At the helm of what many consider the heart of Cochrane’s community, Erin Wagner, chief executive officer (CEO) of the SLS Centre, shared with The Eagle insight on her role as a leader in Cochrane, recovering after the pandemic, and the importance of International Women’s Day.
Although she holds the title of CEO at SLS Centre, she said her day-to-day is different than what her title suggests.
“Every day is different and that’s the great thing about being here, and that’s why I come into work,” Wagner said. “We have a fabulous team, so every day that I come in here, I’m surrounded by fabulous leaders, both male and female.”
Wagner described her journey to the CEO position of the SLS Centre as one that was far from linear. She joined the team in 2019 as the multi-sport rec centre’s finance leader and in August 2022, was promoted to her current role.
Her previous career experience included spending a lot of time in downtown Calgary working in the energy industry.
“I was really blessed to be part of many great organizations and work with some very respected business leaders in Calgary,” Wagner said. “Working at SLS Centre gives me the opportunity to pair my business experience with my love of sports, so it’s a good match.”
For Wagner, she said the most important people in her life are her family.
“They have been and always will be my biggest cheerleaders,” Wagner said. “My parents instilled in me the values that I hold close today, and those are: hard work, integrity, humour, love, and a desire to continuously learn.”
She also added her deep love for sports, as she said it is part of what defines her identity.
“Through sports it was a place for me to be a part of something,” Wagner said. “I developed a lot of friendships, and learned the value of teamwork.
“So, I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by fantastic coaches, teammates, teachers, and fellow leaders here.”
As a woman in an executive leadership role in Cochrane, Wagner said she is proud to celebrate International Women’s Day.
“For me, International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion,” she said. “But also recognize that we have a long way to go in terms of getting to where all genders have equal opportunity.
“And so, I can confidently say diversity is what makes our country, community, and specifically our organization great.”
For Wagner, the opportunity to be a leader – regardless of gender – is a privilege. She hopes that women who see each other in leadership roles help inspire their peers to achieve greatness.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, although her role was finance leader at the SLS Centre, Wagner said she viewed it as time of upheaval.
“You couldn’t actually come into work and live your purpose each day because our doors were closed three times for a total of eight months during that two-and-a-half-year span,” Wagner said. “So for us, it was a huge reset and for me personally, you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone.
“This centre was a leader in terms of coming out of COVID and being prepared, we opened our doors, I would say the earliest out of anyone in Calgary and area, in welcoming the community back.”
For Wagner, she said she loves simple things, and that is reflected in the advice she gives girls and young women.
“Live your values, be true to yourself, surround yourself with great people, and find purpose in your life,” Wagner said.
