Calder is currently the City Manager with the City of Cambridge. Most recently, he served as the Chief Administrative Officer with the Town of Tillsonburg and President of Tillsonburg Hydro Inc.. He was previously General Manager of Corporate Services with the City of Waterloo and Director of Public Access and Council Services/City Clerk with the City of Cambridge. David is a graduate of the Leadership Waterloo Region Program and has also served on the Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation Board of Directors. He joined the Explore Waterloo Region Board of Directors in March 2020.
Board Member
General Manager, St. Jacobs Market District
Joanna is currently the General Manager of the St. Jacobs Market District – that largest tourist attraction in the region. She has over 15 years of experience in operations management working for a large global consumer goods manufacturer and at the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics at Laurier University running an accelerator program for small businesses.
Board Member
Director of Development Services, Township of Wilmot
Harold joined the Township of Wilmot as Planner and Economic Development Officer in 1995. He was subsequently appointed as Director of Development Services in 1998 – a position he has held since then. He is a graduate of the University of Waterloo School of Planning.
