SPORT DOESN’T RUN WITHOUT WOMEN. MEET JENNIFER SCOTT!

We are thrilled to announce the next feature in our ongoing blog series, Breaking Barriers: Women Who Lead. Throughout 2025, we will highlight various women leaders who advocate for gender equity, believe in the power of sport, and continue to support and amplify the need to get more girls in sport and physical activity. They are women who broke down barriers (and continue to do so), are leaders in their fields, and who hope to leave an impact on their sectors. We’re so excited for our series to continue by chatting with Jennifer Scott, the Vice President of Community & Social Impact for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Scott is also the Chair of the Whitecaps FC Foundation, the club’s philanthropic arm that focuses on increasing access to soccer and promoting environmental sustainability.

As Vice President of Community & Social Impact for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Jennifer Scott unites equity, access, and the belief that sport transforms lives. “We work with our priority communities to bring them into BC Place for an exciting match environment and also take the Whitecaps and soccer into communities.”

Each year, the Whitecaps reach over 60,000 kids across BC through grassroots programs that provide free, low-barrier soccer opportunities. “We work with leaders within priority communities to ensure we are directing our impact to address the greatest need,” she explains. In addition to that, Scott also chairs the Whitecaps FC Foundation, the club’s philanthropic arm. “The Foundation’s focus is on increasing access to soccer and promoting environmental sustainability.” Her portfolio also includes First Nations and Indigenous engagement, alumni relations, and support for the club’s Pride Advisory Group and South Asian Advisory Group.

Scott’s interest in sport began early. “I was heavily involved in sports and leadership in high school,” she recalls. That passion led her to kinesiology, but she soon shifted to the social sciences side of sport. “I was using sport as a way to build community and build up sport for economic and social benefit.” Throughout her career, she remained rooted to the collective nature of sport. 

I think you’re still pushing on a door, but the door more easily swings open these days because of the phenomenal work by athletes and builders that have come before me.”

That perspective is also shaped by history. Growing up in the 1990s, women’s professional sport looked very different. “When I was in the 90s, you were still fighting. There was no PWHL, no WNBA as we know it, or NSL, right? So you were one-to-one with your friends and your colleagues in high school fighting for equity and visibility,” she remembers. Today, the battles are different, but the fight for access and representation remains. “I think you’re still pushing on a door, but the door more easily swings open these days because of the phenomenal work by athletes and builders that have come before me.”

For Scott, women are already integral to the sport ecosystem. “The Whitecaps don’t run without women,” she emphasizes. “I look around the front office— half our executive team are women. Our medical staff, event staff, half of our fan base, our nutritionists, trainers, data scientists. Across the board, if women don’t show up for the Whitecaps, there are no Whitecaps.”

Still, she knows representation isn’t perfect. “I acknowledge I play a role in this, but there’s an overrepresentation of white women. How can we have the leadership be more representative of the population here? And that’s both across amateur and professional sports.”

The Whitecaps don’t run without women. I look around the front office—half our executive team are women. Our medical staff, event staff, half our fan base, our nutritionists, trainers, data scientists. Across the board, if women don’t show up for the Whitecaps, there are no Whitecaps.”

Her vision extends to mentoring and building pathways for the next generation. “We need to focus on the younger women, usually the ones more junior in their career. Just making sure that they have every opportunity to be sitting in the executive office, or sitting as a senior leadership,” she stresses. “So that representation is there.”

Looking at her career, Scott sees both progress and opportunity ahead. Women are shaping every aspect of the Whitecaps, from the pitch to the boardroom. The fight for equity continues, but she believes in the momentum of change and the collective responsibility to carry it forward. “Women sitting in leadership roles, both in the professional and the nonprofit or amateur sports side, there’s tremendous opportunity,” she observes. “At the Caps, and what I see every single day, every single match, is we are an integral and important part, and are treated as such.”

Scott also points to Vancouver itself as a key advantage in building sport and community. “Truly, this location has everything. The natural beauty, the ability to be on the trails, in the mountains, on the water.” She adds, “The women’s leagues are hugely impactful here and, obviously, the men’s leagues as well. The Vancouver Rise are having a phenomenal season. We’ve got the PWHL knocking on the door and the WNBA match.”

The (Whitecaps FC) Foundation will be able to increase access to soccer for Indigenous communities, newcomers to Canada, and those with disabilities.”

With Vancouver as the backdrop and the foundation now in place, Scott sees a chance to build something lasting. “How does everyone benefit when we bring in these matches? The Foundation will be able to increase access to soccer for Indigenous communities, newcomers to Canada, and those with disabilities.” It’s a vision rooted in community, equity, and the belief that the game is stronger when everyone has a place in it.

Our Breaking Barriers: Women Who Lead blog series highlights women in leadership positions who are passionate about empowering girls through sport, physical activity and education. Launched in January 2025, the series will highlight various women throughout 2025. If you are interested in learning more or supporting this series, please email us at info@girlsforward.ca