Laurier Grads Soar is a multi-part series that returns for it's third installment during the 2018-19 season. The segment features former Wilfrid Laurier University athletes and student-leaders in the Athletics and Recreation Department, and the success they have enjoyed since leaving Laurier. Written by award-winning journalist David Grossman, different features will be released throughout the year that will emphasize the role Athletics and Recreation played in helping them achieve success.Melanie Witzell: Founder and Agency Director, Mad Hatter TechologyShe has made her presence felt as an elite athlete, and captured many with her exceptional entrepreneurship skills as it relates to science, technology and business, but embracing Melanie Witzell is something else she considers to be very special.
While others analyze, or try to influence, Witzell wants to be known as the one who exceeds with her powerful passion, and the highest of expectations, to inspire the next generation of female leaders.
It's not an easy initiative, but Witzell has set standards before and with immense patience and exactitude, has accomplished a great deal.
“I am eager to inspire young girls to become leaders of tomorrow,” said Witzell, who is the Founder and Agency Director of Mad Hatter Technology , a digital media and marketing technology company, with offices in Kitchener and Toronto and recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award.
“Advocating for the advancement of women - it may have all started with my dad, and two brothers, in a hockey family years ago. I wasn't allowed to play hockey. I remember that well – shut out of playing. Now, with the success of women's hockey, it brings a smile to my face.”
When she was younger, as an Athlete of the Year at Resurrection Catholic Secondary, after graduation Witzell accepted a full athletic scholarship to Radford University in Radford, Va., and shuffled off to study, and play volleyball, at a school about a 10-hour drive from her home.
In volleyball, she was nominated for Rookie of the Year in the Division I Big South Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and academic studies were just as promising in the classroom. Witzell returned to Canada, studied biotechnology and genetics where she earned an Honors Bachelor of Science Degree.
It was during a post-lecture conversation in her fourth year, with a biology professor who directed the combined science and business program, that Witzell became quite interested in his advice to pursue post graduate studies at Wilfrid Laurier University.
“Something triggered in our discussion and he advised me to consider business studies - two years later I went on to graduate with a Diploma in Business Administration,” said Witzell.
A multi-sport athlete in her teen years, the summer before going to Laurier, Witzell was recruited to play soccer for a Kitchener women's premier team that went on to win the Ontario Women's Soccer League. That's when she met up with
Barry MacLean, who has coached the sport at Laurier, learned she had eligibility, and whose team had just come off a National university championship.
“For us, she was a strong and powerful player, knew how to control the ball under pressure and her personality and leadership were top notch,” said MacLean. “Our soccer program was in the Canadian Final Four for years and I could see her fitting in quite well.”
That first season at Laurier, Witzell was a dominant striker. She helped Laurier reach the 1999 Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) playoffs and was chosen Rookie of the Year for the Golden Hawks.
“Laurier rounded everything out for me academically, in addition to meeting beautiful friends in sports and business,” said Witzell. “It was shortly after (Laurier) that I launched my career.”
In those early years, Witzell travelled the world, building online exchanges and commodities trading platforms for banking institutions, venture capitalists, investors and entrepreneurs. It didn't take long for Witzell to take advantage of an opportunity – and a business was born.
With a busy work and family life, she still makes time to play a role in the community. She has mentored girls in science, technology, and math, as well as become a positive influence coaching young girls to learn and play soccer.
“I have a responsibility as a female athlete, a business leader and tech entrepreneur to help make a difference,” said Witzell, who has a personal goal of seeing the formation of a professional soccer team in her lifetime.
“Equal opportunity for women in life, business and sport is my sole platform right now – the next step forward is a professional women's soccer team and, with it, a league,” she said. “With the sport so popular in Canada, hockey taught me that things can change and people need to understand that there are roles for women in leadership.”
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David Grossman is a multi award-winning communicator and storyteller with a distinguished career in Broadcasting, Journalism and Public Relations in Sport and Government RelationsPrevious FeaturesSteve Griggs - Chief Executive Officer and President, Tampa Bay LightningSophie Kotsopoulos - Senior Director of Integrated Marketing, National Hockey LeagueMike McKenna - Former Director, Telecom, Media and Technology Investment BankingNicole Lee - Director of Integrated Marketing, National Hockey LeagueMike Bartlett - Executive Director, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment FoundationRebecca Watts - Manager, 2017 World Junior Hockey ChampionshipHugh Lawson - Director of Business Development, Staples Promotional ProductsCheryl Pounder - Former Canadian National Women's Hockey Team MemberJohn Morris - 2010 Olympic Men's Curling Gold MedalistBill Burke - Chief Executive Officer and Owner, Niagara Ice DogsTania Pedron - Manager of Administration and Operations, Maple Leafs Sport and EntertainmentWayne Kemick - BMO Wealth AdvisorDenise Burke - President, Niagara Ice DogsKevin McDonald - Vice President of Football Operations and Player Safety, CFLDr. Megan Yaraskavitch - NeurologistAndrew Agro - Director of Corporate Sponsorship and Business Development, New York JetsMarcia Powers-Dunlop - Senior Manager of Professional Support Services, Toronto District School BoardJoe Vernon - Lawyer, Miller CanfieldEmily Rudow - Founder, Oneiric HockeyTodd Cooney - Vice President and Broker, CBRE LimitedJennifer Elliott - Sports Information Officer, uOttawa Gee-GeesRohan Thompson - Social Worker and Professor, Conestoga CollegeDr. Fiona Aiston - Family DoctorJeremy Hedges - Founder and President, InksmithSadie Anderson - FirefighterAndrea Elliott - Sports Information Specialist, Ryerson RamsAlyssa Lagonia - Professional Soccer PlayerAshley Stephenson - Teacher and member of Canada's national women's baseball programJ.R. Edwards - General Manager/Country Director, Carlsberg USAGinger Whitney - Vice President, Whitney and Company Realty LimitedSandy Nixon - Loopstra Nixon law firmChristina Polano - LawyerDonnie Ruiz - CFL alum, artist, personal trainer, and award-winning body builderJahmeeks Beckford - Support Worker, Carizon Family and Community Services
