ORLEANS, Ont. - Former Toronto Pan Am Games executive Katherine Henderson was named Curling Canada's new chief executive officer Tuesday.

She will formally assume her new role on April 1.

"Curling Canada has proven emphatically to be world-class, not only in its athletic performance on the world stage, but in its business and administrative operations and partnerships with high-profile companies in Canada," Henderson said in a release. "But I believe the best is yet to come. There are so many opportunities for this sport, at the grassroots, championship-event and high-performance levels, to take curling to even greater heights, and the opportunity to play a role in that growth, in co-operation with Curling Canada's member associations and other stakeholders, is really exciting."

Henderson most recently served as senior vice-president, marketing and revenue for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games organizing committee.

She has previous work experience with the Whirlpool Corporation, Colgate Palmolive Canada, Campbell Soup Canada and General Mills Canada.

Henderson replaces chief operating officer Patricia Ray, who served as interim CEO after Greg Stremlaw's departure last year.