Helping Grow Tourism for Kawarthas Northumberland
Board & Staff
RTO8 Staff

Brenda Wood, Executive Director of Regional Tourism Organization 8
Brenda has spent the past twenty-five years in the tourism industry.
Working as a destination representative for a tourism operator in Mexico, Cuba and Spain, she oversaw the arrivals of over 1,200 passengers from Canada each week. She has worked in hotel and attraction sales and for a large DMO in Southern Ontario, specializing in travel trade. Since joining Regional Tourism Organization 8 ten years ago as their Executive Director, she has focused on the development of unique and authentic experiences including Canada’s first Waterway Trail Town program to help grow tourism visitation and revenue within the Kawarthas Northumberland region.

Hillary Flood, Manager, Special Projects
Hillary is an award-winning community activator, thought leader, and place maker, known for leading transformative city-building projects that reshape how people connect with public spaces. Passionate about enhancing the vibrancy and well-being of the region and with a working background in the environmental non-profit sector, Hillary brings valuable sustainable expertise to RTO8 for advancing environmental action and facilitating Green Step Destination Certification for our region.
Email greensteprto8@gmail.com to connect with Hillary.
Agency Support Team
RTO8’s marketing programs and special projects are supported by our agency of record – Birchbark Media. The following are the core Birchbark team members that play an active role with the organization,



2025-26 Board of Directors
RTO8 is governed by an industry-led, volunteer board that consists of 12 tourism leaders from across the Kawarthas Northumberland region. The Directors were selected for their tourism and professional knowledge, experience and skills and have been appointed to represent the interests of the region’s tourism sectors and partners.
Members of the Board of Directors are:

Elizabeth King
Museum Operations Manager, Lang Pioneer Village Museum
My three favourite things to do in the RTO8 region are:
- MUSEUMS!
- Spend time outside in our forests, parks and on our trails
- The Roseneath Carousel

Donna Bennett
Co-Founder, Westben Centre for Connection & Creativity Through Music
My three favourite things to do in the RTO8 region are:
- Hiking
- Going to concerts
- Dining out

Jeannie Maidens
Special Events Coordinator, Municipality of Port Hope
My three favourite things to do in the RTO region are:
- Explore the outdoors with my dog, Toba
- Shop for seasonal ingredients and unique handmade items
- Attend events and community celebrations

Jay Chatten
Harwood Community Parks & Recreation Club
My three favourite things to do in the RTO8 region are:
- Go fishing on Rice Lake
- Boat cruise on the Otonabee River
- Eat at a shoreline restaurant

Leisha Newton
Manager, Economic
Development &
Tourism, Curve Lake
First Nation
My three favourite things to do in the RTO8 region are:
- Dining out, including exploring new places to eat
- Attending community events
- Visiting a Farm or Farmer’s Market

Andrew Greaves
Owner, Norwood Business Bungalow
My three favourite things to do in the RTO8 region are:
- Visiting one of the many ice cream shops/pop ups across the region
- Spending time visiting family & friends at one of the lakes
- Taking a drive through the magnificent countryside – especially during the Fall

Kayleigh Hindman
General Manager, Hampton Inn by Hilton Peterborough
My three favourite things to do in the RTO8 region are:
- Eat!
- Kayak
- Drive some long winding road with the ultimate playlist

Barb Smith
Retired Professor, BCIT School of Business, Tourism/Marketing
My three favourite things to do in the RTO8 region are:
- Exploring regional towns in search of local artisans and culinary inspiration
- Attending local concerts, festivals and community events
- Driving scenic routes enjoying the ever-changing countryside

Katie Maitland
Founder, Wanderlight Alpaca Experience
My three favourite things to do in the RTO8 region are:
1. Swim in our beautiful lakes and rivers.
2. Eat and drink delicious, local food.
3. Be outside, in nature, as each season unfolds.

Emilio Ojeda
Settlement Service Coordinator, Northumberland County
My three favourite things to do in the RTO8 region are:
- Drive from town to town
- Enjoy unique stores and restaurants
- Enjoy local artistic expressions, fairs, events and festivals

Dylan Reinhart
Co-Owner, The
Boardwalk Board
Game Lounge
My three favourite things to do in the RTO region are:
- Watching movies at the Highland Cinema in Kinmount.
- Taste the latest from our craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries
- Explore the trails and rivers across the region