Tara Saunders

Sharpshooter
DISC Type : CD

Director of Business Development at Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC)

Greater St. John's Metropolitan Area, Canada

Overview

Tara is the Director of Business Development at the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), where she specializes in authentic market growth and community partnerships. A graduate of York University and Memorial University, she leverages her extensive background in project management and community development to advance the Indigenous tourism industry nationwide.

A proud member of the Qalipu First Nation, Tara is passionate about creating culturally sensitive tourism programs that benefit local economies. Her career is dedicated to community facilitation and sharing the vibrant culture of Mikmaq and other Indigenous peoples with a global audience through authentic, market-ready experiences.

She was recently appointed to Destinations Internationals Social Impact and Community Alignment Committees for 2026, amplifying Indigenous voices in global tourism.

Personality Overview

ROI Driven

Fast But Analytical

Rigorous & Demanding

They take a lot of pride in personal achievements.  They prefer to be the ones controlling the conversation or defining the terms. They like to move fast and expect the same from others.

Topics They Care About

Indigenous Tourism
Leads business development at ITAC, implementing programs and resources to grow the Indigenous tourism industry across Canada.
Community Development
Focuses on building strong partnerships between First Nations, government, and businesses to create strengthened economies and cultural preservation.
Social Impact
Serves on Destinations International's Social Impact Committee, aiming to create a more inclusive and socially responsible global tourism model.

Media Appearances

ITAC's Director of Business Development Appointed to Destinations International Committees. Featured in Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC)

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The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada Thanks Tara Saunders for Her Leadership and Years of Service. Featured in Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC)

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Work History

5-2022
Director of Business Development at Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC)
9-2019 - 4-2022
Director of Culture, Tourism and Community Development at Qalipu First Nation
8-2016 - 7-2021
Tourism Development Officer at Qalipu First Nation
2-2018 - 9-2019
Tourism and Culture Manager at Qalipu First Nation
4-2009 - 6-2015
Teacher at English Newfoundland School District

Education

9-2020 - 12-2020
Masters certificate in Project Managment from York University
2004 - 2009
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labrador

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 14 Location : Greater St. John's Metropolitan Area, Canada Job Level : Mid-senior Designation : Director of Business Development at Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC)
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Insights For Selling To Tara

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Hold your ground without indulging in one-upmanship
  • Objectively showcase the impact that your product creates
  • When negotiating terms, help them build an impression that they are the ones calling the shots

DONT's

  • Don't try too hard to forge relationships with them
  • Don’t focus on process and rules, give the impression of being a ‘gets it done’ person
  • Don’t take too much time in sending them information if they ask for any

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Tara is

  • Conviction around the impact matters the most to them, followed by a sense of achievement and ROI.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Tara

  • If they decide not to use your product, they will say no clearly.

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Tara move?

  • They can reach decisions fairly quickly if they are convinced.
  • Can Tara take some risk or not?

  • They don’t mind risks but can be quite binary about them.

You And Tara

Personality Compatibility


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