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Our Team

A view of the inside of a Teepee from the opening, revealing people inside.
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Our People Make the Difference

Our organization is built upon the strength and commitment of our directors, staff and Stakeholders.

View the team profiles below to learn more about the people that are working together to showcase British Columbia’s Indigenous tourism opportunities to the world.

Paula Amos Chief Marketing and Development Officer

Paula Amos is of Hesquiaht and Squamish Nation descent, born and raised in the Nuu-chah-nulth Territory on Vancouver Island. She has worked in several positions with Indigenous Tourism BC for almost 20 years and has been working with Indigenous communities for 25 years, bridging the opportunities between the Indigenous tourism industry and mainstream tourism.

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Paula holds a degree in First Nations Studies and Business Management from Vancouver Island University. Paula was a member of the Blueprint Strategy comittee for Indigenous tourism in BC, the North American Indigenous Games Bid Committee, and the 2010 Aboriginal Tourism Working Group, in partnership with the 2010 Bid Corporation. She believes the Indigenous cultural tourism industry has economic development potential and drives cultural pride for Indigenous people.
Henry Tso Chief Financial Officer

Henry Tso has more than 15 years of experience in accounting, business planning and financial management and has held senior management positions in business, government, First Nations, and not-for-profit organizations.

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Henry holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Simon Fraser University and is a graduate of the accounting program at University of British Columbia. Henry began his career with a Chartered Accounting firm and has served Tourism British Columbia as Controller for British Columbia Magazine and Aboriginal Tourism Development. In his current role as the Chief Financial Officer for ITBC, Henry draws on his experience as a Chartered Professional Accountant, (CPA), Certified General Accountant (CGA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM) to provide strategic leadership for finance and corporate services.
Dana Schoahs Director, Marketing

Dana Schoahs was born in Berlin and has called Canada home for over 20 years. Dana has extensive experience in marketing tourism businesses and has worked with many Indigenous communities, hotels, tour operators, and DMOS on tourism initiatives.

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Dana's involvement Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) began in 2005 when she first managed the development of the Stakeholder marketing program through Blue Ice Communications. Dana is the ITBC marketing lead and collaborates with Stakeholders and the marketing team to promote Indigenous tourism experiences.
Deanna Wampler Social Media + Digital Strategy Manager

Deanna Wampler is of Haida and European descent and was born and raised in Prince Rupert. Deanna has more than twelve years of wide-ranging experience in the social media field, specifically in building community, strategy development, content creation, marketing, and engagement.

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Deanna is a graduate of Royal Roads University with a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management. With a depth of experience in business operations and strategy, and a knack for making the world of social media accessible (and enjoyable!), Deanna supports ITBC Stakeholders to max­i­mize their business's online pres­ence and impact, helping them grow their brand awareness and dri­ve sales. As Social Media Manager, she leads the charge in digital storytelling about the province’s rich Indigenous past and present, creating a future of empowered Indigenous economies and informed tourists who feel more connected to the roots of the province as they experience it through travel. 
Todd Liang Accountant

Todd Liang graduated from University of Saskatchewan. He started his work with Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) in 2018 and supports the organization’s finance activities. Todd is working towards his CPA designation and will continue to work in finance and special projects at ITBC.

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Kerry Eno Content Writer

Kerry Redman is a member of the Greater Golden Lake Algonquin community. Kerry has worked for more than 10 years as a writer, consultant, and Indigenous communication specialist, with special interest in sharing stories, language and culture, self-governance, and digital sovereignty.

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Kerry is a graduate of the School of Communication and Culture at Royal Roads University (BAPC). She teaches Communication and Digital Marketing as part of the Foundations in Innovation and Technology Certificate Program for Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, BC’s Indigenous public post-secondary institute. At Indigenous Tourism BC, she looks to share stories that contribute to Indigenous personal, social, and economic development.
Cohen Bradley | Taaydal ICONICS & SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER

Cohen Bradley is from the Kayahl ‘Laanas clan of the Haida Nation and holds the name Taaydal, which translates to coming in big. With more than 15 years of experience in the Indigenous tourism industry, Cohen has worked for Haida Gwaii-based Indigenous tourism businesses, Parks Canada, and Indigenous Tourism BC.

