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CEO of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), Stacey Allaster is
one of the most successful executives in sport. In 2010, the WTA
saw tremendous continued growth under her direction, which included
the signing of new sponsorship deals, as well as maintaining long-term
relationships with existing sponsors. Prize money also increased
by over 30 percent in 2010. A trailblazer in tennis, who played
a key role in the quest to obtain equal prize money for women on
the circuit, Allaster continued her work over the year to help build
the profile of women’s tennis around the world (including
Asian markets). The honors keep rolling in for Allaster: she was
named 2010 Tennis News Person of the Year (The Bellamy), as well
as to the Forbes Most Powerful Women in Sports list. Originally
from Welland, Ontario, she was also named to the CAAWS MIW list
in 2006 and 2009. 
In 2010, Margarett Best guided a ministry that not only actively
promoted physical activity and sport participation, but also aggressively
influenced change such as the banning of flavored cigarillos to
make them less accessible, affordable and attractive to young people
(New Law Protects Children From Tobacco). She was also a leader
in the bid to ensure Canada successfully obtain the 2015 Pan American
Games, As well, Best was an active supporter of the 2010 Ontario
Summer Games and Senior Summer Games (Actifest). In addition, Minister
Best led in establishing Promoting Life-Skills for Aboriginal Youth
(PLAY) hockey programming for youth in northern First Nations communities.
Minister Best’s long-term vision on the importance of sport
and physical activity, as well as her leadership in 2010 on pro-active
legislation to improve health make her an ideal choice for the CAAWS
MIW list (which is the Minister’s first time on the MIW List).
In a role that demanded incredible dedication—and during a
time in which Team Canada was under the microscope as the host nation—Canadian
Olympic Team Press Chief Sylvie Bigras worked tirelessly to prepare
the Team for the onslaught of media coverage, as well as ensuring
successful media coverage of athletes, coaches, and support team
members. Responsible for Canadian Team communications and media
relations in both official languages, and for a staff of press attachés
and communications professionals, she organized and hosted daily
press conferences that helped keep Canadian media current. Bigras
is a specialist in facilitation, hosting and voice work, and a long-term
volunteer with organizations such as the Ontario Trillium Foundation
and the Ottawa Snowsuit Fund. In 2010, she also volunteered on numerous
sport-related committees and events, such as Canada’s 2015
Pan Am Games bid (she is fluent in Spanish), Canada's Sports Hall
of Fame, the Gold Medal Plates fundraising dinner, Hockey Canada
Foundation's Gala, to name a few. This is the first time Sylvie
is on the MIW List.
Nathalie Cook’s experience and dedication to the Olympic and
Paralympic movements is both admirable and impressive. In 2010 she
held a leadership role with Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media
Consortium, which delivered revolutionary multiplatform coverage
of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. A team player and born leader,
Cook’s ideas and foresight push limits to achieve maximum
results in the best interest of her clients and partners. Because
of this vision and leadership, Cook was promoted to the Consortium’s
senior executive team as Vice-President of Marketing and Partnerships
for the Consortium’s coverage of the London 2012 Olympic and
Paralympic Games. Cook has worked in amateur sports for the majority
of her career and strongly believes in the spirit and goodwill of
the Games on a global level.
In
2010, the dynamic duo of Olympic gold medalist Chandra Crawford
and Marie-Hélène Thibeault contributed to re-branding
sport as cool for young women who typically disengage from participation
with Fast and Female. The non-profit organization, which was founded
in 2005 by Crawford with teammates, is dedicated to the empowerment
through sport of young women ages 9 to 19. In 2010, Crawford and
Thibeault teamed up for a second consecutive year to inspire girls
to gain the confidence and leadership they need to reach their full
potential in life and sports. Initially launched as a program for
cross-country skiers and biathletes, Fast and Female’s 2010
programming experienced substantial expansion with its their busiest
season ever as they took the program to seven provinces and territories,
the USA and reached more than 1,200 participants. New initiatives
in 2010 also included outreach in the alpine skiing community as
well as a partnership with CAAWS to modify the CAAWS Youth Leadership
Workshop to be included in the Fast and Female programming. Crawford
and M&H (as executive director Marie-Hélène goes
by) continue to work with inspiring ambassadors consisting of female
Olympians and elite athletes to empower young women across Canada
and increase their retention in sport. This is the first time either
Chandra or Marie-Hélène have been named to the MIW
List.
Under the leadership of Mel Davidson, Canada’s Olympic women’s
hockey team was able to pull off a hat trick—winning their
3rd gold medal at three consecutive Olympic Games. Known for her
values and dedication, Davidson faced incredible pressure during
these home-based Olympic Games to repeat her 2006 gold medal victory
as coach. Honest and forthright, and the only woman head coach in
Vancouver, she would be the first to admit there were a few rocky
times, and some questioning, on the road to Olympic success in a
nation passionate for hockey…and for golden victory. A professional,
a role model, a mentor and a believer in the power of effective
coaching, she was also named Jack Donohue Coach of the Year by the
Coaching Association of Canada (2010). This will be Mel’s
fifth time on the MIW List. She is the only person to be name for
five consecutive years.
