Helena Konanz

Helena Konanz (née Manset; born February 1, 1961) is an American-born Canadian politician and former tennis player. She was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay in the 2025 Canadian federal election for the Conservative Party of Canada.

College career Manset attended the University of California, Los Angeles for her undergraduate degree, where she was a part of the UCLA Bruins women's tennis team, which won the 1981 AIAW National Championship. In 1982, Manset as well as her partner Kathy O'Brien were defeated in the finals of the NCAA Women's Doubles and in 1982 and 1983 she was named as an All-American. She graduated from UCLA in 1984 with a degree in political science.

Professional career After being narrowly defeated in the NCAA Women's Doubles Finals Manset began to compete professionally. Manset had competed across the world including in the US Open and Wimbledon. She reached her peak in 1987 when she was ranked 228 overall in women's doubles. She retired from professional tennis on August 17, 1987 after 5 years as a pro player.

Political career After she retired from tennis Manset began working for Nike which eventually lead to her moving to Canada to manage the first Sport Chek in British Columbia in 1992. After spending some time in the private sector, Manset (now Konanz) ran for the Penticton City Council and won with 3,737 votes. Konanz was re-elected in 2014.

In 2018, Konanz opted not to seek re-election and instead announced her candidacy for the Conservative Party of Canada for the 2019 Canadian federal election for the district of South Okanagan—West Kootenay. In September of the same year Konanz won the nomination and was formally announced as the riding's candidate by the Conservatives. In the election, held in October 2019, Konanz finished a close second to New Democratic Party incumbent Richard Cannings. In 2021, a rematch resulted in Cannings winning with an increased plurality.

In 2022 Konanz was once again elected to Penticton City Council. In the 2025 election she was elected the Member of Parliament for the newly created riding of Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay.

Personal life Manset grew up in Santa Barbara, California and later married Adam Konanz, changing her name to Helena Konanz in 1995. The couple have two children.

ITF & WTA Tour finals Doubles (1–2) ResultDateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScoreWin Mar 1987 Fresno, CA, US Hard Lisa Seemann Debbie Graham Cinda Gurney 6–3, 1–6, 7–6(7–5)Loss Jul 1985 Schenectady, NY, US Hard Cecilia Fernandez-Parker Linda Gates Lynn Lewis 6–7, 4–6Loss Oct 1983 Tokyo, Japan Hard Micki Schillig Chris O’Neil Pam Whytcross 3–6, 5–7

Electoral record