Richard Gagnon, CPHR

Richard Gagnon is the Senior Vice President of Talent, Culture & Corporate Services at Destination Canada. He has a diverse background in Human Resources, having worked in various sectors including hospitality, tourism, and finance. Before joining Destination Canada, he held roles as Vice President and Director of Human Resources, where he was instrumental in implementing strategic programs that enhanced employee engagement and retention.1

At Destination Canada, Richard has been with the organization for over six years. During this time, he led the human resources team to recruit top talent and played a crucial role in transitioning the organization to a remote work environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also spearheaded the creation of Destination Canada's first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy and emphasized psychological safety in the workplace.1 Recently, he served as the acting leader of the Corporate Services team for 15 months, ensuring operational continuity and promoting innovation across departments.1

In his current role, Richard collaborates closely with senior management to maintain Destination Canada's status as an employer of choice and to provide high-quality corporate services to achieve the organization's strategic goals.2