About the Team

As the CEO of Discover Saskatoon, my responsibilities transcend the boundaries of traditional leadership. At the core of my role is the pursuit of championing Saskatoon's unique identity on the global stage, bridging its historic legacy with contemporary aspirations.

Entrusted with the implementation of the strategic vision set forth by the Board of Directors, I pioneer destination-wide initiatives aimed at enhancing the city's wealth and wellbeing. A significant facet of my duties includes fostering invaluable partnerships, notably with Saskatoon Destination Marketing Hotels Inc., harmonizing our goals to amplify the visitor economy.

Additionally, as a corporate liaison for key provincial and national stakeholders such as the Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association, the City of Saskatoon, Tourism Saskatchewan, and others, I ensure synergistic and productive collaborations. On the advocacy front, my representation of Saskatoon at the Canadian Destination Leadership Council, especially within the Executive Team, coupled with engagements at conferences, amplifies our city’s voice on a national platform. 

One of my most cherished obligations lies in deepening our ties with the Saskatoon Tribal Council and Indigenous partners. This alliance is centred on authentic representation, truth-telling, and a dedication to economic reconciliation. Guiding our research, marketing, and product development strategies, I focus on innovative and resonant approaches, all while nurturing a dynamic team that collectively pushes Discover Saskatoon's vision to new heights.

Kaurie is an accomplished financial strategist and operations expert with over 15 years of experience in leading organizations to financial success. As the Director of Finance & Operations at Discover Saskatoon, Kaurie plays a pivotal role in shaping the financial health and operational efficiency of our organization.

Throughout his career, Kaurie has spearheaded initiatives that have significantly improved operational and financial efficiencies, while also enhancing team culture. His strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in ensuring that our organization remains agile and competitive in today's rapidly changing business landscape.

Kaurie has a passion for leadership and entrepreneurship and has dedicated significant resources into personal and professional development, on top of his Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) designation and Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan.

He was born and raised in Saskatoon and, in addition to his professional achievements, is a passionate advocate for community engagement. He has been actively involved in several charitable organizations, demonstrating his commitment to making a positive impact beyond the office.

Favourite Saskatoon Experience: When Kaurie isn't immersed in financial analysis and optimizing operations, he enjoys taking walks along the river and immersing himself in the many amazing culinary options Saskatoon has to offer! His favourite #Saskatooning experience is stand-up paddleboarding on the river at night with glowing paddleboards!

Tom has 20 plus years of senior management experience in both the private and public sectors. His prior positions and consulting engagements have included leadership roles with major hotel & resort brands such as Fairmont and Marriott as well as Destination Marketing Organizations. 

Through his unique approach to branding and repositioning, he has helped organizations re-invent their approach to marketing, business development and service delivery. Tom was the recipient of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s Innovator of the Year award in 2006 and has received provincial acknowledgement for his digital marketing campaigns. He has spoken at past industry conferences on a variety of topics.

In her capacity as a digital marketing manager, Geeta adeptly harnesses a blend of strategic acumen, data-driven insights, and effective team leadership to excel in her role. She plays a crucial role in assisting partners in bolstering their online presence through meticulous website audits and the provision of insightful recommendations.

Geeta's expertise comes to the forefront when she engages in the development and execution of cross-platform campaigns, deftly refining various facets like SEO, SEM, social media, email marketing, and her unwavering passion for technical SEO, which aids businesses in achieving higher rankings on Google search results. Her forte lies in her capacity to dissect analytics, enabling her to make ROI-focused decisions and meticulously fine-tune strategies to attain the most favourable outcomes.

Moreover, Geeta's skill in tailoring content and advertisements through keen audience segmentation plays a pivotal role in driving increased engagement and conversion rates. Her capacity to adapt swiftly to ever-evolving algorithmic changes is a testament to her flexibility, creativity, and profound industry expertise, all of which are fundamental drivers of her ongoing success.

Favourite Saskatoon Activities: Kayaking along the serene South Saskatchewan River, surrounded by breathtaking scenery; Champetre County Saskatoon Wild West Country Ranch in St-Denis; Odla and Farm One Forty Tour.

Shanda has well over a decade of experience in the marketing industry, many of those years being directly involved in the local tourism industry and working alongside numerous tourism operators.

Shanda displays a strong passion for driving marketing, branding, and communication strategies that deliver exceptional results. Proficient at building strong client relationships and collaborating with cross-functional teams, Shanda consistently delivers creative solutions that elevate the Discover Saskatoon brand and exceed objectives.

