Dr Alida Shanks is a sport equity researcher and practitioner specialising in belonging, inclusion, and system-level change. With a PhD focused on gender equity in sport organisations, she brings a rare blend of academic depth and applied strategic experience. Alida works across research, governance and communication to support organisations to embed equity into their structures, culture and decision-making.
Get to know Dr Alida Shanks
Sport that shaped you the most?
Football
Your leadership superpower?
Architecting belonging: I don’t just lead people, I design pathways where people can stay, grow, and see themselves reflected in the future. I hold the big picture and the human detail at the same time. Strategy with a heartbeat. systems with soul! I translate vision into structure – big ideas about equity, safety, and opportunity become operational plans and governance frameworks that actually work on the ground. I lead laterally, not hierarchically through shared ownership – I ensure people feel part of something rather than managed by it.
Whats one thing you care deeply about changing in sport?
The "system": The current sports system was constructed more than 100 years ago for a very specific group of people which makes it not fit for purpose for today. I want to expand the field so everyone benefits, while keeping wāhine firmly at the centre of the map. I normalise courage without dramatics by challenging legacy systems that is simply framed as calm, clear, inevitable progress.
What are you most excited to contribute as part of the WISPA board?
What excites me most about contributing to the Women in Sport Aotearoa board is supporting the organisation to deliver impact now while building a strong, sustainable future. I am looking forward to the opportunity to help drive system-level change that improves outcomes for women and girls in sport across Aotearoa. I am motivated by work that takes an holistic approach, embedding equity into governance, policy, investment, and accountability. I bring a collaborative, outcomes-focused approach and experience working across diverse stakeholders to align vision with action. I am particularly driven by influencing sport environments where women and girls feel a sense of belonging – safe, valued, and able to thrive – from grassroots to high performance.
Favourite Women's Sport Platform