The 1st Annual Spark Summit aims to connect professional women in sports business and inspire conversations around fostering gender equity in sports.

In an industry where women are traditionally underrepresented, The Spark Summit will shine a light on those who are leading the way across all sectors of sports business.

Hear from a panel of professional athletes, front office executives, and sports media personalities about their experiences navigating the world of sports business.

• Navigating the sports industry as a woman
• Professional development
• Elevating women to leadership roles
• The importance of participation for girls
• Creating visibility and representation
• The future of women in the sports industry

5:00 p.m. – Welcome networking & appetizers

5:30 p.m. – Panel Discussion: Gender Equity in Sports Business Leadership

6:30 p.m. – Panelist Q&A

7:00 p.m. – Networking on the Club Level at Tim Hortons Field during Forge FC match vs. Pacific FC

Sports Broadcaster

Andi Petrillo is the host of OneSoccer’s Matchday Live & OneSoccer Today. She is also a CBC Sports Olympic and World Championship Host.

Andi is two-time Canadian Screen Award winner for Best Sports Host and in 2016 she became the first woman to win the award. Previously, Andi was also the first woman to host a daily sports radio talk show: Leafs Lunch with TSN 1050 and the first woman studio-team member of Hockey Night in Canada.

Olympic Medalist & Sports Media Executive

Deidra Dionne won a Bronze Medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics as a freestyle skier. Today, she is the head of Business Affairs, Rogers Sports & Media. Previously, Deidra held the role of Senior Manager, Legal and Partnerships for a sports marketing and consulting company.

Football Coach

Taylor McIntyre coaches Wide Receivers for the McMaster Marauders (OUA). She is also the Receivers Coach & Special Teams Coordinator for the Team Ontario U18 Women’s tackle team.

Among many other stops during her coaching career, Taylor spent four weeks as a guest coach with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as part of the CFL’s ‘Women in Football’ program. Taylor also has a Sport Management degree from the University of Windsor.

Sports Broadcaster

Jacqueline Doorey is a Toronto-based host and producer with 8+ years of experience in the sports industry. She got her start with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats then went on to work for CBC Sports where she’s covered four Olympic and Paralympic Games, various world cups and world championships and has hosted and reported on specialty projects like Red Bull Crashed Ice.