Bree Schaaf has become programme manager at Global Athlete ©Global Athlete

Global Athlete has announced the appointment of Bree Schaaf as the organisation’s new programme manager.

The Olympian will take on several roles following her appointment, including athlete engagement, media relations and strategic planning.

Schaaf was a member of the United States bobsleigh team from 2007 to 2014, having previously represented the skeleton team from 2003 to 2007.

The American was a member of the bobsleigh squad that competed at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics where she finished fifth in the two-woman bobsleigh event with Emily Azevedo.

She had remained in the sport by coaching international Para bobsleigh athletes, as well as serving as the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Advisory Council second vice-chair.

Schaaf recently concluded a six-year term as an elected athlete representative to the US Bobsled and Skeleton Federation Board of Directors.

“I feel fortunate to have found a passion beyond competitive sport in athlete advocacy, and am even further inspired by this great opportunity to enact change through the tremendous reach and industry reform potential of Global Athlete,” Schaaf said.

The 39-year-old has also worked as a colour commentator for several national and international broadcast networks and streaming services.

This has included working as NBC Olympics’ skeleton analyst and sliding sports correspondent at the Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics.

“We are thrilled to have Bree as a part of the Global Athlete team,” said Rob Koehler, Global Athlete's director general.

“Bree brings her experiences as an athlete, an athlete committee leader, a coach and as a broadcaster.

“Her strong support for athlete rights will help further guide the organisation.”

Global Athlete includes Athlete Lead and cyclist Callum Skinner, para-powerlifter Ali Jawad, kickboxer Caradh O’Donovan, cross-country skier Noah Hoffman and skeleton athlete Akwasi Frimpong.

The pressure group, backed by FairSport, claims it can address the balance of power between athletes and administrators.

Global Athlete has vowed to support athletes to achieved enhanced rights and force major changes to the way sport is run.