Canadian Olympic Committee Announces Senior Leadership Changes
TORONTO (October 19, 2026) – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is pleased to announce a set of senior leadership changes that will support the organization’s key priorities, strengthen the depth of the COC’s leadership team, and bring fresh perspectives to enterprise decisions.
The following changes take effect today:
- Marianne Bolhuis has been named General Counsel and Chief External Affairs Officer. Marianne joined the COC in 2018 as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. In addition to her current responsibilities, she will provide executive leadership for government relations and advocacy, international relations and IOC matters, strategic communications, and bidding and hosting. Prior to joining the COC, Marianne worked as the Canadian regional counsel in the legal department of a large multi-national consumer goods company and also gained significant international experience when she was seconded to a one year global assignment.
- Marie-Andrée Lessard, OLY has been promoted to Vice-President, Games & Performance. Marie-Andrée had previously served as Senior Director, Games. Her mandate now expands beyond leading Games delivery to helping shape priorities across the broader sport portfolio, connecting Games planning more closely with performance strategies, and bringing an enterprise perspective to decisions that impact the COC as a whole. Prior to joining the COC, Marie-Andrée competed for Team Canada in beach volleyball at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
- Colin Freeman has been promoted to Vice-President, Commercial Development & Partnerships. Colin joined the COC in 2012, and most recently held the role of Senior Director, Partnerships, Business Development, and Commercial Affairs. In addition to leading partnership and business development, he will play a role in shaping how the COC’s commercial strategy drives revenue growth and diversification while responding to the evolving needs and opportunities of the Canadian sport system. Prior to joining the COC, Colin held roles on the commercial teams for the organizing committees of the Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic Games.
“These appointments reflect the significant contributions Marianne, Marie-Andrée and Colin have made over the years through their leadership of key initiatives and programs,” said David Shoemaker, CEO and Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee. “I am confident this approach will position the COC well to deliver on our ambitions on the road to LA 2028, Alpes 2030 and beyond.”
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Media Contact
Vanessa Lee
Director, Communications and Media Relations
C: 514-216-1417
E: vlee@olympic.ca