Sports, Mark Sadovnick, Season 07, Entrepreneur, Female, English, Canada

Brenda Andress, Founder & President of SheIS Sports Network

Posted on by inknuts
01
Aug

Brenda Andress, Founder & President of SheIS Sports Network

  • Grew up near Kingston, Ontario, and later moved to Toronto to pursue her passion for hockey and business.
  • A mother, grandmother, author, and Founder & President of SheIS Sports Network.

Podcast

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Overview

This episode of the Leaders Who Care series features Brenda Andress, a trailblazer in women’s hockey, Founder & President of SheIS Sports Network, and a passionate advocate for advancing the visibility of women in sports. In this engaging conversation, Brenda shares her inspiring journey, the challenges and triumphs of growing women’s sports, and her vision for the future.

01:02 – Who is Brenda Andress?

  • Grew up near Kingston, Ontario, and later moved to Toronto to pursue her passion for hockey and business.
  • A mother, grandmother, author, and Founder & President of SheIS Sports Network.
  • Began her career in the parks, recreation, and culture sectors, where she developed her leadership skills.

02:41 – What was Brenda’s childhood like, and how did she discover her passion for hockey?

  • Developed a love for sports at an early age, especially hockey.
  • Preferred spending time outdoors playing ball hockey with neighbourhood children.
  • Knew from a young age that she wanted to build a career in sports.

06:38 – How did Brenda progress in her career and transition into leadership roles?

  • Earned a master’s degree in municipal management and business administration to succeed in a male-dominated field.
  • Gained hands-on experience working in arenas, pools, and curling clubs while earning technical certifications.
  • Combined practical expertise with leadership aspirations to build a strong professional foundation.
  • Authored Bringing Passion to Life, a book about discovering and pursuing one’s passion.

14:02 – How did Brenda become Commissioner of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL)?

  • Was approached by former players and hockey leaders after the previous women’s league folded.
  • Created a new business plan to make the league more competitive and financially sustainable.
  • Worked for years on a minimal salary, driven by her passion for growing women’s hockey.
  • Led key initiatives that increased the league’s visibility and helped secure the first player salaries in CWHL history.

18:27 – What was the significance of the partnership with China in the CWHL?

  • China partnered with the CWHL to strengthen its women’s hockey program ahead of the Olympic Games.
  • Created opportunities for cross-cultural player development and generated new revenue for the league.
  • Enabled Canadian players to earn salaries while gaining valuable international experience.
  • Demonstrated the balance between natural talent and structured athlete development.

24:57 – How has Brenda navigated being a woman in the male-dominated worlds of hockey and business?

  • Never questioned her ability to succeed despite gender barriers.
  • Built strong relationships with supportive male leaders across the hockey community.
  • Played on men’s college hockey teams, developing resilience, confidence, and teamwork.
  • Believes societal expectations have often been a greater obstacle than individual colleagues.

29:34 – What is SheIS Sports Network, and why was it created?

  • Began as a movement to unite leaders, athletes, and fans across women’s sports.
  • Launched successful initiatives, including the Women Worth Watching campaign.
  • Developed a unique mobile platform where fans and athletes can create and share content about women’s sports.
  • Aims to address the lack of representation by giving athletes and fans a direct platform to tell their own stories.

RESOURCES

Learn more about Brenda Andress: LinkedIn

Enjoyed this podcast?

As a young girl, the doors to the hockey rink weren’t always open. When the boys in the neighbourhood invited her younger brother to play road hockey, they would add, “…oh, and Brenda, too.” She never let that stop her—she simply stepped onto the ice and proved she belonged.

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Profile

  • Brenda Andress is the Founder and President of SheIS Sports Network and a pioneering leader in advancing women’s sports.
  • As the former commissioner of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, she played a pivotal role in elevating the profile and opportunities for women’s hockey.
  • Brenda is a passionate advocate for increasing the visibility, recognition, and commercial growth of women’s sports through innovation, media, and strategic partnerships.
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