About the Team

As the CEO of Discover Saskatoon, my responsibilities transcend the boundaries of traditional leadership. At the core of my role is the pursuit of championing Saskatoon's unique identity on the global stage, bridging its historic legacy with contemporary aspirations.

Entrusted with the implementation of the strategic vision set forth by the Board of Directors, I pioneer destination-wide initiatives aimed at enhancing the city's wealth and wellbeing. A significant facet of my duties includes fostering invaluable partnerships, notably with Saskatoon Destination Marketing Hotels Inc., harmonizing our goals to amplify the visitor economy.

Additionally, as a corporate liaison for key provincial and national stakeholders such as the Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association, the City of Saskatoon, Tourism Saskatchewan, and others, I ensure synergistic and productive collaborations. On the advocacy front, my representation of Saskatoon at the Canadian Destination Leadership Council, especially within the Executive Team, coupled with engagements at conferences, amplifies our city’s voice on a national platform. 

One of my most cherished obligations lies in deepening our ties with the Saskatoon Tribal Council and Indigenous partners. This alliance is centred on authentic representation, truth-telling, and a dedication to economic reconciliation. Guiding our research, marketing, and product development strategies, I focus on innovative and resonant approaches, all while nurturing a dynamic team that collectively pushes Discover Saskatoon's vision to new heights.

Kaurie is an accomplished financial strategist and operations expert with over 15 years of experience in leading organizations to financial success. As the Director of Finance & Operations at Discover Saskatoon, Kaurie plays a pivotal role in shaping the financial health and operational efficiency of our organization.

Throughout his career, Kaurie has spearheaded initiatives that have significantly improved operational and financial efficiencies, while also enhancing team culture. His strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in ensuring that our organization remains agile and competitive in today's rapidly changing business landscape.

Kaurie has a passion for leadership and entrepreneurship and has dedicated significant resources into personal and professional development, on top of his Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) designation and Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan.

He was born and raised in Saskatoon and, in addition to his professional achievements, is a passionate advocate for community engagement. He has been actively involved in several charitable organizations, demonstrating his commitment to making a positive impact beyond the office.

Favourite Saskatoon Experience: When Kaurie isn't immersed in financial analysis and optimizing operations, he enjoys taking walks along the river and immersing himself in the many amazing culinary options Saskatoon has to offer! His favourite #Saskatooning experience is stand-up paddleboarding on the river at night with glowing paddleboards!

As part of the Finance team, I provide daily support to the Discover Saskatoon team. From processing accounts payable, assisting with sending membership invoices and entering visitor centre sales to providing accurate monthly reports to Managers.  My past experience has been with small to medium businesses, and I bring 35 years of experience to the team. 

After graduating from Saskatoon Business School and working in a variety of positions, I started working in the accounting field and found my love of numbers. I began taking more accounting and payroll classes and eventually moved away from administrative work to strictly doing accounting/bookkeeping. 

I have raised two daughters in this beautiful city and now enjoy the love of four grandchildren. 

Favorite Saskatoon Experience:  the amazing restaurants, Remai Modern Art Gallery, and walks along the Meewasin trail.

As the Executive Assistant, I am responsible for supporting, communicating, and reporting to our CEO, the Board of Directors and our members. I am fortunate to engage with visitors offering a wide variety of events to experience in our beautiful city. Through my years of experience in tourism, travel and administrative roles, I look forward to meeting new people and sharing experiences.

Favourite Saskatoon Activities: I enjoy spending time with family and friends, experiencing our many culinary cuisines in Saskatoon, and especially in the summer, I enjoy spending time along the river.

As the Executive Assistant, I am responsible for supporting, communicating, and reporting to our CEO, the Board of Directors and our members. I am fortunate to engage with visitors offering a wide variety of events to experience in our beautiful city. Through my years of experience in tourism, travel and administrative roles, I look forward to meeting new people and sharing experiences.

Favourite Saskatoon Activities: I enjoy spending time with family and friends, experiencing our many culinary cuisines in Saskatoon, and especially in the summer, I enjoy spending time along the river.

Leanne has more than 16 years of progressive experience in marketing and strategic communications, with a strong focus on community relations and engagement. Her background includes over a decade of project management and strategic planning, making her an effective leader and creative problem solver. Leanne is dedicated to building partnerships and engaging diverse stakeholder groups to foster a collaborative and inclusive environment.

Leanne has a unique blend of experience spanning the film industry, tourism marketing, and community development. Her front-line work in tourism —ranging from adventure photography to riverboat tours — gives her a deep understanding of the local landscape.

