VICTORIA—After an extensive national search, Triathlon Canada has tapped Lawrence White to guide the organization into the future as its new chief executive officer.
White brings over two decades of leadership experience working in the charitable and non-profit sector. Over the last 15 years, the Canmore, Alta. resident has served as executive director of The Alpine Club of Canada – an organization that is an international player tasked with governing the sports of ice climbing, ski mountaineering and indoor climbing in Canada – where he played a pivotal role in establishing the necessary provincial structures to create Climb Escalade Canada (CEC). The CEC became the national sport organization recognized by Sport Canada that eventually led to the inclusion of climbing in the Olympic program at Tokyo 2020.
“I am honoured to be given this opportunity to help lead and further develop triathlon in Canada, which is a sport that I have grown to care about deeply,” said White, who is bilingual. “Working with The Alpine Club of Canada, I honed my skills in governance best practices, strategy implementation, policy development, operational excellence, member retention, external relations, and fundraising. I’m tremendously excited to bring this skillset and my experience to further the aims of Triathlon Canada.”
Working with Triathlon Canada’s network of provincial sport partners, White will be focused on delivering the needs of all members while ensuring the tools for Canada’s triathletes and coaches – from the grassroots to elite levels – are available to achieve their performance goals.
“A very dedicated and experienced staff is already in place that will continue to support our athletes and coaches across the country. I genuinely look forward to joining the leadership team in supporting their collective goals. Equally exciting is the opportunity to meet as many event hosts, clubs, race directors, officials and members as possible while getting to know each provincial sport body and just where the challenges and synergies exist in the community,” added White. “I believe we are only as strong as our collective parts and that relationships and trust are the foundation to success. It is my goal to deepen communication and confidence with all of our stakeholders.”
White also brings extensive experience working with The Alpine Club of Canada’s 22 semi-autonomous chapters from coast-to-coast-to-coast, volunteers, members and provincial and national partners to meet the organization’s growing demands.
“Just like mountaineering, triathlon has the ability to be a transformative journey for many; it certainly was for me in competing at my first full Ironman event. I have come to believe that philanthropy is one of the most meaningful ways to express gratitude of that journey for yourself and others. I intend to identify meaningful opportunities with potential donors and corporate partners that connect people’s love of sport with the organization’s mandate for health.”
White is no stranger to sport himself having received university scholarships in both soccer and badminton. But after spending a few decades exploring the back-country of the Canadian Rockies, he eventually found his passion for triathlon through his wife who is also an age group triathlete, and is competing at the World Triathlon Age Group Championships in Pontevedra, Spain this week.
“Lawrence is a dynamic and passionate leader who brings the energy, drive and skillset required to lead our organization,” said Peter McCrory, president, Triathlon Canada. “He stands out on the basis of his leadership qualities and profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing a non-profit sport organization. I know Lawrence is determined to succeed in steering our sport’s future and we are excited to have him lead our team.”
White will split his time working in Canmore, Alta. and Triathlon Canada’s head office in Victoria where he is originally from, while also meeting with partners across the country.
Triathlon Canada is the governing body of the sport in the country. Triathlon Canada’s more than 22,000 members include athletes, coaches and officials from the grassroots to elite levels. With the support of its valued corporate partners – 94 FORWARD, Training Peaks, Subaru Canada, Z3R0D, Aquaman, Tribe Solutions, Champion System Canada, BOCO Gear Canada, ZiZU Optics, Outway Performance Socks, SCICON, SportShare, WestJet and FulGaz – along with the City of Victoria, Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, and Own the Podium, Triathlon Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic and World Champions in all race disciplines. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit us at www.triathloncanada.com.