Meet the Pink Ballers Committee

Angela Cope – Founder & Chair, Our Pink Ballers Extraordinaire

By day I’m the Partner Marketing Manager at SHI Corp. By night, I’m a plant loving, vacation planning, magical DJ who loves to spend time with my soon to be husband (Derek) and my friends. Many of which are on this committee!
My career path to date has given me the opportunity to work with some amazing companies like Toyota, the OHA, Hearing Solutions, MASS Engines, Microsoft, Apple, Lenovo, Pure Storage and more. My secret to my success is great customer service, over communicating news and project updates, and staying curious about new digital marketing trends.
Pink Ballers started as a passion project that has now grown into a big event with an impactful purpose. Yes, it’s about getting out on a nice summer day in the city and attempting to play golf while having drinks with friends. But to me, it’s so much more.
Pink Ballers is about finding the confidence within yourself to tackle any challenge in life. The first time I ever played golf, I was so scared and intimidated. It was not an ideal day to golf as it poured rain for most of the tournament, but I was golfing with a great group who really showed me the fun and not so serious side of golf. It wasn’t as bad as I had made it in my mind to be. Developing the confidence and courage to conquer any fear takes practice and determination. To me, Pink Ballers give women the opportunity to place themselves outside of their own comfort zones and challenge themselves to try something new. The more you face your fears, the more you get to experience in life, with your family and friends, and in your career.

I’m looking forward to growing the Pink Ballers crew in 2019!

Breanne Salmon – Membership Captain

Hello Folks!  Thanks for taking the time to read about the OG PB’s.

I’m Breanne and am delighted to be a part of this incredible movement. I spend my days as the Education Director of a private school in Toronto. I’m also a certified assessor and using the results of diagnostic assessments, I create individualized programming for my students. I spend my nights… sleeping! Just joking but yes the days can be quite long. When I’m not attempting to mould the impressionable minds of children for the better, I’m usually hanging out with my amazing husband (Andy) or spending time with my lovely friends and family. Typical “me time” includes tending to my garden and plants (I think it’s a trend in this crew), meditating, long walks (corny but so true) and yoga. I also love a good glass of vino (or let’s be serious…it doesn’t have to be that good) and am usually planning my next 5 trips around the world on any given night (for real). New on the scene of personal activities for enjoyment is…..GOLF. As the daughter of a golf fanatic, you’d think I’d have started earlier. However, it wasn’t until Pink Ballers that the passion really took off. Pink Ballers to me was a bit of an awakening. This wasn’t just men hitting the links and coming home talking about birdies and eagles and all other golf/aviary chat. This was something more. Pink Ballers is all about coming out, having a great time with amazing women and perhaps swinging a club or two.

I think a really clear way of summing up my Pink Ballers experience is that I am a 3 Year Champ (going for 4!) in this tourney, and won Most Honest Golfer in a tournament three weeks later. It’s not about the score on the card so just come out, have a great time, and throw Emily and Makenzie for a loop by winning Best Dressed! See ya on the first hole for the tee off party!

Emily Milne Hayward – Membership, Communications & Sponsorship Master

Hey All! My name is Emily and I’ll be your go to for all things Membership, Communications, and Sponsorship! A little about me… I would have to say the perfect date is… April 25th. Because it’s not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket! When I imagine a perfect world, I dream of being able to walk into any coffee shop and ordering up a perfectly steeped cup of tea (Tetley – obvi!) OR a bottle of red – whichever the occasion calls for. We’d all have unlimited vacation time, and sustainability would be more than just a buzzword! Oh… and naps were socially acceptable for ALL! Aside from nurturing my inner tea drinking hippy granny, in my free time, I love taking my dog (Theo) and husband (Chris) on nature walks, cozy up with a good book and … you guessed it, a cup of tea, and spend time at the cottage with family and friends! I’m always up for the next adventure and any excuse to travel I’m there. AND I love bugs of all shapes and sizes!

After an 8 year long career in Professional Education at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, I have entered the private sector and joined SHI Corp. on Miss Angela Cope’s Partnership Marketing team! Pretty jazzed to be working with this amazing woman… I’ll keep you posted on how it goes though! I am also working towards completing my Masters of Education with a focus in Health Profession Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto – with only 1 more class to go, I am set to graduate fall 2019! Whoop whoop!

