Courtesy: Swimming Canada
OTTAWA – Swimming Canada CEO Ahmed El-Awadi will be taking a personal leave of absence beginning Monday, May 29, 2023.
The Swimming Canada Board of Directors made the announcement to staff and key partners earlier today, and has appointed Director, Operations & Sport Development, Suzanne Paulins as Acting CEO.
“We are very supportive of Ahmed and his leave,” said Swimming Canada President Mary C. Lyne. “The board has complete confidence in the management team that Ahmed has built. Suzanne and the team are well positioned to continue to implement and support the strategic plan and goals of the organization, and manage the day-to-day operations.”
Paulins has been Director, Operations & Sport Development since 2021. She came to Swimming Canada as a staff member in 2017 after 20 years with the Bank of Montreal, where she held positions including Financial Services Manager, Bank Manager, and Human Resources Strategic Initiatives Manager.
“Suzanne and the rest of our exceptional senior leadership team and staff will continue to execute our strategy and operational plans as we prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris,” said El-Awadi, who has been CEO since 2013. “Suzanne has my every confidence, and she will lead this organization without missing a beat.”
Paulins has been involved with the sport for more than 45 years, as a master official, FINA List referee and Technical Official at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games. She will work closely with partners including Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium, and provincial sections.
“We have a strong strategic plan, and a leadership team in place that will carry on with what Ahmed has built,” Paulins said. I look forward to continuing to work with the Swimming Canada Board of Directors, the senior leadership team and all staff over the coming months in moving all projects and strategies forward.”