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The Canadian Hannah Burns is another example of a strong and accomplished woman that started to make a difference in the sports industry after graduating from the FIFA Master. Currently the Head of Promotion of the Olympic Games and Olympic Candidatures at the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Hannah’s career in sports spans for over 10 years – since she graduated from the masters in July 2006. Before entering the professional sports world, Hannah worked in politics and government administration. “Right after university, I had the opportunity to work for Jean Chrétien, who was the Prime Minister of Canada. I worked in policy development and it was an incredible and dynamic experience”, she recalls. She later went on to work for the Minister Responsible for National Revenue, before deciding to make a change in her career. “The idea just seemed perfect. A good challenge. Simple as that”, she explains. “I knew someone who was completing the FIFA Master, and believed that the programme, combined with the opportunity of living abroad, would provide the knowledge and experience that I needed to break into the industry”. After graduation, Hannah went to work in marketing and events at Hockey Canada. “That was an absolute dream come true and I enjoyed every single minute of it”, she says. “There was an incredible buzz to the job. Nothing is more incredible that an arena full of passionate, and boisterous cheering sports fans”. When the opportunity of an internship with the IOC Sports Department presented itself, Hannah headed back to Europe. She packed up two hockey bags and moved to Lausanne. During her ten years at the IOC, Hannah held several positions within the Sports Department and was responsible for matters relating to several IOC Commissions, namely Athletes, Entourage, Sport for all Commission and Olympic Programme. Since joining the Olympic Games Department, in 2014, Hannah has focused on promotion of the candidature process and the Olympic Games, and has been instrumental in the development of the new candidature processes for 2024 and 2026.

 Here is more of the interview with Hannah Burns:

 FMA Quarterly: What is the thing that you love about your job?

Hannah Burns: It is about two things for me. The people and the diversity of my job. Those that I work with at the IOC and within the Olympic Movement, are passionate, dedicated, have a vision for continuous positive change and evolution and they are fun, which is so important. Since joining the IOC, I’ve held various roles and each of them have covered a diverse number of topics and projects. I’ve learned that not only do I enjoy this, but I thrive most in it. This diversity and the continuous learning is why ten years later, I still love what I do!

FMAQ: How important was the FIFA Master for your career?

HB: The Programme gave me knowledge, insight and contacts in an industry I knew very little about. Combined with my previous work experience and passion for sports, helped me land my first gig at Hockey Canada.

FMAQ: Are you still in touch with classmates or other alumni? How important is that network for you?

HB: I am in touch with alumni daily, either personally or professionally. And, it was actually a fellow alumnus, Pierre Ducrey, that hired me to work at the IOC as an intern in 2008. So, I guess it is safe to say that the network has been very important in my career.

FMAQ: Sport has traditionally been a “men’s world”. Is that changing? How do you see the role of women in sport administration?

HB: The sports industry needs to do a better job of putting women at the top. The reality is that the industry is still predominately men, particularly in positions of leadership.they're fearless. They're fearless in what they say, what they think, how they act, how they behave, and women don't behave that way necessarily. I feel like that's something that we need to embrace Women within the sports industry, and all industries for that matter, need to continue to support, encourage and celebrate other women. The Chief Marketing Officer of the NHL, Heidi Browning, once spoke about the fact that men seem to fear less. They fear less about what they say, how they act, what they think. Women, including myself, need to embrace this. We need to stop fearing. Seize the moment and, as my mom says, kick butt!                          

SHORT PROFILE

Hannah Burns, Canadian

Head of Promotion - Olympic Games & Olympic Candidatures at the IOC

FIFA MAster Class: 2006

Favourite Sport: (ice) Hockey

Favourite Team: Ottawa Senators

Favourite sport's moment: When the Canadian Women's Hockey team came from behind to win the gold medal in over-time