The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) has announced several senior management changes to support key priorities, strengthen the organization’s capacity, and bring fresh perspectives to decision-making.
Announced Monday, the changes expand the responsibilities of three senior executives: Marianne Bolhuis, Marie-Andrée Lessard and Colin Freeman.
Bolhuis has been appointed general counsel and chief external affairs officer. She joined the COC in 2018 as general counsel and corporate secretary. In her expanded role, she will oversee government relations and advocacy, international relations and matters involving the International Olympic Committee (IOC), strategic communications and the organization’s bidding activities.
Before joining the COC, Bolhuis served as Canadian regional counsel in the legal department of a major multinational consumer goods company. She also gained substantial international experience through a year-long global assignment.
Marie-Andrée Lessard, OLY, has been promoted from senior director of Games to vice-president, Games and Performance. Her new role extends beyond the delivery of Olympic Games operations to encompass broader responsibilities across the organization’s sporting portfolio.
These include setting priorities across the COC’s sporting activities, strengthening the connection between Games planning and performance strategies, and bringing a more integrated perspective to decisions affecting the organization.
Lessard previously represented Team Canada in beach volleyball at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Colin Freeman, who joined the COC in 2012, will serve as vice-president, Business Development, with an expanded mandate encompassing the organization’s commercial strategy.
In addition to overseeing partnerships and business development, Freeman will focus on revenue growth and diversification while responding to evolving needs and opportunities within Canada’s sporting system. He previously worked on the commercial teams of the organizing committees for the Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic Games.
COC chief executive officer and secretary general David Shoemaker highlighted the contributions of the three executives and expressed confidence in the leadership changes.
“These appointments reflect the significant contributions Marianne, Marie-Andrée and Colin have made over the years through their leadership of key initiatives and programmes,” Shoemaker said.
“I am confident that this approach will enable the COC to achieve its objectives as we look towards Los Angeles 2028, French Alps 2030 and beyond,” he added.
