Speakers
Session Name:
WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS
Lydia Chen
President & CEO
InnVest Hotels
Lydia Chen is the President and Chief Executive Officer of InnVest Hotels and a member of its Board of Directors. She assumed the role on April 1, 2017. Prior to assuming her role at InnVest Hotels, Ms. Chen was CEO of the parent company Bluesky Hotels and Resorts.
As CEO, Ms. Chen is committed to developing InnVest Hotels’ asset portfolio, and pursing quality asset growth opportunities across Canada.
Ms. Chen has more than 20 years of experience in senior management positions with several Fortune 500 companies in Asia, Europe, and North America. Ms. Chen has been involved in a wide variety of industries including finance, real estate, biopharmaceuticals, and technology. Ms. Chen was born in China and holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a master’s degree in management. Lydia Chen also serves on the Board of Directors of Choice Hotels Canada.
Jeff Hyslop
Executive Vice President, Asset Management & Investments
InnVest Hotels
Jeff Hyslop was named Executive Vice President, Asset Management and Investment of InnVest in May 2025, having previously served as Senior Vice President of Asset Management since January 2018. Mr. Hyslop leads the Asset Management team, which is focused on maximizing performance and value of InnVest’s portfolio of hotels. Mr. Hyslop has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry including 12 years in progressive Asset Management roles. Prior to joining InnVest he held senior roles at Pomeroy Lodging, Westmont Hospitality, Legacy Hotel REIT and PKF Consulting. Mr. Hyslop started his career in the hospitality industry in many front line positions at hotels in Toronto, Vancouver and New Brunswick. Mr. Hyslop received his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Guelph’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and has a Certificate in Urban Land Economics from the Sauder School of Business at UBC.
Session Name:
WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS
Session Name:
WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS
James Wolfe
Vice President, Asset Management
InnVest Hotels
James Wolfe was named Vice President of Asset Management in May 2020. As a true Hotelier, Mr. Wolfe has had an inspiring 22-year career with Accor where he was most recently Hotel Manager at the iconic Fairmont Royal York. With diversified Revenue Management, Operations and Finance experience, he has worked at various properties in Vancouver, Victoria, Winnipeg, and Calgary. InnVest is very familiar with Mr. Wolfe as he was the General Manager of the Sheraton Suites Eau Claire where he successfully navigated the asset through the 2015 oil crises while acquiring valuable knowledge of Marriott processes and systems. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Victoria and holds a CPA designation.
Todd Hirsch
Navigator of Economic Disruption | Speaker | Author
Keynote Speaker
Todd Hirsch is an internationally renowned economist, keynote speaker, and author whose research and work focuses on enhancing adaptability in an ever-changing world. Having had a front row seat to key issues transforming the global economy for the past 25 years, he delivers dynamic, clear-eyed talks on adaptability, creativity, and resilience to help industry and business leaders prepare for a future that is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous.
An economist by training, Hirsch recently served as the Director of Energy Transition Centre, an incubator of tech startups focused on navigating our path toward net-zero carbon. Prior to this, he spent 15 years as the VP and chief economist for ATB Financial, taught economics at the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta, and worked in the research department of the Bank of Canada.
The author of four books, Hirsch’s latest, Spiders in COVID Space: Adapting During and After the Pandemic, shares the inspiring and compelling stories of businesses and not-for-profits that reinvented themselves during the pandemic.
Session Name:
A RUPTURE, NOT A TRANSITION. NAVIGATING ECONOMIC CHAOS
Session Name:
ADVOCATING FOR CANADIAN HOTELS — PRIORITIES, PROGRESS, AND THE PATH FORWARD
Beth McMahon
President & CEO at Hotel Association of Canada
Beth McMahon brings over 20 years of executive leadership in the association sector, with a strong track record of delivering growth, advocacy, and organizational transformation. As President & CEO of the Hotel Association of Canada, she is leading the industry into a bold new era—amplifying its voice, advancing key policy priorities, and driving policies that grow Canada’s hotel and tourism industry.
Prior to HAC, Beth served as CEO of the Canadian Institute of Planners, Vice President of Policy and Public Affairs at the Canadian Vintners Association (now Wine Growers Canada), and CEO of the Canadian Organic Growers. Having lived on both the East and West coasts of Canada, she brings a broad national perspective to her work—and now proudly calls Ottawa home.
Julia Drydyk
Executive Director at Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking
Julia Drydyk has led the Centre since 2020 and brings more than 20 years of experience in community engagement, research, public policy, and advocacy. She has been a driving force behind initiatives addressing complex social challenges and advancing a safer, more just society. Under her leadership, the Centre has become a catalyst for cross-sector collaboration, uniting survivors, governments, non-profits, and private-sector leaders in the fight to end human trafficking. Julia’s work is grounded in a deep belief in inclusive dialogue, collective responsibility, and community-led change.
Session Name:
THE ROLE OF HOSPITALITY IN DISRUPTING TRAFFICKING IN CANADA
Session Name:
LEADING UNDER PRESSURE: RESILIENCE, TEAMWORK, AND THE MINDSET TO WIN
Cassie Campbell-Pascall
Former Captain of the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team
Keynote Speaker
Cassie Campbell-Pascall began skating at age five and became one of Canada’s most accomplished hockey players. A two-time Olympic gold medal captain and the longest-serving captain in Canadian hockey history, she represented Canada internationally for years, earning 21 medals—17 gold and four silver. After retiring, she joined Hockey Night in Canada as the first woman to provide colour commentary and authored H.E.A.R.T., sharing insights on leadership and teamwork.
A dedicated philanthropist, she founded a street hockey tournament that has raised over $3.5 million for Ronald McDonald House. Her honours include the Order of Hockey in Canada, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and induction into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame—the first female hockey player to receive this recognition.
