Concacaf joins the Football Association of Ireland, Canada Soccer and UEFA Together for Women in Football Leadership Knowledge Exchange
Concacaf, the FAI, and Canada Soccer held a Women in Football Leadership Knowledge Exchange in Montreal.
Concacaf, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and Canada Soccer recently came together in Montreal, Canada, for a Women in Football Leadership Knowledge Exchange, bringing together female leaders from across international football to share expertise, experiences and best practices in developing women in leadership.
Hosted by Canada Soccer in association with the UEFA Together Programme, the initiative was designed to strengthen collaboration between football associations while supporting the continued growth of women in leadership roles throughout the game.
FAI Chief Operating Officer Christina Kenny led a session titled “Leading Change in Football: Women, Influence and Leadership in the Modern Game,” exploring how organizations can lead transformational change, build inclusive environments, influence without authority and develop the next generation of football leaders.
FAI Director of People and Culture Aoife Rafferty also presented the Association’s organizational transformation program, highlighting work that strengthens governance, reshapes the workforce and builds a high-performing, financially sustainable organization through meaningful staff engagement.
As part of the FAI’s contribution, a dedicated panel discussion and workshop addressed current trends and challenges in women’s football in Ireland. The session featured Eadaoin Keane, Marketing & Communications Director; Deirdre Ardagh, General Counsel and Governance Director; and Lizzy Kent, Head of Women’s and Girls’ Football. The discussion explored participation growth, visibility of the women’s game, commercial development and governance oversight.
Canada Soccer’s presentation from Sara McConagh, Director of Community Sport Inclusion, shared insights into their journey in advancing women’s football. Her session highlighted the organization’s strategic direction, including governance reforms, commercial development in the women’s game and the continued strengthening of high-performance pathways.
A panel discussion facilitated by Concacaf’s Women’s Football Development Supervisor Tashana Vincent focused on breaking down barriers, fostering inclusive cultures and the importance of mentorship, visibility and collaboration in supporting future leaders.
The knowledge exchange also provided an important platform for delegates from Concacaf, UEFA, Canada Soccer and the FAI to strengthen relationships, learn from different football ecosystems and identify practical ways to support women in leadership across their respective organizations.
