Our People

QTIC is made up of a dedicated team of people who are dedicated to ensuring Queensland’s tourism industry thrives.

Tash Wheeler
Chief Executive Officer

Tash implements the organisation’s strategic and operational agenda. She represents the Queensland tourism industry and QTIC to all levels of government, and within the media and wider Australian community.

Melanie Anderson
General Manager – Strategy & Advocacy

Melanie fulfils a key leadership role within QTIC and oversees the organisation’s industry development programs. Melanie acts as an advocate for the tourism sector by identifying and highlighting key industry priorities to government and other industry stakeholders.

Richard Murphy
General Manager – Finance & Operations

Richard oversees the financial management of the organisation, providing practical and insightful support in financial awareness to the QTIC team. Richard facilitates the effective delivery of membership services and contracted milestones while ensuring good governance in systems and processes.

Juleen Schneider
Executive Assistant and Office Manager

Juleen is the Executive Assistant and Office Manager at QTIC. She supports the Chief Executive Officer, the Board, its sub-committees and staff, to assist in achieving company goals and objectives as well as the efficient operation of the office.

Alice Campbell
Alice Campbell
Receptionist

Alice manages front desk operations, phone inquiries and oversees the scheduling of appointments for various team members and QTIC programs. Alice serves as a critical point of contact between our members, industry and the wider QTIC team.

Cat Riddle
Communications Manager

Cat is responsible for coordinating and delivering strategic campaigns and communication for internal and external stakeholders on behalf of QTIC. Cat also supports the CEO in media engagement and enquiries.

Steve Guise headshot
Steve Guise
Commercial & Partnerships Manager

As Commercial and Partnerships Manager, Steve is primarily responsible for identifying and developing QTIC’s team of strategic partners to drive growth and achieve strong mutual outcomes.

Jodie Di Russo
Manager – Membership & Events

Jodie is responsible for the delivery of several prominent QTIC networking opportunities, webinar programs, and events, including the Salute to Excellence Awards. Jodie also serves in proactively driving QTIC’s Membership program and engages with members to ensure that QTIC programs are tailored to the needs of industry.

Shae Davis
Project Officer – Membership & Events

Shae facilitates the delivery of several principal annual QTIC events, including the Salute to Excellence Awards. Shae also implements initiatives that support QTIC Membership and proactively works to advance the membership base and ensure that all members have the support needed to thrive.

Toni Kasch
Manager – Major Events

Toni facilitates the delivery of a number of Queensland’s premier tourism events, including the Queensland Tourism Awards, DestinationQ Forum and the Top Tourism Town Awards. Toni is the Queensland Program Manager for the Australian Tourism Awards.

Etta Jones
Project Officer – Major Events

Etta is responsible for the coordination of the Queensland Tourism Awards program, supporting tourism businesses in enhancing their operations and nominating for the state’s most prestigious awards program. Etta also plays a crucial role in the operational delivery of the statewide QTIC Regional Tourism Careers Roadshow.

Rebekah Nickelson
Project Officer – DestinationQ

Rebekah facilitates the delivery of Queensland’s premier tourism conference, the DestinationQ Forum. Bek collaborates with industry to coordinate the concept development, management and event planning for the annual tourism conference.

Rhonda Appo
Manager – Indigenous Programs

Rhonda is a proud Mamu woman. She coordinates the strategic advancement of Indigenous representation and experiences within Queensland tourism and drives the recruitment of Indigenous employees within the industry. Rhonda coordinates the Indigenous Champions Network and Destination IQ and represents QTIC on the National Indigenous Tourism Advisory Group.

Shirley Han
Project Officer – Accreditation

As the Accreditation Project Officer, Shirley plays a key role in ensuring that the Quality Tourism Framework accreditation program is effectively implemented, monitored, and maintained. Shirley works closely with tourism operators as they engage with the accreditation program and supports businesses in exceeding their quality standards.

Kathryn Moody
Program Manager – Skills Advisory

Kathryn delivers the Industry Skills Advisory Program, a Queensland Government initiative. Kathryn engages with employers, small businesses, and industry stakeholders to provide industry advice and intelligence about current and emerging industry direction, regional skills needs and training solutions, job growth, and employment opportunities. Through her role, Kathryn also coordinates the Regional Trade Skills Program.

Mitch Ryan
Program Manager – Workforce Advisor

Mitch delivers the Industry Workforce Advisor Program, a Queensland Government initiative. Mitch assists tourism businesses in transforming how they engage, recruit and retain a skilled workforce by providing customised one-on-one support.

Vicki Mathias
Program Manager – Career Roadshows

Vicki supports industry workforce initiatives and programs delivered through the Queensland Government’s Tourism Training and Skills Support Strategy. In her role, Vicki coordinates and delivers the state-wide QTIC Regional Tourism Careers Roadshow.

Stuart Kerr
Program Manager – Digital Adaption

Stuart supports tourism businesses in enhancing their digital capabilities by leading the Tourism Business Digital Adaptation Program. Through the program, Stuart connects leading digital technology providers with operators, helping to accelerate the transition of tourism businesses into the digital visitor economy.