Board of Directors

Allyson Tonelli is an accomplished sales leader with a diverse background in film, sports, hospitality, and tourism. Currently, she serves as the Director of Sales & Partnerships for BPE Hospitality, where she drives revenue growth and enhances guest experiences. As an ambassador for the group, Allyson creates awareness for all the hospitality brands and establishes the parent company, Benjamin Hotels, as a key player in the Kingston community. In recognition of her significant contributions to the industry, Allyson was named TIAC’s Tourism Champion of the Year for 2023. Her career is defined by her passion for sales and her talent for building relationships.

Janet Guthrie is the Sport Tourism Coordinator for the City of Leduc, a community recognized by the GSI Canada Index as one of the country’s top sport hosting communities with a population under 50,000. Involved in sport hosting throughout her life, Janet’s passion for sport tourism took hold in university when she had the opportunity to host the World Junior Luge Championships during her practicum experience. Ever since, she has strived to deliver a stand out experience for all events, leading to consistent recognition at the STC Prestige awards.

Janet is a graduate of University of Alberta (UofA) with a Bachelor of Physical Education focused on the Cultural and Managerial Studies of Sports and Leisure. She also has a National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration (NCLAA I) bringing a unique understanding of municipal government to the Board of Directors.

A sports industry professional with nearly 20 years of experience in business development, Scott Pritchard is currently the Executive Director – PGA TOUR Canada. He is passionate about building and fostering new relationships as well as finding new and innovative ways to grow personally and professionally. His current focus is on building effective sponsorship / partnership programs, strategic planning and event management. 

A graduate of the University of Ottawa with a B.A. in Communications/Political Science, he also has a Professional Certificate in Public Sector and Non-Profit Marketing from Carleton University and is a graduate of the Broadcast Journalism program at Humber College. He is also a Certified Association Executive, the internationally recognized designation from the Canadian Society of Association Executives. 

Carson Ackroyd is a Sales, Marketing and Communications professional with more than 25 years of experience in a number of industry sectors.

He started his career with the Sun Media organization where he worked for 13 years in a number of roles that included running the marketing, promotions and circulation sales for both the Edmonton Sun and the Calgary Sun before transitioning to lead the advertising sales team at the Calgary Sun. He transitioned to become the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for ATCO for more than a decade. In this role, he had a 100+ person team responsible for all aspects of marketing and communications for a multi national conglomerate in the energy, utility and structures and logistics business.

In 2018, Carson became the Sr. Vice President of Sales at Tourism Calgary where he leads a team responsible for attracting sport & major cultural events to the city as well as meetings & conventions.

In addition to his professional background, Carson has served on the Board of Tourism Calgary, Ag For Life, Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club and Silver Springs Golf Club.

Nolan Thiessen is in the unique position today of playing a leading role in organizing some of the biggest sporting events in Canada, events that in his past life as an athlete he we was trying to win, and on three occasions actually did.

Nolan, earned his CPA, CA designation in 2006 while articling at a national accounting firm before moving into a managerial role with a big four firm for five years.

Nolan, then took a hiatus from corporate life while competing internationally in curling, winning three Brier Championships as well as one gold and one bronze at the World Championships.

Post playing career Nolan started working in various areas of Curling Canada’s business operations where he now leads the events team to help drive exceptional experiences for athletes, ticket purchasers, broadcast viewers, sponsors as well as funding agencies who help deliver Curling Canada’s Season of Champions.

Nolan, has served in the past as Chair of the World Curling Federation’s Athlete Commission and currently serves on the World Curling Federation Competition & Rules Commission.

Pam Lacroix is currently serving as the Manager for Richmond Sport Hosting in the City of Richmond. Her journey in this field began in 2008 with her role at the Richmond Olympic Oval, where she was able to support in the Oval’s preparations to host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and was offered a firsthand look at the intricacies of event hosting on an international scale. Since then, Pam has played a key role in developing the event hosting program at the Richmond Olympic Oval.

Her collaborative efforts with numerous provincial, national, and international sport partners underscore her commitment to excellence and innovation in the field. Pam possesses a profound understanding of the unique qualities each sport brings to an event, ensuring tailored and memorable experiences for participants and spectators alike. Pam is passionate about creating impactful and inclusive events and is committed to fostering a vibrant and dynamic sport culture in Richmond.

Garrett Ball joined Golf Canada in 2012 and was previously the organization’s Chief Financial Officer until transitioning to the newly created Chief Operating Officer role in 2020.

The longest tenured member of the Executive team, Garrett has oversight of the organization’s financial statements and investment portfolio; administration; business services and IT; professional championships, legal and compliance; government relations; and real estate & facilities, including the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. Garrett is also leading Golf Canada’s new Home for Canadian Golf Project. Garrett has been the staff representative on Golf Canada’s Investment Committee and Audit & Risk Management Committee since 2013.

Garrett graduated from Brock University (BAcc – 2006) and then acquired his Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) designation in 2009. While at Brock University, Garrett was a five (5) time national champion on the lacrosse team. Before joining Golf Canada, Garrett spent nearly a decade working in audit and assurance with PwC LLP in the Hamilton office with short-term secondments in their offices in Dallas and Houston, Texas.

Garrett has been an active volunteer contributor or mentor to various programs, including the City of Hamilton’s Starter Company Program, the Tewaaraton Lacrosse League, and Lawn Summer Nights (Brantford) in support of Cystic Fibrosis. In 2020, Garrett was nominated for Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 Awards.

Married with two children, Garrett and his family are members of Rattlesnake Point Golf Club (Milton) and Cedar Springs Racquet Club (Burlington). Garett is an active coach in the Burlington Minor Lacrosse Association and Burlington Lions Optimist Minor Hockey Association.