A pioneer in blue and gold

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This article was published 23/02/2017 (3141 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dayna Spiring is a CFL pioneer.

The newly installed vice-chairwoman of the Winnipeg Football Club became the first woman to represent the Blue Bombers on the CFL’s board of governors while attending the league’s annual meetings this week in Phoenix, Ariz.

Spiring said she received a warm welcome from the formerly all-male group.

“These guys have all been great and I’m fairly comfortable I can hold my own,” Spiring said Thursday by telephone from Phoenix. “They made me feel welcome the moment I walked in the door. I have nothing but compliments for them.”

Spiring joined the Blue Bombers’ board of directors two years ago through a public nomination process.

More recently, board chairman Jeff Martin asked her to serve as vice-chairwoman after a stint as the board’s corporate secretary.

“They were looking for diversity, they were looking for new skill sets on the board and at that point, (former board member) David Asper actually called me and said, ‘Hey Dayna, I think you’d be great at this; consider putting your name forward,’” said Spiring. “Ultimately, I did, and I’ve really enjoyed my experience.”

Serving on the club’s board of directors has allowed Spiring to combine her love of football with her business acumen. In her other life, she is president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg.

“I love the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and I’m a football fan. I wouldn’t say I’m the ultimate football fan, but the skill set I think I bring to the board is more from a business perspective than it is from a football perspective. I believe a healthy football team reflects a healthy community.”

Spiring is only the second woman to join the CFL’s board of governors. Jo-Anne Polak was an Ottawa Rough Riders alternate governor from 1989-91.

It seems like it’s been a long time coming.

“It’s one of those things where, part of me is very, very honoured and I’m excited and it’s a great thing,” said Spiring. “And the other part of me says, ‘It’s 2017, let’s get on with it.’ So, I’m of two minds. I’m really proud I can be on the national board representing Winnipeg and that to me, is the best of all worlds.”

Spiring isn’t the lone woman on Winnipeg’s board of directors. Payworks CEO Barb Gamey, lawyer Priti Shah and former Free Press marketing director Marnie Strath are also members.

The CFL board of governors, meanwhile, includes representatives of all nine member clubs and is comprised of three individuals from each team. The WFC contingent includes Martin, Spiring and president/CEO Wade Miller.

Prior to her time with Economic Development Winnipeg, Spiring served as chief strategy officer and general counsel for the Canadian Wheat Board.

She also serves as a director for several other Manitoba companies, including Manitoba Hydro and Winpak Ltd.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @sawa14