Andrea Hinck, Director, Industry Training

Andrea joined the go2HR team in 2015 and has more than 25 years’ experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, 10 of which are in human resource management at the operation and corporate levels. She manages and implements go2HR’s industry training programs and projects including SuperHost, and in the past, the Winning Pitch and Student Industry Rendezvous. She also liaises with go2HR committees, industry associations, employers, training providers, and other stakeholders. Andrea is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and holds a certificate in leadership coaching and a diploma as a provincial instructor in adult education.

Favourite place in BC: Stanley Park, Vancouver

Arun Subramanian, Vice President, Industry Health, Safety and Human Resources

Arun joined the go2HR team in 2017 and has over 15 years of HR experience in various sectors such as hotels, airlines, retail and facility management. Arun leads go2HR’s industry health and safety program, which focuses on helping tourism employers create and maintain safe workplaces, and communicating the importance of occupational health and safety in staff recruitment and retention. Arun holds a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University, and a Diploma in Hotel Administration from the Sophia Polytechnic in Mumbai, India. He is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and has completed management programs in HR at both BCIT and the Indian Institute of Management.

Favourite place in BC: Vancouver Island

Christina Gao, Accounting/Administrative Assistant

Christina joined go2HR in 2021 and has more than 10 years of experience in inbound tour operation and marketing in the tourism industry in China. Christina worked with a non-profit immigrant women’s organization in Calgary as a program assistant with responsibilities for a social enterprise project and training program for 3.5 years.

Christina is responsible for assisting with daily finance operations and providing professional administrative and customer service support to FoodSafe and other training programs. Christina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and a Marketing degree from Three Gorges University in China.

Favorite place in BC: English Bay Sunset Beach

Cindy Conti, HR Consultant, Vancouver Coast and Mountains

Cindy began her career in the hospitality industry over 20 years ago working at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver as a Hotel Operator.   She progressed through various roles in Hotel Operations and Human Resources at the Westin and Hilton in Whistler, BC.  In 2013, Cindy relocated to Toronto, Ontario to work for the Fairmont Corporate Office, now Accor, North & Central America Regional Office as a Human Resources Manager.   In 2014, Cindy transferred to the Fairmont Royal York where she worked as the Training and Communications Manager and was subsequently promoted to Assistant Director of Human Resources. In April 2017, she returned to the Accor Corporate Office when she was appointed Director, Corporate Talent & Culture, North & Central America where Cindy managed the Corporate Human Resources function for Corporate employees based in Toronto, as well as a home office employees based across the United States and Canada. Cindy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature and language from UBC and holds the CPHR Professional designation in Human Resources.

Favourite place in BC:  Top of the peak chair at Whistler Blackcomb

Ellen Langton, CFO

Ellen, who holds a CPA, CGA designation, joined the go2HR team in 2013 and has more than 30 years of experience in financial accounting positions. Most recently she was the Director of Finance with Global Spectrum, which manages the South Okanagan Events Complex in Penticton. Ellen leads the financial planning and reporting functions at go2HR, supervising the preparation of monthly financial statements and the annual budget and business plan. Ellen is also responsible for office administration and coordination of IT support.

Favourite place in BC: Okanagan

Ginger Brunner, Senior HR Specialist

Ginger is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and trainer. She has close to 20 years of applied human resources and management experience within the tourism/hospitality industry. Joining go2HR in 2016, Ginger brings experience in developing, facilitating and supporting HR programs, as well as facilitating a range of college and university recruitment initiatives. Based in Kelowna, BC, she works with tourism operators and stakeholders in the regionalization of key recruitment, retention and training initiatives as outlined in the BC Tourism HR Strategy.

Favourite place in BC: Thompson Okanagan

Judy Frankel, Communications Manager

Excited to be a part of the team at go2HR, Judy Frankel has spent the last decade as a tourism executive in both the US and Canada. She brings a diverse skill set to the organization with a background in journalism and a Master’s in Political Science. A recent transplant to Metro Vancouver, Frankel spends her leisure time balancing the amazing foodie scene with the incredible outdoor recreational opportunities.

