Garry Watanabe

Principal Trainer and Sport Lead, Third Factor

At Third Factor, we’ve spent over four decades working at the intersection of business and sport. Our programs have always been shaped by the high-performance principles used by Olympic coaches, elite athletes, and championship teams. Today, we’re proud to deepen that connection with the formation of our Sport Advisory Board—a small, purpose-driven group of leaders who are shaping the future of sport.

The Sport Advisory Board is an extension of our deep involvement in sport, and our philosophy that we find the best ideas by cross-pollinating ideas across different domains. It will help ensure that our offerings in the corporate world stay grounded in the latest insights from high-performance environments. Just as importantly, it provides a space for these sport leaders to access our coaching, consulting, and facilitation services to support their work developing athletes, teams, and organizations.

We’re honoured to introduce the inaugural members of the Third Factor Sport Advisory Board:

Mel Davidson

Mel Davidson is a legend in women’s hockey, having led Team Canada to Olympic gold as head coach in 2006 and 2010 and as general manager in 2014. Across 36 international events, every team she’s led has reached the podium—a testament to her leadership and consistency under pressure. Today, Mel is a high-performance advisor with Own the Podium, supporting national team programs across Canada. Her expertise in team dynamics and coaching strategy, along with her no-nonsense approach to performance, is a major asset to the board.

Debbie Low

Debbie Low is President and CEO of the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO), where she has transformed the organization into a national leader in athlete development. Her background spans leadership roles across parasport and major games, including serving as Chef de Mission at the 2008 Paralympics. Recognized for her impact on sport and inclusion, Debbie brings a strategic lens and deep systems knowledge to our advisory conversations.

Jesse Lumsden

Jesse Lumsden is a dual-sport athlete and rising leader in Canadian high-performance sport. After a successful CFL career as an all-star running back, Jesse transitioned to bobsleigh, representing Canada in three Olympic Games and earning World Championship medals. Today, he serves as High Performance Director for Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton. Jesse brings firsthand experience of high-stakes competition and athlete transition—along with a deep commitment to developing performance cultures that last.

Tracy Wilson

Tracy Wilson is an Olympic bronze medalist, broadcaster, and one of Canada’s most respected figure skating coaches. Alongside her late partner Rob McCall, she won seven consecutive national titles and the pair made history as the first Canadian ice dancers to reach the Olympic podium. Today, Tracy is a leading coach alongside Brian Orser at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club, working with Olympians like Yuzuru Hanyu and Javier Fernández. Her blend of technical mastery and focus on mindset makes her a powerful contributor to our advisory board.

We’re grateful to Tracy, Mel, Debbie, and Jesse for lending us their expertise. Through this board, we’ll continue to strengthen the bridge between sport and business—ensuring that the lessons learned on the field, ice, track and training room find meaningful application in boardrooms and organizations everywhere.