Heidi DeLio Thibert, director of coach development and education at U.S. Figure Skating, received the 2025 Coach Educator of the Year award from the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee this week. In addition, Carrie Aprik and Brandon Siakel were named Service Providers of the Year.

As the driving force for coach education within U.S. Figure Skating, DeLio Thibert co-created the groundbreaking Coach I.C.E. (Inspiring Coaching Excellence) framework, which now serves as the foundation for a coaching pathway focused on education, development, support and recognition for coaches across the sport of figure skating.

Through collaboration with the Coaching department at U.S. Figure Skating, DeLio Thibert also spearheaded the U.S. Figure Skating Coach Core Certification program, developed a model for a five-level coach accreditation system and led innovative mentoring and education initiatives including Coach The Future, the Accelerated Mentoring Program and The Coaches Studio webinar platform. Her leadership has shaped coaches education and development efforts at major events, aimed at strengthening professionalism and collaboration throughout the coaching community.

"Being recognized by the USOPC for this work means more than I can say, because it acknowledges the importance of coaches passing along their collective knowledge to new generations," DeLio Thibert said. "My efforts in the coach development space has been in pursuit of strong coach engagement and impactful coaching education and development opportunities, and I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to do so."

With a 17-year career in coach development, her commitment to learning began in 1987 when she first started coaching and actively pursued every available educational opportunity to enhance her coaching expertise. DeLio Thibert's work is guided by a philosophy that seeks to shift coaching culture from "education for compliance to one of curiosity."

Established in 2019, this award is presented through the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Coach of the Year Recognition Program, and it aims to recognize a coach making an impact in the realm of coaching education.

DeLio Thibert is the first representative from U.S. Figure Skating to be honored with the Coach Educator of the Year Award. She was previously recognized with the Doc Counsilman Science Award in 2009.

Aprik and Siakel were recognized for their work in dietetics and strength and conditioning, respectively. This award is presented to national governing body-affiliated service providers that have made an impact on their respective sports and its athletes.

Through her athlete-centered approach, Aprik has supported Team USA athletes at multiple Olympic Winter Games, helping them trust their fueling, hydration and recovery strategies during some of the highest-pressure moments of their careers. She is also a founding member of U.S. Figure Skating's Body Empowerment and Environment Project, an initiative designed to foster a healthier and more informed culture around body image, nutrition and athlete well-being within the figure skating. Her work has helped athletes feel supported not only in competition, but also in their long-term physical and emotional well-being.  

As a trusted leader in athlete performance through his athlete-centered, team-led approach to strength and conditioning, Siakel's philosophy focuses on empowering athletes to competently and independently manage their own training while balancing elite performance with long-term health, well-being and personal growth. He has played an integral role in the performance of Olympians Nathan Chen, Alysa Liu and Max Naumov. Siakel is also recognized for his innovative use of data analytics and technology to enhance training solutions within figure skating. His leadership, honesty and commitment to the mission and the integrated team have been instrumental in driving holistic success for Team USA athletes on and off the ice.