Leader and dynamic volunteer Martha Deacon was awarded the prestigious
2010 IOC Sport Inspiring Young People trophy for her influence,
not only at the Olympic level, but for her work at the grassroots
level with youth just beginning in sport and physical activity.
As Chef de Mission for Team Canada competing at the 2010 Commonwealth
Games, she faced very public challenges about preparedness of games
infrastructure and readiness, with one goal in mind: to ensure Canadian
athletes, coaches and team members all had optimum conditions to
compete at their highest level. As Executive Officer with the Waterloo
Region District School Board (and as a former principal, teacher
and consultant), Martha has long recognized the power to of sport
to inspire. Deacon worked tirelessly over the year with government
and officials to develop programs that allow children and teenagers
to embrace the values of a healthy, active lifestyle, as well as
the Olympic values of fairness, respect and excellence. This is
Martha’s first appearance on the MIW List.
During
2010, Andrea Grantham represented the physical activity sector in
front of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance to influence
funding towards a Canadian physical activity strategy. With intelligence
and integrity, she developed relationships with Senators and MPs
and garnered their support for physical activity, as well as the
importance of quality physical education program delivery. Her work
as team leader resulted in funding for the physical activity sector.
She played a key role in the development of At My Best, a school
program that supports children’s optimal physical and emotional
development. Grantham worked closely with the Public Health Agency
of Canada and the NGO sector to secure funding for an after-school
initiative. She was chosen by PHAC to join a Canadian delegation
to present to the European Union on this initiative. She worked
with the PHE Canada Board to develop a strategic plan and coinciding
activities to enhance physical and health literacy among children
and youth, as well as strategies to support the implementation of
the Long Term Athlete Development model in Canada’s school
system. 2010 marks the first time Andrea appears on the MIW List.
In
2010, Canada’s Female Athlete of the Century Nancy Greene
Raine lit the Olympic cauldron in Vancouver along with other Canadian
heroes. This was one brief moment in a year during which the Senator
worked tirelessly as an Olympic Ambassador to ensure that physical
activity and sport take centre stage—and that the Olympics
and Paralympics be an overwhelming success and have an impact far
beyond the Closing Ceremonies. A role model and a leader, Greene
Raine contributed to ensure that Canada host a successful Games
on the World Stage (there were over 3 billion TV viewers worldwide).
During a year that was already extremely busy with her other responsibilities
(she is also Chancellor of Thompson Rivers University); Senator
Greene Raine demonstrated that sport and physical activity can be
a lifelong passion. This is the Senator’s first time on the
MIW List.
Lindsay
Hugenholtz is the first female Deputy CEO of a Canada Games. A role
in which she oversees the host society planning process, government
relations, the project management office (PMO), risk management
process, legacy plan, and a staff team of approximately 80 employees
as well as thousands of volunteers. She has provided leadership
and contributed to the preparation of what will soon be another
successful edition of the Canada Winter Games—which will be
the largest multi-sport event in Nova Scotia history and Halifax’s
first Canada Winter Games. Hugenholtz, who recently completed an
Executive Masters in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s
University, brought her strong work ethic, and perspective as a
former national level diver, to help lead her team of staff and
volunteers. Working with Government partners and a host of sponsors
and sport organizations, her energy and dedication make her a Most
Influential Woman in sport in 2010 (her first time on the MIW List).
Clara
Hughes is one of Canada's most decorated Olympians. She won her sixth
Olympic medal in Vancouver and is the only athlete in history to win
multiple medals in both Summer and Winter Olympics. Clara was honoured
to be the Canadian Team Flag Bearer for the 2010 Vancouver Games.
In 2010, Clara Hughes took another step in an already impressive list
of issues for which she provides generous support as a spokesperson
and fund raiser. She dedicated herself to helping support the issue
of mental health. Clara became the spokesperson for a five-year campaign
introduced by her long term partner, Bell Canada. The campaign is
called Bell “Let's Talk”, and supports a range of mental-health
programs. Hughes’ goal is to open up the dialogue for Canadians
struggling with mental illness to help reduce suffering and isolation.
Hughes contributed her Olympic medal bonus of $10,000 to a program
called Take a Hike, an alternative education program that engages
at-risk youth. She also raised another $35,000 for Right to Play in
2010 which uses the power of sport and play for development, health
and peace. Clara was named to the MIW List for the first time in 2006.
