Explorers’ Edge Welcomes Oliver Martin and Dawn Tabobondung to Board of Directors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Explorers’ Edge Welcomes Oliver Martin and Dawn Tabobondung to Board of Directors
MUSKOKA, ON – October 16, 2026 – Explorers’ Edge, the regional tourism organization for Muskoka, West Parry Sound, Almaguin Highlands, Loring-Restoule, South Algonquin and Algonquin Park, is pleased to welcome Oliver Martin and Dawn Tabobondung to its Board of Directors following their election at the organization’s Annual General Meeting on September 29.
The appointments come as Explorers’ Edge continues to evolve its work in destination development, visitor transportation, tourism packaging, community partnerships and the development of new domestic and international markets.
Martin is a Senior Partner at Skift and has spent his career understanding how travel consumer behaviour is evolving and what it means for the places people choose to visit. He has worked with over 100 destinations, airlines, tour operators, hospitality groups and investors in Canada and around the world, advising on destination development, market development, seasonality and investment attraction. He brings a pan-Canadian and international perspective to the Board.
Tabobondung brings experience in education, community economic development, tourism operations and financial administration, together with strong regional relationships. Her experience also includes work connected to Indigenous education, youth pathways, culture and tourism.
At the AGM, the Board discussed how the organization’s mandate and operating environment have become increasingly complex and recognized that a broader mix of experience can strengthen governance while maintaining strong representation from tourism operators throughout the region.
“Our Board has always benefited from people who understand what it means to operate, invest and build something in this region,” said Sarah North-Harris, Chair of Explorers’ Edge. “As our work expands, we also need perspectives that help us think differently and ask better questions. Dawn and Oliver bring very different but complementary experience, and both will add considerable value to the conversations around our Board table.”
For Explorers’ Edge CEO James Murphy, the appointments reflect where the organization is heading as it explores new approaches to rural destination development.
“The work in front of us is considerably different than it was even a few years ago,” said Murphy. “We are building transportation partnerships, selling bookable experiences, developing direct relationships with travellers, working more deeply with communities and looking beyond traditional tourism marketing models. We also believe that if you are at the table, you should have both a voice and a vote in helping shape our destination and the communities within it. Oliver brings a national and international lens to those conversations, while Dawn brings an important community, education and regional perspective. Their addition strengthens the Board at exactly the right time.”
Vice-Chair Brent Ellerson said the appointments complement the practical industry experience that has long been central to the organization’s governance.
“There is real value in having a Board grounded in tourism operators who understand the realities of doing business in this region, and we want to preserve that,” said Ellerson. “At the same time, good governance means continuing to broaden the experience around the table as the organization grows. Oliver and Dawn bring knowledge that complements the strengths already on the Board and will help us make better-informed decisions about where Explorers’ Edge goes next.”
The Board approved the current slate of directors, including Martin and Tabobondung, at the September 29 Annual General Meeting. The organization will continue its governance renewal work throughout the coming year, including director onboarding, succession planning and a review of the mix of skills and regional tourism representation required for the future.
About Explorers’ Edge
Explorers’ Edge is Ontario’s Regional Tourism Organization 12, representing Muskoka, West Parry Sound, Almaguin Highlands, Loring-Restoule, South Algonquin and Algonquin Park. Through its consumer-facing brand, The Great Canadian Wilderness, the organization works with communities and tourism operators to grow the visitor economy through destination development, partnerships, transportation, visitor experiences and new approaches to reaching domestic and international travellers.
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Media Contact:
James Murphy, CEO
Explorers’ Edgewww.explorersedge.ca
