The Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games has announced a series of organizational changes as it continues to evolve on its journey towards the Games.
The key changes were confirmed by the Organizing Committee Board at its June 16 virtual meeting.
Abby Osborne
Abby Osborne has been named vice president of impact, engagement and enterprise operations for the 2034 Organizing Committee and will join Utah 2034 on Aug. 1. Osborne currently serves as chief of staff for the Utah House of Representatives, a role she has held since 2019, where she has been a key architect of organizational strategy and an advisor to state leadership on some of Utah's most significant policy and operational priorities. She brings nearly 25 years of leadership experience spanning government, business, infrastructure, and public affairs. In accordance with the Organizing Committee's bylaws, Osborne will relinquish her board membership as she joins Utah 2034 full time.
Darren Hughes
Darren Hughes, who has served as vice president of operations and planning for the Organizing Committee since its inception in early 2025, has adopted the role of vice president of Games delivery. Hughes is one of the most experienced leaders in Olympic and Paralympic sport, having worked on over 20 major international events, including every Winter Games since 2002.
"Since launching the organizing committee, we have continually evaluated how our team is structured to best support our work in preparing for the 2034 Winter Games," said CEO Brad Wilson in a release. "Both Abby and Darren will bring great value to our organizational structure and will each play a vital role for Utah 2034 over the next seven-and-a-half years."
Osborne will lead Utah 2034's impact, engagement and enterprise operations portfolio, helping shape the long-term legacy of the Games while building the organizational capacity required to deliver them. She will oversee the Organizing Committee's sustainability, impact and legacy initiatives, as well as communications, government and community relations, youth and education programs, and enterprise operations. Osborne will be responsible for developing and scaling many of the functions that support the Organizing Committee's day-to-day work, growing a team that will encompass thousands of staff and volunteers by the time the Games arrive in 2034.
Hughes will focus his efforts on leading all aspects of Games planning and delivery.
As a part of the evolution of the Organizing Committee, Vice President of Development and Athlete Relations Catherine Raney Norman has decided to conclude her tenure with the Organizing Committee.
"Serving the Olympic and Paralympic movement and helping bring the Games back to Utah has been one of the greatest honors of my life," said Raney Norman. "This work has always been deeply personal to me because at its center are the athletes, their families, and the belief that sport can create hope, connection and lasting impact within our communities. I'm incredibly proud of what we built together, from the vision of Podium34 to creating new opportunities to support athletes and their families through an athletes' families program."
Two-time Olympic short track speed skater Julie Letai has been named to the new role of athlete experience coordinator. Letai earned a spot on the national team in 2019, competing in Beijing and Milano Cortina. A recent graduate of the University of Utah, Letai will draw on her background as an Olympian and recent academic success to support the Organizing Committee's planning and ensure athlete engagement. A Massachusetts native, Letai has been based in Utah for many years, training as an athlete at the Utah Olympic Oval.
Julie Letai
"I'm so inspired by the opportunity to contribute to the Olympic movement in a completely new way," said Letai. "I hope my previous experiences as an Olympic athlete will help shape the 2034 Winter Games into the most rewarding experience it can be for athletes, their friends and families. The organization has already shown me a lot of support, and I'm excited about the goals and priorities we've set in these beginning stages of planning."
