AMPPE is delighted to announce that avid outdoors person and government advocacy expert Debbie Harksen has joined AMPPE as Director of Stakeholder Engagement and Communications.
Along with AMPPE’s contracted government-relations agency in Ottawa, Debbie will work to ensure AMPPE’s concerns and input are heard by various levels of government and their agencies while ensuring members are kept up-to-date and informed on the latest issues and initiatives.
As always, AMPPE remains focused on delivering exceptional experiences to the people who visit our parks, businesses, and communities. Debbie’s background in public relations, marketing, and public engagement along with her experience in small business, private industry, and the government will provide much-needed insight and guidance as we recover from this dark period for tourism.
Entrepreneurial at heart, Debbie started and ran a specialty running store for over a decade before entering a career with the Government of Alberta. Her most recent position was with the Climate Change Division at Alberta Environment and Parks where she led the stakeholder and public engagement team.
Like many AMPPE members, Debbie is an enthusiastic user of the mountain park environment. She hikes, bikes, skis, and paddles and has been competes internationally in expedition length adventure races.
Debbie comes to AMPPE at a critical time as AMPPE has a unique opportunity to raise awareness and further its collective efforts as the voice of local business and park enthusiasts. AMPPE co-chairs Yannis Karlos and Stuart Back agree that “AMPPE’s active and timely input is critical ” as federal and provincial governments explore how to best restart the economy and ease restrictions.
Please join us in welcoming Debbie, she can be reached at director@ampee.org