Hockey Canada names Katherine Henderson as new president and chief executive officer

Katherine Henderson has been hired as Hockey Canada’s president and chief executive officer.

Welcome/bienvenue, Katherine! 🏒 🇨🇦

Katherine Henderson has been hired as Hockey Canada’s president and chief executive officer.

Katherine Henderson est embauchée à titre de présidente et chef de la direction de Hockey Canada.

FRANÇAIS: https://t.co/3YXRJlK6uC

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) July 4, 2023

The announcement comes following an extensive recruitment process led by a search committee comprised of key stakeholders and supported by an external executive search firm.

The Hockey Canada Board of Directors, under the leadership of the Hon. Hugh L. Fraser, was tasked with creating a vision for the next phase of transformation and growth of Canada’s official winter sport. One of its key mandates was to identify and recruit a president and chief executive officer who aligns with the vision of the board.

“Katherine has the track record and experience to lead the ongoing transformation of Hockey Canada,” said the Hon. Hugh L. Fraser, chair of the Hockey Canada Board of Directors. “With her at the helm we are confident that we will continue to take the steps necessary to ensure hockey is a safe and inclusive sport and that Hockey Canada benefits from best-in-class governance.”

Henderson spent the past seven years as the chief executive officer of Curling Canada, where she led several successful initiatives including:

• Introduce new Canadians to the sport,
• Spearheaded pay equity for Canada’s men’s and women’s curling teams.
• Drove a financial turnaround of the organization’s business model.

She is also currently the elected co-chair of the Winter Caucus of Sport (Canadian Winter Olympic and Paralympic Sports).

“The future of hockey is limitless,” said Henderson. “As a winter sport nation, with a long tradition in our ice and snow sports, playing and watching hockey is undeniably a part of who we are as Canadians. I am looking forward to working with our board and staff, our athletes, our Members and local associations, our corporate and hockey partners, and our fans and participants to ensure that all Canadians have a personal hockey experience that is right for them."

Henderson will begin her role with Hockey Canada on Sept. 4 and will be participating at the Beyond the Boards Summit later that week. She will be based in Toronto, Ont.