Ashley Walden now CEO of Lake Placid ORDA

Lake Placid (FIL/24 Aug 2023) For the first time in its history, the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) will put a woman in charge of the overall planning for the skiing, skating, luge and World Games in New York's premier winter sports and recreation destination in the Adirondacks. The hire is Ashley Walden, a former luge athlete and 2002 Park City Olympian, who will also oversee World University Games planning as CEO.

ORDA's Board of Directors unanimously elected Ashley Walden (41) as its new CEO and President on Monday, August 21, 2023, succeeding Mike Pratt, who is retiring.

Among her many accomplishments, Walden led the organization that brought the FISU World University Games to the North Country last January, with events held at Gore Mountain in North Creek, Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington and cross-country skiing, figure skating and hockey facilities in Lake Placid.

The luge Olympian, whose maiden name is Hayden, won two silver medals at the FIL World Championships in the mixed team event in 2004 (Nagano) and 2005 (Park City). In 2006, she married former Olympian Bengt Walden (SWE), who was coach of the Norwegian national luge team.

Ashley Walden served as director of the Adirondack Sports Council and previously was director of internal operations for the USA Bobsled and Skeleton Association.

According to ORDA officials, Walden was chosen from a list of candidates compiled by Chairman Joe Martens and his selection committee. The consensus in the region was that the new director should be someone familiar with the operations of a government agency and major sporting events.

Ashley Walden will replace Pratt, who turns 62 next month. Pratt has worked for ORDA for 37 years and served as its president for the past six years. He announced his retirement in the spring and plans to step down on September 29. Walden will take over on September 11, 2023.

Former marketing and communications professional Chris Carroll, who worked with Walden on the sports council, said ORDA's decision was "great."

Photo: ORDA