Kingston, November 7, 2024 – Sail Canada is proud to introduce its new Board of Directors for 2024-2025, following the Annual Meeting that was held virtually last week.
Two new members have been elected to the Sail Canada Board of Directors, Martha Henderson from Toronto, ON, and Hugh Goodday from Chester, N.S.
They will join current members Kate MacLennan, Chair of the Board of Directors, as well as directors at large Torstein Braaten, Barbara Pike, Valérie Lavigne and Fiona Cochrane, in addition to Athlete Directors Rob Hemming and Mariah Millen.
Martha Henderson represented Canada at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Three-Person Keelboat (Yngling) where she took 13th place with Katie Abbott and Jen Provan. She worked in all aspects of sport, including as Director of Corporate Partnerships at the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club and as an International Sports and Event Marketing Specialist. She was then the Head of Membership, Group Sales, and Promotions at the Royal Ontario Museum. She has been a member of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club Board of Directors being the first female Rear Commodore Fleet. She also has been a member of the Disabled Sailing Association of Ontario, Gymnastics Canada, as well as Canada’s America’s Cup 40 Women’s and Youth Challenge Executive Board of Directors. She is also a Regional Race Officer.
“I am excited to be elected to the Sail Canada Board and look forward to working with the Board members and staff as we move ahead in the next quadrennial, which holds exciting change and opportunities for Sail Canada and our stakeholders”, said Martha Henderson.
Hugh Goodday has been Eastern Canadian 16-under Laser Champion (2002), Canadian Champion in the F18 double-handed catamaran (2012), member of Team Canada at the Student Yachting World Cup (2011) and the McGill University Sailing Team (2004-2007). He has enjoyed an extensive inshore and offshore sailing career that includes participation and top results in events such as the Rolex Middle Sea Race, Newport to Bermuda Race, IMA Transatlantic Race, Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race, Vanisle 360 and Lake Ontario 300. He is a member of the Cruising Club of America (BDO Station) and Chester Yacht Club. He is the Managing Partner and Chief Growth Officer at the VIDA Group of Companies where he is focused on building a world-class team and executing on strategic initiatives that help VIDA on its mission to revolutionize affordable communities. Prior to joining VIDA, Hugh was a corporate lawyer at Blakes (Toronto) and Slaughter and May (London) where he advised the leadership teams at TSX 60 and FTSE 100 companies on major transactions and governance matters.
“Joining the Sail Canada Board of Directors is an incredible privilege”, said Hugh Goodday. “This chance to help shape the future of high-performance sailing in Canada is extremely motivating. I’m eager to dig in with my fellow Board members as we tackle the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the organization and our sport. With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, we have no time to waste in raising Canadian sailing to new heights!”
Martha Henderson and Hugh Goodday will fill the positions previously held by Kelly Lyon and Zac Baum, who had completed their terms.
“I want to take this time to thank Zac for his six years of service on the Board and his significant contributions as part of the Governance and Ethics Committee, Finance Committee, IDE Committee as well as Secretary of the Board,” said Kate MacLennan, Chair of Sail Canada’s Board of Directors. “I also want to thank Kelly for her three years of service on the Board and her dedication to advancing women in the sport of sailing and her contributions to the DEI committee. Zac and Kelly, we wish you all the best and thank you so much.”
About Sail Canada
Established in 1931, Sail Canada is the national governing body for the sport of sailing in the country. Sail Canada is a leading international sailing nation, proud of its world class athletes, lifelong participants and inclusive culture. The organization and its members are committed to excellence by developing and training its leaders, athletes, sailors, instructors, coaches and officials. With the valued support from our partners, the Provincial Sailing Associations and our member clubs, schools, organizations and stakeholders, sailing is promoted in all its forms. By setting standards and delivering programs from home pond to podium for Canadians of all ages and abilities, from dinghies to keelboats, cruising to navigation, windsurfing to powerboating and accessible sailing, Sail Canada sets sail for all, sail to win and sail for life.
A sport in the Olympic program since the first Games in 1896, except in 1904, the pursuit of success in these Games is what fuels the focus of Sail Canada as Canadian athletes have so far achieved nine Olympic and five Paralympic medals.
