Our Team

The Destination Perth team is passionate about supporting the tourism industry and developing the destination. Tourism services provided by Destination Perth aim to support members and grow the visitor economy across our region, delivering benefits to members and the consumers we all serve.

Meet our staff

Meet our board

Our Staff

Destination Perth is home to a dedicated team of skilled marketing professionals who deliver a comprehensive annual program encompassing strategic marketing, trade and industry engagement, and destination development initiatives. We invite you to learn more about our work and how we can support your business and regional tourism goals. For more information, feel free to contact us via email or call us on 08 9321 9120.

Sonja Mitchell
CEO

Career developed expertise in managing large multi award winning tourism businesses, developing strategy, planning, cross-regional product development, plus destination marketing and management.

Kate Naglan
Marketing & Partnerships Lead

Leading brand and marketing specialist, with extensive experience implementing results-driven strategies for world-class tourism destinations and iconic leisure brands.

Rachel McGerr
Industry & Website Lead

Specialist in website management, membership support and destination marketing, with over 16 years' experience at Destination Perth, as well as roles at Tourism WA and the WA Visitor Centre.

Wendy O'Shaughnessy
Trade and Destination Development Lead

Award winning tourism, destination development and marketing specialist with a portfolio career across creative industries, small business, local government and tourism sectors.

Raani Glink
Campaign Manager

Results-driven marketing specialist with expertise in leading strategic marketing campaigns, developing innovative marketing solutions and delivering successful events.

Georgia Clark
Marketing Executive

Dynamic marketing expert, with extensive tourism experience including roles in the public relations and events marketing team at Tourism Western Australia.

Shannon Oliver
Membership & Administration Officer

Experienced tourism professional with an operator background and prior collaboration with Destination Perth, bringing strong industry knowledge and understanding of Perth's tourism product.

Brianna Wiese
Content Coordinator

Passionate content specialist, with diverse experience working with leading media brands, such as Perth is OK!, as well as iconic hospitality operator, NightOwl Entertainment.

Julia Morgan
Marketing Coordinator

Passionate hospitality and tourism professional with extensive experience managing leading Perth tourism venues, bringing industry expertise in implementing business and marketing strategies that optimise operator success and visitor experience.

Our Board

The Governing Board is made up of industry representatives appointed for their various skills and experience in the tourism industry and six elected representatives from our key tourism precincts. Below is the current list of board members.

Chrissie Maus

Chrissie Maus FAIM GAICD

Chair | Appointed Member

Chrissie Maus is CEO of the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce and in 2026 was appointed as Destination Perth's first female Chair. She also serves as the inaugural female Chair of the Stephen Michael Foundation, championing youth empowerment through sport, education and mentorship. Previously CEO of Melbourne's iconic Chapel Street precinct, Chrissie built her reputation across media, marketing and executive leadership. A Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute and AICD graduate, she is an award-winning strategist and governance advocate, passionate about inclusive leadership, strong culture, and advancing equality, mental health and opportunity across business and community.

Stephanie Juszkiewicz GAICD

Vice Chair | Elected Member | Perth Precinct

Stephanie is a Director at Ailevon Pacific Aviation Consulting with extensive experience in the aviation industry. Prior to this role, she was Senior Vice President Aviation Business Development at Perth Airport with over a decade's experience of demonstrating strategic insight to recover, establish and grow air services, identify new opportunities for aviation business development and deliver record-breaking results. Her previous industry experience includes the hotel, airline and corporate travel sectors. Stephanie is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and holds a Graduate Diploma in Management from the Australian Institute of Management and Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies) from the University of Western Australia.

Jon Jessop

Treasurer | Elected Member | Swan Valley & Darling Range Precinct

Jon is a passionate and visionary tourism operator and entrepreneur with properties in Kalbarri, Augusta, Exmouth, Cervantes and the Swan Valley. He has operated many levels of tourist accommodation from budget to luxury and been a developer of WA regional short stay accommodation infrastructure. Advocating for events and marketing is the primary focus of his voluntary role as Chair of the Swan Valley Tourism Alliance, which he has held since 2022. Jon is a former board member of Tourism Council WA, former Chair of Australia’s Golden Outback and a winner of the Sir David Brand Medal in 2010.

Dario Orsini

Appointed Member

Dario is an inspirational leader with over 30 years experience in the hospitality industry, currently with The Ritz-Carlton, Perth. With a passion to bring people together to achieve extraordinary results in spite of environment, Dario approaches leadership with an entrepreneurial drive where risk taking becomes an opportunity and your team is the largest source of creativity. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a capacity to establish and lead high-performing teams, produce strong commercial and occupancy results, and institute effective management methodologies.

Leycester Cory

Appointed Member

Leycester is a dynamic tourism business leader with a strong track record in strategic business management, development, and transformation. Bringing his lead-by-example management and edgy marketing experience from both ASX-listed and private businesses, Leycester's journey to deliver exceptional tourism experiences started locally in Perth and includes 8 years overseas in travel and tourism roles. Creating award winning start-ups to achieving market share in highly competitive environments is what gets him excited in the morning. Leycester is a dual 40under40 winner, committed to creating lasting value for both clients and teams through engaging, energetic leadership and a genuine passion for excellence.

Natasha Atkinson

Elected Member | Avon Valley Precinct

Natasha Atkinson is a tourism and destination development leader based in Western Australia. She is CEO of Fremantle Markets and Chair of York Racing Inc., Australia's oldest provincial racecourse. Natasha brings extensive experience in heritage precinct activation, visitor economy growth and regional tourism strategy. She is passionate about creating vibrant destinations that support local businesses, celebrate culture and attract year-round visitation. Natasha has led major refurbishment, marketing and partnership initiatives and is deeply committed to collaboration across industry and community. On the Destination Perth Board, she represents the Avon Valley and advocates for strong regional dispersal and sustainable tourism growth.

Anita Kane

Anita Kane GAICD

Elected Member | Peel and Rockingham Precinct

Anita brings more than 30 years of global travel industry expertise, leading sales and marketing for top brands. Since 2018, she has driven Mandurah's tourism growth as Visit Mandurah's General Manager, spearheading its rebrand and strategy. Her proudest career achievement is Mandurah winning Australia's Top Tourism Town in 2023.

Caroline Buck

Elected Member | Sunset Coast Precinct

Caroline is an Economic Development Advisor at the City of Wanneroo, where she plays a key role in strengthening the local visitor economy through collaborative partnerships, strategic initiatives, and targeted promotional campaigns. She created the Discover Wanneroo tourism brand, launched its dedicated visitor website, and manages its digital presence. Caroline also led the stakeholder consultation and development of the City's new Visitor Economy Strategy. A Board Director of FACET and a WA Tourism Awards judge, she brings deep insight into local government's role in economic development. Her previous experience as a tourism business owner gives her a practical, empathetic approach to supporting small operators.