ŽșɫֱȄ

From a young age, Lara Murphy had an innate curiosity for how things were built. 

“I was that kid on the block that did all the things,” she says. Murphy grew up in a small town in New Brunswick. “I was either painting a house, picking up a drill or building a fence; I even started a business when I was 16.” 

Her can-do attitude naturally led her to sports. While she played a variety of them, soccer quickly became her primary passion, leading to a varsity career at Mount Allison University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts. By age 17, Murphy had been recruited to play soccer in England, marking her first trip overseas.

Murphy's time in Europe was pivotal, for several reasons. The discipline and leadership she developed through soccer would later become the foundation for her role as CEO of , Alberta’s first professional women’s soccer team.

At the same time, exploring Europe sparked a deep appreciation for architecture, history and construction. “Having the chance to explore the country while playing a sport I loved was such a gift,” she says. “That experience really laid the foundation for my journey going forward.”

Eventually, Murphy entered the construction industry, founding , the only female-owned commercial construction firm in Calgary. 

Her full-circle journey back to soccer would later culminate in the summer of 2024. 

Journey to entrepreneurship and leadership

On Feb. 11, Murphy will reflect on her entrepreneurial journey during a fireside chat at the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking. 

When asked to describe her chat in three words, she chooses impact, community and tenacity, with particular emphasis on tenacity. 

Murphy believes that there is strength in embracing the twists and turns that shape a unique path.

“At a certain age, you ‘hang up your cleats’ and get a real job, which is exactly what I did,” Murphy says. Little did she know that a move across the country would bring her back to soccer. 

Soon after arriving in Calgary, Murphy was introduced to Deanna L. Zumwalt, BComm'93, now the current board chair of Calgary Wild FC. At the time, Zumwalt was assembling a group to make a professional women’s soccer team a reality.

“I started as a volunteer. Once I heard about it, I instantly wanted to be involved,” Murphy says. 

Closing the visibility gap in women’s sport 

By the summer of 2024, the team had been branded and was in the process of recruiting players. While walking in the Stampede Parade, Murphy was struck by the crowd’s reaction.

“People were lining the streets, and seeing how excited so many kids were to have a professional women’s team in Alberta was huge for me,” she says. “That was the moment I realized I wanted to do more.”

“Growing up, it was really difficult for me to find female sports heroes,” Murphy says. “If you can see it, you can be it. It’s a cheesy saying, but it’s true. The development of this team felt like a shift in the right direction.”

A few months later, Murphy was named the CEO for Calgary Wild FC. 

Today, Murphy regularly gives talks about leadership and entrepreneurship, as well as the construction industry. 

She encourages women to celebrate the small wins and let go of that need for perfection. 

“I’ve noticed that a lot of women tend to rush to the next thing without really enjoying what they accomplish. And know that you don't have to be the best at everything,” she says. “I would also encourage women to hold firm to their boundaries, whether at home, at work, or with friends.” 

Building a community on and off the pitch 

For Murphy, community is central to her approach to leadership. 

“Playing sports when I was young was my first opportunity to be a part of something and feel that sense of belonging,” she says. “The world is pretty divisive these days, so it’s important to feel safe within a community.”

When she moved to Calgary 20 years ago, Murphy found herself stepping outside her comfort zone. “In some ways, it’s advantageous not being from Calgary,” she says. “It forced me to get out, become part of the community and meet people. I had to lay down roots in a different way.”

Calgary, she notes, is widely celebrated for its entrepreneurial spirit. 

“Calgary has this feeling of possibility,” Murphy says. “The city supports those who step outside the box. Along the way, there have been so many individuals who have been so important to my life.”  

Taking the stage at the Hunter Hub

Throughout the year, the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial thinking hosts inspiring entrepreneurs on campus as part of the TC Energy Ingenuity Speaker Series. In bringing innovative thinkers and doers to campus, the Speaker Series gives the University of Calgary community a chance to hear their insights and experiences, sparking conversations about entrepreneurial thinking, innovation and more. The Speaker Series is made possible thanks to the generous support of .

In her upcoming fireside chat, Lara Murphy will be joined by Dr. Gina Grandy, PhD, dean of the , to discuss what it means to break barriers in business and sport.

Event details

An Entrepreneur’s Journey in Business and Sport

• Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026
• 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
• Hunter Student Commons, 4th Floor

for a chance to hear about Murphy’s journey. This event is open to the whole UCalgary community and broader innovation ecosystem.