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As an ITBC team member, Cohen has contributed his skills and experience to diverse projects, including developing a Working With Indigenous Communities Toolkit, Storytellers Training programming, the Indigenous Tourism BC websites and Trip Planning app, and the digital and content development program. Cohen currently manages special projects and represents ITBC in its partnership with Destination BC on the Invest in Iconics Strategy–a long-term dispersion strategy to increase responsible and sustainable tourism revenue and visitation in BC.
Gail Joe Capacity Building and Resilience Manager

Gail Joe is a member of the Lower Nicola Indian Band, Nlaka'pamux Nation. With more than 30 years of experience in Indigenous economic development, Gail worked with all Nations Trust Company for over 21 years providing business loans to Indigenous businesses throughout BC.

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Owner and operator of a consulting practice for 12 years, she works with the Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations in Kamloops, providing business recovery and financial literacy support to entrepreneurs. For the past decade, she has also worked with the First Nations Market Housing Fund, a federal housing initiative to support and enhance individual homeownership throughout On Reserve lands across Canada. For the past two years, Gail has supported Indigenous tourism businesses throughout BC as project manager of various non-repayable grants delivered by ITBC. She is now the Capacity Building and Resilience Manager, with a focus on the development and implementation of capacity building programs, tools, and resources to support recovery for the Indigenous tourism sector.
Erica Louie Capacity Building and Pathfinding Manager

Erica Louie is Sto:lo and Wet’suwet’en and sits with the Gitdumden (Bear) Clan in the Cas Yex (Grizzly) House within the Wet’suwet’en clan system. Born and raised in Hazelton, BC, Erica respects Indigenous languages, cultures, and traditional governance systems.

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Erica graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Planning from the University of Northern BC in 2009. Since 2009, she has worked with Indigenous communities in land management and economic development. Erica is dedicated to expanding her knowledge and networks to continue her work toward prosperity and self-governance for Indigenous communities. Erica lives in Tsimshian Territory (Terrace, BC) and will pursue a master’s degree in Business Administration at Royal Roads University (RRU) in Winter 2023.
Willie Lewis Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Regional Specialist

Tsunaxen, Willie Lewis, a member of Squamish First Nation, is a cultural performer who shares his extensive knowledge of Squamish Cultures and Traditions as part of Spakwus Slolem (The Eagle Dancers).

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An experienced mentor, Willie works to support the removal of barriers to employment and education for Indigenous Peoples. He holds a First Nations Tourism Management diploma from Capilano College (now Capilano University). Willie has proudly served Indigenous Peoples and communities in British Columbia for more than a decade. He has provided management, sales, and customer service support to various Squamish Nation businesses. In addition, Willie has shared his cultural leadership, relationship building, event organization, and community engagement skills to recruit and ensure success for Indigenous students in roles at Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and Capilano University. We welcome his to the Indigenous Tourism BC team as the new Regional Specialist for Vancouver Coast Mountains (VCM).
Sandy Hoang Indigenous Destination Stewardship Specialist

Sandy Hoang is originally from Toronto–home of the Huron-Wendat, Petun, Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations. Sandy respects Indigenous knowledge, teachings, cultures, and values and is deeply committed to the practice of reciprocity and participation in reconciliation within the tourism industry.

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As Indigenous Destination Stewardship Specialist at ITBC, Sandy supports special projects and oversees partnership initiatives between Destination Vancouver and Indigenous Tourism British Columbia.

Sandy holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies, with a minor in geography and tourism (University of Waterloo) and a Master of Business Administration specializing in hospitality and tourism management (University of Guelph). She also holds a 4 Seasons of Reconciliation Course Certificate from the First Nations University of Canada. Sandy began her career supporting the environmental sustainability goals of governments, consultancies, and non-profit organizations, including the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. She collaborated with diverse stakeholders across Canada and internationally to amplify the impact of philanthropy on Indigenous, urban, and rural communities. Sandy oversaw grants administration for funders in support of Indigenous Guardian Programs, Indigenous-led conservation, and protection of the Great Bear Rainforest as well as capacity building for Indigenous leaders championing solar energy projects.

Angela Keech Northern BC Regional Specialist

Angela is a member of the Dakelh community of Saik'uz First Nation, and was raised in Dawson Creek, BC. Her professional background includes experience in event management, finance, and tourism. Angela is passionate about Indigenous tourism and highlighting the beauty of Indigenous landscapes and cultures in the province of BC.

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Jamie Bourne Thompson Okanagan Regional Specialist

Jamie worked for a wealth management company for two decades before entering the tourism industry in 2020. A graduate of the Tourism and Professional Development program at Okanagan College, Jamie joined the ITBC team in early 2021, contributing to the team as Indigenous Coordinator, Training and Development, and as Indigenous Tourism Resiliency Program Advisor.

