Julie Dusslierelongtime executive of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, has been named president and CEO of the Purdue for Life Foundation and will assume her new role on October 1, shortly after the conclusion of the Summer Paralympics in Paris.
Dussliere has been with the USOPC since 2003 and rose to senior vice president, head of Paralympic sports in 2021 and senior vice president, head of Paralympics and internally managed sports in 2022. Her other roles include head of Paralympic sports, vice president/executive director Paralympics and team leader sports performance.
“I am deeply honored and excited to return to Purdue in this role,” said Dussliere. “Purdue University has always held a special place in my heart, and I am eager to make a meaningful contribution to its mission. Together, we will continue to engage and inspire our alumni and supporters and advance the vision and goals of this extraordinary institution.”
In her current role, Dussliere led the strategic planning of the Paralympics and the implementation of key organizational priorities and initiatives. She reported to the Executive Board on Paralympics-related matters and served as the executive liaison to the Paralympic Advisory Board.
Dussliere has overseen the high performance planning and support processes and sport development projects for the 28 summer and winter Paralympic sports. She has also managed the day-to-day operations for the teams that serve as national Olympic/Paralympic governing bodies for the sports administered internally by the USOPC.
Dussliere previously coached Paralympic swimmers at the international level for over a decade. In 2006, she was named Paralympic Coach of the Year by the U.S. Olympic Committee. Dussliere spent eight years as a swim coach and administrator for various U.S. swim clubs, including Rocket Aquatics (Syracuse, New York), Kansas City Blazers, Liverpool Jets (Liverpool, New York), and West Coast Aquatics (San Jose, California).
Dussliere earned a Bachelor of Arts in Russian from Purdue University, where she earned Academic All-Big Ten Conference honors in swimming. Dussliere is successful Matt Folkwho has served as President and CEO since 2019 and will become an ambassador for Purdue University in Indianapolis.
Dussliere will report to the Purdue for Life Board of Directors, which is chaired by the President of Purdue University. Mung ChiangShe will oversee all aspects of the alumni organizations – including the Purdue Alumni Association, the President’s Council and the John Purdue Club – as well as development, alumni services, lifelong learning for alumni and alumni campus life.
“We are thrilled to welcome Julie Dussliere back to her alma mater. And we thank the members of the selection committee for their commitment,” Chiang said. “In her outstanding career with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee after graduating from Purdue University, where she was on our swim team, Julie has proven to be an outstanding leader, collaborator, diplomat and decision-maker, and has demonstrated the ability to lead large teams as well as her strong intelligence and interpersonal skills.”
