Highly respected O'Keefe wins prestigious CICan Award of Excellence

MIES (Switzerland) - Former FIBA Central Board Member and Canada Basketball CEO Michele O'Keefe has been handed the CICan Award of Excellence in recognition of her exceptional leadership.

The Canadian dedicated her time and talents to FIBA between 2014 and 2023, serving two terms on the FIBA Americas Board and the FIBA Central Board, providing leadership and advice throughout her tenure.

Currently Director of Athletics and Student Engagement at Niagara College, she was presented with the honor from the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) at the 2024 CICan Connection Conference in Calgary.

This latest accolade will be added to a lengthy and impressive list of personal awards and nominations, including the likes of her Leadership in Sport Award which she previously landed at the Canadian Sport Awards. Meanwhile in 2020, she was also a runner-up for the International Olympic Committee Women and Sport Awards.

Throughout her career, O'Keefe has played an integral role in shaping sport policy and continues to build capacity for sport excellence at the local, provincial, national and international levels through her volunteer work.

The CICan Award of Excellence was based on O'Keefe's relentless dedication to promoting sport as a tool of empowerment—especially for women.

At Niagara College, she's been a constant source of encouragement for students, athletes, coaches and employees who are motivated by her genuine and inspiring leadership style.

"I feel very fortunate to work at Niagara College," she said O'Keefe.

"The special environment we have allows me to have influence in building an atmosphere where our students and staff can participate in programs, events and teams that will help them for life.

"The collaborative nature of Niagara College—combined with the staff we have in Athletics and Student Engagement—naturally builds programs that put our students in the spotlight.

"I’m very grateful to Niagara College for nominating me for this prestigious award," she concluded.

Her tireless work, achievements and commitment were also recognized by FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis. He supported her nomination and took time to reflect on the lasting legacy she has left for athletes, professionals, and  aspiring leaders within the sport.

He commented: "During Michele's tenure with the Central Board, there were numerous important decisions taken, perhaps one of the most important was the inclusion of Women In Basketball as a strategic priority for FIBA.

"As a passionate advocate for women in all sport, Michele's dedication to this priority was palpable. She co-led a project under the title FIBA Adelante – our first women in leadership program worldwide and the most popular one in the first weeks after FIBA halted its on-court activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Michele's character and passion for the development of sport will continue to make an extraordinary impact on more and more young people, I am sure," added Zagklis.

FIBA