2023 news irfan chaudhry vpdi

Hockey Canada hires vice-president, diversity and inclusion

Irfan Chaudhry to join organization on April 12

NR.019.23
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March 17, 2023
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CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has announced that renowned diversity, inclusion and human rights leader Irfan Chaudhry has been hired as the organization’s first vice-president, diversity and inclusion, and will begin his role on April 12.

Chaudhry joins Hockey Canada from MacEwan University, where he most recently was the institution’s director of the office of human rights, diversity and equity. In addition to his position at MacEwan, Chaudhry volunteers as a board member for the Edmonton Police Commission, participates in Public Safety Canada’s Expert Committee on Countering Radicalization to Violence, sits on the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee and is an advisor to the Canadian Council of Muslim Women.

“Having Irfan join Hockey Canada is a significant addition to our organization, and we are excited to have him lead the development of a vision and strategy to create and sustain a culture within hockey that embraces and promotes equity, diversity and inclusion,” said Denise Pattyn, senior vice-president of people, culture and inclusion. “His accomplishments and wealth of knowledge and experience in higher education and sport will be incredibly valuable to Hockey Canada, and we look forward to welcoming him in April.”

The founder of Grow the Game, a hub for anti-racism resources for the hockey community, Chaudhry was presented with the Emerging Leadership Award by the Canadian Association for the Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment in Higher Education in 2018, and recently was awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of his significant contribution to Alberta. 

Since 2022, Chaudhry has been a member of the Hockey Canada Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group, which supports the implementation of the organization’s equity, diversity and inclusion strategic plan, and provides consultation and feedback to accelerate diversity and inclusion goals and monitor outcomes.

“It is an honour to join the team at Hockey Canada,” said Chaudhry. “This is an exciting time of transformation for the sport, and I am looking forward to continue the foundational work of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group, and build a true culture of inclusion within Hockey Canada as well as the broader hockey ecosystem throughout the country.”

In his new position, Chaudhry will be a member of Hockey Canada’s senior leadership team, and based in Edmonton, Alta.

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more information:

Esther Madziya
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 284-6484 

[email protected] 

Spencer Sharkey
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 777-4567

[email protected]

Jeremy Knight
Manager, Corporate Communications
Hockey Canada

(647) 251-9738

[email protected]

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