Abby Osborne and Darren Hughes named to new roles
SALT LAKE CITY (June 17, 2026) — The Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 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, 2026, virtual meeting.
Abby Osborne has been named vice president of impact, engagement, and enterprise operations for the 2034 Organizing Committee and will join Utah 2034 on August 1, 2026. 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, 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. “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 we transition from a startup organization into one that will eventually support thousands of employees and volunteers, we need leaders who can build both culture and capability,” said Wilson. Abby is uniquely qualified to help lead that growth and ensure Utah 2034 delivers an impact that extends far beyond the Games themselves.”
“The opportunity to help lead Utah 2034 is both professionally and personally meaningful,” said Osborne. “The Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have the power to inspire, unite communities, and create lasting impact for future generations. I look forward to working alongside this incredible team to build an organization that not only delivers exceptional Games in 2034 but also strengthens Utah’s position as a winter sports capital for decades to come.”
“Abby Osborne has had one of the most valuable perspectives on Utah over the past several years, helping orchestrate the progress and momentum that defines the state today,” said Hughes. “She will help maximize the opportunities and impact of the 2034 Games.”
“Working with Darren over the past year-and-a-half, I’ve seen firsthand the level of respect he commands in the Olympic and Paralympic Movements,” said Wilson. “That depth of leadership will help our team deliver the best possible Games in 2034.”
Catherine Raney Norman to Leave Organizing Committee Role
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.
“Utah 2034 extends its sincere gratitude to Catherine for her successful leadership through the bid process and her dedication to creating the groundbreaking philanthropic program known as Podium34. Her contributions have helped set a strong foundation for the Organizing Committee,” said Wilson.
“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.”
Olympian Julie Letai Named to New Athlete Role
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.
“Athletes are at the center of what we do as an Olympic and Paralympic organizing committee,” said Wilson. “Julie will have an opportunity to engage in our planning process now to help us best innovate on behalf of athletes for the Games in 2034.”
“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.”
BIOGRAPHIES
Abby Osborne, Vice President of Impact, Engagement, and Enterprise Operations
Abby Osborne is a seasoned executive with nearly 25 years of leadership experience spanning government, business, infrastructure, and public affairs. She joins Utah 2034 after serving as chief of staff for the Utah House of Representatives since 2019, where she was a principal advisor to House leadership and oversaw the institution’s strategic and operational functions. Previously, Osborne served as senior vice president of government relations and public policy for the Salt Lake Chamber and founded the Utah Transportation Coalition. She is a founding board member of the 2034 Organizing Committee and current chair of the Utah Inland Port Authority Board. In 2025, Utah Business recognized her as one of the state’s Most Influential Women.
Darren Hughes, Vice President of Games Delivery
A highly respected international games advisor for over a quarter of a century, Darren Hughes served as bid lead for Utah’s successful election to host the 2034 Games in July 2024. He was initially named vice president of operations and planning for the Organizing Committee, and now serves as vice president of games delivery. Hughes broke into international sport at the 2002 Games as director, human resources planning/operations. Since then, he has consulted with over 20 major international events or bids, including nearly every Olympics – summer and winter – since 2002.
Julie Letai, Athlete Experience Coordinator
Julie Letai is a two-time Olympian in short track speed skating. A native of Medfield, Mass, she began skating as a child, transitioning from figure skating to speed skating. She was named to the national team in 2019, leading her on a career that would take her to both the 2022 and 2026 Olympic Winter Games. She earned multiple World Cup medals and took silver in the 3000 relay at the 2024 ISU World Championships. While training at the Utah Olympic Oval, Letai earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Health, Society & Policy, and a minor in Psychology, graduating in December 2025.
