On March 6, 2025, Ever Active Schools (EAS) had the opportunity to host WISE, a Women in Sport Event. Our aim was to gather women and gender diverse people making a difference in women and girls’ participation in sport and physical activity and the incredible strength, diversity, knowledge and energy in the room blew us away. It truly was a room full of WISE women.
WISE VIDEOS
Ever Active Schools is a registered charity supporting health and wellbeing for all children and youth in schools and communities. We prioritize equity-owed populations, focusing our programs, events and resources on serving girls, Indigenous youth, newcomer youth, children and youth with disabilities, gender diverse youth, youth from low income families and gender and sexually diverse youth. In the 2023-24 school year, 10.4% of our products and services specifically supported girls. One great example is GO! A project focused on closing the gap in girls’ and gender diverse youth participation in sport and physical activity.
Learn more about Ever Active Schools in our 2023-24 annual report or by subscribing to our newsletter. And consider donating to our work; your gift advances health and well-being for equity-owed youth and we are so grateful for your support.
WISE GALLERY
WISE PANELISTS
Heidi Peters, Canadian 3x Paralymian and Paris 2024 Bronze Medalist in Sitting Volleyball
Heidi was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2011, her grade 12 year. She ultimately had her left leg amputated below the knee while doing a year of chemotherapy. During Peters’ treatment at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, she was introduced to sitting volleyball by national team teammate Jolan Wong who also had bone cancer at a young age. Heidi tried the sport 4 months after completing chemo and has been a member of the national team since May 2013. Since then Heidi has competed in at least one major international tournament per year, most notably: 3 Paralympic Games, 2 ParaPan American games, and 2 World Championships.
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Kendall Barber, Co-Founder Poppy Barley
Kendall Barber is the co-founder of Poppy Barley, a company redefining the footwear industry. Since launching the socially conscious brand with her sister in 2012, she has also been deeply involved in the community, serving on the 1000 Women Advisory Committee for NorQuest College, the YWCA Edmonton board, and as a supporter of Hope Mission’s Kids in Action program. A graduate of the University of Victoria and Grenoble École de Management, she has been recognized as one of Avenue magazine’s Top 40 Under 40, a Western Living “One to Watch,” and a Global Edmonton Woman of Vision. She lives in Edmonton with her husband and two children.
Ruke Okome, Chief Operating Officer, Freeplay for Kids
Ruke Okome serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Free Play for Kids, a non-profit organization in Edmonton dedicated to providing free, inclusive after-school sports programs for children aged 7 to 12. With a deep appreciation for sports and community, Ruke is passionate about using sport as a social tool to foster a sense of belonging and personal growth among youth. She believes in the transformative power of play to help individuals recognize their strengths and discover their identities. Ruke strives to ensure that the voices and lived experiences of program participants lead the way in creating social change.
Emilea Saadeh, Indigenous Relations Strategic Planner; Member of the Indigenous Runner RunConciliAction Team
Emilea is an Indigenous woman from Michel First Nation with Cree, Mohawk, and Métis heritage. She has dedicated her career to supporting Indigenous communities, with 11 years experience in the Friendship Centre Movement and almost 7 years now with the Edmonton Indigenous Relations Office. Emilea holds a Bachelor of Physical Education and Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Sport and Recreation. While job and life roles have evolved, Emilea remains deeply connected to recreation and sport. She champions Indigenous community-driven recreation and sport organizations. She is inspired by an Indigenous runners community who supported her to finish a 100km ultramarathon last year - an accomplishment she never dreamed possible after a neurological condition left her with permanent spinal cord damage 10 years ago
Lindsay McAlpine, Owner - High Tempo Hockey, Macewan University Assistant Athletics Director
After wrapping up her 12th season as head coach of the MacEwan University Griffins in 2021-22, Lindsay McAlpine has accepted a secondment as MacEwan's first full-time Associate Director Athletics. She has led the program to three Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference championships in her tenure and has been awarded ACAC coach of the year four times. In 2014-15, she served as head coach of the Australian national women’s hockey team, leading them to gold at the 2B world championships in Spain.
Our Host
Quinn Phillips, Director of Marketing and Communications at Edmonton Downtown Business Association
Quinn is an experienced sports broadcaster and communications professional based in Edmonton, Alberta. She has worked as a reporter and anchor for Global Edmonton, covering a wide range of sports events and stories. She is now co-host of an all female sports podcast based in Edmonton called The Bits. In addition to her broadcasting career, Quinn has experience in communications and media relations, having worked with organizations such as the University of Alberta and Explore Edmonton. She is known for her engaging on-air presence and her ability to connect with audiences.
THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS
