To the women who came before me...

Every day there are women who come before me that show just how legit a woman can be in the sports industry. I’ve never been a fan of the term “breaking the glass ceiling” … To me, women shouldn’t have to jump through added barriers in order to be taken seriously. Now more than ever, I’m grateful to have a group of women that have inspired me to keep making a path for other women within this industry. Here’s to those women for being fearless, for not backing down, for showing other women like me that their voices are just as valid. Here’s to the women that I want to be when I grow up…

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Hayley Wickenheiser

I remember exactly where I was when I found out Hayley received the Assistant Director of Player Development job with the Toronto Maple Leafs. I was just finishing up my first summer in the front office with the Predators and I was so excited for her. I had never met her. I also hadn’t really followed her career but I knew that she was something special. A decorated Olympian, she is considered one of the greatest female hockey players of all time. This was one of the first times that I recognized just how legit women could be in the front office. Knowing the development coaches from the Predators, I know it’s long hours and lots of travel looking after your players in the development system. It’s working with so many systems whether it be college, junior league and even European leagues. Knowing how tough and courageous you need to be to walk in to these spaces with other coaches that are often majority male, I immediately was in awe of the feat Hayley was about to take on. I continue to be inspired by her every day and look to her when I feel like my career can’t be what I hope it to be.

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Cammi Granato

With all of the buzz around NHL Seattle, I was especially excited when they brought Cammi on as a pro scout this past year. Also a decorated Olympian, she was one of the first women to be inducted in to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Being the only current female pro scout in the league is truly inspiring. Not only is Cammi the only female scouting pro players, she’s scouting those players to build a brand new franchise. Watching NHL Seattle build and work towards beginning their franchise in 2021, I am excited to watch Cammi continue to be part of the group of scouts that puts together a winning club.

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While there are countless other women that are working throughout the league, these two women are the two that inspire me every day. They inspire me to keep working towards a career in hockey. They inspire me to fight for my seat at the table no matter how long it might take for me to get there. Although I did not have a playing career in hockey or am a decorated Olympian, these two women show that women in front offices are necessary and valuable. I hope to model a career after theirs that also inspires the next generation of valuable women that build championship winning franchises with women at the forefront of their leadership.