Meaghan was previously listed in the DataIQ 100 list for 2024, and was crowned Data and AI Leader of the Year (Client-Side) at the 2025 DataIQ Awards North America. Under Meaghan’s leadership, Destination Canada won Transformation with Data and AI (Client-Side) in 2025 and the Best Use of AI for Not-For-Profit or Non-Commercial Purposes in 2024. Meaghan has joined the top ten in 2025 for her consistent use of multidisciplinary skills to enhance data and AI learnings for an industry that is seldom considered to be at the cutting edge of AI use. Without her insights, determination, and team leadership, the Canadian tourism sector would not have recovered as rapidly or as successfully as it has done following the global pandemic.
Throughout my career, I have operated at the intersection of strategy, finance, data, analytics, and technology, using these disciplines to drive innovation, enhance decision-making, and transform industries. With leadership roles across the energy, healthcare, and insurance sectors, I developed a strong foundation in financial strategy, data analytics, and strategic transformation.
At Destination Canada, I lead our data strategy and insights-driven decision-making to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of Canada’s tourism sector. I work with an incredible team, ensuring that data remains central to our strategy – uncovering insights, fueling innovation, and driving impactful decisions. By staying at the forefront of data and analytics, we position collective intelligence as a key strategic differentiator, reinforcing data as one of our most valuable assets in shaping the future of Canadian tourism.
Our commitment to AI and data has been recognized across the industry, with projects earning awards for their impact on the tourism sector. I am passionate about sharing insights on how AI transforms industries and drives innovation, whether by speaking at global events or contributing to leading publications.
Securing executive sponsorship and stakeholder alignment is essential for any data-driven initiative to succeed. We ensure strong business support for our team by aligning our work with strategic objectives that drive sector growth and economic impact. A key approach is demonstrating measurable business value. We showcase how AI-driven insights from the Canadian Tourism Data Collective support economic planning, investment attraction, and destination marketing, positioning data as a strategic enabler.
Effective communication plays a major role. We build executive confidence and secure sustained investment by translating complex AI and data concepts into clear, actionable insights. Demonstrating the ROI of data-driven strategies maintains long-term support. Our 2030 Strategy positions Collective Intelligence as a key strategic driver, ensuring that insights are readily available across the sector and underpinning a data-forward mindset that fuels innovation and sustainable industry growth.
The role of the data leader is evolving rapidly from a technical enabler to a strategic business driver. I believe that over the next 12–24 months, data leaders will be expected to embed AI and data-driven decision-making into core business strategies, ensuring organizations can leverage predictive analytics, automation, and real-time insights to stay competitive. At the same time, data ethics, governance, and privacy will remain critical to maintaining stakeholder trust.
Another key shift is the integration of data leadership with financial and strategic planning. Data leaders will increasingly influence investment decisions, resource allocation, and sector-wide transformation, reinforcing data’s role as a catalyst for growth.
Ultimately, the future of data leadership is about bridging technology with business outcomes, ensuring that AI and data intelligence drive real-world impact and economic growth.