Karen Bannister is the Director, Destination Marketing for Tourism Vancouver Island; responsible for leading programs that increase the profitability and sustainability of the regions’ tourism economy. Prior to this role, she held various positions in performing arts administration, including most notably seven seasons with Shaw Festival Theatre in marketing, individual and corporate fundraising. Karen is a graduate of the Income Manager’s program (Cultural Careers Council of Ontario and the University of Waterloo), Queen’s University (BAH, Dramatic Arts), and Brock University (MA, Studies in Comparative Literature and Art). She is a Nanaimo resident, and mother of three children. Karen enjoys reading, creative writing, pilates, swimming and camping in BC’s wilderness.