Dr. Karen Mac Neill
About Dr. Karen Mac Neill
Dr. Karen Mac Neill is a founding partner at headversity and an advisory group member at Beautiful Game Group LLC, specializing in performance management. She has extensive experience as a mental performance consultant for Team Canada at multiple Olympic Games and has worked with athletes at the last four Olympic Winter Games.
Work at Headversity
Dr. Karen Mac Neill serves as a Founding Partner at Headversity, a role she has held since 2018. In this position, she contributes to the development of mental health and performance solutions aimed at enhancing individual and team performance. Her expertise in performance psychology informs the strategies and programs implemented by the organization.
Current Role at Canadian Olympic Committee
Since 2017, Dr. Mac Neill has been the Lead Mental Performance and Mental Health Consultant for the Canadian Olympic Committee. In this capacity, she provides mental performance consulting to athletes, focusing on their mental health and well-being. Her work supports athletes competing at the highest levels, including the Olympics.
Education and Expertise
Dr. Mac Neill holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counselling Psychology with a specialization in Performance Psychology from The University of British Columbia, which she completed from 2002 to 2007. She also earned a Master of Arts in Sport Psychology from the University of Ottawa from 1996 to 1998, and a Master of Science in Applied Psychology from the University of Calgary from 2000 to 2002. Additionally, she has a Bachelor of Physical Education in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from the University of Calgary, completed from 1989 to 1994.
Achievements and Recognition
Dr. Mac Neill has received several accolades for her contributions to the field, including the Avenue Top 40 under 40 Award, the 2020 Women of Inspiration Game Changer award, and recognition as one of Canada's Most Powerful Women - Top 100. These awards highlight her impact in mental performance consulting and her commitment to supporting athletes and organizations.
Experience in Sports Consulting
Dr. Mac Neill has extensive experience in sports consulting, having worked with athletes competing in the last four Olympic Winter Games. She is also set to support Team Canada at the upcoming 2020 Olympics in Japan, the 2022 Olympics in China, and the 2024 Olympics in Paris as a mental performance consultant. Her background includes roles such as Manager of Sport Psychology Services at the Vancouver Olympic Committee and various consulting contracts with Fortune 500 companies.