Ben Balfour
Ben Balfour is a Designer at Overlap Associates. Overlap is a design consultancy with offices in Kitchener, Ontario and Leeds, UK. In his job he applies human-centred design tools and methods to help clients solve their problems. Ben has a BA in Recreation and Sport Business from the University of Waterloo, an MBA from the University of Victoria, and an MSc in Entrepreneurship & Innovation from EDHEC Business School.
David Collins
David Collins works for Deloitte Global Innovation, helping the world's largest professional services firm develop the next generation of advisory products and services. In his 6 years at Deloitte, David has advised large financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and federal governments on their technology transformations in Canada, the United States, and New Zealand. David has also held multiple senior management positions in the non-profit and public sector, including time as the CEO of a $19.5M NGO and as Chief of Staff of the National Gallery of Canada. Outside of Deloitte, David focuses his time on improving the livelihoods of artists and BiPOC persons in Canada through community-building and technology through his company Red Beans Group.
Stephen Gabrysh
Owner Operator of Campbell River Whale Watching and President of North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association.
Stephen Gabrysh has had a passion for the water since moving from Alberta in 1992. He is an avid fisherman, aviation enthusiast, and outdoorsman. Stephen lives in Campbell River and loves spending time with his family. His two daughters are 4 and 11. They have enjoyed spending more time on the water and share his passion for the outdoors. His business background as an entrepreneur has grown a company from 30 employees to 75. Stephen has a Bcom in Entrepreneurial Management from Royal Roads University. He is a trained naturalist and has MED 3A – Marine Emergency Duties, Marine First Aid, VHF Radio Operators License, Small Vessel Operators Proficiency Transport Canada, Multi Engine IFR Pilots License, and a Class 1 Commercial Drivers License.
Marg Leehane
Originally from Australia, Marg Leehane has traveled extensively and now calls British Columbia home. Marg worked in the corporate world in software development for a decade before following her true passion of creating memorable experiences for people in nature. Since 2004 she has been one of the owners of Great Bear Lodge, a floating ecolodge that hosts guests from all over the world to see the grizzly bears of the sublime Great Bear Rainforest. With a Bachelor of Information Systems from Monash University and a Masters in Tourism Management from Royal Roads University, Marg also sits on the board of the Wilderness Tourism Association of BC. Marg loves adventures, dancing, and hiking in the mountains. And sometimes dancing in the mountains.
Kristen Mucha
As an owner of Wildcoast Adventures, Kristen turned her passion for kayaking and the outdoors into her ideal job. With a background in the corporate world she built Wildcoast into a world class adventure operator. Utilizing her skills more broadly she is a board member for the Wilderness Tourism Committee and supports causes that promote a healthy environment.
Sarah Osberg
Sarah Osberg is a tenure-track faculty member and assistant professor with the Adventure Studies Department at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC. She is an experienced educator, guide trainer and facilitator. Sarah is professionally engaged in multiple outdoor disciplines including hiking, sea kayaking, canoeing, avalanche, skiing and in a previous decade also rock climbing and mountaineering. She has extensive multidisciplinary expedition, outdoor education and adventure tourism experience from mountains to oceans from Patagonia to Alaska. She is passionate about the environments and relationships that sustain and inspire us. She is a mom of two young children with whom learning in snow, mud, forest or water is a daily event.
Nadine Pinto
Nadine Pinto is the Sustainability Manager at The Travel Corporation (TTC), a family of 40 travel brands, and its non-profit, the TreadRight Foundation. Her primary focus is leading the group’s sustainability strategy to address the environmental footprint and community impact of TTC’s operations and trips. She is passionate about helping travellers explore the world in a meaningful and sustainable way. In 2020 she was recognized by Corporate Knights as a Top 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leader in Canada. Nadine holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Environment and Business from the University of Waterloo.
Sarah Smythe
Sarah started her career working in the non-profit sector in Ottawa where she focused on child and youth supports, mental health, and community development. After many fulfilling years this sector, she decided to head across the country and back to school for a Master of Public Administration at UVic. During this time, she began working for the BC Public Service with the Behavioural Insights Group, using behavioural science to improve programs and services. Today, Sarah works as a Service Designer for Government Digital Services, also in the BC Public Service, where she applies design thinking to challenges across policy domains.
When she isn’t busy at work, Sarah loves spending lots of time outside with her partner and pup playing frisbee, hiking, and camping.