2023 - espnW Summit Canada

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The espnW Summit Canada welcomes a A-list roster of hosts and key speakers. World-class speakers, industry titans and trailblazers will take the stage in Toronto on May 28, 2024.

Stay tuned for more exciting announcements!

Hosts & Speakers

Sarah Spain - HostespnW and ESPN TV Personality and Writer, ESPN

Keia Clarke Chief Executive Officer, New York Liberty

Stacey AllasterChief Executive, Professional Tennis and US Tournament Director, United States Tennis Association

Laurie KepronSenior Vice President, Integrated Marketing, NHL and President WISE Toronto

Lindsay Kagawa Colas Executive Vice President, Talent + The Collective, Wasserman

Jess Smith Head of Revenue, Angel City Football Club

Neda TabatabaieSenior Vice President, Business Analytics & Technology, San Jose Sharks

Thayer Lavielle Executive Vice President, The Collective, Wasserman

Meghan ChaykaCo-Founder and CEO, Stathletes

Sarah NurseOlympic and 2X World Champion, Team Canada

Karolina Wisniewska8 x Paralympic Medalist, Alpine Skiing, Athlete Mentor, and Co-Chef de Mission: 2023 Santiago ParaPanAm Games & 2024 Paris Paralympic Games

Cathy EngelbertCommissioner, WNBA

Natalie AchonwaTeam Canada Olympian and WNBA Power Forward, Minnesota Lynx

Rachel BradySports Reporter, The Globe and Mail

Don MayoGlobal Managing Partner, IMI International

Laura GentileExecutive Vice President, Commercial Marketing, Disney Networks & ESPN

Andrea Shaw Founder & Managing Partner, TTG Canada

Kate Beirness - ModeratorHost, TSN, Raptors, and CFL | Founder, Her Mark Canada

Jacquie RyanCEO, Canadian Olympic Foundation | Chief Brand and Commercial Officer, Canadian Olympic Committee

Shireen AhmedSenior Contributor, CBC Sports

Kayla Grey - ModeratorHost, The Shift, TSN

Ellen HyslopCo-Founder and Head of Content, The Gist

Jennifer Hedger - ModeratorAnchor, TSN

Diana MathesonCo-Founder and CEO, Project 8

Kara Wagland - Moderator Anchor, TSN

Tesla BeardSenior Manager, Content Strategy (Programming), TSN

Lisa NortonHead, High Net Worth Wealth Management, RBC

Agenda

Through a compelling series of keynotes, intimate interviews, panel discussions, and mind-stimulating movement, the Summit addressed a wide range of topics designed to be engaging, inspirational, and fun.

Hosted at Toronto's beautiful Evergreen Brick Works, the Summit mixed impactful content with sports and wellness activities creating opportunities to connect, collaborate, and create in an era of rapid evolution and exciting change.

May 12th, 2023

8:15AM

Morning Wellness Fuelled by Gatorade Fit (Advanced Sign Up Required)

45 minutes

9:00AM

Registration and Breakfast

60 Minutes

10:00AM

espnW Summit Canada Welcome and OpeningSpeakers: Sarah Spain, Andrea Shaw, Laura Gentile

15 minutes

10:15AM

Champions of Change with Canadian TireSpeakers: Kim Saunders, Canadian Tire Corporation

Single-speaker talks featuring industry leaders in Canada making a tangible change for women in sport.

10 minutes

10:25AM

Panelist Session 1 – Women at the Helm Moderator: Sarah SpainSpeakers: Laurie Kepron, Stacey Allaster, Jess Smith

A conversation with leading executives in sport and business highlighting the power women have to grow the industry.

45 minutes

11:10AM

Panelist Session 2 – The Role of Data in Creating an Equitable Experience Moderator: Sarah SpainSpeakers: Neda Tabatabaie, Meghan Chayka, Don Mayo

A discussion on how the role of data and technology is redefining the fan experience, creating universally accessible spaces, and debunking common myths proving what is fact and what is fiction.

45 minutes

11:55AM

Fireside Chat with Cathy Engelbert Moderator: Kate BeirnessSpeakers: Cathy Engelbert

Cathy Engelbert discusses the road to becoming the WNBA's first Commissioner, learnings in leadership, and the leagues future in Canada.

30 minutes

12:25PM

Lunch Presented by Canadian Olympic Committee

60 Minutes

1:30PM

Panelist Session 3 – The Power of Intentional Investment Moderator: Jennifer HedgerSpeakers: Keia Clarke, Jacquie Ryan, and Lisa Norton

A conversation on the business case and benefits of investing in women's sport and what is being done intentionally to create a new model that recognizes current value and long-term potential.

45 Minutes

2:15PM

Champions of Change with Marsha-Gaye KnightSpeakers: Marsha-Gaye Knight, Black in Sport Business

Single-speaker talks featuring industry leaders in Canada making a tangible change for women in sport.

10 Minutes

2:25PM

Fireside Chat 2 with Lindsay Kagawa Colas Presented By RBCModerator: Thayer LavielleSpeakers: Lindsay Kagawa Colas

Representing some of the worlds best female athletes, this one-on-one discussion provides an inside look at how Lindsay Kagawa Colas is changing the game for her players and what it means to be an"agent of change" in the industry.

30 Minutes

2:55PM

Refreshment and Movement Break

50 Minutes

3:45PM

Panelist Session 4 – The Role of Media in Changing the GameModerator: Kara WaglandSpeakers: Rachel Brady, Ellen Hyslop, Shireen Ahmed, and Tesla Beard

A focus on how different media channels can work together to move the needle, tell the right stories, and support the growth of women's sport.

40 Minutes

4:25PM

Champions of Change with Canadian Women & SportSpeakers: Allison Sandmeyer-Graves, Canadian Women in Sport

Single-speaker talks featuring industry leaders in Canada making a tangible change for women in sport.

10 Minutes

4:35PM

Panelist Session 5 – World Class AthletesModerator: Kayla GreySpeakers: Sarah Nurse, Natalie Achonwa, Diana Matheson, and Karolina Wisniewska

A conversation about the power of the athlete voice in creating a more equitable space and sustainable model and future for women’s sport.

40 Minutes

5:15PM

Closing Remarks Speakers: Sarah Spain, Andrea Shaw