Board Members

Dennie O'Connor is a trailblazing entrepreneur, hotel industry veteran with over three decades of experience, and key figure in Bermuda's tourism sector, known for his transformative contributions to the industry. As the owner of renowned establishments such as Whitehorse Restaurant and Pub, Tobacco Bay Beach Club, and Snorkel Park Beach Club, O'Connor has consistently elevated Bermuda's hospitality offerings, earning recognition on both local and international stages. He is also co-owner of the airport restaurant concessions at Bermuda's L.F. Wade International Airport and has recently launched his own Bermudian souvenir liquor line for his established locations.

In 2019, he became the first non-American to win the International Certified Tourism Ambassador of the Year award, reflecting his innovative approach to tourism. Over a 32-year career, he has amassed 42 prestigious accolades, including recent recognition as the BHSS #1 Employer in Hospitality and Tourism (RG 2024/25) and Best of Bermuda Best Restaurant and Bar Cocktail (2024/25).

Celebrated for "transforming Bermuda's tourism landscape," O'Connor was named grand marshal by the Department of Culture in 2024. His inclusive leadership and visionary strategies continue to set new benchmarks for Bermuda's global tourism appeal.

William "Billy" Griffith, Founder and Managing Director of WCG Consulting Ltd., brings over 40 years of tourism expertise. An Honours graduate in Hotel Management from the University of the West Indies, he began his career at Sandy Lane Hotel, Barbados, and advanced to leadership roles, including General Manager and Executive Director at Bermuda’s Harmony Club and Belmont Hotel, earning Hotelier of the Year in 1997.
 
As Bermuda’s Director of Tourism (2008–2014) and CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (2014–2019), Griffith led record-breaking tourism growth, earning accolades such as the Lifetime Achievement Award (2016) and Tourism Director of the Year (2018). He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, chairing its Allied Members.
 
Through WCG Consulting, Griffith applies his visionary leadership to tourism marketing and development, achieving notable success in five years. His contributions have shaped tourism globally, cementing his status as a respected leader and mentor.

Jennifer L. Phillips is the Executive Director of the Bermuda National Gallery (BNG) and a passionate advocate for the arts, wellness and community engagement.  
 
A business owner, Phillips served as President of the Massage Therapy Association, where she championed efforts to advance the profession and expand access to therapeutic services. She has deep roots in Bermuda’s artistic community, having begun as a dancer with the Jackson School of Performing Arts and United Dance Productions, later performing locally and internationally. An experienced stage manager, she worked closely with the Department of Culture for over a decade, hosting the Premier’s Concert and supporting major cultural events. She also served as Chair of the Bermuda Arts Council. 
 
A recipient of the King’s Certificate and Badge of Honour for services to the arts, Phillips holds a bachelor’s degree in international business administration from the American University of Paris, with additional studies in Business Tourism at George Washington University. 

Ronald Simmons is the managing partner of Moore Stephens & Butterfield, a Chartered Professional Accountant firm in Bermuda. A CPA with memberships in CPAB, AICPA, and GSCPA, Simmons also runs Clairfont Guest Apartments, a family-owned tourism business.
 
He has held senior roles such as senior vice president and chief accountant at Butterfield Bank and assistant comptroller at Zurich Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd. Simmons has chaired committees for the Bermuda Monetary Authority, Tax Reform Commission, and Bermuda Government Audit Committee, and the Public Funds Investment Committee among others.
 
A University of Windsor and Western Ontario graduate, Simmons also completed the Harvard Leadership Programme and earned a Diploma from the Graduate School of Bank Financial Management at Vanderbilt University. His commitment to governance and community includes serving on the boards of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Bermuda High School, the Bermuda College Foundation, and an international life insurance company. 
 
Simmons’ leadership continues to impact Bermuda’s financial and tourism sectors profoundly.

Shiona Turini is a brand consultant, costume designer, as well as a celebrity, commercial and editorial stylist. In her fifteen-year long career in entertainment, fashion, and publishing, Shiona has solidified herself as one of the industry's leading experts and has been commended for her work both behind and in front of the camera. Turini has been a high-profile ambassador for her island home and leveraged professional and personal relationships in service of the island’s tourism ambitions. She has partnered with the BTA to elevate the island’s profile by engaging A-list celebrities for on-island experiences which they amplified on social channels to their millions of followers around the world. She is a highly regarded thought-leader in the world of fashion, design and celebrity culture. As costume designer on HBO's Insecure and a nominee for the 2020 Costume Designers Guild Award for her work on Universal Pictures’ Queen & Slim, she is a major player in media, music and fashion. Her roots in media include fashion editor roles in some of the leading international fashion magazines such as Cosmopolitan, CR Fashion Book, Teen Vogue and W Magazine. More recently, as an independent consultant she has been tapped to style covers for Elle Magazine, T: The New York Times Style Magazine. She has also been engaged to provide brand consultation services for premier brands such as Barbie, Christian Dior, and Free People.