Women Leading the Charge: Building the Next Era of Professional Sports

On May 27, 2025, Aird & Berlis proudly hosted its Women’s Networking Gala at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, welcoming prominent voices from across Canada’s women’s professional sports community.

More than 250 women professionals attended the event, hosted by the Aird & Berlis Women’s Initiative Committee. The committee, led by partners Manjit Singh and Meghan Cowan, is committed to advancing women within the firm and the broader legal profession.

A panel discussion, moderated by Dasha Peregoudova of Aird & Berlis, highlighted a shared commitment to building inclusive, sustainable sport systems in Canada. The conversation featured insights from three leading voices in women’s professional sports:

• Lindsay Knowlton, Founder & CEO, Iron Lady Golf
• Diana Matheson, Founder & Chief Growth Officer, Northern Super League
• Teresa Resch, President, Toronto Tempo

Lindsay Knowlton spoke to the power of persistence and community engagement. She shared how her journey towards Iron Lady Golf began with a simple idea sketched out in a coffee shop and a chance encounter with a supportive finance industry professional – an early example of how meaningful connections can fuel long-term success. “Building a space where people feel like they belong is really important,” she emphasized.

Diana Matheson reflected on the challenges of launching the Northern Super League, describing it as a true startup journey filled with uncertainty. “There were way more no’s than yes’s,” she said, acknowledging the long wait to achieve a breakthrough. Following three years of relentless effort, however, the soccer league officially kicked off in April 2025.

Teresa Resch highlighted that culture and values – not just competition – are driving the growth of women’s professional sport. She stressed the importance of mission-driven teams, fan engagement and Canada’s unique opportunity to lead on the global stage through the first WNBA franchise outside of the United States. “We have an incredible opportunity to have a whole country behind us,” she said. “Canada can be the gateway to the world.”

The panellists acknowledged that while professional women’s sports are gaining momentum and attention, true sustainability, which extends far beyond sports, requires ongoing effort. The evening closed with a compelling call to action: storytelling, commitment and community engagement are essential to building a lasting legacy.

In honour of the occasion, Aird & Berlis proudly made a donation to Her Mark Canada, supporting their mission to empower women.