Equine Canada (EC) is pleased to announce Amie O’Shaughnessy has been selected as the successful candidate for the new position of EC High Performance Director, effective March 30, 2015.
O’Shaughnessy is an ideal fit for the role, having accumulated 14 years of experience managing and directing EC programs within five disciplines, including her most recent post as Director of Para-Equestrian. Highlights of her many accomplishments include increasing program funding for the Paralympic program by over $4 million in less than two quadrennials, and developing comprehensive strategic and operational plans, which resulted in the Canadian Para-Equestrian Team becoming one of the fastest growing and most successful Para-Sport programs in the world. Under her leadership, Canada’s Para-Equestrian Team has attended over 25 international events, and brought home medals from the Paralympic Games and the World Championships.
“The appointment of Amie as High Performance Director within EC is a critical step to reshaping our National Federation and laying the foundation for Canada to be a leading equestrian sport nation,” said EC Chief Executive Officer, Eva Havaris. “Amie has a proven record of success directing equestrian sport programs as a result of her strong ability to build and execute plans. She exemplifies an unwavering commitment to excellence for Canadian equestrian sport with an unparalleled focus on building a high performance support system around our athletes in order for them to perform and achieve to the best of their abilities.”
As the High Performance Director, O’Shaughnessy’s key responsibilities will include:
- Working closely with key stakeholders, including owners and athletes, to proactively develop best practice plans that enable wider success across all disciplines at future major games.
- Guiding EC’s high performance programming and spearheading integration, enhancement, and alignment of policies, programs, and services that provide best in class experience for Canada’s high performance equestrian sport community.
- Overseeing the sourcing and securement of Canadian Equestrian Team (CET) sponsorship funds
- Crafting a global high performance vision and implementing it through a long-term strategy created through team building with cross-functional groups.
“Amie comes to this position with an impressive resume and an outstanding record of previous work within EC that illuminates her competence, work ethic, and integrity,” said Terrance Millar, Chair of the EC High Performance Committee and member of the High Performance Director selection panel. “Most importantly, Amie has a firm understanding of the complex nature of the sport portfolio within EC, and of the demands that this new position will entail. I’m sure all disciplines will wish to join me in wishing Amie the best of luck and success in this vital new role. I know we are in good hands.”
O’Shaughnessy will officially take up her High Performance Director post, based at the EC national office in Ottawa, Ont., on March 30, 2015.
“I am excited to take on the role of High Performance Director at EC and to collaborate with the many stakeholders, staff, and partners in a shared passion to elevate Canada’s high performance programming,” said O’Shaughnessy, who is a business graduate and a graduate from the World Academy of Sport in London, England. “Canada is a nation with exceptional equestrian strength, and I look forward to working alongside a great team to champion high performance excellence across the organization.”
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