WADA appoints Darren Mullaly as Director of Government Relations

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Darren Mullaly as WADA’s new Director of Government Relations, effective 13 January 2025.

Mr. Mullaly will assume the role of current Director, René Bouchard, who will retire after a long and successful career as a senior civil servant in the Canadian federal administration, which included involvement with WADA’s Executive Committee and Foundation Board, followed by seven years heading government relations and stakeholder engagement with the Agency. 

In his role as Director of Government Relations with WADA, Mr. Mullaly will be responsible for developing mutually beneficial relationships between WADA, governments and intergovernmental organizations in support of the global anti-doping system. In so doing, he will ensure that governments continue to play a key role in the field of anti-doping and actively contribute to WADA’s global collaborative movement for doping-free sport. 

Since 2020, Mr. Mullaly, has been Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Strategy and International Engagement, and Head of International Relations, Strategic Policy and Intelligence at Sport Integrity Australia (SIA). In this role, he developed and implemented SIA’s international engagement strategy, including activities with government, sport, law enforcement and other stakeholders, and advised and represented Australia’s Minister for Sport at various anti-doping-related forums, including at WADA, UNESCO and the Council of Europe. Prior to this last role, since 2010, Darren held a variety of senior legal, corporate and education roles with SIA’s predecessor organization, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA). 

WADA Director General Olivier Niggli said: “I am delighted that Darren Mullaly will be joining WADA to take on this important mandate as Director of Government Relations. With almost 20 years’ experience in the field of anti-doping, Darren brings with him a wealth of knowledge and relationships worldwide. I feel very confident that he will continue the good work of his predecessor, René Bouchard, helping us understand the anti-doping issues of our partners around the world, developing closer relationships with them and engaging them in delivering on WADA’s priorities for athletes worldwide.  

“I take this opportunity to wish our long-time colleague and friend, René Bouchard, all the very best as he embarks on a well-deserved retirement. René’s integrity, sage and strategic counsel, work ethic and good humor will certainly be missed by all of us at WADA and all from the global anti-doping community that had the opportunity to work with him.”  

Mr. Mullaly will be relocating to WADA’s head office in Montreal, Canada.