Defining Moments with Dustin
Defining Moments with Dustin Heise is where leadership meets high-performance sport. Dustin, CEO of Canada Snowboard, sits down with the athletes, coaches, and leaders who know what it takes to build strong teams and values-driven cultures. Expect real conversations, practical insights, and a closer look at the world of snowboarding, from Olympic drama to grassroots beginnings.
Defining Moments with Dustin
Katherine Henderson - President & CEO, Hockey Canada
Sport has the power to do far more than win medals - it can unite communities, shape national identity, and create pathways for the next generation of leaders.
In this episode of Defining Moments, host Dustin Heise, CEO of Canada Snowboard, sits down with Katherine Henderson, President and CEO of Hockey Canada, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, nation-building, and the true impact of sport in Canada.
Katherine reflects on how sport has shaped her life, why listening to communities is essential for sustainable success, and how major moments - from international games to grassroots rinks - can bring people together across differences. She also shares her approach to values-based leadership, preparing athletes and systems for Olympic moments, and her candid advice to young women aspiring to lead in sport.
This is a powerful conversation about authenticity, ambition, and why sport remains one of Canada’s most important tools for unity.
[00:00 – 00:32] – Introduction
Dustin welcomes Katherine Henderson, President and CEO of Hockey Canada, highlighting her influence, mentorship, and values-first leadership approach.
[00:32 – 02:38] – How sport shaped Katherine’s life and leadership
Dustin: How has sport impacted your life, and why have you chosen it as a vehicle for leadership and business?
Katherine reflects on sport as a lifelong constant — from childhood and family life to community, identity, and leadership. She shares how her experience with the Toronto Pan and Parapan Am Games revealed sport’s power to transform cities, build inclusion, and strengthen communities beyond competition.
[02:39 – 03:01] – Investing in sport as a nation
Dustin: Why is now the moment for Canada to double down on investing in sport?
[03:02 – 04:43] – Why the Pan Am Games succeeded
Katherine explains that the Games succeeded because leaders asked communities what they truly needed — not just facilities, but gathering spaces, jobs, inclusion, and representation — proving that listening first creates lasting impact.
[04:43 – 05:48] – Sport as a unifying force
Katherine uses national sporting moments to illustrate how sport brings Canadians together, transcending politics and differences, and fostering shared pride, belonging, and connection.
[06:00 – 07:45] – How to build momentum from the ground up
Dustin: How do we help Canadians and decision-makers understand sport’s real impact?
Katherine discusses shifting from organizations asking for support to empowering Canadians to speak up — highlighting a powerful example where 7,000 girls responded to a Hockey Canada survey because they felt heard.
[08:01 – 09:09] – Growth of women’s and girls’ hockey
Dustin reflects on the visible growth of girls’ hockey across Canada and the importance of clear pathways for continued participation and leadership.
[09:10 – 10:45] – Preparing for Olympic and Paralympic moments
Dustin: How can sport leaders and athletes unite the country ahead of major Games?
Katherine emphasizes ensuring athletes have the resources they need to perform at their best — and why leadership responsibility is about preparation, not pressure.
[10:46 – 12:35] – Turning Olympic moments into long-term growth
Katherine explains how Hockey Canada prepares local clubs and communities for increased demand after major events, ensuring people who are inspired by the Games have a place to belong afterward.
[12:35 – 13:19] – Advice for young women in sport leadership
Dustin: What advice would you give young female leaders who aspire to executive roles in sport?
[13:19 – 14:55] – Leading authentically
Katherine shares a defining leadership lesson: stop trying to fit someone else’s mold. Her career accelerated when she embraced authenticity, values-based leadership, and the confidence to be herself — even when it made others uncomfortable.
[14:56 – 15:45] – Closing reflections
Dustin thanks Katherine for her mentorship, impact, and generosity, closing the conversation with gratitude and appreciation.
