06/01/2026
Meet Lisa John-Mackenzie, Durham Region Industry Relations Manager at Central Counties Tourism (RTO6) and Part-Time Professor at Durham College, based in Uxbridge, Ontario.
Lisa’s career has blended two lifelong passions: food and travel. Her background spans catering and event planning, hotel food and beverage management in Toronto and Whistler, marketing and consulting roles with American Express and The Bottomline Group, and destination development work with the Township of Uxbridge before joining Central Counties Tourism.
Today, Lisa works closely with tourism businesses, municipalities, and culinary operators across Durham Region to help develop memorable visitor experiences. From Beer and Cider Trails to food tours and Feast On® certified experiences, her work focuses on showcasing the people, products, and stories that shape the region’s Taste of Place.
Lisa joined the Culinary Tourism Alliance Board of Directors because of her belief that food and drink are central to every visitor experience. She is especially inspired by the National Culinary & Agritourism Action Plan and the opportunity to help elevate Canada’s culinary industry on the global stage.
Bringing a strong customer experience lens to the board table, Lisa is passionate about understanding how visitors discover destinations, what creates memorable experiences, and how culinary tourism can inspire people to explore more deeply. She is particularly excited by CTA’s work in culinary training, destination development, and impactful marketing initiatives like Do Something Delicious.
Favourite flavour memory: Exploring Nova Scotia’s Lobster, Chowder, and Good Cheer Trails with colleagues and trying lobster rolls for the first time. “I met so many incredible producers and industry peeps along the way, learned a ton about Nova Scotia’s unique culinary scene, and shared loads of laughs,” Lisa recalls.
