Kelly Haussler
Director, Destination Development, Ottawa Tourism
As Ottawa Tourism’s Director of Destination Development within one of Canada’s pre-eminent destination development units, Kelly Haussler is a recognized leader and innovator in this fast-growing segment of destination management. The lead on Ottawa’s Destination Stewardship Plan, Kelly’s strategic vision and effective project execution resulted in a multi-stakeholder, 10-year roadmap that choreographs the long-term prosperity of Canada’s capital region.
Prior to Ottawa Tourism, Kelly spent six years working for a project-based, sustainable tourism consultancy firm in Australia, in which she spearheaded numerous major strategic tourism projects, provided experience mentoring support to small tourism businesses, and co-authored national publications on tourism risk management and experience development.
Kelly is currently a member of the Indigenous Tourism Collaborative of the Americas, Destinations International’s Advocacy Committee and Destinations International’s Sustainability Task Force. She was also named one of Ottawa’s Forty Under 40 in 2021 and holds an MBA Essentials certificate from The London School of Economics and Political Science, as well as a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Marine Biology and Oceanography from Dalhousie University.
As an avid lover of film and television, Kelly is thrilled to be serving on the Ottawa Film Office Board where she will help to foster and grow this important economic driver for Ottawa.