Beyond the Racket: Daisy Lee’s Powerful Impact on Health, Equity, and Sport in BC

In the sporting world, leadership sometimes is more than just match points and medals. It's about leaving an impact felt far beyond the playing field. Daisy Lee is one such leader spurring waves through British Columbia whose reach knows no bounds beyond the badminton racket. With a strong educational background in sports management, a profound sense of dedication to community health, and an incessant drive toward gender equity, Daisy Lee in sports leading genuine, actionable change through the province.

From the giving gift of $31,000 to Peace Arch Hospital to her revolutionary leadership at Badminton BC, Daisy Lee exemplifies purposeful professionalism. As a PMP-certified leader, she has combined the strategic accuracy of project management with the inclusive spirit of community sport. And she's doing it all with a focused vision: making sport accessible, inclusive, and effective for all, particularly women and girls.

A Smash for Health: Giving Back to the Community

In an extraordinary gesture of generosity and civic responsibility, Daisy recently contributed $31,000 to Peace Arch Hospital. Her remarkable donation was made possible through her tournament winnings, in addition to a charity event she hosted. With healthcare systems under strain every day, her donation was more than money. It was a defiant message of solidarity with the community and an appeal to others to donate to public health efforts.

What makes this gesture even stronger is its grassroots nature. Instead of waiting for institutional support, Daisy rallied her network and resources to create change. It's this type of leadership with hands-on, genuine, and people-centric that defines her work across all sectors.

The Sport of Leadership: More than Just Badminton

At the center of Daisy Lee's path is her long-time passion for badminton. Yet to her, the court is not merely a playing surface's a platform for engagement, empowerment, and community development. As a senior leader at Badminton BC, she has raised the organization's profile and advocated for membership expansion province-wide.

But her work doesn't end at promotion and encouragement. Daisy has sat on various boards and committees for the provinces, where she brings her voice to timely discussions of governance, policy, and nonprofit best practice. Her reporting is transparent, formal in structure, and free from jargon, facilitating better oversight and more intelligent decision-making in sports bodies.

Her specialized skillset as a Project Management Professional (PMP) certified professional enables her to operate effectively within complex organizational systems, create strong community programs, and guide provincial sport organizations towards long-term viability. That combination of strategic vision and street-level understanding makes her stand out.

Leading the Way in Female Sport Empowerment

One of the most defining things that Daisy has done is stand steadfast in promoting women in sport. She's not only fighting for gender equality. She's drafting the blueprint. Literally.

Daisy is a motivation for many grant applications aimed at specifically empowering women and girls in sport. These initiatives have become tangible opportunities and funding for female athletes, coaches, and leaders across British Columbia. In an environment where female leadership in sport remains woefully underrepresented, her efforts are a welcome respite.

One notable highlight of her recent work is the collaboration she brokered between Badminton BC and Canadian Women & Sport. Through this partnership, they are currently piloting the Gender Equity Playbook, a pioneering program aimed at assessing and retooling current policies, programs, and practices through a gender equity framework.

The Playbook gives Badminton BC a strong framework for evaluating its internal infrastructures and making sport more accessible and engaging for girls and women. "This isn't a project on the surface," Daisy has stressed. "We're having a deep examination of how we are, what we're engaging in, and where we can grow."

Establishing the Gender Equity Team: A Step Forward in Collaboration

The first move on this transformational path? Establishing a Gender Equity Team an inclusive, energetic team full of volunteers who are dedicated in advocating for inclusivity at Badminton BC. The team will collaborate closely with Canadian Women & Sport to implement the Gender Equity Playbook within the organization's strategic objectives.

The timeline is tight, but there's real urgency. Daisy knows that when it comes to equity, delay is denial. Which is why she's moving with a sense of purpose, convening voices from every corner to ensure the Playbook is inclusive of the lived experience of athletes at every level.

The result? A workable plan that does not gather dust but gives new life to BC's badminton community—inspiring more girls onto the court and more women to remain active in sport well past their youth.

Breaking Silos: Sports, Governance, and Social Impact

What makes Daisy's story remarkable is the way she seamlessly connects sectors traditionally siloed health, governance, gender equality, and sport. Boundaries are seen by some, but opportunities by Daisy. Her multidisciplinary approach enables her to use sport as a means to achieve overarching society objectives, ranging from mental health and youth participation to diversity and reconciliation.

As a governance advisor, she led nonprofits towards greater transparency and accountability. As a community advocate, she shed light on marginalized communities. And as a sports leader, she redefined leadership by heart, by discipline, by vision.

Empowering the Next Generation

Daisy's work is not just about now,it's about clearing the way for tomorrow's sport leaders. Through mentoring, coaching, and development programs, she is making a ripple effect that will serve the next generation of young athletes and young sport leaders for years to come.

Her message to young girls is clear and deafening:
“ You belong here. You are powerful, and sport is for you”.

Whether motivating a recruit to take up a racket or assisting a young woman in securing her first coaching grant, Daisy is passionately committed to ensuring that sport is a place of belonging for all. 

Looking Ahead: A Vision Rooted in Action

While British Columbia expands as a sporting and recreational hub, game-changers such as Daisy Lee are establishing the benchmark for what success means. Not merely trophies and tournaments, but healthier lives, more inclusive spaces, and stronger communities.

Daisy Lee work is already apparent, but her vision is hardly a reality yet. The Gender Equity Playbook is only the start of a broader cultural shift, and she's inviting other donors, community members, and fellow athletes to join in on this revolution.

Whether you're a parent eager to get your daughter involved in sport, a policymaker looking for equity-based strategies, or just a badminton enthusiast eager to volunteer, there's a seat waiting for you at the table.

Final Thoughts: More Than a Game

Daisy Lee keeps us all in mind that sport is bigger than a game. It's a strong vehicle to bring about change, bring people together, and defy norms. With her gift to Peace Arch Hospital, her advocacy for gender equity, and her tireless work promoting sport development, she's showing the world that one person can truly make a significant impact.

But she can't do it on her own.

Now, it is the moment to stand with leaders like Daisy. Get engaged. Become a member of your local committee. Promote inclusion. Be an advocate for female-led sport. Because when women in sport thrive, communities thrive.

Together, we can create a healthier, more inclusive future on and off the court.