Ryan Vader
Senior Manager, Asset Management at InnVest Hotels
Ryan Vader is a Senior Manager on the Asset Management team at InnVest, having served in progressive roles since joining the organization in 2020. Ryan currently supports the Upscale, Full-Service portfolio across Canada, collaborating with hotel and corporate teams to drive overall asset value. In addition to Asset Management activities, Ryan serves as Chair of the Corporate Impact Committee. Prior to InnVest, Ryan worked at Manulife Investment Management, where he supported Financial Planning & Analysis for Global Wealth Management business across Canada, the U.S., and Asia. Ryan graduated from the University of Guelph – Lang School of Business in 2015 and completed his Chartered Professional Accounting designation through the Manulife CPA New Graduate Development program in 2018.
Session Name:
SUSTAINABILITY + ESG IN OPERATIONS – BEYOND COMPLIANCE
Session Name:
BLUESKY HOTELS AND INNVEST HOTELS RETROSPECTIVE — ITS BEEN 10 YEARS!
George Kosziwka
Chief Strategy Officer at InnVest Hotels
George Kosziwka was named Chief Strategy Officer of InnVest in January 2024, having previously served as Chief Financial Officer of InnVest since December 2012, and as Vice President Finance since InnVest’s inception in 2002. Mr. Kosziwka has substantial hospitality real estate experience having worked over 35 years in the industry. Prior to joining InnVest he held senior finance executive positions for predecessor entities, including UniHost Corporation and Journey’s End Corporation. Mr. Kosziwka holds an Honours Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo and is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant.
Tammy Benneyworth
Comfort Inn Newmarket
Tammy Benneyworth is the General Manager of the Comfort Inn Newmarket, bringing 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. A graduate of Seneca College with a diploma in Tourism and Hospitality, Tammy began her career through a co-op placement at the Comfort Inn Newmarket. After completing her placement, she was offered a position as a Guest Service Representative —and never looked back. Over the years, Tammy progressed from Guest Service Representative to Assistant Manager in 2002, and eventually into her current role as General Manager in 2015. She now leads her team through daily operations with a strong focus on guest satisfaction, team development, and operational excellence. Known for her hands-on approach and commitment to creating a positive work environment, Tammy takes pride in building strong teams and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
Session Name:
BLUESKY HOTELS AND INNVEST HOTELS RETROSPECTIVE — ITS BEEN 10 YEARS! General Manager Panel
Session Name:
BLUESKY HOTELS AND INNVEST HOTELS RETROSPECTIVE — ITS BEEN 10 YEARS! General Manager Panel
Patrick Gosselin
Hyatt Regency Vancouver
Patrick Gosselin is a seasoned hospitality executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in luxury hotels and resorts worldwide. He currently serves as General Manager of the Hyatt Regency Vancouver, a 650-room AAA Four Diamond hotel with extensive food and beverage operations and 46,000 square feet of event space. Previously, he was General Manager of the Fairmont Vancouver Airport, named Accor North & Central America Hotel of the Year in 2017, and held senior roles with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. He has led large, complex operations, overseen international hotel openings and renovations, and managed teams of over 600 colleagues. Patrick currently serves as Chair of the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association and sits on the Board of Directors for the Vancouver Hotel Association.
Astrid Heckert
Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire
Astrid Heckert is the General Manager of Sheraton Suites, Calgary Eau Claire, since August 14, 2023. After starting her career in Africa as an auditor for Price Waterhouse, Astrid launched her own business, running one of the first digital printing factories in France. Astrid later moved to Canada where she joined the Hospitality industry as Director, Finance and Business Support. Astrid’s journey with Fairmont started 13 years ago at Hotel Macdonald in Edmonton, then at Fairmont Kea Lani in Maui, Hawaii where she had the opportunity to be involved in the transformation of the hotel. Her whole career has been driven by four major pillars of both professional and personal personality – entrepreneur mindset, business development and eye for opportunities, leadership and sense of adventure.
Session Name:
BLUESKY HOTELS AND INNVEST HOTELS RETROSPECTIVE — ITS BEEN 10 YEARS! General Manager Panel
Session Name:
BLUESKY HOTELS AND INNVEST HOTELS RETROSPECTIVE — ITS BEEN 10 YEARS! General Manager Panel
Chris Pierce
Les Suites Hotel Ottawa
Chris Pierce, proud father of Sophia and Linden, is a respected hospitality leader with over 30 years of experience and currently serves as General Manager of Les Suites Hotel Ottawa, overseeing operations, guest experience, and performance.
He began his career in 1997 at Comfort Inn Kanata, advancing to Assistant Front Office Manager at Holiday Inn Kanata in 1999. In 2002, he moved into sales as Cluster Sales Manager, and in 2004 joined Les Suites Hotel Ottawa as Director of Sales before becoming General Manager in 2011. Chris is an active industry leader, serving as a Board Member of Ottawa Tourism and Chair of its Marketing Committee since 2020, as well as Vice Chair of the Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association. He was named Hotelier of the Year in 2025 and, as a graduate of Algonquin College, has served on its Advisory Board since 2011.
Melina Nacos
Melina has spent over 20 years helping clients strengthen their presentation skills, tone, and confidence. She has worked closely with senior executives, CEOs, and company presidents, providing coaching for major presentations, multi-speaker events, and IPO roadshows.
With a background in Production Management from York University and acting training at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre in New York City, Melina brings a unique, performance-based approach to executive coaching. She also holds an Adult Education certification from George Brown College and incorporates techniques such as the Meisner method to help clients enhance stage presence and communication.
Melina supports clients across areas including presentation delivery, audience connection, and professional image. She is a certified Neuro-Linguistic Practitioner and EQ-i 2.0 practitioner, and remains committed to continuous learning and growth in her field.
