Debra Gassewitz has been the CEO of Canada’s National Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC) for the past 20 years. During that time she has had the privilege of engaging with all sectors, levels and participants within sport.

A bilingual sport leader, coach and volunteer, who embraces the concept to never stop learning, she championed the Centre’s evolution from library to innovative knowledge broker. Whether it was digitizing millions of pages of sport research, negotiating a multi-million dollar database sale or establishing an international network of sport partners, her focus has been to facilitate engagement and empower the sport system with knowledge.

Debra played a key role in the development of the Canadian sport policy. She is a member on numerous Boards and committees at the national and provincial level, including a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, working to enhance alignment and advance sport in Canada.

Her background in communications and digital technology has been a driving force in assisting sport organizations with recruitment. Her commitment to research, education and keeping sport leaders, sports associations and program developers well informed has led to the development of numerous resources, conferences and innovative delivery methods.