Passionate about storytelling, outdoor recreation, and adventure, Leanne is thrilled to join the Discover Saskatoon team. She looks forward to showcasing the vibrant culture and natural beauty of the city she loves. Outside of work, Leanne can be found enjoying the Meewasin Valley trails and sampling vegetarian delights in Saskatoon’s many local restaurants with friends and family.

In her capacity as a digital marketing manager, Geeta adeptly harnesses a blend of strategic acumen, data-driven insights, and effective team leadership to excel in her role. She plays a crucial role in assisting partners in bolstering their online presence through meticulous website audits and the provision of insightful recommendations.

Geeta's expertise comes to the forefront when she engages in the development and execution of cross-platform campaigns, deftly refining various facets like SEO, SEM, social media, email marketing, and her unwavering passion for technical SEO, which aids businesses in achieving higher rankings on Google search results. Her forte lies in her capacity to dissect analytics, enabling her to make ROI-focused decisions and meticulously fine-tune strategies to attain the most favourable outcomes.

Moreover, Geeta's skill in tailoring content and advertisements through keen audience segmentation plays a pivotal role in driving increased engagement and conversion rates. Her capacity to adapt swiftly to ever-evolving algorithmic changes is a testament to her flexibility, creativity, and profound industry expertise, all of which are fundamental drivers of her ongoing success.

Favourite Saskatoon Activities: Kayaking along the serene South Saskatchewan River, surrounded by breathtaking scenery; Champetre County Saskatoon Wild West Country Ranch in St-Denis; Odla and Farm One Forty Tour.

Shannon has been a part of the Discover Saskatoon Team since 2016 and has many years of experience in tourism, event planning, hospitality, sales, and administrative/executive assistance.

Shannon supports the National, International, Travel Trade, and Sports departments within Business Development, to secure conferences, meetings, special events, trade shows, and site visits.  She collaborates closely with Discover Saskatoon’s hotels, venues, businesses, and offsites to plan and execute events for our clients and our city.

Shannon has lived in Saskatoon for most of her life and loves the people and the beautiful city she is very proud to call her home. When she isn’t working, she loves spending time with family and friends and travelling.

Favourite Saskatoon Activities: summer festivals, food and bevvies at the many hot spots in the city, and the many attractions and experiences that Saskatoon has to offer!

Anahi Soria is a long-serving professional with a deep-rooted passion for the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. Born into a family of tour operators in Mexico, Anahi's connection to travel and tourism runs in her blood. From a young age, she sharpened her skills by coordinating leisure groups and orchestrating guided excursions throughout the scenic landscapes of the Mexican Republic.

Anahi's journey expanded beyond her homeland as she collaborated with both National and International leisure groups, offering her the unique opportunity to explore the diverse and captivating regions of Europe. These rewarding experiences ignited her fascination with the Travel Trade sector.  

Anahi's educational pursuits took her to the United States and eventually to Canada, where she embarked on a fulfilling career in the hotel industry. As an accomplished Director of Sales, she oversaw a diverse portfolio of hotel brands across Saskatchewan, ensuring exceptional guest experiences.  

Her expertise extends beyond hotel sales; Anahi enjoys bringing people together and making memorable moments. Up in Northern Saskatchewan, she worked her magic, coordinating fantastic events and corporate fishing retreats for business corporations, agriculture companies, and First Nations organizations from across Canada.

With her passion for the Tourism Industry, Anahi serves the Discover Saskatoon Business Development team for National Events Western Markets and leads the International Travel Trade portfolio.  

Favourite Saskatoon Activities:

Anahi's love for Saskatoon extends beyond her professional life. You'll find her savouring tacos at Shelter Brewery, cheering the U of S Huskies soccer games, dancing to salsa tunes by the river, or playing a round of golf at Dakota Dunes Resort. Surprisingly, her favourite season is winter; she loves morning walks by the Bessborough Hotel when the river takes on a steaming appearance.

Chelsea is a seasoned hospitality professional with a strong background in events and hospitality management.  She comes to us with a proven history of planning and coordinating successful events and marketing strategies. Her roles have encompassed strategic marketing and event planning over the years. In her tenure at Homefield Marketing Chelsea was the recipient of a Gold MarCom Award in Social Media for Social Branding Campaign, and was nominated in the Marketing category with Samuel McLeod Business Awards with the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce. Her creative flair and commitment to staying attuned to industry trends enable her to curate events and campaigns that leave a lasting impact.

Favourite Saskatoon Activities: Jazz Fest, walking the Meewasin, and experiencing at all the great restaurants in the city!