Sail Canada Board of Directors

Sail Canada has confirmed its new Chair, Kate MacLennan of Alberta, as well as the new Board of Directors for 2023-2024, following the Annual General Meeting.

Fiona Cochrane from British Columbia has also been elected to the Sail Canada board, while Valérie Lavigne from Québec was re-elected for a second term. They will join current directors at large Barbara Pike, Torstein Braaten, Kelly Lyon, and Zac Baum, as well as Athlete Directors Rob Hemming and Mariah Millen.

MacLennan has been a member of the Sail Canada Board of Directors for the past six years and a part of the organization’s Governance and Human Resources Committees. A lawyer and partner at her law firm, she is also a long-time sailor and racer, having sailed at the club, intercollegiate, provincial, and national level as a youth, in addition to having been a sailing instructor and learning facilitator. With her sister being Olympic medalist Rosie MacLennan, she is aware of issues that high performance athletes face.

“I am delighted to be taking on the role as Chair for Sail Canada after serving six years on the Board of Directors,” said MacLennan. “I am looking forward to working with the Board members, staff, our upcoming new Chief Executive Officer and the Member Organizations over the next two years.

“I would also like to welcome Fiona Cochrane to the Board and congratulate Valerie Lavigne on being re-elected. As well, thank you to Hugh McGugan, who has spent numerous hours over the past ten years volunteering his time as a member of the Board of Directors for six years and as our Chair for the past four years.”

Cochrane is a senior government official in British Columbia with Infrastructure BC. A Chartered Professional Accountant, she has a strong background in financial analysis, risk management, contracts, governance, and stakeholder relations. She is also a lifelong sailor. As a youth, she raced on the Ontario Sailing Team and was a sailing instructor, and she continues to enjoy sailing, racing and cruising on the west coast.

“I’m truly honored and excited to have been elected to the Sail Canada Board of Directors,” said Cochrane. “I look forward to working with my distinguished fellow board members and the Sail Canada team on the business of the organization for the next three years.”

Lavigne, a chiropractor, was the first female commodore with the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht club before joining the Sail Canada Board of Directors in 2020. In her first term on the Sail Canada Board of Directors, she has been a member of the Strategic Planning, Governance and Audit committees. She is an avid racer, is involved in her club’s sailing school and is raising a family of sailors.

“It’s an honor to be re-elected for a second term on Sail Canada’s Board,” said Valérie Lavigne. “I am looking forward to helping the organization and contributing to its future.”

Established in 1931, Sail Canada is the national governing body for the sport of sailing in the country.

Source: Sail Canada