Canada's national snowsport organizations and the Canadian Olympic Committee announce their full support for Deidra Dionne's nomination to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) Council.
May 6, 2024 – As an emerging leader with a deep commitment to snowboarding and its athletes, Deidra Dionne has been involved in governance at the national and international levels for over 15 years. She has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the FIS Council since 2022. During this time, she has been committed to good governance, transparency, accountability and a unique perspective on sports and entertainment media rights on behalf of FIS members and athletes.
Dionne has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Olympic Committee (2008-14), on the Board of Directors of Freestyle Skiing Canada (2012-16), and is the current Chair of the Board of Women and Sport Canada (since 2018). She also served as a governor on the Board of Directors of the Canada Games Organizing Committee for the 2019 Canada Winter Games.
Dionne is a sports and entertainment executive and attorney with ten years of business experience across Canada's #1 sports network Rogers Sport & Media, the National Hockey League Players Association, and the National Football League Players Association. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dionne is widely respected for her integrity, dedication to sport, and her collaborative approach to complex stakeholder management issues.
Dion is also a two-time Olympian and 2002 Olympic bronze medalist in aerobics, and achieved one World Championship podium finish and 11 World Cup podium finishes during a stellar 11-year career with the Canadian National Freestyle Team.
Canada's national snow sports organizations, represented by the Canadian Snow Sports Association (CSA) and its Board of Directors, firmly believe that Deidra Dionne's unique experience and passion for snow sports make her the ideal person to represent the interests of athletes and federations around the world, and have unanimously moved forward with her candidacy.
“Deidra is part of a new, innovative wave of sports and entertainment business leaders in our country,” said Therese Brisson, President and CEO of Alpine Canada and CSA Board Director. “She brings an athlete perspective and thought leadership on creating a more inclusive sport. Her expertise as a driver of growth, and her deep expertise in how Marketing Sports and Entertainment Media Rights in a Rapidly Evolving Landscape of Unprecedented Disruption FIS Council Together, the Canadian National Snow Sports Organizations and the CSA Board of Directors are proud to endorse Deidra to the FIS Council and are confident in her ability to advocate effectively.
Tricia Smith, president of the Canadian Olympic Committee, also expressed her support. “As an organization committed to supporting Canadian athletes on the world stage, we recognize the importance of strong leadership within international federations,” Smith said. Dedra's track record of leadership and advocacy is fully aligned with the values of the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Olympic Movement. We strongly support Dedra's nomination to the FIS Council and believe she will be an exceptional representative of skiing and snowboarding at the international level.
said Eric Guay, Canada's most decorated alpine athlete, with 25 World Cup podiums, 2011 Downhill World Champion and 2017 Super-G World Champion, 2010 Super-G Crystal Globe and Executive Committee Member. For Alpine FIS: “We are very supportive of Deidra and we know she will do it.” He brings a sporting perspective, sound business leadership and experience to the FIS Board as FIS continues to evolve and work to grow the sports of skiing and snowboarding globally.
Elections to the FIS Council will be held at the FIS Congress on June 5, 2024.
The Canadian Snow Sports Association is an alliance of national skiing and snowboarding sporting organizations that are the governing bodies for the sports in Canada including Alpine Canada, Snowboarding Canada, Freestyle Skiing Canada, Nordic Canada, Nordic Ski Canada, and Ski Jumping Canada. Canada, Speed Ski Canada and Telemark Ski Canada.