Krista Bax, CEO

Krista has more than 20 years of experience in various strategic leadership roles. She was the Senior Vice President, Western Canada of Context, a strategic engagement and communications firm, and the Executive Director of the Asia Pacific Gateway Skills Table. Krista also has extensive experience in occupational health and safety, primarily in the forestry industry. She holds a MBA and B.Sc. from the University of Alberta, and she has completed the Not-for-Profit Program developed by the Institute of Corporate Directors and the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

Favourite place in BC: Juan de Fuca Provincal Park

Lonnie Burnett, Specialist, Industry Health & Safety

Lonnie has roughly 10 years of technical safety experience within the tourism industry including guiding, emergency response, a provincial park and ski hill operation. Most recently, she was a Safety Manager within the Ski Hill sector for the past 5 years. To begin her career, she accomplished a Bachelor of Arts degree in Outdoor Leadership with a minor in Caregiving & Counselling. She holds certifications in COR internal auditing, Ski Operations, Verbal Judo and is licensed as an Emergency Medical Responder. Lonnie has strong practical skills in risk management, hazard assessment, implementing and improving health and safety programs, COR, developing and delivering training to all levels of employees, and claims management plans.

Lonnie is keen to work with employers to provide guidance on their workplace health and safety and deliver innovative ideas on protecting workers and reducing costs for employers. She is able to anticipate industry needs and will be working on various projects to better serve the immediate and future needs of the sectors within our industry.

Favourite place in BC: Glacier National Park

Michael K. Dembek, Training Specialist

Michael has more than seven years of experience in learning and development. He was worked globally, both in Europe and Canada. He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Governance from the University of Adam Mickiewicz and a Postgraduate in Project Management from the Greater School of Banking. He brings a diverse background that helps lead and support go2HR’s training and education portfolio.

Favorite place in BC: Gold River, BC

Ravina Sidhu, Marketing Lead

Ravina joined the go2HR team in 2021 and has more than 6 years of experience in tourism and hospitality, mainly in Destination Marketing Organizations as a Destination marketing Manager. She has a diverse skill set, with a strong focus on brand management, digital marketing and campaign planning.  Ravina has her Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of the Fraser Valley.

Favourite place in BC: Okanagan

Sherry Henriquez, Coordinator, Industry Health & Safety

Sherry joined the go2HR team in 2016 and she has more than 5 years of customer service experience in retail, sales, and hospitality. She provides administrative support to go2HR’s health and safety program and is also responsible for the administration of the Certificate of Recognition (COR) program. Sherry has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a certificate of Human Resources Management from Simon Fraser University.

Favourite place in BC: The Seawall in Vancouver and Lost Lake in Whistler

Stephanie Mallalieu, Manager, Industry Health & Safety

Stephanie supports employers in establishing and developing effective health and safety programs, encouraging industry engagement in health and safety and the Certificate of Recognition (COR) program. Stephanie joined go2HR in 2016 and has more than 20 years of food hygiene and health and safety experience within travel, tourism and hospitality. Stephanie has held senior positions in London, England, and various overseas locations, supporting businesses with their food hygiene and health and safety programs. Stephanie holds a M.Sc. in Food Safety Management from the University of Central Lancashire, a B.A. in Tourism and Business Management from the University of Birmingham and a General Certificate from The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health, England. Stephanie is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP).

Favourite place in BC: Tofino and Whistler

Viktoriya Kammaeva, Program Coordinator, Industry Training

Viktoriya joined the go2HR team in January 2019 and has more than 10 years of experience in front-line customer service with a focus in hospitality. Since 2016, she has been self-employed as a freelance copywriter and translator, focusing on providing Russian-speaking crafters with marketing and translation services. Viktoriya is responsible for providing professional administrative and customer service support to a number of go2HR’s Industry Training programs, including SuperHost. Viktoriya holds a B.A. in Sociology from UBC.

Favorite place in BC: Vancouver beaches