Changing the Game (with MLSE Launchpad: Marika Warner & Bryan Heal)

Marika Warner is the Director of Research and Evaluation for community engagement and social impact initiatives at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE). Her portfolio includes program evaluation, academic research partnerships, and technology and innovation. Marika uses data to explore issues relating to Sport for Development, positive youth development, sport equity, and corporate social responsibility in professional sport.  Marika is also a retired professional dancer, a former physical therapist, and a mom. Bryan Heal is the Social Impact Research Lead at MLSE Launchpad, which involves helping a sports & entertainment enterprise drive wide ranging social impact outcomes through its investments in youth and communities - a career in sport he never thought possible growing up dabbling in baseball, football and basketball as a kid. MLSE Launchpad is located in Toronto’s urban centre of Moss Park, our 42,000sq ft space serves as an ambitious ‘living lab’ to explore and measure how sport can help improve the lives of youth. Sport For Development is a specific methodology supported by extensive research that suggests the intentional use of sport and physical activity can build healthy communities and help people reach their full potential. Located in Toronto’s urban centre of Moss Park, MLSE LaunchPad serves as an ambitious living lab to explore and measure how sport can help improve the lives of youth. MLSE LaunchPad was built and is supported by the MLSE Foundation to advance positive developmental outcomes for youth facing barriers aged 6-29.  Links:  Vote for the Sports for Social Impact podcast: ⁠https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-equality-and-social-impact-podcast/⁠ MLSE Launchpad: https://www.mlselaunchpad.org/  Change the Game research: https://www.mlsefoundation.org/news-stories/mlse-foundation-reveals-change-the-game-research-results Transathlete: https://www.transathlete.com/  ----  Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation! Sports for Social Impact was shortlisted for a Sports Podcast Award in 2023 under the 'Best Equality and Social Impact Podcast' category. Send us an email at [email protected]  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sportsforsocialimpact Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SportsSocImpact)  Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/