She’s been a part of the Moose Jaw Warriors’ organization as a billet and season ticket holder since 1992, but now Maggie Sinclair is making team history.

During the team’s annual general meeting last Thursday, Sinclair was elected to the Warriors’ Board of Directors, becoming the first female to serve on the board.

“I’m honoured and then I’m also very appreciative of the fact that Chad (Taylor) and the board felt that I could add value to the table,” Sinclair told MJWarriors.ca this week.

The Warriors have been a community owned team since moving to Moose Jaw in 1984. The team’s board plays an integral role in the governance of the organization.

Sinclair said it's a testament to the board’s awareness of diversity that they moved away from an all-male board with her election.

“It opens the door, or smashes the glass ceiling, whichever way you want to look at it,” she said. “For other strong business women that are out there thinking that they could add value somewhere, it just goes to show you there’s a seat at any table.”

Sinclair said the Warriors have shown a progressive mindset when it comes to women in recent years, pointing to the hiring of Olivia Howe as a coaching assistant.

“It speaks to what the team has been doing around diversity as a whole, we’ve got coaches, we’ve got referees and linesman that are women, so it’s not missed,” she said.

“There’s a lot of research that says that boards that have good diversity and a real good mix of career experience have a better opportunity of being successful.”

Team President Chad Taylor said Sinclair’s long history with the Warriors and her business experience will make her a valuable part of the team’s board moving forward.

“She will bring a tremendous amount of business knowledge, governance and leadership skills to the organization, which is what we are always looking for to strengthen our organization,” Taylor said.

Sinclair currently works as a the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer with Conexus and has decades of experience in banking. She said she hopes to bring that experience to the table for the Warriors’ board.

“I’ll bring a very different view of the business then perhaps what’s on the board today and I think that bodes well for the club long term,” Sinclair said.

“I love the sport and I’m pretty passionate about the team and keeping the team here in Moose Jaw long term.”

Sinclair was elected to fill a vacant spot on the board. Dave Kiefer, Darrell Markin and Rob Walchuk are all returning to the board after being appointed by acclamation to three-year terms.

The Warriors return to the ice on Friday night when they host the Regina Pats at Mosaic Place.