Your Trusted Advisor in the Pickleball Revolution

Pickleball Industry Expert | Strategic Consultant

With 7+ years at the forefront of pickleball's explosive growth, I've played a pivotal role in shaping the sport's future. Whether you're launching a new venture, scaling your operations, or forging strategic partnerships, my expertise can help you drive impactful results.

Some highlights of my work:

  • Created and scaled a premier pickleball coaching certification program.

  • Partnered with major brands like Nike USSC and Katy Perry’s Firework Foundation.

  • Established facility and franchise sponsorships across North America.

  • Led partnership growth for a top pickleball manufacturer.

  • Negotiated contracts for professional athletes and influencers.

  • Spearheaded high-impact marketing campaigns and event activations.

  • Collaborated with key industry organizations like PPR and USPTA.

With a network that spans top athletes, industry leaders, and decision-makers, I have the connections and experience to take your pickleball venture to the next level—whether you're a brand, coach, player, or entrepreneur.

Ready to make your mark in the fastest-growing sport? Let’s connect and explore how we can achieve success together!

About Me

With over 7 years of experience in the pickleball industry, I’m known for my larger-than-life personality, approachability, and ability to create meaningful connections. My passion lies in building partnerships that not only achieve business goals but also enrich the broader pickleball community.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked with leading brands, driving growth, boosting engagement, and creating collaborative opportunities. My sweet spot? The intersection of strategic planning, partnership development, and brand growth, where I love bringing innovative ideas to life.

When I’m not immersed in the pickleball world, you can find me cheering on my kids at their sports games, traveling, or enjoying stand-up comedy—all of which keep me energized and ready for new challenges.

Am I the Mayor of Pickleball? Not exactly.
It’s a nickname that stuck after a colleague noticed my vast network in the pickleball world. While I don’t hold an official title, I do have a talent for opening doors, making connections, and helping the industry grow—minus the campaign speeches and red tape!

At the heart of it, I’m here to use my expertise, network, and a dash of humour to help you succeed in the world of pickleball.

Get In Touch

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we’ll be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Testimonials

  • Kate went beyond expectations with our partnership by providing exceptional service to elevate our pickleball programs. She helped our pickleball operations and marketing improve faster than we would have been able to do our selves. Truly an amazing experience working with Kate.

    Zach Budd, Nike Sports Camps Canada

  • Kate is truly the TOP of the TOP in the pickleball ecosystem. A great and fearless partner, she has been instrumental in shaping the industry as we know it today. Working with her is both a privilege and a challenge—she’s exactly what every organization dreams of in a top partnerships manager. Kate is relentless in her pursuit of excellence, always ensuring that both sides come out stronger. Love having her on my side, and it’s always a battle to get the best deal out of her, which is precisely what makes her exceptional in this field.

    Gilberto (Tito) Machado, CEO of DUPR

  • The world of pickleball is filled with big personalities who have big ideas. What separates Kate is her unique and undeniable ability to execute on them. Ideas, no matter how big, are always the easy part, having the experience to pull them off and to do so with ease and excellence is truly a gift. Kate is one of those people you want on your team.

    Jason Aspes, President UPA

  • Kate and I worked together while collaborating on partnerships between Selkirk and Life Time. She is a bright and personable individual who is highly self-motivated and beyond capable of learning and adapting to anything she is faced with. Kate has always been perceived as a valuable resource and trusted for her innovative direction. She is always completely engaged with her passion and energy, while her professionalism and quality work are second to none.

    Gino Santia, National Director of Corporate Marketing and Partnerships - Life Time

  • I highly recommend Kate. She is incredibly knowledgeable and well-connected within the pickleball community. Kate provided valuable resources and insights during our collaboration, and her professionalism and dedication make her a great asset to any team.

    Steve Maniago, Portable Sports Group

  • I had the privilege to work with Kate, and she has an incredible gift of connecting with people. Amazing networking and people skills; great at collaboration and brainstorming new ideas and creating value through promotions and marketing. Her connections in the Pickleball world were incredible as well, she always knew someone and could help connect us with to resolve issues. Strong negotiation skills, and very approachable and willing to make herself available to team members and customers, which is not easy to come by anymore, and was very refreshing, and much appreciated.

    Hilary Williams, Programs & Teams Manager, Selkirk Sport

  • I highly recommend working with Kate Wilson! She is a passionate, dedicated leader in the racquet sports industry!

