Speakers
Check out the lineup of speakers from SEEBC 2025!
Gabriel Assis is the Chief Executive Officer of BC Soccer, bringing a lifelong passion for sport and community development to the role. With leadership experience across local, provincial, and national sport organizations, he focuses on building inclusive, participant-centered systems. His academic background spans law, HR, and business, complemented by advanced sport management training, including the FIFA Executive Diploma from CIES. Gabriel is committed to driving positive, lasting impact through sport.
Imran Gill has over a decade of leadership experience in economic development, tourism, and major events. He currently serves as Director, Industry Partnerships and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility at Destination BC, overseeing Visitor Services, Co-op Marketing & MRDT, and DEIA initiatives. Imran works closely with partners across the province to strengthen BC’s tourism industry. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring the province with his wife and young son.
Michelle Collens is the Director of Tourism & Destination Events for the City of Vancouver, leading strategies and partnerships to attract major sporting events through Sport Hosting Vancouver. A UBC alumna and former varsity volleyball athlete, she has built a career at the intersection of sport, destination marketing, and economic development. Michelle collaborates with government and industry partners to position Vancouver as a global events hub. Her work includes securing world-class events such as the Invictus Winter Games, Laver Cup, T100 Vancouver Triathlon, and Vancouver Rugby 7s.
Allison Mailer, Sport BC’s Vice-President Operations, has been a key member of the organization since 2019. She leads operations across KidSport BC, BC Women & Sport, the BC Amateur Sport Fund, and major initiatives, events, and advocacy efforts. Previously, Allison spent over a decade with the BC Sports Hall of Fame, including five years as Executive Director. Her career highlights include leading the award-winning Indigenous Sport Gallery and supporting sport organizations across the province.
Stephanie Rudnisky is a sport leader committed to inclusion, community impact, and athlete development. At Sport BC, she supports initiatives that strengthen the provincial sport system and celebrate the people driving it forward. She brings national and provincial experience from organizations including Canadian Blind Sports, Canada Basketball, and Volleyball BC, and previously served as Executive Director of PacificSport Fraser Valley. Stephanie is known for her collaborative approach and passion for building belonging through sport.
Tom Berekoff is the CEO of tpb strategic counsel, advising charities, nonprofits, and philanthropic leaders across Canada. With deep experience in fundraising and external relations, he has supported organizations in sport, education, health, arts, and community development. Tom has held national volunteer leadership roles, including Past Chair of CFRE International and GiveWise Foundation Canada. He is driven by a commitment to advancing amateur sport and creating meaningful impact for the communities he serves.
Founder and Creative Director of Epic Branding & Design, Andi Mortenson brings over 20 years of experience leading national sport branding initiatives for organizations like Canada Soccer and the Vancouver Canucks. A champion for accessibility in sport, she’s now pioneering the integration of AI into creative workflows to help sport organizations innovate and connect with communities more effectively.
Jenn Houtby-Ferguson, CMP, CMM, is a leader in sport tourism and destination development with more than two decades of experience in destination marketing and event strategy. As Director of the World Leisure Centre of Excellence and professor at Vancouver Island University, she advises governments and organizations on tourism resilience and community readiness while researching risk communication in major event hosting.
Michael Thompson is a technology and business leader with 25+ years of experience driving growth across Canada’s tech and corporate sectors. Now leading ISB Global Services, he’s recognized for his strategic vision, customer-focused leadership, and extensive experience in technology innovation, travel, and corporate partnerships.
Wilson J. Tang is an award-winning artist, designer, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience at companies like Electronic Arts, Lucasfilm, and Kabam. As founder and CEO of YumeBau Inc., he’s shaping the future of immersive media through AR and VR innovations, working with global clients including Meta, Epic Games, and Microsoft.