Executive Leadership

Richard is Destination BC’s President and CEO, and previously served as the corporation’s Vice President of Corporate Development.

Richard Porges is Destination BC’s President and CEO, and previously served as the corporation’s Vice President of Corporate Development. Richard joined the corporation’s research department in 1999 and moved to progressively more senior roles within Destination BC and the provincial government. Before joining Destination BC, Richard taught in the Economics, MBA, and MPA programs at the University of Victoria, and served as a consultant for several government and non-profit organizations. Richard holds an MA in Economics from Simon Fraser University.

Maya Lange is the Vice President of Global Marketing at Destination BC, where she leads international and domestic tourism marketing efforts for the province under Super, Natural BC and the new brand family of iconic brands.

Maya is recognized for unifying BC’s tourism industry under a data-driven, digitally focused strategy and was named Canada’s Marketer of the Year in 2018. She has extensive experience in global marketing and is known for her innovative, collaborative approach to destination branding. Maya holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. A passionate British Columbian raising a family, she loves skiing, sailing, swimming, and exploring BC’s hidden wonders.

Neil is responsible for leading the comprehensive range of core corporate activities that comprise the five areas of responsibility of the Corporate Development division.

In his current role as Vice President of Corporate Development, Neil has gained great respect from Destination BC’s Board of Directors, developed strong relationships with our colleagues in core government, negotiated important agreements with industry, and provided leadership to Destination BC staff. Neil is responsible for leading the comprehensive range of core corporate activities that comprise the five areas of responsibility of the Corporate Development division - Corporate Services, People and Development, Research and Analytics, Corporate Communications, and Corporate Planning and Information Management.   Neil joined the corporation in early 2019 as Destination BC’s Chief Financial Officer and was responsible for the financial oversight of the corporation, including financial reporting and policy, budgeting, forecasting, and corporate planning. He was also accountable for human resources, procurement and contracting, risk management, records management, and legal services. Neil leveraged his experience in Finance to ensure the organization received smooth audits, delivered successful research projects, met recruitment targets, developed progressive corporate planning and ensured impactful corporate communications. Neil then moved into the acting role of Vice President, Corporate Development, for one year before moving into the permanent position.   Prior to joining Destination BC, Neil held several senior management roles within the public sector. Neil holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Royal Roads University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. Away from work, Neil is passionate about enjoying BC's outdoors with his young family.

Alison is responsible for our destination management programs and efforts with a focus on supporting the revitalization of a strong and sustainable tourism sector across the province. 

Alison oversees Destination BC’s destination management programs, with a focus on supporting the revitalization of a strong and sustainable tourism sector. She leads the Destination Management team in implementing annual plans, programs and projects; work with the executive team to support corporate-wide projects, such as Invest in Iconics, Destination Stewardship, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility; and collaborate with Indigenous Tourism BC on projects specific to Indigenous communities. Alison joined Destination BC in 2006 as a member of the research department. During her 16-year tenure, she has taken on progressively senior roles, most recently as Director of Destination & Industry Development. Her career highlights include partnering with RDMOs and Ministry staff to create a new provincial destination development program; and developing provincial, regional and local area strategies in cooperation with Indigenous communities, residents, businesses, economic development agencies, government and the tourism industry. Alison holds a Masters of Applied Environmental Studies: Tourism Policy & Planning from the University of Waterloo. She is an active volunteer in her local youth soccer and lacrosse communities, and sits on the board of the Invasive Species Council of BC. During her free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family in their home of Coquitlam, on the unceded traditional territory of the Coast Salish Peoples and the Kwikwetlem First Nation.