Alyson Walker, recently named the general secretary of Canada Soccer, has decided to step down before officially beginning her role due to an unexpected personal matter. Walker had been a historic appointment as the first woman to hold the top staff position at the Canadian soccer governing body.
In a statement released by Canada Soccer, Walker expressed her decision, stating, “After careful consideration and conversation with my family, I have decided for personal reasons, to take some time away and will not step into the role of general secretary at Canada Soccer. I wish Canada Soccer the very best and will be cheering on from afar.”
Canada Soccer President Charmaine Crooks acknowledged Walker’s decision, expressing understanding and respect for her request for privacy. The governing body has initiated a new search for a suitable candidate with the assistance of consulting firm Korn Ferry, which had facilitated Walker’s appointment.
Kelly Brown, a board member and chair of the HR committee, will lead a transition leadership team that includes COO Mathieu Chamberland, CFO Sean Heffernan, and Paulo Senra, chief communications and content officer.
Walker, selected after an extensive four-month search, brought a wealth of experience from her roles at Bell Media, the Canadian Olympic Committee, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and most recently, as the chief commercial officer at OverActive Media. Her departure adds to the recent changes within Canada Soccer, including labor disputes, financial challenges, and the departure of former interim general secretary Jason deVos.
This unexpected development may also impact the search for a permanent coach for the men’s national team, a process that Canada Soccer had indicated would await the hiring of a general secretary. Mauro Biello, the current interim coach, had his term extended through Canada’s Copa America qualifying playoff in March. The departure of Walker introduces new challenges for Canada Soccer as it navigates the road to the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup.
