Christy Dagonas- Markoulis

A graduate of Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), Christy began her career in marketing while discovering her passion for community service and planning. During her university years, following in her family’s philanthropic legacy, she was driven to help those in need. Through her work with non- profit organizations planning cultural heritage galas, fashion shows and other fundraising events, she discovered her natural talent for event planning and deepened her commitment to service excellence. Her journey into hospitality began over two decades ago when she joined the Palais Royale partnership to restore and revive this historic landmark. She worked relentlessly to build the business and drive sales, transforming it into one of the city’s premier venues. Guided by her core values of family and exceptional service, Palais redefined hospitality at a personal level, setting new standards in the event industry. This success led to the expansion of additional venues and the formation of Pegasus Hospitality Group. Under her leadership as CEO, the group has flourished, overseeing multiple award-winning venues and catering operations with over 200 employees. Throughout her tenure, she has been committed to breaking barriers and creating opportunities for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Fostering a work environment built on family values and respect, her mission ensures team members understand they are not simply doing a job but making a meaningful difference in the lives of others through service and personal excellence. Christy’s approach to business seamlessly blends marketing expertise with meticulous planning and a deep commitment to giving back. The foundation of her corporate philosophy is shaped with the understanding that being successful in business is not only about the business itself, but the impact you have in helping those around you, giving back where goodness is needed, and inspiring others, showing future generations that success and service go hand in hand. These values have become the cornerstone of her organization’s culture and success. She has expanded her venues’ reach into the community by creating accessible pricing models for charities and schools to host events, establishing annual traditions like their Palais Royale Breakfast with Santa program that builds meaningful memories for families, and continuing the Faith, Hope & Charity luncheon series, which raises funds supporting over a dozen local charities. Christy’s dedication to family and community continues through her passion for sport. Her years as a competitive athlete taught her to challenge barriers and demonstrate what women can achieve, values she now instills in her children and future generations. Drawing on these experiences, she has volunteered her time as part of the coaching staff to help mentor young women in her community to develop confidence, mental toughness, and determination, empowering them to reach beyond what they thought possible. Through her professional achievements and continued philanthropic efforts, she exemplifies the transformative power of purposeful leadership.