“For women aspiring to work in the sports industry, take pride in your work and embrace opportunities with confidence. If an opportunity presents itself, lean in—it might just change your career.” - Vanessa Frost-Piedrahita

“Women athletes often have shorter careers, so it's important to prepare for the future. I value education because it lasts, even if injuries or age limit my athletic career. As I always say: 'Champions aren’t defined by wins, but by how they recover when they fall.'” - Diana Chikotesha

“Sally Dennis (former Chair) and Kathleen McGinn (Current Chair) of Rugby Canada have played a pivotal role in my rugby journey. Both are very strong women who have inspired and mentored me to be an effective Board member and leader within the organisation.” - Dr Lauren Wolman

“I believe that transforming discomfort into motivation and finding the courage to break from tradition to pursue what you believe is right can be the driving force behind changing the world and finding purpose within your field." - Olga Bagatini

“As a former rugby player, I've been truly inspired by the USA Women's Rugby 7s Olympic Team and Ilona Maher for breaking barriers and demonstrating that women can be both fierce and beautiful without conforming to traditional beauty standards." - Sam Iannotti

“I believe that through sports, we can change the lives of many people. It is possible to remain true to our values while being qualified and empathetic leaders capable of making a significant impact in our industry.” - Camila Carvalho, OLY

“Times are changing, and as young women aspiring to work in sports, we have the opportunity to prove ourselves in this environment. We must equip ourselves with the tools to succeed, believe in our abilities and skills, and support one another.” - Léa Battistolo

“To those who may sometimes feel like an imposter as a leader in sport, my advice is: when you feel like an imposter, pause and remember that you are working in a system and institution that too often tells female leaders they do not belong in sport leadership. It is not you. You do belong and imposter syndrome is a waste of your energy, your brilliance, and time.” - Parissa Safai

“I hope people can see that determination will always pay off, and that loving what you do is not enough to guarantee success but it does help the hard moments. There’s no single path to success, and I hope people see that I did things my way—and so can you!” - Renata Roth

“I aim to support the active inclusion of gender-diverse athletes and champion gender diversity in sport for development, a goal that strongly aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal for gender equality. I believe that embracing gender diversity is integral to achieving true gender equity.” - Julia Ferreira Gomes

“Believe in yourself and continue to build on the knowledge and skills you've gained. I think it is important to learn from those who have come before and to never stop learning and striving to be the best you can be.” - Penny McIntyre

“Athletes show us that it is always possible to push boundaries and achieve what once seemed unattainable. This is especially true in the sustainability sector!” - Anne-Cécile Turner

“There isn’t a single person who played a pivotal role in my career, but rather five or six key people who recognised my potential—probably before I did—and gave me opportunities and support, both on and off the rugby pitch. I have tried to do the same for others coming up behind me.” - Lisa O'Keefe MBE

“Coming from a background where women in rugby were largely underrepresented, I’ve made it my mission to break down barriers and create pathways for more women to thrive—not just as players, but as referees, coaches, and leaders.” - Peris Mukoko-Wanyaga

“I would like to help de-stigmatise mental health. High-performing athletes are under a lot of pressure, and their mental health can affect them just as much as a physical injury.” - Cristina Ibarra

"My journey has been shaped by diverse individuals across ages, backgrounds, classes, and races. Diversity is a privilege for those making a positive impact in the world." - Sasha Sutherland

"Follow your dreams, and don’t give up. Even when the situations you face are very challenging, remember that the strongest fighters face the toughest battles." - Yaima Payne

“Do not underestimate the power of a network. Find creative ways to insert yourself into sport industry discussions. If you can, attend conferences and networking events in your local community. Through these channels, you might just find your people. Keep them close, and use these spiderwebs of sisterhood to bolster the presence of women in the sport industry.” - Lyndsay Hayhurst

“No matter where you start, you can grow into a leader who shapes the future of sport. Through my experiences working at both small community events and global championships, I’ve learned that every opportunity, no matter the scale, is valuable and contributes to shaping your path. Every step of my journey has been fuelled by a love of sport and a belief in the power of teamwork.” - Greta Dönnecke

“I’d love to share the story of how trail running has been a constant in my life, standing by me through major life upheavals. It’s been my ‘best friend,’ challenging me while simultaneously allowing me to maintain a sense of self while redefining who I am—professionally, personally, athletically, in relationships with others, and with myself.” - Lisa Getz