Power, Purpose, and Progress: Daisy Lee’s Bold Vision for the Future of Sport in British Columbia

In the constantly changing landscape of sport, changemakers are few and far between, individuals who achieve records and shatter barriers. Daisy Lee is one such champion. A force to be reckoned with in British Columbia's sporting industry, Daisy Lee in sports is both a renowned badminton athlete and an energetic executive director, ardent gender equity champion, and influencer whose contribution is transforming the future of sport throughout the province.

From neighborhood badminton courts to provincial boardrooms, Daisy Lee has built a career of innovation, collaboration, and giving back. Most recently, she took her impact to new heights with an impressive $31,000 contribution to Peace Arch Hospital, money raised through an award-winning charity tournament and her winnings. Yet this contribution is merely a glimpse into the wider legacy she's creating: one based on giving back, mentoring others, and opening inclusive avenues to all athletes.

Leading Change from the Court to the Community

Daisy's process started on the badminton court, where she came to have great regard for discipline, sportsmanship, and collaboration. Her on-court success over the years instilled in her a desire to do more, much more. She became an integral part of the British Columbia sports scene, donating her talents not just to gameplay but governance, operations, and strategic planning.

As a leader in sport, Daisy Lee has assisted numerous provincial sport groups in empowering them to become more effective and serve greater communities. She possesses a natural strength of being able to unite people, board members and sponsors, grassroots participants, and volunteers alike, so that everyone has a place at the table and a voice in shaping the sport's future.

Daisy's board and committee presence has been revolutionary. She is renowned for making organizational processes efficient, improving communication, and delivering detailed reports and meeting minutes in clear, decision-ready language. Her ability to articulate sport administration into tangible, real progress has inspired trust and respect throughout the industry.

Elevating Women in Sport Through Purposeful Leadership

It is not only her operational skill but also her unyielding passion for gender equality in sport that distinguishes Daisy. As a mature and experienced female leader in a historically male-dominated field, Daisy has emerged as a vocal and strategic leader promoting broader inclusion and opportunity for women and girls in sport.

She has written many grants single-handedly, targeting opportunities for female sports leaders and sport participants. She led Badminton BC to collaborate strategically with Canadian Women & Sport, and they started a game-altering journey together with the Gender Equity Playbook, a resource to assist sport organizations in auditing and enhancing their policies and practices from a gender equity perspective.

At the helm of Daisy, Badminton BC has moved to take decisive action on this initiative. Milestone number one? The establishment of a Gender Equity Team committed to assessing and overhauling internal systems to better support girls and women in sport. Canadian Women & Sport will lend its expertise as this joint venture leads to a specially designed action plan specifically aligned with Badminton BC's realities, challenges, and possibilities.

It's more than a checklist task. It's cultural change, and Daisy is spearheading it.

Beyond the Boardroom: Building Communities and Creating Opportunities

Daisy's leadership is far-reaching beyond the organization. Her work has always focused on accessibility and building communities. From building inclusive tournaments to promoting sport equity in disadvantaged regions, Daisy is dedicated to making sport friendly and empowering for all, no matter age, gender, background, or ability.

The recent fundraising event that raised $31,000 for Peace Arch Hospital is only one instance of how she makes sport a force for change. It wasn't competitive; it was communal. The event united athletes, sponsors, spectators, and health advocates in a common goal of aid towards local healthcare. Daisy's contribution in organizing the event, both as a leader and donor, is evidence of her firm dedication to service and giving.

The Power of Vision: Leadership Based in Strategy and Heart

As an executive director, Daisy integrates action with vision. Her experience consists of a Project Management Professional (PMP) credential, which she uses to direct complicated projects with organization and purpose. Whether initiating a new program or taking a provincial organization through a process of rebranding, Daisy's efforts always align with long-term objectives and quantifiable measures.

Meanwhile, she knows that sport is all about people. She consistently speaks on behalf of her organization in public forums and forms strong partnerships based on the platforms of shared values and respect. Her efforts with Badminton BC, specifically, have assisted the organization in developing into a more inclusive, contemporary, and progressive organization, one where diversity, equity, and comprehensive athlete development are supported.

A Mentor for the Next Generation

Leadership is not simply front-of-bus leadership; it's also taking others with you. Daisy Lee is committed to mentoring. She actively seeks to provide opportunities for up-and-coming leaders, particularly young women, to develop through experience, training, and confidence in sport governance and leadership roles. Her mentorship program involves practical experience in board-level decision-making, project planning, and community engagement, so the next generation of sport leaders is not just inspired but qualified.

She advises her mentees to pose difficult questions, disrupt existing systems, and lead with empathy. It's this kind of mentorship that has a lasting effect, resonating far beyond badminton courts and into larger societal transformation.

Looking Ahead: The Future is Bright—and Inclusive

The future is one that Daisy Lee is laying with intent. With the Gender Equity Playbook project underway and ongoing lobbying for greater numbers of women in sport, she is raising the bar for what leadership in inclusive sport within British Columbia looks like.

Her commitment to community service, reflected in her advocacy for Peace Arch Hospital, her organizational skills at bringing organizations together for shared purposes, and her vision for badminton and sport in general that is inclusive, is a template for leaders of the future in all fields.

Daisy Lee's story is a testament that when sport is driven by individuals who care a lot about people, progress, and purpose, it becomes a force for transformation. 

Final Words

Daisy Lee’s leadership is not just inspiring, it’s actionable. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, volunteer, parent, or policymaker, now is the time to get involved. Support local sports initiatives. Advocate for equity in your organization. Mentor someone new. Or simply show up and cheer from the sidelines.

Because the future of sport in British Columbia is being built now, and it’s inclusive, bold, and led by trailblazers like Daisy Lee.