Canada Soccer general secretary steps down before 1st day, citing personal matter

Alyson Walker, the newly appointed general secretary of Canada Soccer, is leaving the job before starting due to an "unforeseen personal matter."

Walker, whose appointment was announced Dec. 22, had been slated to start Monday, becoming the first woman to hold down the top staff position at the governing body of Canadian soccer.

"After careful consideration and conversation with my family, I have decided for personal reasons, to take some time away and will not step into the role of general secretary at Canada Soccer," Walker said in a Canada Soccer statement. "I wish Canada Soccer the very best and will be cheering on from afar."

The governing body said Walker informed it Saturday "she will not be able to fulfil the duties of the general secretary."

"Our thoughts are with Alyson as she deals with an unforeseen personal matter that sadly precludes her from taking on the role of general secretary," Canada Soccer president Charmaine Crooks said in an statement. "While we were all looking forward to having her lead Canada Soccer, we fully understand, and deeply respect her request for privacy. We wish her all the very best."

Korn Ferry, the consulting firm that helped find Walker, has resumed the search for a new candidate.

Canada Soccer says Kelly Brown, a member of the board of directors and chair of the HR committee, will head up a transition leadership team that includes COO Mathieu Chamberland, CFO Sean Heffernanand Paulo Senra, chief communications and content officer.

Walker was chosen after a four-month search conducted by Korn Ferry that saw more than 200 candidates identified, according to Canada Soccer. Her resume includes stints with Bell Media, the Canadian Olympic Committee and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

Former Canada captain Jason deVos, who previously was Canada Soccer's director of development, had served as interim general secretary job since Earl Cochrane stepped down last April. DeVos recently left Canada Soccer to join Toronto FC as an assistant coach under John Herdman.

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Walker's exit is the latest setback for Canada Soccer, which has been embroiled in a lengthy labour battle with its players and facing a financial pinch. And with Canada co-hosting the FIFA men's World Cup in 2026, there are major challenges ahead on and off the field.

The departure may also delay the search for a permanent coach for the men's national team. Canada Soccer had said that hiring was going to wait until a general secretary was hired.

Mauro Biello has served as interim coach since Herdman resigned in August. Last week Canada Soccer extended Biello's interim term in charge through Canada's Copa America qualifying playoff with Trinidad and Tobago in March.

Walker had two stints at Bell Media, including serving as vice-president of brand partnerships and client strategy from 2016 to 2019. Before that she spent 20 months at MLSE as vice-president of content and almost four years as the Canadian Olympic Committee's executive director of marketing partnerships and licensing.