At Fast and Female, we know firsthand and believe in the power of REAL (Relatable, Empowered, Active Leaders) Role Models for girls in sports and physical activity. Since our inception in 2005, we’ve engaged over 33,000 youth across Canada, and we could not have done it without the incredible women Role Models in our community. Seeing trailblazers who are unapologetically themselves share their struggles and wins is transformative for girls and young women. The idea that “you can’t be what you don’t see” reminds us that every Role Model creates a pathway for future generations. For us, highlighting and amplifying incredible women in and around sport in Canada is not just a priority but a need, and we are so excited to continue to do so!

We are thrilled to announce our new blog series, Breaking Barriers: Women Who Lead. Every month in 2025, we will highlight a woman leader who advocates for gender equity, believes in the power of sport, and continues 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 to kick off our series by chatting with Melanie Burns, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at TD!

“If Not You, Then Who?” Melanie’s Journey as a Leader and Sports Mom

In the world of finance, Melanie stands out not only as the Chief Human Resources Officer at TD but also as a passionate advocate for the power of sport in building resilience, teaching confidence, and fostering teamwork. Melanie oversees the people strategy of over 95,000 employees at one of Canada’s largest banks, guiding initiatives that support talent development and acquisition, culture and the employee experience, and holistic support across TD’s business lines. Being a senior leader, was not necessarily something Melanie envisioned when she was young or in the early stages of her career, and she reflects on moments where she experienced self-doubt. Yet, through her career and her experiences as a mother, Melanie learned the value of resilience—a lesson she feels her daughter learned, along with many other fundamental leadership traits, through competitive sports environments.

Watching her daughter face challenges in competitive hockey and learn how to persevere on the ice, Melanie witnessed how sports instill unique life and leadership skills beyond what can be learned in a class or boardroom. Sports became a safe space for her daughter to hone her skills and build self-confidence, which would translate into other settings, like education and work, where women sometimes count themselves out too early.

Sport is an entirely different educational environment for kids, especially girls. It’s a level playing field for learning skills like teamwork, perseverance, and relying on others. I watched my daughter and her teammates go into games thinking, “We’re not going to win this game,” and still push through. I love that they challenge their own beliefs about what’s possible.

For Melanie, supporting her daughter in these activities meant more than cheering from the sidelines; it was about modelling the values of dedication and commitment, traits she believes are essential for success in life and career.

Melanie embodies the belief that parents, coaches and leaders serve as powerful role models. She has intentionally created supportive environments, whether in the workplace or the stands, that encourage independence and build confidence.

In a workplace that prioritizes well-being, TD encourages and enables employees to exercise work/life balance, a value that has allowed Melanie to be present during her daughter’s pivotal sporting events. She credits TD’s culture with supporting her role as a leader and an active parent, highlighting that the company values employees as professionals and as whole individuals with family responsibilities.

In my role, I see a lot of parallels in keeping people motivated and supported. It’s about challenging their underlying beliefs. I often tell my colleagues, especially the women who talk themselves out of taking a promotion, to really examine those beliefs. As a parent, it’s about helping kids, especially girls, see themselves as capable and worthy of success. It’s a big parallel in the workplace and in sport: breaking down those barriers of self-doubt.
Advice for parents, guardians, and allies on motivating girls in sport and physical activity.

Melanie’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of sport and the importance of creating opportunities for girls at an early age to build their confidence. She is passionate about representation and believes having role models is crucial for girls and women to envision and reach their potential.

Her advice, a question from a previous mentor, is simple but powerful: if not you, then who? This mindset, she believes, is as applicable in the boardroom as it is on the field of play, empowering young women, to take their rightful place as leaders and changemakers.

If not you, then who? … I have every right to be in this boardroom. I have every right to have a point of view, and to speak up. I have every right, because I’m here. I am in this chair, so I need to use it while it is mine.

Our Breaking Barriers: Women Who Lead blog series highlights women in leadership positions that are passionate about empowering girls through sport, physical activity and education. Launched in January 2025, the series will highlight one woman per month. If you are interested in learning more or support this series, please email us at info@fastandfemale.com