Speakers

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  Cathy Harbin | PGA Master Professional, LPGA Member, Owner, Pine Ridge Golf Course

  Cathy Harbin’s pedigree includes Class A membership in the PGA of America since 1992 and PGA Master Professional status since 2000. She is also a member of the LPGA and National Golf Course Owners Association. Cathy has over 30 years as an operator and leader in the golf industry, including managing the World Golf Village golf courses for 12 years, running golfer growth and engagement with the World Golf Foundation, leading golf operations at Invited as Vice-President of Golf and now owning her own golf course. She has perfected training and operational systems that create a consistent world-class experience, a welcoming environment and sustainable profits. Cathy recently served on the National PGA Board of Directors as the second-ever At-Large Director. She chairs many committees across golf designed to help grow the game, including Adult Player Development for the PGA. Cathy currently serves as President of the National Golf Course Owners Association and utilizes that platform to help make golf a better game for all.

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  Craig Johnston | CPA, CA, Managing Director & Partner, GGA Partners

  Craig leads GGA’s Transaction Advisory practice where the firm provides due diligence and vendor support, asset feasibility studies, business valuations, deal strategy support, and asset turnaround strategies. Craig is a former ranked equity research analyst for Scotia Capital, where he was recognized as the #1 earnings estimator in his sector. Since joining GGA in 2017, Craig and his team have advised on several of the largest golf industry transactions, and have supported numerous owners and operators with successful succession planning initiatives.

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  Darcey Michaud | CHRL, MA, Vice President, HR Services

  Darcy Michaud is a dedicated and successful human resource professional with a career spanning over 25 years. A Masters graduate from the University of Western Ontario, Darcy also holds the Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation. An expert in HR legislation and employment law in all Canadian jurisdictions, Darcy took his expertise to start his own company, HR Primed Inc. After six years of building HR Primed into a successful consulting firm, HR Primed merged with HR Covered Inc. Darcy now serves as the Vice President of HR Services, managing a team of consultants across Canada.

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  Dr. Jody Carrington

  Dr. Jody Carrington is a renowned psychologist and a charismatic keynote speaker celebrated for her profound expertise in human connections. As a leading authority in addressing complex, human-centered challenges, Dr. Carrington excels in guiding individuals and organizations through the intricacies of re-establishing relationships in today’s increasingly disconnected society. She boldly believes that all humans have the capacity for good; however, so many of us these days, because of isolation and burnout, have lost access to that good. Through her insightful analysis, Dr. Carrington explores how societal detachment occurs and outlines practical, meaningful solutions for reconnection. Her approach combines a deeper understanding of how necessary acknowledgment has become and she underscores how this need is so much bigger than recognition. Her dynamic and heartfelt presentations, infused with humor and honesty, captivate and energize audiences worldwide. She is the Founder and Principal Psychologist at Carrington & Company, she has served as a civilian member of Canada’s national police force, the RCMP, and practiced with the most complex cases on a psychiatric inpatient unit. Dr. Jody’s balance as a devoted practitioner and brilliant communicator results in an ability to authentically connect through impactful presentations that has set a new bar in talking about the shifting landscape of mental health. Dr. Jody has authored three best-selling books, including Feeling Seen (Harper Collins, 2022) and hosts the widely celebrated podcast, “Unlonely.” From major theatres and convention halls of 5,000 attendees to boardrooms of 20 senior leaders, she revels in connecting and delighting an audience of any size, championing the profound need for genuine human connection in an era often dominated by digital communication. Her work is trusted by many of the world’s Fortune 500 companies, professional sports teams, education and healthcare leaders, all working to solve similar core challenges in creating a new set of rules to support and motivate their teams.

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  Evan Van Eerd | CPA, Director, GGA Partners

  Evan is a Director within the firm’s Strategy & Operations practices supporting clients with financial planning, strategy development, feasibility analysis, asset valuations, and business planning strategies. During his time at GGA, Evan has supported clients across North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Prior to joining GGA Partners, Evan worked at BDO as part of the assurance, advisory, and tax departments, working primarily across the hospitality, real estate, and technology sectors.

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  Kevin Morrison | Owner, Butter Hospitality

  Kevin has spent over 40 years shaking up the hospitality scene, building standout brands like Tacos Tequila Whiskey—named one of the Top 50 New Restaurants in the United States by Bon Appetit magazine—and Fish N Beer, a beloved spot in Denver’s RiNo district. He is also the founder of Spicy Pickle Sub Shop, an upscale craft sandwich concept that earned a Hot Concept award from Nation’s Restaurant News. After creating a diverse portfolio from fast-casual to upscale seafood, he now leads Butter Hospitality, coaching the next generation of independent restaurateurs to build smarter, tougher, and more resilient businesses without losing their edge.

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  Jon Last | Founder & President, Sports and Leisure Research Group

  Jon Last is Founder and President of Sports and Leisure Research Group, a full-service marketing research consultancy that supports leading brands in sports, travel and media. Jon’s previous professional experience includes seven years as VP Corporate Marketing for Golf Digest Companies, and eight years at the PGA of America. A frequent speaker and featured columnist, Jon holds an M.B.A. from Wharton and a B.A. from Tufts. He is a former national president of the U.S. Marketing Research Association (MRA), former President of Marketing Research Institute International, and served on the national board of directors for the Executive Women’s Golf Association. Jon has been recognized by Golf Inc. as both one of the top innovators in the golf industry as well as one of the top advisors in golf.

