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September 28, 2022

Celebrating Women Of Csec

These profiles represent just a portion of the hundreds of amazing women that strengthen and lead our organization.

Lee Ann Helten
Department: Finance
Number of years with CSEC: 16 (7x Flames, 9x Stampeders)
What was your first job in the sporting industry? Admin Support, Food Services, Calgary Flames
What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? Sadly none are sports related…
Is there a female that inspires you? Hailee Coll, Assistant Athletic Therapist, Calgary Stampeders – I love that she’s the “best person for the job!” That’s how it should be.

Natasha Staniszewski
Department: Digital Media
Number of years with CSEC: 6 months
What was your first job in the sporting industry? Reporter/Anchor at CTV Prince Albert
What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? The Stamps beating the Ticats in overtime in their first game of the season.
Is there a female that inspires you? Lori Kane

Ally Flinn
Department: Partnerships (Corporate Partnerships Coordinator)
Number of years with CSEC: 1
What was your first job in the sporting industry? Game Operations Intern with the Kitchener Rangers OHL Hockey Club
What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? Probably game 7 of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, standing in press level looking down over the C of Red in real time. Had a moment to take it all in – the tension, excitement and passion among the fans was pretty incredible.
Is there a female that inspires you? My Mom for sure – she’s the hardest working woman I know, balancing being our family’s rock while also being successful in her own career. She’s always encouraged my sister and I to pursue our passions, take risks, and provided a constant example to look up to of what being a strong woman means.

Hailee Coll
Department: Medical
Number of years with CSEC: 5 years
What was your first job in the sporting industry? My first full time job was seasonal Athletic Therapist with the Stampeders in 2019.
What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? Watching the 2018 team win the Grey Cup.
Is there a female that inspires you? When I first started working in the CFL I was inspired by Claire Toffelmire who is the Head Athletic Therapist for the Hamilton Tiger Cats. She became a mentor to me and helped me navigate my first couple years working in the CFL.

Makayla Berze
Department: Digital Media
Number of years with CSEC: Coming up on 7 months
What was your first job in the sporting industry? Broadcasting for Dinos football, soccer, basketball and hockey + writing for Dinos volleyball
What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? Celebrating my birthday on Labour Day! (Honourable mentions: Shadowing Brendan Parker during my internship when the Flames were playing with no fans, when I found out I got my job, meeting Dave Dickenson and John Hufnagel for the first time)
Is there a female that inspires you? There are loads. Of course I have to start with my Mom. Sports media-wise are Erin Andrews, Mina Kimes, Joy Taylor, Malika Andrews, Taylor Rooks, and of course my work pal Natasha Staniszewski!

Candice Ward
Department: Photography
Number of years with CSEC: Going into my 8th season
What was your first job in the sporting industry? Team Photographer for the Calgary Rage Women’s Tackle Football team
What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? 2019 Roughnecks Championship
Is there a female that inspires you? Me

Dallas Kitt
Department: Events
Number of years with CSEC: 21 years
What was your first job in the sporting industry? Game Night Assistant with Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? It’s a tie between Jarome Iginla Retirement Ceremony and the 2019 Grey Cup Festival
Is there a female that inspires you? My mom & grandma. They are both incredibly hard working, independent, take charge females.

Molly Campbell
Department: Football Operations
Number of years with CSEC: 10
What was your first job in the sporting industry? I grew up working around the Edmonton Eskimos but my first official paid job was with Aquila Productions. It was a sports-related production company in Edmonton and I worked on TV shows for the NHL Network, as well as the game day presentations for the Oilers, Eskimos and Canadian Finals Rodeo. I have a communications in broadcasting degree, so it was a perfect job when I graduated from Washington State.
What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? I would have to say the 2014 Grey Cup in Vancouver. It was my first Grey Cup win as a team employee and I got my first ring!
Is there a female that inspires you? As far as women in football, Melissa Stark is the first one I really took notice of. She was the sideline reporter for Monday Night Football in the early 2000’s. She was the first female I had seen do that job and I really looked up to her. I also got the chance to chat with her on the sideline before a MNF game in Denver in 2000.

Jennifer Lee
Department: Catering
Number of years with CSEC: 7 months
What was your first job in the sporting industry? This job
What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? Game 7 of playoffs against Dallas where we went into OT – the energy in this building was like nothing I’ve ever seen/felt before. It was a lot of fun!
Is there a female that inspires you? There are many, but if I have to choose one I would say my mom. It’s taken me a long time to truly understand and appreciate what she did for me and still does for me and it inspires me to be a better person.

Gena Crépault
Department: Events
Number of years with CSEC: 6 months
What was your first job in the sporting industry? I worked in the box office on game nights at my university. I had gone to high school in the USA and missed the pride and passion we had for our teams, so decided that if I couldn’t be an athlete, I’d at least support them how I could. Almost a decade later, that decision and job has led me to roles in national sport non-profits, provincial sport organizations, marathons and bike races, the Canada Games, and a Grey Cup.
What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? Jumping with both feet into the operations of Red Lot just a few (very) short weeks after starting here at CSEC. The learning curve was steep but it was exhilarating being a part of something that felt so central to Calgary’s energy at that point in time, after just moving here.
Is there a female that inspires you? It would be easy to pick one of our nation’s top athletes as someone who inspires me – but I’ve found that women I have and currently work with will always make a bigger impact on me. These are women who relentlessly choose to pursue the goals they’ve set, and push aside the doubts that can come from both themselves and others. It’s looking to those who have often shared similar paths, overcome the same obstacles, and had to prove themselves the same way you have that will bring you the most inspiration.

