Alyson Walker named Canada Soccer General Secretary

After an extensive recruitment search process, led by globally recognized search firm Korn Ferry, Canada Soccer today announced Alyson Walker as its new General Secretary. With a proven track record, Walker has spent her career working in global sport, including leadership roles in media, amateur and professional sport, and esports. She also has extensive experience in both private and public markets.

Walker becomes Canada Soccer’s first-ever female General Secretary in the organization’s history.

“On behalf of the Canada Soccer Board of Directors, I want to congratulate Alyson on her appointment,” said Charmaine Crooks, Canada Soccer President.” Alyson brings extensive business experience to her new role, and we are confident in her ability to lead us forward. This important step signals a new direction for our organization as we unite our membership and continue to build toward the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and a home FIFA World Cup in 2026.” ​

More than 200 candidates were identified throughout the four-month search process.

“This was a diverse and wide-ranging search where Alyson’s impressive business and commercial experience, combined with her exceptional sports background differentiated her from the field of candidates,” ​added Korn Ferry.

Career Highlights:

• Member of Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games
• Executive Director of Sponsorships, Licensing and Commercial Rights at the Canadian Olympic Committee — led an impressive four-fold growth in long-term partnership revenue during the 2010-2014 quadrennial
• VP, Content at MLSE — led the production team for 3 professional teams and spearheaded the development of an enterprise digital fan engagement platform
• VP of Brand Partnerships at Bell Media — worked to incrementally grow revenue through integrated brand partnerships and led the monetization of Bell Media’s first-party data strategy
• Chief Commercial Officer at OverActive Media — instrumental in the creation of a global leading esports organization

As a leader at the Canadian Olympic Committee, she worked closely with Canada Soccer during the London 2012 Olympic Games. Alyson grew up playing competitive soccer in Kingston, ON and was a member of the McGill Martlets varsity soccer team. Walker is a founding board member with WISE Toronto, a member of the Commercial Women’s Sport Advisory Group and an Advisor ​ with The Future of Sport Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University. ​ ​

“I am privileged to become a part of the exceptional team at Canada Soccer and the soccer community in Canada, especially during this thrilling and significant phase for our sport both domestically and internationally,” ​​​said Alyson Walker, Canada Soccer General Secretary. “I am dedicated to fostering growth across all facets of the game and ensuring athletes have safe and equitable environments to play and compete in. I look forward to collaborating with our players, teams, coaches and partners to build upon the sport’s current foundation and elevating Canada Soccer to unprecedented levels.”

“We want to thank Jason deVos for his exceptional work and leadership over the past seven months as our interim General Secretary. We are thankful for the guidance he provided to our entire organization, and we look forward to his ongoing contributions,” added Charmaine Crooks, Canada Soccer President ​,

 Walker will officially begin in her new role on January 22, 2024.