Governance
For us at HI Canada, being travel conscious means travelling with open-mindedness, togetherness and mindfulness at the forefront. We want to help shape a global movement of conscious travellers who strive to create a more peaceful, inclusive world.
To help create this community, HI Canada starts at the grass roots level with the involvement of our members. Each HI Canada member has the opportunity to share their voice in the overall governance of the organization. We invite you to join us.
Building a Travel Conscious Community
Mindfulness
We’re on a mission to leave the world better than found.
We raise consciousness about a better way of travelling, to being thankful and respectful of the people and the places that make each moment unique and memorable.
Togetherness
We believe experiences are better lived when shared with others in friendship and understanding.
We believe in collaboration and the power of the collective: all for one and one for all.
Open-mindedness
We welcome people and ideas from all places.
We believe everyone should be free to express their point of view.
We encourage the sharing of knowledge, experience and beliefs.
Our Board of Directors
HI Canada currently has 9 members serving on the Board. Each board member is elected by HI Canada members and their role is to determine policy, ensure the proper management of HI and provide effective guidance and leadership to the CEO and the rest of the HIC staff.
Lenore Neudorf, Chair
Lenore is passionate about hostelling and the connections and fellowship it provides. As a senior executive and lawyer, she has brought extensive experience to Hostelling International for over 15 years, both regionally and nationally. In her free time, Lenore loves to visit with family and friends and pursue her interest in fibre arts.
Othello Tuason, 1st Vice Chair
Othello was raised in Western Canada, where his love of the outdoors and travel was shaped. Trekking/backpacking, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding and fly fishing are often ways he enjoys the endless sunny days of southern Alberta. Othello is trained primarily in finance and strategy, and has studied in the University of Calgary, for his Bachelors of Commerce, and Dalhousie University for his Masters of Business Administration, as well as the US and Mexico (on exchange). He has worked in West Coast, Prairies, and Central Canada. His professional credentials are available on LinkedIn.
On the travel side, Othello has touched each province, and is planning to visit the three territories (fishing and hiking, maybe?). Internationally, he’s seen North and Central America, Europe, and Pac-Asia. So his combination of work, education, and travel across this country provides a unique Canadian perspective. He lives in Calgary, with his wife and their two children, and is the Chief Corporate Officer of viiz Communications, serving the telecommunications industry.
Jason Demers, 2nd Vice Chair
Jason is an active hosteller and life-time member. His first introduction to hostelling was on his first European trip where many friendships were formed along his travels. This has continued closer to home where he has introduced many to the value and beauty of the HI network in the west.
When not working or volunteering Jason can be found on a road (gravel or paved), trail hiking or body of water kayaking.
Jeremy Fowler, Director
Jeremy had his first hostel experience in 2013 when he travelled to Malaysia and has been hooked ever since. Soon after his trip, he joined the HI Canada - Atlantic board. Whether at home or on a hostel trip, this East Coaster is typically found running through the woods or constantly snapping photos.
John Hutchings, Director
Growing up both in Ottawa and outside Canada, John came to know travel and intercultural exchange through his family’s frequent moves – gaining not only some wanderlust to see more of Canada and more of the world, but an appreciation of how travellers can come together to enrich themselves and their communities. Now a lawyer practising in Toronto, he works as legal counsel to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) where he has also served in adjudicative, policy and managerial roles. John first joined Canada’s public service in 2007. He has also worked for the Ontario public service and as a director of a community legal clinic in Montreal. He is keen to contribute to HI Canada’s vision of conscious travel and community.
Shane Kerpan, Director
My experience with HI began in 1998 when I took on the role of Hostel Manager at the Kamloops Old Courthouse Hostel. During the following 2.5 years, not only was I successful in turning around a troubled operation, but I also had the privilege of holding what I still consider to be the most enjoyable job I have ever had. The experience of meeting new people, learning about different cultures and embarking on hostelling myself is one I have always treasured.
Peter Nietresta, Director
Peter is passionate about the hostelling movement and HI's members. As an avid global hosteller, Peter is committed to enhancing opportunities for member engagement so that the Board can remain in tune with member expectations and improve the hostelling experience in Western Canada.
Victoria Oppenlander, Director
One of Victoria's favourite hostel experiences was meeting a fellow hosteller in Berlin, and then by sheer happenstance, running into them in a shop in Banff about five months later. It's this sense of community among hostellers that she hopes to foster through her work on the board.
James Wyatt, Director
James has enjoyed hostels for many years and strongly believes in the mission statement of Hostelling International. He brings years of experience in the fields of tourism, education, and sports and recreation. After 7 years of regional board service including service as Chair he is proud to now serve at the national level on the HI Canada Board. He is committed to strong governance that is reflective of its members and embraces the opportunity to assist the national board in fulfilling its various roles and responsibilities. While appreciative of the degree to which traveling and the subsequent socio-cultural experiences enrich people’s lives he is inspired by the fact that hostelling is a wonderful opportunity to broadens one’s horizons and to ultimately galvanize the global citizen.