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Jamie worked for a wealth management company for two decades before entering the tourism industry in 2020. A graduate of the Tourism and Professional Development program at Okanagan College, Jamie joined the ITBC team in early 2021, contributing to the team as Indigenous Coordinator, Training and Development, and as Indigenous Tourism Resiliency Program Advisor.  Jamie works to assist Indigenous communities in the Thompson Okanagan region to support Indigenous individuals and businesses develop the skills, abilities, and tools to offer market-ready tourism products, programs, and services. She supports Indigenous organizations and communities through information–marketing business skills and training programs in Indigenous economic and business development efforts in order to promote Indigenous culture, products, and services. · Jamie believes that Indigenous-led cultural tourism can balance socio-economic development for Indigenous people and communities.  
Shawna Gosnell Northern BC Regional Specialist

Shawna Gosnell is a member of the Nisga’a Nation from the community of Gitlaxt'aamiks, BC. She moved to Vancouver in 2012 to pursue her education and attended Native Education College to study Tourism Operations. After receiving her diploma, she transferred to Capilano University where she earned her Degree in Tourism Management in 2018.

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Shawna Gosnell is a member of the Nisga’a Nation from the community of Gitlaxt'aamiks, BC. She moved to Vancouver in 2012 to pursue her education and attended Native Education College to study Tourism Operations. After receiving her diploma, she transferred to Capilano University where she earned her Degree in Tourism Management in 2018.   After graduating, her goal was to work with indigenous communities, including her own, and help develop opportunities to achieve potential goals for tourism development. She is fully committed to contributing to sustainable Indigenous tourism development. She plans to pursue her Master’s in Tourism Management in 2024. Shawna embraces change and strives for growth, improvement, and cultural connection.   
Cheryl Chapman Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Regional Specialist

Cheryl is a member of the Xatśūll First Nation with over 30 years of experience working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, communities, businesses, and all levels of government. Cheryl excels at capacity building, sustainable community development, and building mutually beneficial relationships.

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Cheryl is a member of the Xatśūll First Nation with over 30 years of experience working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, communities, businesses, and all levels of government. Cheryl excels at capacity building, sustainable community development, and building mutually beneficial relationships. Cheryl recognizes the need and opportunities to create meaningful relationships through respectful communication and truth-telling. Her passion is education through tourism and she seizes every opportunity to share her ancestral stories, based in cultural values and experiences. Cheryl has been an invaluable member of the ITBC team in a number of capacities, from Training and Product Development Coordinator to Secretary of the Board, and is passionate about the respectful development and delivery of world-class Indigenous tourism offerings. 
Megan Humchitt Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Regional Specialist

Megan is a member of the Heiltsuk Nation and lives in her hometown of Bella Bella, BC, where she was born and raised. From a young age she spent considerable time with her family out on the ocean learning her ancestral territory. Megan completed an Indigenous Tourism program through Vancouver Island University (VIU), as well as the Aboriginal Management Program through UBC Sauder School of Business.

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Megan is a member of the Heiltsuk Nation and lives in her hometown of Bella Bella, BC, where she was born and raised. From a young age she spent considerable time with her family out on the ocean learning her ancestral territory. Megan completed an Indigenous Tourism program through Vancouver Island University (VIU), as well as the Aboriginal Management Program through UBC Sauder School of Business.  Her passion for protecting her territory was instilled in her by her family and mentors. Her father is a hereditary chief of the Heiltsuk Nation and has been active in the reclamation of Heiltsuk Culture. Her respect and care for the lands and ocean emanates from her cultural roots and deep connection to the place she calls home. Megan believes in making space for all voices, collaborating, and working together.
Carmalita Siemens Capacity Building & Resilience Administration

Carmalita is the first granddaughter of Percy Minnabarriet of Pokheitsk / Spatsum / Cook's Ferry and Marie Pierro of Bonaparte. Her expertise in First Nations Economic Development spans twelve years, with detail in small business creation, expansion, partnerships and succession planning, including small business credit and portfolio management.

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Carmalita is the first granddaughter of Percy Minnabarriet of Pokheitsk / Spatsum / Cook's Ferry and  Marie Pierro of Bonaparte. Her expertise in First Nations Economic Development spans twelve years, with detail in small business creation, expansion, partnerships and succession planning, including small business credit and portfolio management.  Carmalita's core values, fun approach, and strong work ethic netted long-lasting relationships in all sectors throughout the Interior of BC. As an Indigenous entrepreneur in her territory, she identified the problems and need for quality throughout this sector. She provided the solution using her Innovation and online presence to create the path of least resistance for her clients with digitization techniques and, most notably, her unique approach to problem-solving with a matriarchal system approach of communication and teamwork.  

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