Destination Markham welcomes new members

The City of Markham has given Destination Markham’s board of directors a shot in the arm with the appointment of four new members.

Danielle Russell, Harold Ho, Christine Martin Bevilacqua and Sam Erry will serve as independent directors for a term of three years on the organization, which launched in 2020 with the purpose of promoting Markham as a remarkable destination for visitors, including tourists, sport and festival attendees, meetings, conference delegates and business travellers.

“I am pleased to welcome our newest members to Destination Markham’s board of directors,” Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti says. “Their expertise and varied backgrounds are a great addition, and I know they will provide valuable input to the ongoing initiatives we have to promote Markham and attract visitors to our community.”

Russell is a Certified Association Executive and Chartered Director and the Executive Director of Canadian Defence Lawyers. After launching her career in the Office of Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, she worked as Executive Director of the Air Cadet League of Canada and two of Canada’s leading Association Management Companies. An active volunteer, Russell serves on the Boards of Spinal Cord Injury Ontario and Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Association and is Chair of the City of Markham Race Relations Committee.

Ho has more than 20 years of destination marketing and tour operator experience and more than a decade of senior sales, marketing and hotel management experience. He’s currently the Senior Vice President of Royal Scenic, a leading travel company that has its head office in Markham. He’s a professor in Seneca Polytechnic’s School of Hospitality and Tourism.

Martin Bevilacqua has more than 20 years of leadership experience, most recently as the Chief Administrative Officer for Pet Valu Canada. She has worked as Vice President, Corporate Services and AVP, Human Resources at HB Insurance Management Ltd. She also served as Regional Director, Human Resources at Delta Hotels and Resorts, Toronto for many years.

Erry has more than 15 years of senior executive experience in service delivery modernization, public-private partnerships, collaborative management and commercial growth. He held various senior executive positions in the government of Ontario, including as Deputy Solicitor General of Ontario and Deputy Minister of the Anti-Racism Directorate.

“I look forward to working with the appointees over the next three years,” said Destination Markham Chair Andrew Keyes. “I am confident their proven leadership skills and vision will benefit the work we undertake at Destination Markham and, as a result, the Markham community as a whole.”

Photo of Canada Day, the City of Markham’s signature event, courtesy of the City of Markham.