Contact Us

James Murphy, CEO
Email: [email protected]

After completing a college diploma in Hotel and Resort Management, James went on to complete an undergraduate degree at the University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Applied Management in Hospitality & Tourism in 2004.  In 2008 James received his Master of Arts, Recreation and Leisure Studies, Tourism Planning and Policy degree from the University of Waterloo.

Post-graduation, James served as the general manager of SAVOUR Muskoka, a culinary tourism initiative aimed at bridging the gap between supplier and restaurant chef while at the same time creating a culinary identity for the region of Muskoka and Parry Sound.

During this time he was involved in tourism initiatives on a district level and provincial level as a board member with Muskoka Tourism, Ontario Culinary Tourism Association (OCTA) and the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce.  James has also worked on projects with the Canadian Tourism Commission, Canadian Relais & Chateaux Association and Statistics Canada.  His research has been published in the International Journal of Hospitality Management.

In 2020, as part of RTO12’s regenerative strategy, James undertook to obtain his TICO Travel Counsellor certificate, and the TICO Travel Supervisor certificate in order to establish a bona fide travel agency division at Explorers’ Edge. He is also a professor of Tour & Package Sales at Georgian College in Barrie, where he helped students obtain their own TICO Travel Counsellor certificates and introduced work-integrated Master Classes and Familiarization Tours participants.

James Murphy lead the RTO12 Business Case for Commercial Air Service at the Muskoka Airport, which successfully attracted Porter Airlines as a partner, commencing with seasonal service in 2019.

In 2022, James was promoted to CEO of Explorers’ Edge, reflecting his increased responsibility to build significant revenue generation for the sustainability of the industry, the organization and local communities (economic development).

Jennifer Montpetit, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development
Email: [email protected]

As Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development Jennifer leads the cultivation and advancement of strategic partnerships that support Explorers’ Edge’s organizational goals and long-term regional impact. In this expanded leadership role, she works across sectors to identify opportunities, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and develop collaborative initiatives that advance tourism growth, industry engagement, and community benefit throughout the region.

Jennifer is a highly skilled relationship builder with experience managing complex projects across the nonprofit, tourism, energy, and public sectors. Her background includes tourism event management and marketing in Ontario’s Muskoka region, where she supported the development of shoulder-season packages and regional accommodation partnerships designed to strengthen local economies and visitor appeal.

She has also led multi-million-dollar clean energy and infrastructure projects, securing more than $15 million in funding while fostering successful cross-sector collaboration among government, industry, and community partners. Known for her strategic mindset, leadership, and ability to move ideas into action, Jennifer brings a strong balance of partnership development, program execution, and organizational insight to her work.

Her contributions have been recognized through multiple industry honours, including the Electrical Distribution Association’s Innovation and Communications Excellence Awards, and she previously led her team to the finals of NRCan’s Power Forward Challenge.

Rebecca Francis
Sustainability Specialist
Email: [email protected]

Rebecca has an extensive background in corporate and social sustainability, environmental education, stakeholder engagement and project management. She has held sustainability positions in the non-profit, public and private sectors, and she holds an MES in Environmental Studies.

Rebecca will lead the RTO’s Sustainable Tourism Pilot Project, which tracks the progress of six regional operators to build the business case for mass participation by the industry. She will also provide coaching to individual operators, develop a series of informative webinars, and create a “stewardship 101” program for properties.

Jake Good
Brand Narrative Manager
Email: [email protected]

As Brand Narrative Manager, Jake brings a journalist’s eye for storytelling and a strong background in social media management and content development to his role at Explorers’ Edge. With experience spanning digital communications and the craft brewing industry, Jake specializes in uncovering and sharing compelling stories that connect audiences to place, people, and experience.

In his role, Jake leads the development of brand storytelling and content that helps showcase the depth, character, and distinctiveness of the region’s tourism sector. Much of his work takes him out into the field, where he captures and amplifies the voices, experiences, and businesses that make the region unique. His approach blends strategic communications with authentic narrative development, helping strengthen Explorers’ Edge’s brand presence and industry visibility.