Ellen has had a long career in the tourism industry and specifically the hotel industry since joining CP Hotels in 1979. Over the next 12 years she worked in Sales and Marketing with CP Hotels and later Delta Hotels and Resorts and eventually moved into the role of Regional Marketing Director for Delta Hotels prior to moving to the Okanagan Valley in 1992.

Ms Walker-Matthews worked as the General Manager of the Ramada Courtyard Inn in Penticton before joining Tepic Management Group as Sales and Marketing Vice President and later Rim Hospitality Canada, opening and overseeing several hotels in BC and Alberta and throughout the western United States.

Ellen's area of expertise includes, management training and development, new hotel and resort planning, competitive market analysis, business and marketing plan development, sales productivity analysis, operational reviews, project management, and asset management.

As a resident of the area, Ellen has been an active member in industry associations as well as service groups, including Directors positions for the BC Summer Games, and the Okanagan Wine Info Centre as well as the District Governor's Representative for the Penticton Rotary Club and more recently with the Summerland Rotary Club. As a personal passion Ellen is also an active board member with Colorectal Cancer Canada and South Okanagan Medical Foundation and is the Founder and Chair of the Giants Head Grind - Christopher Walker Memorial Race.