Susan Dong

What is Susan doing on a day-to-day basis to address systemic barriers and social norms in the industry?

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She is being open about the challenges she is facing after returning from maternity leave – coupled with juggling her work life and a personal life that now includes two children under five years of age. Susan has shared some of her thinking with other returning mum’s as a means of supporting them. She is also a senior leader in our organisation and her openness around the challenges of returning to a high paced career after a one-year maternity leave is really important for so many leaders in our organisation. It deepens the empathy of Managers and grow the feelings of being seen and included by many staff members.

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Can you tell us about a project that Susan has worked on or led where she has developed effective strategies that promote women's advancement in tourism?

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Susan works on mentoring women in her own team, as well as in our organisation. At the end of March, she will be hosting a session exploring the evolving nature and intersection of personal and professional identities along with the values that guide decision-making in the workplace for her colleagues at Destination Canada.

Susan Dong is a strategic leader at Destination Canada, where she plays a key role in shaping the future of Canada’s tourism brand. Born in China, educated in North America, and now raising a young family in Vancouver, she is a humble Canadian with a global perspective. She joined DC in 2022 with over a decade of experience working on iconic brands across food, film and fashion. With a strong track record in brand strategy, marketing communications, stakeholder engagement and business development, she is instrumental in driving the evolution of Canada’s tourism identity. Susan’s leadership fosters collaboration and innovation among industry partners, ensuring Canada remains a globally competitive and inspiring destination for travellers from around the world. As a champion for inclusivity and women in leadership, she is dedicated to empowering future leaders to serve with purpose and intention. The Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia has a special place in her heart, she loves to soak up the sun in the Okanagan desert and highly recommends finding solitude in the North.