Mike Miller to step down as WOA CEO after 14 years

31 | 3 | 2026

Long-standing WOA CEO Mike Miller will be leaving the organisation at the end of April after 14 years in the job. During his tenure, working closely with WOA President Joël Bouzou OLY, WOA Secretary General Tony Ledgard OLY, WOA Treasurer Patrick Singleton OLY and the WOA Executive Committee, the WOA hugely increased the services and benefits it provides for the worldwide Olympian Community.

During Mike’s time running the operational side of the WOA the WOA created the hugely popular OLY post-nominal letters and OLY Ceremonies, the National Olympians Association’s Grants programmes which fund Service to Society and Service to Olympians projects, the Development Officers who help the NOAs perform to their best, the annual free university scholarships for Olympians, the first-ever Musculo-skeletal survey of retired Olympians and the award-winning OLY House at Rio 2016 and the “best ever” OLY House at Paris 2024.

WOA President Pernilla Wiberg OLY said: “ Mike has been at the centre of all of our achievements over the past decade and a half. It has been a pleasure to work with him in my roles as WOA Executive Committee Member, WOA Vice-President and now WOA President. We have some big shoes to fill in our search for a new CEO.”

Former WOA President Joël Bouzou OLY said: “When I was elected President the first thing I did was approach Mike whom I knew as a colleague (former IRB Secretary General) as I knew we were aligned on values. I asked him to help me in my mission to reform the WOA and build its strength and capacity. As soon as he accepted the job, working with passion and intelligence, I knew that success would come. When we started there was virtually nothing. Working together and with Tony, Patrick and EXCO, we created so much. I am proud of what we have achieved. Mike has since become a great friend. I wish him well in his future endeavours.”

WOA current and former staff said: “Mike has always shown immense trust in his team, giving us the confidence and space to grow not only professionally, but also as people. He encouraged us to be creative and resourceful, often turning limited means into meaningful outcomes, while empowering us to take ownership and show leadership.

“He combined this with a great sense of humour and a genuine openness to feedback, while always bringing a sharp editorial eye to everything we produced. Working with Mike has been a truly enriching experience, and his impact on the team will be felt for years to come.”

Mike said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to work for the WOA, to work with Olympians from all over the world, and to do my small part in helping to make the world a better place through the values and the spirit of the Olympic Movement.

“There are many people I would like to thank for their invaluable support and friendship over the years. I don’t have enough space to thank you all here personally but there are a few I must mention. Joël, Tony, Patrick, Rebecca, Amaranta, Ayako, Inés, Jovina, Marie-Eve, Myra, Sandrine, Vivian and more recently Pernilla, Lumi and Thomas. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you. I would also like to thank the three IOC Sports Directors I have worked closely with over the years: Christophe Dubi, Kit McConnell and Pierre Ducrey.

“With a new President, Secretary General, Treasurer and Executive Committee and after 14 successful years, it’s time to move on. I wish the next CEO all the best and will be there to give advice or any help if needed.  The platform is there for you to carry on building the strength and capacity of the WOA. I’m looking forward to seeing how the WOA evolves over the next 14 years.”

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Do you have what it takes to be the next WOA CEO?

The World Olympians Association is looking for a new CEO to replace the departing Mike Miller. The WOA CEO runs the day-to-day operations of the WOA working closely  with the WOA President, Treasurer, Secretary General and WOA Executive Committee. A proven track record at the highest levels of the Olympic Movement and a good network are essential. Business, broadcast or marketing experience a plus. Being an Olympian preferred but not a requirement. If you are up for the job, send your cv and a few words to hr@thewoa.org telling us why we should choose you to be the next WOA CEO.