Paralympics Australia (PA) today announced that Head of Games Delivery and Athlete Engagement Kate McLoughlin will depart the organisation after 17 years to pursue a new career opportunity.
McLoughlin played a central role in the delivery of 10 Summer and Winter Paralympic campaigns since joining Paralympics Australia in 2009, most notably serving as Chef de Mission at Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022 and Paris 2024 and Deputy Chef de Mission at London 2012.
McLoughlin created history during the Rio 2016 campaign, becoming the first woman to lead an Australian Paralympic Team as Chef de Mission and subsequently becoming the only Australian to receive the International Paralympic Committee’s Best Official award following those Games.
Beyond her leadership of Australian Paralympic Teams, McLoughlin has been a passionate advocate for Para athletes and Paralympic alumni, helping to establish significant initiatives including the Paralympic Pin Project and PA’s Athlete Commission to elevate the voice of Para athletes as the Paralympic movement continues to evolve.
Paralympics Australia CEO Cameron Murray paid tribute to McLoughlin’s outstanding contribution to the organisation and the wider Paralympic Movement.
Her commitment to our athletes has always been at the heart of her leadership, and the legacy she leaves through the teams she has led and the initiatives she has championed will endure well beyond her departure.
“Kate has brought an exceptional combination of expertise, passion and empathy to her work at Paralympics Australia. Her commitment to our athletes has always been at the heart of her leadership, and the legacy she leaves through the teams she has led and the initiatives she has championed will endure well beyond her departure,” Murray said.
Her contribution to Paralympics Australia, our Executive Leadership Team, our athletes and the Australian Paralympic Movement over the past 17 years has been extraordinary.”
“Now that Kate is ready to take the next exciting step in her career, she will move on with our very best wishes and the knowledge that she has left an enduring impact.”
Murray said PA would maintain continuity across its Games delivery and athlete engagement operations while a search for McLoughlin’s successor takes place.
“Our preparations for our next Paralympic Games campaigns in LA, the French Alps and Brisbane continue at pace with strong foundations in place,” Murray said.
“Our Games Delivery and Athlete Engagement team is among the best in the business and will ensure the momentum for our athletes, sports and stakeholders continues to build while we undertake an open recruitment process for Kate’s successor.
“We look forward to building on the strong work Kate has led and continuing to strengthen the experience we provide to our Australian Paralympic Teams.”
McLoughlin will conclude her tenure at Paralympics Australian in September.
Paralympics Australia is only able to continue doing its work driving the Paralympic Movement forward in Australia because of the generous support it receives from Government, Corporate Partners and donors.
The focus continues to be on delivering teams to each Summer and Winter Paralympic Games and supporting Para athletes as they enter and progress through the Para sport system and into their post-sporting careers.
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