Board of Directors

Jonathan Burke – Chair

In June of 2023, Jonathan became President & Accountable Executive for Blackcomb Helicopters LP. Prior to that he was President & CEO of Canadian Heating Products/Montigo, a Private Equity-owned manufacturing business that specializes in gas fireplaces for commercial and residential spaces. From February 2013 to February 2016, Jonathan was President & COO of Blackcomb Aviation. From 2005 to 2013, he served as Vice President of Global Market Development at Westport Innovations (now Westport Fuel Systems), an alternative fuel engine company. Prior to Westport, he held executive positions in private and public medical technology companies including MIGENIX Inc. and Biomax Technologies. He is currently a Director of the H.R. McMillan Space Centre and was Chair of the Board from 2020 to 2022. He is also and an active partner with Social Venture Partners (SVP) Vancouver. He previously served on the boards of the Loran Scholars Foundation, the Vancouver Writers Festival, the BC Aviation Council, The Helicopter Association of Canada, the BC Innovation Council, the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Association, CALSTART, NGV Global and the Canadian Investor Relations Institute. Jonathan has an MBA from Athabasca University with post-graduate studies in executive management at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. Jonathan is also a commercial helicopter pilot and lives in Vancouver with his wife Susan and two children.

Suzanne Acton-Gervais – Director

In July 2025, Suzanne became President of the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA). She brings over 35 years of experience in the aviation and travel sector, most recently serving as Vice-President of Stakeholder Relations and Regulatory Affairs at the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC). Suzanne’s career includes senior leadership roles at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), where she collaborated with governments and global organizations to shape international aviation standards. A frequent speaker at global industry conferences, she is widely recognized for her expertise and thought leadership. She has also held strategic positions at Airports Council International (ACI World), Transport Canada, and Air Canada—giving her a multifaceted and deeply informed perspective on the industry. Committed to education and mentorship, Suzanne launched the first, second, and third-year undergraduate mentorship program at the University of Ottawa, which included the highly successful “From Backpack to Briefcase” initiative. She holds a Bachelor of Education in Adult Education (with distinction), is fluently bilingual in English and French, and earned a certificate from the Wharton School on Executive Presence and Influence. A strong advocate for workforce development, Suzanne co-leads an international workstream focused on the evolution of work for the Global Aviation and Aerospace Skills Task Force (GAAST). She also served on the Executive Board of the Canadian Commercial Aviation Safety Team (C-CAST) from August 2020 to June 2025.

Chris Miles – Director

Chris Miles serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the Calgary Airport Authority (The Authority). Chris is responsible for The Authority’s day-to-day operations, engineering and construction portfolios. He is a senior aviation professional with over 25 years of progressive global experience. Chris has worked with airlines, airports and industry trade associations, including the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Airports Council International World, Air Canada, Abu Dhabi Airports Company and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Geneva, Switzerland. He is fluent in English and French and holds an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. Chris joined The Authority in 2018 as Vice President, Operations. Chris lends his expertise to several organizations to advance the aviation industry, including the Canadian Airports Council, ACI World and ACI North America Operations. He is also active in serving the local community as an advisory committee member with Tourism Calgary Meetings and Conventions and a governor of Lindsay Park Sports Society and MNP Community Sports Centre.

Marie-Pier Berman – Director

Marie-Pier’s connection to aviation runs deep. Raised in Montreal in a family of pilots, she spent her childhood immersed in the world of aviation. Her grandfather operated an airport in Sorel, Quebec, and her mother—a trailblazer for women in aviation—inspired her to pursue the skies. Marie-Pier took the flight controls on a flight with her dad at age 12 and never looked back. She completed her aviation training across Quebec and Alberta, earning her Private, Commercial, and Multi-IFR licenses while completing an Aviation Management program. After flying commercially for several years, she joined NAV CANADA in 2003 as an IFR Air Traffic Controller. Over the past two decades, she’s held a series of increasingly senior roles, including Shift Manager, Manager of Operational Training, Manager of ACC Operations, and General Manager of the Winnipeg Flight Information Region. She later served as Assistant Vice President, ATS Service Delivery, during the COVID-19 pandemic and is now Vice President & Chief of Operations, overseeing national air traffic services, standards, flight operations, and aeronautical information management. A passionate advocate for mentoring and developing others, Marie-Pier has long championed diversity and inclusion in aviation. She’s deeply committed to helping women enter, grow, and thrive in the industry. Her appointment to the Elevate Aviation Board of Directors reflects her drive to give back, uplift others, and lead by example. Marie-Pier lives in Winnipeg with her husband, also an air traffic controller, and their two teenage children. Her advice: “Don’t limit yourself—some of the best growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone.”

Shelley Leong – Director

Shelley is a finance leader with a proven track record in managing strategic initiatives, M&A transactions, and financial transformations that enhance organizational performance and create long-term value. As Director of Corporate Finance at the Vancouver Airport Authority, Shelley oversees long-term financial planning, capital investment evaluation, portfolio management, and treasury operations. Her leadership plays a critical role in supporting the airport’s strategic objectives and ensuring its financial sustainability. Shelley brings extensive cross-sector experience spanning waste management, environmental services, energy, and financial services. This diverse background equips her with a broad perspective and a strong ability to align financial strategy with organizational goals and impact. As a working mom, Shelley has navigated executive leadership while raising a family, bringing focus to everything she does. She is passionate about advancing mission-driven organizations and delivering sustainable value. Shelley holds an Executive MBA from the University of Calgary and is a CFA Charterholder.

Christianna Scott – Director

Christianna has a passion for the aviation industry and is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Canadian airline sector. In May 2022, she took on the role of Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Air Canada. Her dedication to advancing inclusion and belonging makes her an inspiration to all who know her. Having practiced for 17 years as a Labour, Employment, and Human Rights lawyer at Air Canada, Christianna brings a wealth of legal expertise, human rights insights, and airline knowledge to her role. She also has experience as an adjudicator, which further enriches her understanding and approach to these critical issues. Christianna’s passion for equity and inclusion of underrepresented people has led her to advocate for the celebration of diversity in the workplace. She ensures that all employees at Air Canada understand the value of fostering an inclusive work environment. Given the shifting Canadian demographics, creating an inclusive workplace is more important than ever. It not only reflects the diverse population but also helps in sourcing underrepresented talent to meet the industry’s needs. In 2023, Christianna was named one of Canada’s top 10 Diversity and Culture Impact leaders by DiversityCan Magazine. This recognition highlights her significant contributions and the impact she has made in promoting inclusion in aviation. Moreover, under her leadership, Air Canada was awarded the Best Diversity Team Award by IATA, underscoring the impact of the team’s work within the aviation sector, at large.

Cathy Press – Director

Cathy Press is an innovative aviation leader and lifelong pilot, serving as CEO of Chinook Helicopters, a premier flight training provider for both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. She was recognized as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women, and in addition to growing her company from two helicopters to a mixed fleet of 30 aircraft; Her contributions to the aviation industry have earned her numerous accolades, including an Honorary Doctorate of Technology from the University of the Fraser Valley. She currently commits her time to several boards and advisory committees including HAC Helicopter Association of Canada and the BC Aviation Council. A trailblazer for women in aviation and aerospace, Cathy continues to inspire and empower the next generation of aviators.