Dr. Jasveen Rattan

I am a policy leader, researcher, and sustainability practitioner with more than 20 years of experience spanning tourism, hospitality, government relations, stakeholder engagement, and organizational development.
As Director of Policy & Government Relations for the Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA), I work at the intersection of public policy, workforce development, and industry advocacy, helping shape conversations on labour market challenges, employee retention, immigration, tourism growth, and the future of work.

I hold a PhD in Recreation and Leisure Studies and a Masters degree in Tourism Policy and Planning from the University of Waterloo, along with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability from the University of Toronto. My research has focused on workforce retention, employee experience, leadership, and organizational sustainability, including a large-scale study examining employee engagement and retention within the hotel sector.
I am particularly interested in how organizations translate policy and strategy into meaningful employee experiences. My work explores the connections between inclusion, leadership, sustainability, employee wellbeing, and organizational performance, with a focus on creating workplaces where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive throughout their careers.

In addition to my professional role, I serve on the Boards of Directors for Destination Ontario and the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO), and I am a member of Ontario’s Tourism Strategy Alignment Council. Through these roles, I contribute to conversations focused on governance, workforce development, sector growth, and building resilient, people-centred organizations.