WSI Task Force – Strength to Strength: Continuing the Legacy of Girls and Women in Sport
The WSI new Task Force “Strength to Strength: Continuing the Legacy of Girls and Women in Sport” aims to empower and elevate the next generation of girls and women in sport by fostering leadership, amplifying diverse voices through storytelling, and addressing systemic barriers to participation and representation. Through mentorship, digital engagement, and advocacy, the task force hope to further progress the future of women in sport while honoring the legacy of those who came before.
Launched in June 2025, this task force brings together emerging leaders from around the world to tackle gender disparities in sport. Their initiatives include a storytelling series featuring short personal reels, a digital magazine, and a mentorship circle which are all designed to inspire and connect young women in sport. This task force launches a $10,000 fundraising campaign to support attendance at the 2026 IWG World Conference on Women and Sport in the UK. All additional funds raised over $10,000 will go toward supporting WSI. The group is also building a social media presence to promote inclusivity, celebrate underrepresented athletes, and drive community engagement.
Task Force Members: (Facilitaed by WSI Secretary General, Dr. Kanae Haneishi)
- Sonia Lamarre
- Natsuki Murakami
- Maka Chikowero
- Tabea Ulmere
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Sonia Lamarre
My name is Sonia Lamarre, and I am an early enrolled student-athlete at Seattle University, where I compete as a Division I soccer player. I am also a proud member of the Trinidad and Tobago Senior Women’s National Soccer Team. My athletic journey includes participation in elite U.S. youth leagues such as ECNL, ECNL Regional League, and the Olympic Development Program (ODP).
Off the field, I am a dedicated scholar and active member of the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). I have engaged in various academic enrichment and research, having had the opportunity to shadow Dr. Ben Vinson, current President of Howard University, and Dr. Margaret McKenzie, President of Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital.
I am passionate about community service and regularly participate in volunteer work within my community, striving to make a positive difference both locally and globally.
Natsuki Murakami
My name is Natsuki Murakami, and I am an international student-athlete from Japan studying Exercise and Sport Science at Western Colorado University in the United States. I play for the university’s NCAA Division II women’s soccer team.
I have been playing soccer for 15 years, since I was 6 years old. I truly believe that sport plays a powerful role in helping girls build confidence, find their voice, and realize their potential, both on and off the field.
I am actively involved in WomenSport International (WSI). In 2024, I attended CSW68 in New York and contributed to WSI’s promotional efforts through social media. Throughout my journey with WSI, I have had the opportunity to meet many inspiring female leaders who have encouraged me to take action and keep challenging myself. This is why I am passionate about empowering girls through sport.
As an international student and athlete in the U.S., I hope to bridge cultures and inspire the next generation through the power of sport.
Maka Chikowero
Maka Chikowero is a sports and gender advocate from Madison, WI, and a senior at St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul, MN. She is the founder and president of MTC Educate A Girl Inc., an athlete, a member of the UN Generation Equality Youth Task Force for adolescent girl leaders, and the immediate past president of the Rozaria Memorial Trust Girls Clubs of North America. Maka has received several awards in both Zimbabwe and the USA, including a nomination for the prestigious International Children’s Peace Prize in 2020.
MTC Educate A Girl Inc promotes volunteerism, advocacy, and community activism by providing psychosocial support to marginalized girls and survivors of child marriage. The organization also invites poverty mentors, community health workers, and law enforcement agents to speak on issues related to sexual and reproductive health and rights, abuse, and gender-based violence. MTC is dedicated to supporting orphaned girls and those from low-income and rural areas of Zimbabwe to stay in school, play sports, acquire entrepreneurial skills, and combat period poverty.
Tabea Ulmer
Tabea Ulmer is a passionate sports leader from Switzerland dedicated to bringing out the best in every individual. With a background in sports management, she has led volunteer management, youth projects, and side events at Weltklasse Zürich, one of the world’s premier athletics meetings.
Currently serving as Head of Development and Education at Swiss Cycling, Tabea combines her expertise in project management with a commitment to developing her leadership skills. She has a lifelong passion for sports, event development, and coaching, and has made significant contributions to promoting girls and women in sports through her work with organizations such as Sportif.
While international sport and global networking are relatively new areas for her, Tabea’s perspective and leadership style make her a valuable asset to any committee. Her goal is to shape the future of Swiss and international sport by ensuring equal opportunities for all, leaving a lasting impact for generations to come.