From Alcohol-Fueled to Alcohol Free: Finding Middle Ground

Toni Will’s story is nothing short of inspirational. Since 2015, Toni Will has served as the Kalamazoo Wings (men’s minor league) Hockey team as Governor & General Manager. During Will’s current glass ceiling-shattering tenure, Toni has established herself as a highly respected leader in men’s professional hockey. Will is Kalamazoo’s first female general manager, the first woman ever to be named to the ECHL Board of Governors and currently sits on multiple ECHL executive committees. She has not only broken barriers but also paved the way for more women to assume leadership roles in the traditionally male-dominated sports industry. Her efforts culminated in organizing the first women’s leadership panel for men’s sports team leaders in 28 years, highlighting her commitment to fostering diversity and empowerment. Her journey has been marked by bold moves and steadfast dedication to her values, both of which have shaped her approach to leadership. In the podcast episode, Toni shares her experiences navigating through environments where social drinking is often the norm, and how she has successfully managed to remain true to her principles of sobriety.