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  Lesley Hawkins | Co-Founder, Marsley Canada

  Lesley Hawkins is a seasoned business executive turned leadership strategist, with over 30 years of experience across retail, brand operations, and sport industries. After a distinguished tenure at adidas Canada—where she led the retail organization and formerly managed the adidas Golf business—Lesley has shifted her focus toward empowering leaders, building high-performance cultures, and helping organizations scale with heart. As Co-Founder of Marsley Canada, Lesley partners with her husband and business partner Mark Cathcart to advise small and mid-sized businesses on strategy, culture, and execution. The firm offers consulting, workshops, speaking engagements, and community investment in leadership growth. Lesley brings a people-first philosophy—rooted in vulnerability, authenticity, and relational leadership—and hosts The Lesley Hawkins Podcast, where she explores pivotal moments in leadership journeys with honesty, wit, and insight.

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  Michael Cochrane | Partner, Brauti Thorning LLP (BT Legal)

  Michael Cochrane has been a lawyer for over 45 years and is the author of, among other works, Olympic Lyon: The Untold Story of the First Gold Medal for Golf (2nd ed). His columns for Law360, entitled Hosel Rockets, deal with liability issues on golf courses and have been read by thousands of lawyers. His book Surviving Your Divorce (6th ed) is a national bestseller. He is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Canadian Association of Golf Journalists, and the Golf Historical Society of Canada. In addition to having lectured in law at the University of Ottawa, Osgoode Hall Law School and Ryerson University, he was the host of BNN’s legal affairs program, Strictly Legal, for three seasons. Mr. Cochrane was a recent recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his contributions to politics, public policy and justice. He is a partner at the Toronto law firm Brauti Thorning LLP (www.btlegal.ca) and an author. (www.michaelcochrane.ca)

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  Rob Hoffman | Chief Growth Officer, Gallus Golf

  Rob Hoffman is a seasoned golf industry innovator and marketing storyteller. Those who work with Rob often hear him say, “If you measure it, you can manage it,” exposing his analytical side. As Chief Growth Officer at Gallus Golf, Rob helps hundreds of golf courses boost engagement, loyalty, and revenue through smarter mobile technology and marketing that golfers actually love. After a short hiatus from Gallus—where rumor has it he was testing whether absence really does make the heart grow fonder—Rob returned with fresh perspective, sharper storytelling instincts, and even more conviction that technology should make golf more human, not less. Beyond his work with Gallus, Rob is a company founder, C-suite executive across multiple industries, Titan 100 honoree as one of Florida’s top 100 CEOs, marketing strategist, and frequent conference speaker known for his transparent “real talk” about what it takes to win in a changing golf economy.

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  Miles Mortensen | General Manager, Mickelson National

  Miles, a Class A PGA Canada Professional of 25 years, began his career in Brooks, Alberta and is now General Manager at Mickelson National Golf Club. With 12 years at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts—including Fairmont Banff Springs, Chateau Whistler, and Banff Springs Golf Club—he held roles from Assistant Superintendent to Head Golf Professional. Miles then led new course builds at Tobiano Golf in Kamloops, Southwood Golf & Country Club in Winnipeg, and The Links at Brunello in Halifax before returning to Alberta to lead Mickelson National Golf Club & Launchpad Golf.

  A graduate of the Selkirk College Golf Management Program, Miles has served on the NGCOA Canada – Atlantic Chapter Advisory Board and currently serves as a Director for the PGA of Canada Alberta Zone, contributing to education and buying show committees.

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  Sam MacPhail | CEO, Golf PEI & Regional Director, NGCOA Canada – Atlantic Chapter

  Sam MacPhail is passionate about public affairs and professional writing. He serves as CEO for Golf PEI, a not-for-profit marketing agency representing 18 golf courses on Prince Edward Island. He also serves as Atlantic Regional Director for the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (NGCOA Canada). He previously worked for the Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce as policy and communications manager and as executive assistant to the 32nd Premier of PEI. A published author, Sam has raised over $15,000 for local breakfast programs through his book on one of PEI’s longest-serving politicians, Ron MacKinley. Sam was selected as one of Atlantic Canada’s 30 Under 30 by Atlantic Business Magazine and part of The Peak’s Emerging Leaders List. He graduated from UPEI as valedictorian for the Faculty of Business.

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  Ross Liggett | Founder & Managing Partner, Metolius Golf

  Ross Liggett is the Founder & Managing Partner of Metolius Golf, a Colorado-based marketing and technology firm dedicated to advancing golf course and private-club operations in the digital age. A Virginia Tech alumnus with more than 20 years of hands-on experience in club operations, sales, marketing and technology leadership, Ross has worked with national multi-course operators and management firms before founding Metolius. Today, his company empowers operators with business intelligence dashboards, marketing automation workflows, and managed-agency services that deliver better results—faster—and free up operators to focus on their teams, members and guests.

  Ross speaks regularly on industry topics including data-driven decision-making, AI and automation for golf operators, and the intersection of marketing and operations technology. He lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with his family, and remains a proud Virginia Tech Hokie.