U.S. Equestrian Appointed Sonja Keating as CEO
Sonja Keating will succeed retiring CEO Bill Moroney at the helm of the national governing body in 2027.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in People
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The U.S. Equestrian board has selected Sonja Keating to serve as the organization's next CEO. She is set to officially transition into the role on Jan. 1, 2027, following the retirement of current CEO Bill Moroney.
Why it matters
The transition marks a change in leadership for the national governing body after a decade of oversight under Moroney. Keating brings extensive institutional knowledge to the position, having served in various executive capacities for the organization since 2006.
Sonja Keating has served as the organization's general counsel since 2006 and added the responsibilities of COO in 2022. Bill Moroney has held the CEO position since his appointment in 2016.
The players
Sonja Keating
She has served as the general counsel for U.S. Equestrian since 2006 and assumed the role of COO in 2022.
Bill Moroney
He has served as the CEO of U.S. Equestrian since 2016 and plans to retire at the end of 2026.
Tom O'Mara
He currently serves as the Board President for U.S. Equestrian and chaired the CEO search committee.
The details
Board President Tom O'Mara led the search committee in selecting the new leader, with the firm Korn Ferry facilitating the hiring process. The board formally approved Keating for the promotion on Oct. 5, 2026.
Timeline
2006: Sonja Keating began her tenure as general counsel.
2016: Bill Moroney was hired as the organization's CEO.
2022: Sonja Keating added the role of COO to her responsibilities.
Oct. 5, 2026: The board approved the hiring of the new CEO.
Jan. 1, 2027: Sonja Keating will officially assume the CEO position.
Market Landscape
The appointment follows a pattern of leadership succession within national sports governing bodies by promoting long-term internal executive staff to the top role. This move positions the organization for stability by elevating an executive who has managed internal operations for two decades.
The transition represents a shift in top-level management that will influence the future policy and operational direction of the equestrian community. Members and stakeholders should expect continuity in the organization's leadership strategy given Keating's long-standing history with the group.
The takeaway
Promoting an existing executive like Keating can provide institutional continuity during periods of leadership transition. Stakeholders in professional organizations often benefit when new leaders have deep, pre-existing knowledge of the entity's internal operations and historical governance.
What happens next
Sonja Keating is scheduled to begin her new role as CEO on Jan. 1, 2027, while Bill Moroney will officially conclude his tenure at the end of 2026.
Further reading
For more information on organizational leadership, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportsbusinessjournal.
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