OTTAWA, ON: Two new executive leaders have been appointed to Skate Canada. Patricia Chafe will join the organization as the Chief Sport Officer and Bethany Tory will join the organization as its Chief Operating Officer.

“These leaders will bring new ideas and increased operational efficiency to the work on Skate Canada’s 2014 to 2018 strategic plan”, said Dan Thompson, CEO, Skate Canada. “I’m confident that they will both bring new energy and skills into the organization, strengthening our results and helping to ensure that Canada remains a leading global skating nation.

The Chief Sport Officer role is a new one for Skate Canada and encompasses all functions relating to athletes, coaches and officials.

Patricia Chafe returns to Skate Canada to assume this position after several years of running her own consultancy practice. Her focus will be to drive Skate Canada’s strategy across the full spectrum of athlete, coach and officials development programs, including skating programs, high performance, national team and competition delivery. With an extensive background in the sport as a skater, coach and official, she has a unique understanding of all aspects of skating. She has also provided analytical support in preparation for International Skating Union congresses, and served as a performance analyst for Skate Canada’s world and Olympic teams. Chafe holds a Ph.D. and B.Ed. from Dalhousie University, and an M.Math from the University of Waterloo.  She will begin her new duties on December 2, 2013.

As the Chief Operating Officer, Bethany Tory will be accountable for running the business, directing its member services, finance and administration and technology strategy. Most recently Tory served as Executive Director of Membership Services with Scouts Canada, and she brings extensive experience in leadership, program management, strategic planning, financial management and budgeting, stakeholder engagement and corporate governance experience to her new role.  A former competitive skater, and a qualified figure skating coach, she is a graduate of the Queen’s University’s MBA program and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University. She will begin her new position on November 25, 2013.

The third position on the Skate Canada executive team, expected to be filled in early January, will be a Chief Marketing Officer responsible for business development, communications, sponsorship, marketing, digital content and event management.