Leveling the Field: The Leaders Behind Canada’s First Pro Women’s Soccer League
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In this episode of The Leadership Standard, host Jamie Mason Cohen sits down with two powerhouse leaders at the forefront of a national movement: Lara Murphy, CEO of Calgary Wild FC and founder of Ryan Murphy Construction, and Deanna Zumwalt, Executive Chair of Calgary Wild FC and business executive with a bold vision for equity in sport.
Together, they’re helping lead Calgary Wild FC, part of the Northern Super League, Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league. But their influence goes far beyond the field.
Lara and Deanna bring decades of leadership experience in male-dominated industries and share how sport, mentorship, and entrepreneurship have shaped their values and vision. From Lara’s early days in construction to Deanna’s journey as a CEO and passionate advocate for inclusion, this episode explores how they’re building something bigger—opportunity, representation, and legacy.
Key Takeaways from the Episode:
· The power of sport in shaping leadership: Both leaders reflect on how early athletic experiences built resilience and confidence.
· Creating lasting impact: Calgary Wild FC is more than a soccer team—it’s a platform for driving equity and representation in professional sports.
· Business wisdom on and off the field: Lara and Deanna draw parallels between team-building, business operations, and leading with purpose.
· Staying inspired: Hear the quotes, athletes, and books that continue to fuel their work and perspective.
This conversation is a must-listen for anyone passionate about creating inclusive leadership, scaling with purpose, and turning bold ideas into lasting change.
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About The Leadership Standard Podcast
The Leadership Standard, hosted by TEC Canada speaker and leadership development and resilience expert, Jamie Mason Cohen, features in-depth conversations with subject matter experts all across the business spectrum.
Featuring thought leadership and actionable insights to challenge your assumptions – and inspiring stories of business triumphs, struggles, and perseverance that provide a motivational push – every episode of The Leadership Standard is a revealing discussion about the life of business and the business of life.