Michigan Hockey GM Inspires with TEDx Speech on Women Leading in Sports

In a world where sports leadership is still largely dominated by men, Kalamazoo Wings GM Toni Will is proving that the game is changing, and her viral TEDx talk is inspiring thousands along the way.

The video, which recently passed 100,000 views on YouTube, features Toni speaking candidly about her experience as a woman rising through the ranks in professional hockey.

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Her message is so important for women who want to chase their dreams to hear: Being underestimated isn’t a weakness, it’s an opportunity.

With humor, grit, and a refreshing honesty, Toni describes how she went from being the only woman in the room to the one making the decisions, and how each challenge along the way helped shape her leadership style.

In one especially powerful moment, she recalls a meeting early in her career where she was mistaken for someone’s assistant. Instead of being discouraged in this moment (which would have been understandable), she used moments like that to fuel her determination to win.

“When you’re not expected to have a voice in the room,” she says, “you have the power to surprise people, and that’s a gift.”

Her reminder that you don’t have to prove yourself to be considered a power player is a powerful message to anyone of any gender, but especially in a world where women who speak up are labeled as ‘aggressive’ or ‘bossy’, that cool, collected quiet and calm, can make the difference.

Toni has proven herself to be worthy to be in the room, and she shares how she got there.

Take the time and watch the entire thing for yourself:

Whether you’re a hockey fan or not, Will’s speech is a must-watch for anyone trying to break through barriers, especially women forging careers in spaces where they still feel like the exception. She’s not just managing a hockey team, she’s changing the entire game of hockey.