Rosa Spadafora
Department: Calgary Stampeders Ticket Office
Number of years with CSEC: 14
What was your first job in the sporting industry? Account Manager
What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? When a teenager walked in asking some questions looking so depressed; invited him to come join us at the upcoming STAMPS Home Game and on his way out the door he turns to me and says, “I was going to kill myself today, but not anymore thanks to you.” This moment has resonated with me to this day and I will never forget how my passion for sports and my dedication to my motto…making at least one person smile each day has impacted my life.
Is there a female that inspires you? Alive – Oprah Windrey: One good deed will cause a ripple effect…
Dead – My mamma Serafina as I still have yet to meet anyone who is as selfless, kindhearted and humble as she was

Carley Salive
Department: Sales
Number of years with CSEC: 14
What was your first job in the sporting industry? Cheer Team Assistant Coach
What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? 2019 Grey Cup
Is there a female that inspires you? Obviously my mother as she’s taught me all my life skills and work ethic, but it’s also extremely inspiring working with so many strong driven independent women at CSEC daily.

Jescah Venne
Department: Events
Number of years with CSEC: 7
What was your first job in the sporting industry? Ice Crew for the Calgary Flames
What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? Celebrating on the field of Commonwealth Stadium for the Stampeders 2018 Grey Cup win over Ottawa Red Blacks, nothing really prepares you for the feeling of euphoria when the confetti cannons go off.
Is there a female that inspires you? My late grandma, she lead her life with kindness and humour, was kind to everyone who crossed her path. I try to do just that in my own life, it’s the simplest lesson in life to be kind and it has served me well.

Sherry Hufnagel
Department: Travel
Number of years with CSEC: 20
What was your first job in the sporting industry? Arranging travel for the Calgary Stampeders
What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? Being part of Grey Cup 2008 when we won
Is there a female that inspires you? Olympian Curler Cheryl Bernard

Kendra Vickers

Department: Calgary Stampeders Outriders

Number of years with CSEC: This is my 11th season with CSEC.

What was your first job in the sporting industry? My first job in the sporting industry was cheering on the sidelines with the 2011 Calgary Stampeders Outriders.

What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? The most memorable moment was my very first game as an Outrider in 2011!

Is there a female that inspires you? My mom is the most inspirational woman I know. It may be cliche, but my mom is an incredible woman who is always there to help someone in need. Another reason she is awesome, is she has been a season ticket holder for over 20 years!

Justine Tyrell

Department: Anthem Singer

Number of years with CSEC: 7 years

What was your first job in the sporting industry? This was actually my first job in the sporting industry!

What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? A few stand out to me! One was the 2018 Grey Cup win at Commonwealth Stadium and being able to run out and celebrate on the confetti covered field, with the team and my uncle! Another was having the honour of singing the National Anthem alongside our amazing Olympians, following their return home. Last but not least, my favorite tradition of all – enjoying every Labour Day Classic Game with my Grandma!

Is there a female that inspires you? My mom! Her strength, resilience, encouragement – and her ability to always thrive and keep a motivated attitude, inspires me to be at my best. She has worked so hard, and has never let an obstacle or challenge get in her way. She inspires me to show up as my best self, fiercely follow my passions – and to lead from the heart. She’s incredible!

Amanda Sabelli

Department: Community Relations

Number of years with CSEC: 7

What was your first job in the sporting industry? I was a game night assistant, for the premium sales team here at CSEC. I helped set up our premium events, and then hosted the clients throughout the game.

What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? My most memorable CSEC moment is when I went to the Grey Cup game in 2018. Once we knew we were going to win we ran down to the field level to celebrate with the rest of the staff and the team!

Is there a female that inspires you? Since meeting her, Tammy Truman has been a woman who constantly inspires me to be better. The battle she has faced to be a successful woman in insurance is inspiring and reminds me every day the grind is worth the reward.

Angela Burger
Department: Photographer/Marketing

Number of years with CSEC: 11

What was your first job in the sporting industry? I’ve been involved with sports my whole life but my first official job is a Sports Photographer.

What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? There are so many but capturing my first Grey Cup in 2014 is definitely an experience I will never forget.

Is there a female that inspires you? There isn’t any one woman that inspires me! There are qualities in every woman I encounter which inspire me to be a better person, to work hard, live with passion and dream the biggest dreams!

Chelsea Drake

Department: Calgary Stampeders Football Club (Touchdown Horse Rider)

Number of years with CSEC: 5 years

What was your first job in the sporting industry? In 2016 when I took over from my mom, Karyn, with the Calgary Stampeders as their new Touchdown Horse Rider.

What’s your most memorable CSEC moment? The day my mom retired from riding and I took over. It was a very special moment that I will remember forever. Mainly because I grew up my whole life watching her run down the sidelines and it was something I knew I had always wanted to be a part of. When I got to run down the sidelines for the very first time, it was a moment in time that I will never forget.

Is there a female that inspires you? My mom, Karyn, inspires me every day. She has always been someone I’ve looked up to since I was little and continues to be someone I admire. Out of her many admirable attributes, my mom is the kindest, most selfless person I know and always puts others before herself.