Be Her Game Changer

Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 7:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Salon 8 & 9, Edmonton Convention Centre

Join us for a morning of food, connection, and inspiration at the Be Her Game Changer. Guests will enjoy a hot breakfast buffet and hear from an incredible panel of women in sport — athletes and leaders whose lives and careers have been shaped by the power of sport. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to support KidSport’s mission to help underserved KidSport girls access sport through a fundraising cash call.

Because KidSport Edmonton is marking 30 years in the community, this year’s event will centre around the theme 30-in-30 — reflecting on the last 30 years of women’s sport, the barriers and breakthroughs, and imagining what the next 30 years should look like for girls and women in sport.

Ticket Options

• Full Table (8 Tickets) | $240 – Reserved seating with priority placement near the front
• *Half Table (4 Tickets) | $120 – Reserved seating with preferred placement
• *Individual | $30 – Reserved seating

*If you purchase more than one option of tickets available, all tickets on a single order will be placed at the same table. 

Where the funds go: To KidSport’s ‘So ALL Kids Can Play’ Grant Program. A fee assistance program designed to create equal access for underserved youth through subsidizing sport registration fees for KidSport kids. Funds raised at the Be Her Game Changer event will ensure eligible KidSport girls have the opportunity to gain life skills through sport.

Confirmed Panelists:

Katherine Plouffe, Professional Basketball Player, 2 x Canadian Olympian
Katherine Plouffe is one of the world’s top 3×3 basketball players, winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s Series, along with back-to-back titles in 2022-2023 and a silver medal at the 2022 World Cup. A two-time Olympian with Canada in 2024 (3×3) and 2016 (5×5).

---

Michelle Plouffe, Performance Manager 3×3 with Canada Basketball, 3 x Canadian Olympian
Michelle Plouffe recently retired from professional basketball, taking a leadership role with Canada Basketball. As a leader in 3×3 basketball, she has helped Canada capture multiple FIBA Women’s Series titles and a 4th place finish in 3×3 at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

---

Vanessa Hettinger, CEO & Master Instructor, Hockeyology at ZerOne
Vanessa Hettinger, a former University of Alberta Panda and Hockey Alberta alum, has been a trailblazer in women’s hockey in Edmonton. Now CEO of Hockeyology at ZerOne, she is also a Master Coach with Hockey Canada and Skate Canada, known for developing elite talent and mentoring coaches nationwide.

---

Janine Helland, Former Canadian Women’s National Team Player
Janine Helland, a four-time All-Canadian with the University of Alberta Pandas, represented Canada on the women’s national soccer team at two World Cups. She later spent 10 years with KidSport Edmonton, helping thousands of local kids access sport through her work as Funds Manager.

---

Lisa MacGregor, Journalist and Former Global News Anchor (Moderator)
Lisa MacGregor is a former Global News anchor and reporter with over 15 years of experience covering Alberta’s biggest stories and sporting moments, and will soon be launching an independent online news platform. She is also an avid cyclist, urban farmer, and advocate for sustainability and community connection.

---

Katie Mulkay, Former Pandas Wrestler, Amazing Race Canada Winner (Emcee)
Katie Mulkay is a passionate community leader and dedicated KidSport Edmonton Ambassador. She captured a National Championship with U of A Pandas wrestling, and is the 2024 winner of The Amazing Race Canada. Katie also coaches wrestling and is a dedicated substitute teacher with Edmonton Public Schools.

Thank you to our incredible partners who have committed to ‘Be Her Game Changer’ this October