Members of the Board of Directors, appointed by the Government of Alberta, are recruited from qualified applicants who collectively have the full range of competencies, experience or personal attributes required to provide effective governance of Travel Alberta.
Linda A. Southern-Heathcott
Chair
Ms. Southern-Heathcott is President & Chief Executive Officer of Spruce Meadows Ltd., an internationally recognized equestrian facility in Calgary, Alberta, and Executive Chair & Chief Executive Officer of AKITA Drilling. As a former professional equestrian rider, Ms. Southern-Heathcott was a member of the Canadian Equestrian Team for nine years and competed in the 1996 Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
Neil Yeates
Vice-Chair
Neil Yeates is a semi-retired Federal and Provincial Deputy Minister whose career spanned more than 30 years in the Government of Canada and in the Government of Saskatchewan. Graduating from Queen’s University, Neil began his career as a policy analyst with the Saskatchewan Department of Health eventually serving as the Associate Deputy Minister.
Gail Stepanik-Keber ICD.D
Audit Finance Risk Committee Chair
Gail Stepanik-Keber has over 30 years of leadership experience in various sectors in Alberta and abroad. Gail’s purpose is to inspire others to have more oomph and impact in their life and work. She is currently the Chief Catalyst Strategic Marketing & Alliances for the University Hospital Foundation whose purpose is to continuously seek, inspire, and support bold solutions to seemingly insurmountable challenges and ignite new discoveries in health.
Juanita Marois
Member
Juanita Marois is the CEO of Métis Crossing, and a proud citizen of Métis Nation within Alberta. Juanita considers herself privileged to lead not only Alberta’s, but Canada’s, first major Métis cultural destination. Her leadership style has led the way to her being recognized for awards such as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (Alberta) 2022 and the Globe and Mail Canada’s top 50 Changemaker Award, February 2023.
M. Ryan Robb
Member
Ryan is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Chiniki First Nation. In his role, he oversees the administrative functions of the Nation, as well as their economic initiatives as carried out by the Chiniki Group of Companies.
Roger Reid
Member
Roger Reid is a fifth-generation Albertan and seasoned small business entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Deeply rooted in rural Alberta, Roger has spent his career growing businesses and championing economic development in his community and across the province.