    Lisa Pugliese-LaCroix, Speech-Language Pathologist, RSPA & PTR Racquet Sports Professional, Love Serving Autism Founder & CEO

  • Kate is one of the most knowledgable and connected people in the world of pickleball and is always a pleasure to work with.

    Rob Nunnery, Pickleball Strategist/Advisor, Pro Player

  • Kate consistently demonstrates exceptional skills in negotiating and managing partnerships. She connects extremely well with key stakeholders and knows how to navigate complex deals that are instrumental in achieving strategic goals. Her insight into the Pickleball industry and its unique dynamics are unparalleled.

    Sam Flaxman, Strategic Advisor of Pickleball at Topnotch Management

  • Kate and I have worked together for almost two years; she is incredibly knowledgeable about athlete marketing, a fantastic negotiator, and great communicator!

    Tanner Lipson, Senior Director, Athlete Marketing & Strategic Partnerships at Independent Sports & Entertainment

  • I’ve had the great pleasure of working with Kate Wilson for about a year and a half, and she's impressive in every way. Kate is always quick to respond, incredibly driven, and works tirelessly to ensure everyone involved is better off. Her creative approach and deep understanding of the pickleball industry truly set her apart. Working with Kate is always a joy, both professionally and personally.

    Alina Leontarakis, Partnerships Manager at The Dink Pickleball

  • Kate Wilson is an absolute pleasure to work with. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication separate her from the pack. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a person to make their organization better.

    Michael Jordan, Director of Racquets at Dallas Country Club

  • Kate is an outstanding communicator. She brings the team in early to discuss how we can best leverage partnerships for marketing success, fostering collaboration and alignment across departments. When conflicts arise, her strong conflict-resolution skills come into play, and she expertly navigates difficult situations to restore harmony and keep partnerships thriving. Kate is a tremendous asset to our team, and any organization would be fortunate to work with her!

    Brynn Grissom, PR Associate, Selkirk Sport

  • Kate is a wonderful connector. She brings great knowledge of products and market together with a solution-oriented approach, and finds the right people to make success happen.

    Richard Porter, InPickleball Magazine

  • Kate is a highly professional, creative, effective person to work with. She is a true subject expert, focused on achieving goals, and delivering excellent results. I had the opportunity to work with Kate over nearly two years, and always look forward to our interactions. Would recommend!!

    Tom Webb, CMO of the APP Tour

  • Kate was an early adopter to the world of pickleball and remained a mover & shaker. I would come to Kate with complicated requests or opportunities and she was always quick to try to work together to find a solution.

    Lydia Hurt, VP of Marketing, Life Time

  • I love working with Kate. Every time we start something it always gets across the line. We did a the Swimply partnership together and were able to create a beneficial partnership for both sides. She’s transparent, creative and sees the big picture. Kate has extensive knowledge of the industry and would be an asset to any partnership team.

    Shawna Barasch Wilson, Director of Growth - Break the Love / Racquet industry leader / Connector of people

  • I am thrilled to recommend Kate, whose remarkable contributions to the pickleball industry are truly inspiring. With extensive experience spanning various roles, Kate has not only demonstrated her expertise in the sport but has also cultivated an impressive network of connections within the pickleball community. Her ability to engage with industry leaders, players, coaches, and enthusiasts alike showcases her dedication to fostering relationships and promoting the growth of the sport. What sets Kate apart is her vibrant personality. She brings enthusiasm and energy to every interaction, making her a joy to work with. Her positivity is infectious, motivating those around her and creating an inviting atmosphere for collaboration and innovation. In addition to her charisma, Kate embodies professionalism in all aspects of her work. She approaches challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset, consistently delivering high-quality results while maintaining strong ethical standards. Her commitment to excellence and her ability to navigate the complexities of the industry make her an invaluable asset. I'm happy to endorse Kate for any opportunities that allow her to further her impact in the pickleball world. She is a true ambassador for the sport, and I am confident she will continue to make significant contributions wherever she goes.

    Erika C. Spalding - Chief Marketing Officer at Dill Dinkers

Rachael Minucciani
Director of Partnerships, Selkirk Sport

“Kate is a Swiss Army Knife of expertise in the Pickleball community.

It's clear Kate is a trusted leader and well-known entity within the network and strives for excellence in all that she does.

She has established multifaceted partnerships in service of growth and expansion of the industry, created foundational building blocks with key brands and leaders in the space, and has a highly creative/strategic mindset when building a program that is meant to deliver strong results for the collective.

Kate is knowledgeable, accountable, and creative. She's a joy to be around and brings a significant amount of value to the table.”

Some Brands I’ve Worked With