As I’m sure many of my fellow Pink Baller OG organizers will agree, at its core, Pink Ballers is about women supporting women! This amazing group of gals have taught me the value in just getting out there and playing, and leaving any ounce of nerves or fear of failure at the door! OG Sidebar: You will come to learn about the rivalry between me and my arch nemesis and co-organizer, Makenzie, whom I have had the utmost pleasure in mentoring and really pushing her to be her very best each year in the competition for “Best Dressed” Pink Baller. NBD, but I hold the OG Award in this category, and while she has won the last two years in a row, I would like to acknowledge the role I have played in fostering the drive it has taken for her to win this title. Time for a #throwback to the OG in this category I’d say.

Irena Kulic – Onsite Logistics Wizard

As Rick Ross would say “Everyday I’m, everyday I’m, everyday I’m hustling”… this is my workday anthem. Now you might be thinking of some illicit activities when you hear hustlin, but get yo mind outta the gutter. As a project manager what I’m thinking when I say hustlin is it’s all about having the ambition, know-how, drive and enthusiasm to get things done and having some fun along the way.
Now according to my dating profile; what I like like to do in my free time… aside from long walks on the beach… his ;P
Whatever I am doing it’s usually with friends or family (skiing, softball, games night featuring euchre, planning events/parties, traveling). I also like to try new experiences and I must add that I do love all things Harry Potter, books usually featuring vampires (don’t judge… or do it’s up to you), Country music Spanish music/culture/language oh and quoting Dane Cook and ’00s mad
TV skits.
Pink Ballers puts two of my favorite things together; trying new things and spending time with friends. Before PB I had never tried golf and I likely would never have tried it to this day. I’m just going to put it out there…buttt 1st PB I was on the winning team… Just saying lol This was mostly based on my other team members skill but hey having great people around you only makes
you better!
Now that I have tried golf and I can honestly say I’m not great and I don’t practice enough to get better… But who cares about that. What PB stands for is much more than golf! To me it’s about supporting one of my favorite people in a passion project to help women feel empowered and confident to put themselves out there and be vulnerable and take the risk to try something that is totally out of your comfort zone.
The Internet says “Men apply for a job when they meet only 60% of the qualifications, but women apply only if they meet 100% of them” (reference Google)…well without PB I wouldn’t have even opened this ‘golf application’ much less applied. So in 2019 I hope you will join us in celebrating 5 years of Pink Ballers by “bringing fearless back”!

Kelly Haley – Sponsorship Guru & Registration Officer

What do I do, well, my Dad thinks I plan parties, my Mom thinks that I build commercials and make presentations (a lot), and well, I can’t really explain what I do.  I am a team of one in my role at Cineplex in Marketing & Partnerships, but that means a lot of things to a lot of people.  I develop strategy for and execute major sponsorships and philanthropic initiatives for Cineplex.  I came from a extensive sports background, so no, I can’t tell you what the latest greatest movie is out there.  I’m likely in the same boat as you as I’m still learning, but I do know that I can’t wait for our new company, Topgolf to launch in Canada soon!

My free time consists of chasing my Frenchie pup (Tucker) around the couch and spending time with my husband (Mike) and our amazing friends and family.  I love live music, so my summers are mostly spent at the Bud Stage catching a ton of concerts (Chris Stapleton this summer y’all!).  I won’t be shy to tell you that I’m from Niagara and no, I can’t tell you all the great wines in Niagara because when I go there I’m usually with family and they will heavily shame me if I go to any vineyard vs. visiting them instead.

I’m part of the OG Pink Ballers crew.  In Year 1, I was getting over a wrist injury, so I was the first party marshall/course photographer!  It was an amazing time and I was desperate to play golf, so I worked my butt off in rehab and was happily playing in Year 2!  I’ve been on and off the course of the past few years due to the injury, but for me it’s about a day out with my (girl)friends playing a game that we love with no judgement, no criticism, and so so so many laughs.

Makenzie Wiwchar – Membership, Communications & Swag Boss

Those who know me well know that I’m all about balance. A good chunk of my day is spent at my desk while I manage the marketing/communications activities of a provincial hospital association… and while that pays the bills, I try to find real excitement outside of work.