Team
Canada’s energetic Chef de Mission Nathalie Lambert’s
strengths as a dynamic leader were front and centre as Canada hosted
the world during the 21st Winter Games. In her volunteer role as Chef,
she worked incredible hours to ensure that Canadian athletes had everything
they needed before and during the Games—so they could own the
podium and Canada could win that elusive gold on home soil. Traveling
between Vancouver and Whistler, she ensured that the Canadian Team
was united in vision. Lambert, a three-time Olympic medalist, accepted
any challenge that would help ensure success for Canadian athletes,
coaches, volunteers and staff. Lambert also worked as a member of
the International Skating Union (ISU) Short Track Technical Committee
and is the first woman member of an ISU speed skating technical committee.
This is the second straight year in which Nathalie has been named
to the MIW List.
Dominique
Langelier was appointed Chief of Competition for Snowboarding at
the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver —the first ever female
Chief of competition for a Winter Games. Langelier is also one of
the youngest ever (male or female) to hold such a prestigious position.
She used her experience as Canada~Snowboard Tour Director and as
the first female Competitions manager at the LG Snowboard FIS World
Cup in Stoneham, Quebec to ensure success in Vancouver -- where
she was faced with incredibly difficult conditions (lack of snow).
Langelier, who also does work at Canada~Snowboard as the Manager,
Events and Officials, helped direct the further development of the
sport in Canada with quality events and highly professional officials.
Langelier was also recognized this past year by Sport Québec
with the RDS/Official of the Year for all of her work and dedication
to the development of the sport. This is Dominique’s first
appearance on the MIW List.
A
leader among her coaching peers and in the Special Olympics movement,
Nanci Martin is the first Canadian ever named Special Olympics North
America Coach of the Year, 2010—awarded to a coach who through
extraordinary efforts exceeds the highest standard of excellence
through innovative leadership. Sharon Bollenbach, Vice-president
of sport at Special Olympics Canada (which has more than 13,000
trained coaches) recognizes Martin as an individual who embodies
the very best of what a Special Olympics coach should be: the ability
to bring out the best in those she mentors and coaches while encouraging
them to fully participate in sport at every stage of their lives.
Martin is a strong leader in coach development and has led many
coaching workshops and conferences. 2010 marks Nanci’s first
time on the MIW List. 
Determination, attitude and passion are three words used to describe
Paralympian Chantal Petitclerc, who in 2010 continued to further
dedicate time and energy to sport leadership. She volunteered as:
a member of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport and the Canadian
Paralympic Committee boards of directors; an Athlete Ambassador
for Right To Play; a spokesperson for Défi Spotif; and is
also currently featured in a public awareness campaign for True
Sport and another campaign addressing public perceptions on HIV/Aids.
While the Beijing Games would be the last time she would be competing
in track competitions, Petitclerc nevertheless continues to train
as she intends to take part in road marathons over the next few
years. The only Canadian athlete to have won medals at Olympic,
Paralympic and Commonwealth Games and the first female Paralympian
inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, in 2010 she also
published her book 16 Jours à Pékin (16 Days in Peking).
Chantal has been name to the MIW List in 2005, 2006 and 2008.
Debbie Pyne was a member of Golf Canada’s National Task Force
to develop the competitive pathway for golf in Canada (1 of only
2 women on a committee of 18). Over the year, she worked to ensure
equity for girls and women in the sport and created programs that
encourage participating, promote physical activity, with girls and
women learning valuable life skills through the game. Her dedication
over the years has created a system that helped one British Columbia
girl qualify for the 2010 US Open, and another win the British Columbia
Junior Female Athlete of the Year. In, 2010, she was the volunteer
Chair of ProMOTION Plus, an organization for girls and women in
sport and physical activity in British Columbia. She was a strong
advocate for the inclusion of an Olympic Ski Jumping event for women
in Vancouver. This is the first time that Debbie has been named
to the MIW List. 
Fans
world-wide watched Joannie Rochette face the most difficult challenge
of her life, when after the sudden death of her mother, she decided
to stay and compete at the Vancouver Olympics. With strength and
grace under pressure—and the cameras of the world focused
on her—Rochette proved that she was a true champion. Manon
Perron, her longtime coach who was also a friend of Rochette’s
mother, provided the comfort and continuum of support, including
going to the hospital with Rochette to say goodbye to her mother.
Perron did everything possible to ensure a calm environment for
the Olympian who was faced with grieving on a public stage. She
was the coach, friend and mentor who guided Rochette into retaking
control of her life at the Games—by skating in memory of her
mother. Rochette dedicated her performance to her mother. After
the Olympics she became the spokesperson for the "iheartmom"
campaign at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, to raise awareness
for heart disease in women. Rochette was also the co-recipient of
the 2010 Terry Fox Award presented to an athlete at the Games who
embodied the values that Fox did, showing determination and humility
in the face of obstacles. This is the first time either Joannie
or Manon has been named to the MIW List.
