Karine Henrie named WADA Head of Athlete Engagement

Karine Henrie

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to announce that Karine Henrie has been named as the Agency’s new Head of Athlete Engagement. Karine will begin in her new role on 1 November 2023.  

As Head of Athlete Engagement, Karine will lead the Agency’s Athlete Engagement strategy, with particular emphasis on the development of athlete-focused programs and resources to support clear and constructive anti-doping experiences for all athletes. She will also work collaboratively with WADA’s Athlete Council on a variety of initiatives such as support for the Athletes’ Anti-Doping Ombuds and other athlete-centered projects.  

Karine joined WADA in 2017 in the position of Manager, Standards and Harmonization, before being promoted to Senior Manager in 2020. In 2021, she was named Deputy Director, Testing, a role which included overseeing some Testing Department staff, leading the department’s compliance activities, and contributing to the ongoing improvement of the International Standard for Testing and Investigations as well as its related Guidelines. 

Prior to joining WADA, Karine held various management positions with the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport between 2003-2010 and 2013-2016, where she ensured quality anti-doping program delivery for Canadian athletes. 

WADA Director General, Olivier Niggli, said: “We are very pleased to announce that Karine Henrie will be stepping into the role of Head of Athlete Engagement. Karine has strong operational knowledge of anti-doping, has demonstrated capability to deliver complex projects and has an engaging personality. All of these characteristics and more will help us continue to deliver on our commitment to be an athlete-centered organization, which involves listening to the diverse views of athletes, engaging them in the development of anti-doping, and enhancing their anti-doping experience. Karine will work collaboratively with our leadership team to ensure that we continue to raise the game for athletes worldwide.”

Since joining the Agency, among other activities, Karine has been involved in 16 compliance audits of World Anti-Doping Code Signatories and participated in three Independent Observer missions (including to the 2018 Pyeongchang and 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games).

Karine holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics and a master’s degree in Human Kinetics (with a specialization in Sports Studies and Sociology) from the University of Ottawa, Canada.

Karine takes over the position previously held by Stuart Kemp, who assumed the role of WADA Chief Operating Officer in January 2023. Led by Stuart, the WADA Athlete Engagement team has helped the Agency make significant strides over the last few years, including the creation of the Athlete Council and improved athlete representation within WADA’s governance structure, the launch of the Ombuds Program pilot project, the initiation of the Human Rights Impact Assessment, as well as continued delivery of athlete engagement activities at major events.