Monday-Thursday I’m pretty health obsessed, waking up early for a morning workout to energize my day, finding new & creative ways to eat clean and hitting up my hot yoga studio for some HOT HIIT pilates or bikram at night. Now on the weekends that’s a completely different story. I like to reserve my Fridays and Saturdays for all the things I didn’t indulge in during the week – delicious, high-carb food and drinks! All bets are off Friday, Saturday and Sunday for me, and I love it. Puts a bit of a hole in the old wallet, so lately I just love hanging out at home with a glass of cab sauv or going to a friend’s place for several glasses of merlot.

I caught the travel bug following my first time overseas in 2017 when my partner and I did 3 weeks in Europe. So now I’m travel obsessed, and am currently making a ’40 things to do before 40′ list which includes several bucket list destinations! I’m also plant obsessed, and share plant-related Instagram posts with our beloved Pink Ballers Founder Angela (FOLLOW US – @twohouseplants). I’m an east-ender for life, living in the distillery district and hope to one day move to Leslieville. I’m passionate about anything that makes me happy – friends, family, food, pink ballers and good health. Don’t eat near me if you don’t like sharing, because I will pick at your plate and likely finish your food before you can. I have one of the worst RBF’s, and shock the world when they get to know me and how nice I can actually be. So if I’m not smiling, I may look like I want to rip your face off, but trust me… I’m happy on the inside.

As a Pink Baller OG, I’ve seen this event really come to life over the years. It’s been a passion project for my BFF Angela, and I’ve had the privilege of working alongside her since day one. I’m to thank for the sexy PB branded swag you’ll get to know and yearn for (ya gotta win something to get it, so start getting competitive!!) Speaking of competitive, I really only care to win Best Dressed. My golf game has improved over the years, but I’m not there to win golf… Emily and I are each other’s arch nemesis when it comes to this… so if you see us yelling in each other’s faces, it’s all in good fun. Pink Ballers is one of things I look forward to most each year. It’s the perfect opportunity to get to know the game of golf, while meeting new friends and surrounding yourself with a group of women who all believe in the same thing: equal opportunity!

I look forward to seeing everyone again, and meeting some new faces 🙂

Megan Takeda – Course & Registration Management Honcho

In a nutshell, my job these days involves searching for, evaluating, and funding very exciting health-related innovations that have the potential to change lives among the most marginalized populations in developing countries. Wait, there’s additional context to add. To offset this noble undertaking, I worked in Finance on Bay Street for 5+ years, and another 3 years in a private wealth management shop. While I love educating people on finance, and the nerd in me loves crunching numbers, a job better-aligned to my values called out to me – and that’s where I sit today.

I come from a relatively unathletic family, but grew up playing every sport I could get into. I’m a huge sports fan as a result, with a special (emotionally exhausting) dedication to the Toronto Maple Leafs. When I’m not working, I love croissants in the morning with my hubby (Keegan) and son (Struan), and any quality time we can steal with our close friends and family. I’m big on travel, exploring new cultures, and eating delicious food…and a good, crisp IPA. I’m proud to be an OG Pink Baller because of the openness and inclusiveness that this community represents. I am a less-than-stellar golfer, but love the time I get with this crew every year. I actually don’t know that I’d still golf if it wasn’t for Pink Ballers. Here’s to all those that have also taken a full 4 hours to finish nine holes of golf!  …anyone??

Tashina Seraphim – Registration Management Kingpin

I’m proud to be an OG PB!

Hailing from the small town of Ayr, I met my husband Mark, moved to the big city and never looked back. Sort of. I actually work for my family business so I’m back often. While I am a licensed Realtor, I’m truly not a salesperson. My passion is in real estate though so instead of working as an Agent, I’m proudly managing operations for my family’s business in residential and commercial real estate investing.

I’ve proudly been a part of this special event since its inception five years ago. I’m an outdoor girl who loves going for walks, so when I hit the ball on the wrong fairway I’m really doing it on purpose. While I’m not an avid golfer (some years this is the only time I make it on the course), I never worry because skill level is the least important part of this day. Although, as the defending champion, it certainly helps. I’m also notorious for forgetting a club or three on the green behind me, so if you come across a lonely pitching wedge, please pick it up. It’s mine.

The Pink Ballers golf tournament is meant to encourage women to put their fears aside and try something new. Pink Ballers is also about more than golfing, it’s a way of life. It’s an all-inclusive group of women supporting and empowering each other to live their best life in all ways!