WE PROVIDE VISIBILITY, FUNDING, AND INTRODUCTIONS FOR THE ROLE MODELS AND CHANGEMAKERS OF TOMORROW.
VISIBILITY
If we can see it, we can be it. Role models need to be seen and known. Our members are showing up.
FUNDING
Women’s programs and athletes struggle to continue and compete. We’re calling this out and bringing in support.
INTRODUCTIONS
The right introductions can change the trajectory of a woman’s career, and maybe even her life. Our network kicks down doors for each other.
SHE’S GOT NEXT IS A NONPROFIT PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S NETWORK
OUR MEMBERS INCLUDE
CEOS ⬝ CANADIAN NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS ⬝ UNIVERSITY COACHES ⬝ TEACHERS ⬝ ENTREPRENEURS ⬝ PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES ⬝ EXECUTIVES ⬝ STUDENT ATHLETES
BECAUSE OF US
- Every womAn athlete has a community that has her back
- Women’s sports programs are funded
- Women athletes have opportunities outside of and after sports
OUR STORY
WALKING OUT OF THAT ARENA, I KNEW WE HAD TO START.
The energy around women’s sports had become undeniable. Almost 20,000 fans were all wearing merch and massive smiles. There was such a strong sense of pride—for the incredible athletes showcasing their talent and for the fans who scored one of the coveted sold-out seats. Whether they were long-time attendees of the Final Four or newbies brought in by Caitlin Clark, everyone was invested in seeing these university players shine. It was awesome.
Having been a varsity athlete in Canada, I wished our arenas were filled with even a fraction of the enthusiasm we experience in the States. But I knew the reality: most Canadian women’s sports programs struggle to get basic-level funding, and financial support for female athletes is super limited. But these are the role models we want for our daughters. These are the inspiring women we want to champion and stand alongside. And by simply cheering for the same team, strangers become a community. I turned to Jill and said, “We’ve got to start SHE’S GOT NEXT!”
From concept to creation
At the airport and on our flights back to Vancouver, we talked about all the reasons why we needed a community that rallied behind Canadian athletes. In less than a decade, we witnessed U.S. women’s college basketball go from being considered a “second-rate product” to the main event.
With the PWHL and WNBA expanding into Canada and the upcoming launch of the NSL, the moment for Canadian sports had arrived.
We knew we were not alone in wanting to create a new reality for women athletes; countless incredible women we’ve talked to share the dream –to close the gender pay gap, advocate for women on and off the court, and build a stronger community of kick-ass women that could change the world.
The big idea
What if we could create a platform that brings together all the incredible women who believe in the power of women’s sports? By doing this, we could boost visibility and funding for our talented athletes, while building a strong network that supports one another beyond just sports.
Imagine: harnessing the strength of a massive women’s “team” could not only help Canadian women’s sports thrive but also cultivate a community that opens doors for each other and the next generation. Which in turn would contribute to a more equitable society. We loved the sound of it. Sports would lead the way.
Building a community for change
An EY study from 2020 stuck with us—94% of C-suite women played sports. Sports are an ideal training ground for leaders and can open doors in unimaginable ways. This resonated deeply with me.
I played basketball in university and professionally in Holland, but upon returning to Canada, I had to reinvent myself after my primary identity as a basketball player was behind me. Without a professional network and no contacts in my chosen field, I was starting at a disadvantage. During a recruiting tour at PWC, 100 people were vying for three spots on the team. A conversation about sports with the hiring manager, who had played elite-level soccer, gave me the opening I needed. He valued the characteristics I learned as a competitive athlete, not just my qualifications, so he gave me a shot. That opportunity launched my career in finance and the skills I learned in sports propelled me to executive positions.
That’s why our vision goes beyond sports.
Championing women on and off the field
We see how sports equip individuals with resilience, strategic thinking, and the ability to perform under pressure. There is less screen time, more real conversations, and coachablity. These qualities are invaluable in professional settings and in life. People who appreciate sports want to be around the key players. And with a strong team, we can kick down doors and break glass ceilings.
SHE’S GOT NEXT is our opportunity to build a community that understands the competitive spirit, appreciates women’s sports, and wants to see more women win.
When people know our players and recognize their talent, they’ll advocate for them. We’ll see packed arenas for women’s games, boardrooms filled with capable women executives, and a community ensuring that every woman who wants an opportunity knows there’s an army behind her making sure SHE’S GOT NEXT.
Looking ahead
Our journey with SHE’S GOT NEXT is just beginning. We are committed to expanding our reach, creating opportunities, and making a lasting impact through women’s sports. And honestly, how cool (and rewarding) would it be to own a women’s team together?
Thanks for being here. I hope you’ll join us on this mission.
— Jules
LEADERSHIP TEAM
JULIE
SMULDERS
DRAFTED: 1st ROUND, PICK, 1 
ROLE: FOUNDER, CAPTAIN
OTHER TEAM: WILLOUGHBY ASSET MGMT
POSITION: COO
STATUS: 🟢 ACTIVE
- 15 years of investment operations
- Currently COO, Willoughby Asset Management
- 2 seasons Pro Baller
- Dutch National WBB Team
| Assets | A generational talent, Smulders can make big plays with tremendous speed. |
| Flaws | She’ll need to deepen her juggling skills if she’s going to be able to field all the interest coming her organization’s way. |
| Career Potential | Career Potential – There’s nothing but upside with Smulders. Her decades of training and experience are paying off as she’s getting stronger and making greater impact each year. She’s on track to be a Hall-of-Fame stepmom. |
- Introduced more than 400 finance and accounting folks to the joy of March Madness since running her first Madness Pool in 2010
- Named Executive Director of CCL Foundation in 2016
Appointed to Board of Directors at Harbourfront Gives, 2023 - Making seats for dozens of women in leadership
- Bringing SHE’S GOT NEXT from concept to launch inside three months, and seeing early traction from members and partners.
JILL
TRACY
DRAFTED: 1st ROUND, PICK, 2 ROLE: ELLEVATOR
OTHER TEAM: BSTRO
POSITION: CEO, FOUNDER
STATUS: 🟢 ACTIVE
- 20 years of growing BSTRO into a leading digital agency
- 9 years experience as a hockey mom
MFA, Academy of Art University - BA, University of South Carolina
| Assets | A true utility player, Tracy can deftly bring creative direction, strategy, and content to the team. |
| Flaws | She runs on little sleep and a bit too much coffee so we’ll have to see how this veteran maintains the stamina to compete with the younger players. As an American playing in Canada, she’s still adjusting to the differences between NCAA and Usports and is overly critical of Mascots that aren’t on par with her beloved Cocky. |
| Career Potential | She’s likely to play well into her 80s so there’s no limit on what she might achieve. |
- Meeting Cocky, Thunder, and Finn in the same year
- Making seats for dozens of women in leadership
- Winning business from Madison Avenue agencies and growing BSTRO 100% through the power of referrals