Tricia
Smith is a leader in sport development and in the Olympic movement
both in Canada and on the international stage. Her many volunteer
roles in 2010 included: International Council of Arbitration for
Sport liaison for the 2010 Olympic Games; the Honorary Mayor along
with Rick Hansen of the Vancouver Olympic Village; and COC Senior
Vice-President. At the international level, Smith is a member of
the Executive Committee of the International Rowing Federation (FISA)
as well as Chair of the FISA Women's Commission. In that latter
capacity she has helped increase the number of opportunities for
women to compete, coach, administrate and officiate in international
rowing. She is also a member of the Pan American Sport Association
(PASO) Women in Sport Commission. This four-time Olympian and Olympic
medalist was reelected in 2010 to the Board of the International
Council of Arbitration for Sport on which she has been a member
since 2000. She has also worked in sport arbitration with the Sport
Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada. Smith plays a significant role
in authoring FISA rules and regulations including the Rules and
Bylaws for Adaptive Rowing at the World Championships and Paralympic
Games. Tricia was also named to the MIW List in 2005. 
The
Journal editorial board was selected for their work in the Coaching
Association of Canada’s Women and Coaching Journal and on
Taking the Lead by providing strategies and Solutions from female
coaches. Published in 2010, the book which features 11 provocative
and insightful articles,is an extensive and frank exploration by
leaders in women's coaching of the values women bring to the profession.
The Journal provides guidance on how to make the sport community
more welcoming, supportive and respectful of women coaches. The
authors of Taking the Lead are among Canada's top thinkers and advocates
in women in coaching and include Dr. Guylaine Demers , a professor
at the Department of Physical Education of Laval University; Dr.
Gretchen Kerr, a professor in the Faculty of Physical Education
and Health at the University of Toronto; Dr. Dru Marshall, deputy
provost at the University of Alberta; Rose Mercier, a consultant
in leadership development and organizational transition; Dr. Penny
Werthner, a professor at the University of Ottawa's School of Human
Kinetics; and Sheila Robertson, editor of the Canadian Journal for
Women in Coaching.
A
born leader, Lauren Woolstencroft is the Paralympic alpine skier
who mesmerized Canada during the Winter Paralympic Games. In Vancouver,
Canada’s golden girl inspired a nation by winning 5 gold medals
in Giant Slalom, Slalom, Super-G, Downhill Skiing and Super Combined.
She is the first Canadian to win 5 gold at the same Winter Paralympic
Games. Admired by her teammates as a fearless athlete, she helped
Canada set a record for most gold medals at any Winter Paralympic
Games when she won her 4th gold medal in Vancouver (Canada’s
7th gold). Because of her team spirit and leadership, Woolstencroft
was selected to be the flag bearer for the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics
closing ceremony. Born without legs below the knees and no left
arm below the elbow, she has won over 50 World Cup medals, 8 World
Championship titles and 10 Paralympic medals An Engineer with BC
Hydro, Woolstencroft recently announced her retirement from Paralympic
competition, stating that she hopes to be remembered as an athlete
who faced challenges and overcame them to achieve success. This
is the first time for Lauren on the MIW List.
Mary
Spencer is an emerging leader in and out of the ring. As a member
of Motivate Canada’s GEN 7 Aboriginal role model initiative,
she has been developing sport, physical activity and empowerment
programming with Aboriginal youth in First Nation communities in
Ontario. Spencer’s goal in 2010 was to give back to young
people. She tells her story and the importance of believing—having
confidence in oneself. Women’s boxing will make its debut
at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and Spencer will be one to watch
on Canada’s 2012 Olympic women’s boxing team. This past
year, Spencer won the women’s 75-kilogram division at the
sixth AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Bridgetown,
Barbados. Originally from Cape Croker First Nation, Spencer is a
eight-time Canadian Champion and three-time World Champion.
June
Zimmer, a doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health
Studies at the University of Regina, established Girls in the Game
to introduce young girls to basic sport skills in a non-competitive
environment, to educate on nutrition and leadership development
and to enhance the overall health and well-being of all girls. In
2010, Girls in the Game rapidly expanded across the province of
Saskatchewan to many urban and rural communities. The program is
designed for girls between the ages of 3 and 13, emphasizing skill
building, role modeling, and leadership through sport. All programs
are delivered by women who serve as strong role models for the young
participants. Girls are introduced to a variety of sports and activities
including football, basketball, and yoga, to name a few. They also
offer sport and self-esteem camps for girls aged 6 to 12. Additionally,
a Moms on the Move program has been established for mothers to be
active while their daughters are participating. In 2010, June Zimmer
was recognized as the YWCA of Regina Women of Distinction Recipient
in the area of Wellness, Recreation and Healthy Living.Canadian Association for the Advancement
of Women and Sport
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