Announcing the Departure of Nina Kressler, President and CEO of the Rogers Centre Ottawa
OTTAWA, November 19, 2024 — After over a decade of transformative leadership, Nina Kressler has decided to step down from her role as President and CEO of Rogers Centre Ottawa as of June 27, 2025. Her tenure has been marked by groundbreaking achievements, industry recognition, and a tireless dedication to elevating both the Centre and the broader convention landscape. While Nina is not retiring, she is moving on from full-time leadership at Rogers Centre Ottawa to explore new personal and professional ventures.
Nina joined the Centre in 2013 as General Manager as part of Aramark’s team, overseeing food, beverage, and facilities operations, and quickly set a new standard of excellence, managing 400 events annually with an unwavering focus on client satisfaction, team success, and revenue growth. Within her first 18 months, she was recognized with the Service Excellence Delivering with Passion General Manager Award for the Northeast Region. Building on these accomplishments, Nina was promoted in June 2015 to President and CEO, driving Rogers Centre Ottawa to earn global acclaim, winning the “Best Convention Centre in the World” APEX Award by the AIPC in 2020.
Reflecting on her impact, Jim Armour, Board Chair of Rogers Centre Ottawa, said, “Nina’s influence on the Rogers Centre Ottawa and the convention industry has been profound. Her strategic insights, focus on quality, and ability to create meaningful partnerships have shaped the Centre into one of the world’s leading venues. We are deeply grateful for her contributions and we look forward to supporting her as she steps into this new chapter.”
As CEO, Nina led the Centre to a significant financial turnaround, achieving year-over-year profitability gains and streamlining operations to consistently deliver a five-star client experience. Her strategic focus and accomplishments brought the Centre multiple accolades, including the Ontario Business Awards Service Excellence Award (2016). She holds the prestigious ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, for corporate governance and has been a frequent keynote and panel speaker at industry-leading events. Recently including, the Momentus Illuminate Conference, The Art of Women in Leadership, and the AIPC/CCC Academy, where she presented on “Advocacy: Why do we need it and how to be successful”. Known for her passion for mentorship, Nina has inspired countless women to pursue leadership positions at Rogers Centre Ottawa and beyond.
Reflecting on her career, Nina shared, “My time at Rogers Centre Ottawa has been one of the most fulfilling chapters of my career. I am proud of what we’ve achieved together—from establishing ourselves as a global leader in hospitality to fostering a culture that inspires and empowers. I especially want to thank the board of directors, our talented team, our partners, and the community for their support and collaboration over the years.”
A highly respected industry leader, Nina serves as Chair of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Chair of Convention Centres of Canada, and Director on the boards of Ottawa Tourism and the ByWard Market District Authority. She is a dedicated volunteer for the Royal Ottawa Hospital’s Mental Health Fundraiser and serves on the Ottawa Tourism, Tourism Development Committee and served as chair of Ottawa Tourism’s Finance Committee.
The Board has appointed a Search Committee and engaged Boyden Canada to conduct the search for the Centre’s next President and CEO. Those interested in learning more about the process, which will begin in the coming weeks, or the opportunity can contact Mike Naufal or Maja Messam at mmessam@boyden.com and access the posting announcement here.
Please join us in celebrating Nina’s exceptional achievements and in wishing her continued success in her future endeavours.
