Volunteer Spotlight: Kathleen Howard

Kathleen Howard is a passionate club professional whose career has been shaped by a deep commitment to hospitality, mentorship, and building meaningful member experiences. With a strong foundation in food and beverage leadership and a genuine love for the club environment, Kathleen brings both operational expertise and heart to everything she does.

Club Leadership & Professional Background

Kathleen currently serves as Director of Food & Beverage at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club, one of Canada’s most historic and dynamic private clubs. In this role, she leads all aspects of food and beverage operations, from day-to-day member dining to large-scale events and banquets. Known for her hands-on leadership style, Kathleen is deeply involved on the floor — supporting teams, refining service standards, and continuously looking for ways to elevate the member experience.

Her career in private clubs spans several respected organizations across the Greater Toronto Area. Prior to joining the Toronto Cricket Club, Kathleen worked at Scarboro Golf and Country Club, where she held the role of Assistant Food & Beverage Manager / Catering Manager. During her time at Scarboro, she played a key role in event execution, service leadership, and operational management. Earlier in her career, she also gained valuable experience at Tam Heather Curling and Tennis Club, Bayview Golf & Country Club, and other hospitality environments, further shaping her understanding of club culture and member expectations.

Kathleen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Business, completed through a joint program between George Brown College and The Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). Her education, combined with hands-on leadership experience, has shaped a practical, people-focused approach to hospitality and club management.

CMAC Ontario Branch Involvement

Kathleen is an active volunteer with the CMAC Ontario Branch, where she serves as Vice-Chair of the Professional Development Committee and Chair of the Member Engagement Committee. In these leadership roles, she helps shape educational programming, engagement initiatives, and opportunities that support club professionals at all stages of their careers.

Kathleen is particularly passionate about creating inclusive, relevant, and approachable programming that strengthens professional connections across the industry. Her work with CMAC reflects a strong belief that engagement, education, and community are essential to the long-term success of club professionals.

Industry Engagement & Leadership

Kathleen regularly participates in CMAC educational programs and networking events and credits the organization with playing an important role in her own professional development. She values CMAC not only as a learning resource, but as a community — one that fosters collaboration, mentorship, and shared best practices.

Through her leadership at the Toronto Cricket Club and her volunteer roles with CMAC, Kathleen continues to contribute to a culture of excellence within the club industry. Her approachable leadership style, commitment to developing others, and enthusiasm for the profession make her a respected and engaged leader within the Ontario Branch.