Former Field Hockey Canada chief executive Karen O’Neill has been named to the 2015 Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) Most Influential Women list.
It is the second straight year that O’Neill, currently the CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, has been named to the list.
“It is a great honour to be named to the Most Influential Women List for the second year in a row, in the company of so many accomplished sport leaders,” she says. “Even more exciting though, is the continued advancement of the Paralympic movement, as evidenced by the strong Paralympic presence on the list.
“I’d like to congratulate all who have been recognized, and I look forward to continuing to work together to help Canada become a world-leading Paralympic nation.”
O’Neill served as CEO of Field Hockey Canada from 2009-2013 before taking the helm of the Paralympic Committee.
According to the CAAWS, the women included on the list “are demonstrating their influence from coast to coast and from provincial to international levels in all roles of sport and physical activity” and have made a significant impact in their respective areas.
O’Neill is joined by the likes of Canadian Olympic Committee President Tricia Smith, longtime Canadian Olympian and current International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission member Haley Wickenheiser, and Basketball Canada CEO Michelle O’Keefe.
(Photo: Canadian Paralympic Commitee)