Shanda's passion for marketing and giving back to the community presented her the opportunity to be a part of a high-profile, three-year, three-million-dollar fundraising project for STARS Air Ambulance.

Outside of work, you can find Shanda at the hockey rink, either playing hockey, or watching her kids play!

Favourite Saskatoon Activities: My family and I enjoy attending many Saskatoon Blades games, local live music events, and the incredible culinary scene!

Darby is the Earned Media Manager at Discover Saskatoon. She has been a passionate storyteller in one way or another for nearly a decade and is honoured to share the stories of Saskatoon and its people with the world. She currently works with travel media and content creators to spread the word of Saskatoon.

Passionate about her community, Darby is involved in a number of volunteer positions. She has been with CFCR Saskatoon’s Community Radio since 2011, is a member of the City Of Saskatoon’s Active Transportation Advisory Group, and sits on the Travel Media Association of Canada’s membership committee.

Favourite Saskatoon Activities: Catch her eating and drinking at all the amazing spots, taking in live music at summer festivals and amigos, and taking in the unique experiences offered by local attractions. She knows this is vague, but she couldn’t possibly pick just three things.

Bailie is our Marketing & Communications Coordinator. Bailie is newer to the tourism industry but has fallen in love with it. She has experience in the nonprofit world and has gained experience in content planning, marketing campaigns, social media management, fundraising, and event planning.

Bailie supports the marketing team with creating marketing materials, digital marketing, blog writing, brand awareness, and content management. Bailie also leads the planning and organization of capturing content from various places around Saskatoon.

Bailie grew up in a small town but was always a city girl at heart. Bailie is married to her husband, a teacher here in the city, and has four kids and a fur baby! Her family loves to go out adventuring and checking out all things Saskatoon. Our favourite activities as a family are checking out parks, walking on the Meewasin trails, trying new restaurants, and going to Rattler Games. Bailie’s favourite things about Saskatoon are going to local breweries, visiting Wanuskewin and enjoying staycations in Saskatoon!

As liaison and point of contact between our partners, members, and our organization, I provide vital communications, reporting, and support for the delivery of strategic initiatives. In addition, I manage the membership program and the onsite visitor experience in our Visitor Centre.

Originally from Saskatoon, I’ve recently returned from 10 years abroad, working in the UK at Kensington Palace. I am proud of my years of experience delivering high levels of service within both office-based administrative environments and front-facing operations within the arts, heritage, tourism, and retail sectors, liaising at all levels within Canada and the UK.

Favourite Saskatoon Activities: I absolutely love summer in Saskatoon, specifically attending the Folkfest and Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan festivals.

As the Executive Assistant and Office Coordinator, I am responsible for supporting, communicating, and reporting to our CEO, the Board of Directors and our members. I am fortunate to engage with visitors offering a wide variety of events to experience in our beautiful city. Through my years of experience in tourism, travel and administrative roles, I look forward to meeting new people and sharing experiences.

Favourite Saskatoon Activities: I enjoy spending time with family and friends, experiencing our many culinary cuisines in Saskatoon, and especially in the summer, I enjoy spending time along the river.

Cheryl's journey in the hospitality and tourism industry has been driven by a passion for fostering growth, leading teams, building relationships, and delivering exceptional experiences. 

Cheryl has had the privilege of working in domestic and international markets with leading brands across multiple industries - hospitality, airlines and telecommunications.  

These experiences have honed her skills in leadership, sales, and marketing for demand generation and growth strategies that drive revenues.

Promoting Saskatoon internationally, developing the Legacy Project, and working with community leaders and innovators are just a few of the perks that encompass my role. I have been with Tourism Saskatoon for the past six years and continue to realize every day all the amazing things that make Saskatoon unique.

Favourite Saskatoon Activities: Definitely eating out — restaurants, food trucks, festivals, you name it; walking the Meewasin Trail; exploring new shops in different neighbourhoods.

Jenny serves as the Business Development Manager at Discover Saskatoon, leveraging over 12 years of experience in sales, hospitality, and event management. Throughout her career, Jenny has honed her communication, negotiation, organizational, problem-solving, and leadership skills. She holds a deep understanding of branding, working under tight deadlines, nurturing strong relationships, and executing effective market promotions. Jenny's portfolio encompasses collaborations with a diverse range of organizations, spanning meetings and conventions, prominent events, sports entities, and group tour companies. Her approach is centred around comprehending and addressing their comprehensive requirements.

