Destination Markham Board of Directors

Mayor Frank Scarpitti was elected as Mayor of Markham in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022, making him Markham’s longest-serving Mayor. He was first elected to Markham Council in 1985 as a Regional Councillor and has been elected ten times by the people of Markham, serving over 30 years on the Councils of the City of Markham and York Region.

In addition to serving on York Regional Council, Mayor Scarpitti is the Chair of York Region Rapid Transit Corporation (VIVA Transit) and Vice-Chair of Transportation Services for York Region. He also sits on the Board of Directors for York Telecom Network and Alectra, one of North America’s largest municipally-owned electrical utilities. He led Markham’s initiative to secure the Markham Pan Am Centre and attract York University’s Markham campus, strengthening the city’s position as a hub for sports, education, and innovation.

Councillor Amanda Yeung Collucci has represented Ward 6 on Markham City Council since 2014. Re-elected in 2018 and 2022, she is known for her leadership in fiscal responsibility, serving as Markham’s first Chinese female Budget Chair and helping the city achieve one of the lowest tax rate increases in the Greater Toronto Area.

As a member of the Destination Markham Corporation Board, Amanda brings over 20 years of business experience, including leadership roles at IBM and as an entrepreneur. She also serves as Vice Chair of Economic Development for the City of Markham, supporting initiatives that drive business growth, investment, and tourism. Her leadership strengthens efforts to position Markham as a thriving destination, ensuring a dynamic future for local businesses, cultural organizations, and visitors alike.

Councillor Andrew Keyes has been serving as the representative for Ward 5 in Markham since his election in October 2018 and was re-elected in 2022 with strong community support. He brings extensive experience in community development and municipal governance, focusing on enhancing local business environments and fostering resident engagement.

Before taking on the role of Chair of Destination Markham, Councillor Keyes was Budget Chair of the City of Markham, Co-Chair of Markham Enterprise Corporation, and Chair of the Land, Building, and Parks Committee. In addition to his work with Destination Markham, Andrew is actively involved in several key city boards and committees, including serving as Co-Chair of Markham District Energy, and Chair of the Land, Building, and Parks Committee.

His dedication to public service is evident in his ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure, support small businesses, and enhance the quality of life for residents in Ward 5 and across Markham.

Aarti Patel is the Vice President, Commercial at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. A Chartered Accountant, she serves as Treasurer and Board Member of the York Region Food Network and has previously held similar roles with the Women’s Support Network of York Region.

As Treasurer of the Destination Markham Board, Aarti contributes her extensive experience in financial management and strategic planning to support initiatives that position Markham as a premier destination for business, culture, and tourism.

Councillor Isa Lee has been serving as the representative for Ward 8 in Markham since her election in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022. With over a decade of experience in journalism and media, she brings a strong background in communications and community engagement to her role.

In addition to her council responsibilities, Councillor Lee serves as Chair of Community Services under the General Committee , where she focuses on initiatives that enhance the well-being of Markham residents. As a member of the Destination Markham Board, she contributes her expertise to promote Markham as a vibrant and inclusive destination for business, culture, and tourism.

Michael Chan was elected as Deputy Mayor of Markham in 2022, continuing his long-standing dedication to public service. From 2007-2018, Deputy Mayor Chan served as the local Member of Provincial Parliament for Markham as well as Ontario’s Minister of Revenue, Citizenship and Immigration, Tourism, Culture and Sport, and International Trade, where he championed initiatives to foster economic and job growth locally and throughout the province.

As a member of the Destination Markham Board, Deputy Mayor Chan brings his extensive experience in provincial governance to support Markham as a leader in business, culture, and tourism. His focus remains on enhancing opportunities for the community while advancing Markham’s reputation as a world-class city.

Sam Erry is a values-driven leader with over 15 years of senior executive experience in service delivery modernization, public-private partnerships, and collaborative management. He has held significant positions in the Government of Ontario, including Deputy Solicitor General of Ontario and Deputy Minister of the Anti-Racism Directorate. Sam has also held CEO positions in the private sector where he enhanced the business value propositions of companies globally.

With a proven ability to define strategic visions and deliver results, Mr. Erry brings his expertise in commercial growth and stakeholder engagement to the Destination Markham Board. His seasoned eadership will support efforts to position Markham as a dynamic and inclusive destination for business, culture, and tourism.

Danielle Russell (she/her) is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and Chartered Director (C.Dir) who serves as the Executive Director of Canadian Defence Lawyers. With a career spanning leadership roles in association management, she has also worked as Executive Director of the Air Cadet League of Canada, Ontario as well as Convention Centres Canada, and for two of Canada’s leading Association Management Companies (AMCs).

An active community leader, Ms. Russell serves on the Boards of Spinal Cord Injury Ontario and the Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Association and is the Immediate Past Chair of the City of Markham Race Relations Committee. As a member of the Destination Markham Board, she brings her expertise in governance, leadership, and community engagement to help position Markham as a leader in cultural and economic development.

Harold Ho has over 25 years of experience in Destination Marketing and Tour Operations and more than 10 years of senior leadership roles in sales, marketing, and hotel management. Currently, he serves as the Senior Vice President of Royal Scenic, a leading travel company headquartered in Markham.

Mr. Ho holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, showcasing his strong academic foundation in business and strategic management. In addition to his corporate leadership, he is a Professor at Seneca Polytechnic, where he mentors the next generation of hospitality and tourism professionals at the School of Hospitality and Tourism. As a member of the Destination Markham Board, Mr. Ho brings extensive industry expertise to support initiatives that enhance Markham’s appeal as a world-class destination for business and tourism.

Christine Martin Bevilacqua is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of leadership experience. Most recently, she served as the Chief Administrative Officer for Pet Valu Canada, where she played a key role in overseeing franchise development, construction and driving organizational growth. Her expertise spans human resources management, mergers & acquisitions, and corporate governance in both Canada and the U.S., including roles as Vice President, Corporate Services, and AVP, Human Resources at HB Insurance Management Ltd.

Ms. Martin Bevilacqua also brings a strong background in the tourism and hospitality sector, having served as Regional Director, Human Resources at Delta Hotels and Resorts in Toronto. As a member of the Destination Markham Board, she applies her extensive leadership experience to support initiatives aimed at fostering economic and cultural growth in the Markham community.

Marcos Yu serves as the General Manager of Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa, where he leads a dedicated team in delivering exceptional hospitality services and outstanding guest experiences. A lifelong hotelier, Mr. Yu has worked with prestigious brands such as Marriott and Hilton, building extensive expertise in hotel management and operational excellence.

As a member of the Destination Markham Board, Mr. Yu brings his deep knowledge of the hospitality industry to support initiatives that position Markham as a leading destination for business, culture, and tourism. His leadership plays a key role in strengthening the city’s hospitality sector and enhancing its reputation as a vibrant and welcoming community.