Accomplished business leaders focused on building fan base, providing organizational stability for Alberta’s first professional women’s soccer team
CALGARY—The Calgary Wild FC tapped into two corporate Calgary success stories to fill key leadership positions as one of the founding teams as Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league readies itself for its inaugural season.
Lara Murphy has been named chief executive officer of Calgary’s first women’s pro sports team. Lisa Oldridge will take on chief financial and operating officer responsibilities. Murphy and Oldridge will fulfill a shared dream to build women’s soccer while embarking on a mission to kickstart the growth of an inclusive fan base that is wild for soccer.
The announcement kicks off an action-packed week for the Calgary Wild FC that will also see the team welcome its first player to the Stampede City on Friday.
“This role holds deep personal significance for me. Having been involved in soccer throughout my life and understanding the impact it can have personally, I see this as an incredible opportunity to support women in sports at the professional level. Calgary and Alberta have long had the potential and passion for soccer, and I’m excited to help create a space where female athletes can thrive, inspire the next generation, and truly feel seen in their community,” said Murphy. “The chance to challenge the status quo and bring greater visibility to women’s soccer excites me. This is not just about the sport. It’s about building a movement that encourages inclusivity, empowers young girls, and gives women the platform they deserve. The excitement from the community is already palpable, and I can’t wait to see the positive ripple effect this Club will have on and off the pitch.”
Originally from New Brunswick where her passion for playing soccer at six years old put her on the development pathway that led to a varsity career at Mount Allison University before playing in Europe and North America, Murphy is the owner of Ryan Murphy Construction – one of Calgary’s award-winning success stories as the only female-owned commercial construction firm in the city where she and her team manage multi-million dollar projects in corporate, commercial, medical and retail construction.
Murphy was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 for her community and leadership work, along with her advocacy for equity, inclusivity and supporting young entrepreneurs through her leadership. Murphy is looking to bring this vision with her as the new leader of Calgary Wild FC – a team that will be bold, brave and a catalyst for change – and will be on a collective mission to create a platform that champions inclusivity, empowerment, and community – for the athletes, Calgary and Alberta.
“I want to build a sustainable, inclusive, and empowering organization that sets the standard for women’s professional soccer, not just in Calgary, but throughout Alberta and across Canada, while creating an environment where players feel fully supported – athletically, mentally and personally,” added Murphy. “I hold the belief that talent doesn’t come with a label, and neither should opportunity. Up until this past year, young boys grew up playing soccer thinking they will be the next Messi. Young girls did not have that same opportunity to dream. Now they will, and I can’t wait to help make that happen.”
Connected locally and across Canada, Murphy is immersed in the community by serving on a number of Associations and Boards, including: The Calgary Airport Authority; SAIT; International Women’s Forum; YW Calgary; and Calgary Chamber of Commerce.
Oldridge is equally driven to make a positive impact on the city, and its youth, as the first chief financial and operating officer for the Calgary Wild FC.
“I’m excited to take on an official leadership role with Calgary’s first professional women's sports franchise. Lara and I have a shared ambition for this Club to succeed, and in making a positive impact on the city of Calgary and province of Alberta,” said Oldridge, a seasoned corporate director with expertise in strategy, finance, governance, capital markets and business performance.
After many years in the equity capital markets, Oldridge spent the last decade of her career advising boards, founders, and venture capital funds, most recently with Fulcrum Advisors and Ozone Advisory Group Inc. Oldridge was a member of the team that launched The51’s first venture capital fund, and continues to serve as a mentor for Movement51’s Founder Lab.
“We know that girls who play sports become women who lead. By completing the pathway to pro soccer in all facets of the game right here in Calgary, we’re inspiring all of our kids in this community to be tomorrow's leaders: on the pitch; in the C-suite; on the mic; and as owners; referees and sport scientists,” added Oldridge.
Born in Newcastle General Hospital, just over a mile away from St. James Park, home of Newcastle United FC, Oldridge understood early on how soccer could ignite a community, hearing the roars of the crowd from her Grandad’s flat down the street from the stadium.
Oldridge, who has also served on many Boards and advisory groups throughout the city including: Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund; 360 Energy Liability Management Ltd.; and the ICD Calgary Chapter will be tasked with ensuring a solid business foundation and developing a long-term strategic plan while ensuring the financial resources, talent and technology is in place for the Wild to achieve its goal of winning – on and off the pitch.
“We simply could not have asked for two more amazing women in our community to take on these first two key leadership positions for Calgary Wild FC,” said Deanna Zumwalt, executive chair of the seven-member Board of Directors for the club. “Lara is calm, cool, and compassionate, yet always driving forward. She is an incredible leader, one of the few female CEOs in Calgary to build and lead her own company in a very traditional industry. Lisa brings tremendous insights, energy, candor and passion for elevating women in our community, and is just a ton of fun sharing her incredible wit when we need it most. They are both just amazing teammates, and I am excited to be on this journey with them.”
Murphy and Oldridge’s immediate priorities will be to assemble the Calgary Wild FC’s staff and coaches, and begin introducing the athletes who will represent the city, bringing the “call of the wild” from Calgary’s first professional women’s soccer team when the season opens this spring.
About Calgary Wild FC
Calgary Wild FC is one off six teams in the newly created Northern Super League which will begin its inaugural season in 2025, featuring some of the best women’s soccer players in the world. Shop our exclusive merch and be one of the early #fansinthewild. For the latest news and information on Calgary Wild FC, visit www.calgarywildfc.com or follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and X. Follow the league at www.nsl.ca.
For further information:
Chris Dornan
Calgary Wild FC
T: 403-620-8731
E-mail: hpprchris@shaw.ca