An active participant within MPI, Jenny's commitment has extended to various roles, including Chair of the MPI Ottawa Prix Prestige Awards and event designer with MPI The EVENT. Her involvement also extends to the MPI Canadian Council, where she spearheads fundraising initiatives for the MPI Foundation. Additionally, Jenny contributed her expertise to the 2023 CanSPEP Conference planning committee, where she held the position of Marketing Committee Chair. A sought-after speaker, Jenny has moderated the 2022 MPI Ottawa Education Event and served as a Speaking Panellist at PCMA CIC and MPI The EVENT.

Favourite Saskatoon Activities: Hitting the snowboarding park at Optimist Hill. Biking down the Meewasin trails.

Shannon has been a part of the Discover Saskatoon Team since 2016 and has many years of experience in tourism, event planning, hospitality, sales, and administrative/executive assistance.

Shannon supports the National, International, Travel Trade, and Sports departments within Business Development, to secure conferences, meetings, special events, trade shows, and site visits.  She collaborates closely with Discover Saskatoon’s hotels, venues, businesses, and offsites to plan and execute events for our clients and our city.

Shannon has lived in Saskatoon for most of her life and loves the people and the beautiful city she is very proud to call her home. When she isn’t working, she loves spending time with family and friends and travelling.

Favourite Saskatoon Activities: summer festivals, food and bevvies at the many hot spots in the city, and the many attractions and experiences that Saskatoon has to offer!

Anahi Soria is a long-serving professional with a deep-rooted passion for the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. Born into a family of tour operators in Mexico, Anahi's connection to travel and tourism runs in her blood. From a young age, she sharpened her skills by coordinating leisure groups and orchestrating guided excursions throughout the scenic landscapes of the Mexican Republic.

Anahi's journey expanded beyond her homeland as she collaborated with both National and International leisure groups, offering her the unique opportunity to explore the diverse and captivating regions of Europe. These rewarding experiences ignited her fascination with the Travel Trade sector.  

Anahi's educational pursuits took her to the United States and eventually to Canada, where she embarked on a fulfilling career in the hotel industry. As an accomplished Director of Sales, she oversaw a diverse portfolio of hotel brands across Saskatchewan, ensuring exceptional guest experiences.  

Her expertise extends beyond hotel sales; Anahi enjoys bringing people together and making memorable moments. Up in Northern Saskatchewan, she worked her magic, coordinating fantastic events and corporate fishing retreats for business corporations, agriculture companies, and First Nations organizations from across Canada.

With her passion for the Tourism Industry, Anahi serves the Discover Saskatoon Business Development team for National Events Western Markets and leads the International Travel Trade portfolio.  

Favourite Saskatoon Activities:

Anahi's love for Saskatoon extends beyond her professional life. You'll find her savouring tacos at Shelter Brewery, cheering the U of S Huskies soccer games, dancing to salsa tunes by the river, or playing a round of golf at Dakota Dunes Resort. Surprisingly, her favourite season is winter; she loves morning walks by the Bessborough Hotel when the river takes on a steaming appearance.

Tiffany comes to Discover Saskatoon as a former professional volleyball player, having lived abroad in Korea, Spain, Puerto Rico, Japan, and Indonesia, as well as representing our country with Team Canada for over eight years. As a decorated athlete and a Sask Volleyball Hall of Fame Inductee, she brings leadership, a team-first attitude, and a strong determination to accomplish goals and exceed deliverables. After living all over the world, she is proud to call Saskatoon home.

Today, Tiffany is a driven and accomplished professional offering a diverse portfolio of skills and experience within communications, program and event coordination, and account management. Her background in hospitality and tourism, along with the experience gained within her athletic career (Co-Captain of Team Canada’s Women’s Volleyball Team) offers targeted strengths in developing successful and results-oriented partnerships, financial acumen, and marketing. Tiffany values creating relationships, nurturing existing relationships, and utilizing her positivity to steer and ensure collective collaboration together brings success.

Favourite Saskatoon Activities: Watching the U of S Huskies Volleyball teams, exploring the pumpkin patch at Black Fox, and taking in the Nutrien Fireworks Festival with her husband and two daughters.

Chelsea is a seasoned hospitality professional with a strong background in events and hospitality management.  She comes to us with a proven history of planning and coordinating successful events and marketing strategies. Her roles have encompassed strategic marketing and event planning over the years. In her tenure at Homefield Marketing Chelsea was the recipient of a Gold MarCom Award in Social Media for Social Branding Campaign, and was nominated in the Marketing category with Samuel McLeod Business Awards with the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce. Her creative flair and commitment to staying attuned to industry trends enable her to curate events and campaigns that leave a lasting impact.

Favourite Saskatoon Activities: Jazz Fest, walking the Meewasin, and experiencing at all the great restaurants in the city!