Short Bio
Mercedes is a 5x National Champ, has 8 World Cup podiums and represented Team Canada at 4 Winter Olympics. 2020, Mercedes attended the Winter YOG as part of the Athletes 360 program. Mercedes is chair of Canada Snowboards (CS) AC with a seat on CS board and committees. She also sat on AthletesCANs board for 2 years. In 2020, Mercedes created DROPPING IN a podcast which she produces, edits and hosts. She attended BCIT taking online marketing and social media. She currently works in the Ride with an Olympian program at Whistler Blackcomb and is an advocate for mental health.Written Statement
I’m proud to have been a large part of creating the Canada Snowboard Athletes Council six years ago. I have also consulted with Ringette Canada to create their athlete’s council in 2021. Being on the Canada Snowboard Athletes Council since its infancy in 2017, we have successfully created an athlete’s handbook for all national and development team athletes, this handbook is able to answer questions athletes may have as well as offer resources for athletes. We have an anonymous yearly athlete survey with coach review, providing valuable feedback from the athletes. We also have worked with the executive director to hold a yearly pre-season orientation with all disciplines. I helped create and host the Inside Scoop on the OLY network Facebook page, keeping in touch with athletes and keeping alumni engaged and informed. Having these experiences and relationships, I would look to interact with NSO’s and their athletes’ councils, aid in the athlete survey, provide the athlete prospective with the COC staff and Olympic sponsors. My vision is that the COC AC is known by all Team Canada athletes, so they know who is available to support them to become the best world-class athletes. My goal is to do this by listening and learning from their experiences. I hope we are able to support, inform and value all Team Canada athletes’ careers and experiences, present and future. I’ve been passionate about making sport in Canada better for athletes since before my retirement from sport. Thank you for your consideration.