HI Canada Governance

Lenore Neudorf, Chair

Lenore is passionate about hostelling and the connections and fellowship it provides. As a retired senior executive and lawyer, she has brought her extensive experience to Hostelling International Canada for over 20 years, both regionally and nationally. In her free time, Lenore loves to travel, golf and pursue her interest in art.

Othello Tuason, 1st Vice Chair

Othello is trained in finance and strategy (University of Calgary, BComm, and Dalhousie University, MBA). His work spans West Coast, Prairies, and Central Canada – credentials on LinkedIn.

Othello has seen each province, and plans on the territories. Internationally, he’s seen North and Central America, Europe, Africa and Pac-Asia. Combining work, education, and travel creates a unique perspective. Othello lives in Calgary, enjoys the mountains with his wife and their two children, and owns a boutique corporate finance advisory.

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.

Shane Kerpan, Director

Shane’s journey with HI began in 1998 when he became Hostel Manager at the Kamloops Old Courthouse Hostel. Over the next two and a half years, he successfully turned around a struggling operation while discovering what remains one of the most rewarding experiences of his career. Managing the hostel gave him the chance to meet incredible people from around the world, learn about diverse cultures, and experience the spirit of hostelling firsthand. Those years left a lasting impression on Shane and continue to inspire his passion for travel, community, and the connections that hostelling makes possible.

Victoria Oppenlander, Director

Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Victoria has been an avid hosteller for over a decade. Through her work on the board, she is eager to continue fostering the sense of community that hostelling brings. In her free time, you can usually find Victoria on an adventure, or planning the next one!

Jeremy Fowler, Director

Jeremy had his first hostel experience in 2013 when he travelled to Malaysia and has been hooked ever since - he joined the HI-Atlantic board soon after that trip. Whether at home or on a hostel trip, this East Coaster is typically found running through the woods or constantly snapping photos.

Brandon Sousa, Director

Brandon is an experienced corporate communications professional who has worked with some of Canada’s largest brands and public companies. A passionate traveller with more than 50 countries under his belt, he believes adventure fosters personal growth and positive economic impact. A former accredited travel writer, he loves hostels for their community spirit. Brandon also brings eight years of board and governance experience, having served as a director with a provincial association for professional craft artists.

John Hutchings, Director

Growing up in Ottawa and abroad, John developed a love for travel and intercultural exchange through his family’s many moves. These experiences sparked both wanderlust and an appreciation for how travellers connect and enrich communities. A lawyer specializing in human rights, migration, and administrative justice, John has worked in Canada’s public service since 2007, including roles in Ontario and Montreal.

Kevin Pals, Director

Growing up in Alberta, Kevin embraced the outdoors and the adventures of the Rocky Mountains. Having lived, worked, and travelled abroad, he’s seen firsthand the impact hostelling has on young travellers. Now based in Vancouver, Kevin works for a travel technology company, supporting strategic planning, community engagement, and destination development. He’s excited to help HI Canada’s network grow from coast to coast.

Veronique Lescaut, Director

With extensive travel experience across Latin America, Veronique’s love of hostels sparked a lifelong passion for tourism and sustainability. After living and working in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, she moved to Canada with her Québécois husband and three sons to raise them closer to home. Now embracing the joys of Canadian outdoor life (black flies aside!), Veronique brings strong corporate management experience in travel and tourism and a deep commitment to connecting people through meaningful travel. She’s excited to support HI Canada’s mission to inspire authentic experiences and global understanding.

Jeansil Bruyère, Director

Raised between Montréal, La Malbaie, and Zamboanga, Jeansil draws on his French Canadian and Tausug (Filipino Muslim) roots to celebrate intercultural connection and the transformative power of travel. As a biracial queer person of colour, he brings a vital perspective to HI Canada’s mission. His career in public service, law, and advocacy focuses on advancing the rights of refugees, migrants, trans communities, and people living with HIV. Now based in Montreal, Jeansil continues to promote inclusion and equity—and still finds joy in the simple magic of hostelling: a bunk bed, a new city, and a curious heart.