AWARD WINNERS
SANDY BARBOUR NIKE DI FBS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
LISA CAMPOS
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OLD * Jennifer Cohen, a nationally respected leader in intercollegiate athletics, was named USC’s Charles Griffin Cale Director of Athletics in August 2023. Since arriving at USC, she has helped position USC to win the new era of college athletics and ensure USC remains THE PLACE TO BE for student-athletes to reach their full potential in all they do.
“Receiving this award named after Sandy is especially rewarding for me. This honor motivates and inspires me to keep paying it forward through service and an unstoppable passion for lifting others towards their fullest potential.” OLD QUOTE ******
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Jennifer Cohen, a nationally respected leader in intercollegiate athletics, was named USC’s Charles Griffin Cale Director of Athletics in August 2023. Since arriving at USC, she has helped position USC to win the new era of college athletics and ensure USC remains THE PLACE TO BE for student-athletes to reach their full potential in all they do.
In 2024-25, Cohen oversaw USC’s historic transition into the Big Ten Conference. The Trojans captured two national championships (Men’s Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field), three Big Ten titles (Women’s Soccer, Women’s Basketball, Women’s Outdoor Track & Field), and national runner-up finishes in Men’s and Women’s Water Polo and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field. Eight USC programs finished in the top five of their final national rankings, and 16 in the top 25. The year culminated in USC finishing No. 2 in the Learfield Directors’ Cup – its highest ever and best among Big Ten schools.
Off the field, Cohen led negotiations on a transformational multimedia rights deal with Learfield, reshaping USC’s approach to revenue generation, NIL, and fan engagement. She also oversaw a record fundraising year, including a historic $50 million gift for the new Bloom Football Performance Center and more than tripling USC’s NIL resources through partnerships with House of Victory, South Bay Athletic Club, and others.
Cohen also restructured USC Football’s operations for long-term success, led by the hire of general manager Chad Bowden, who helped reshape the Trojans’ front office and recruit a highly ranked 2026 signing class.
Academically, USC student-athletes achieved historic performance, setting department records for cumulative GPA in both Fall 2024 (3.178) and Spring 2025 (3.240). The Spring semester saw 440 student-athletes post GPAs over 3.0, 163 earn Dean’s List honors, and 61 achieve perfect 4.0s. USC also set new records for Graduation Success Rate (94%) and Academic Progress Rate (991).
In 2024, Cohen was appointed to the Advisory Council of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, advancing the connection between college athletics and Olympic development. USC athletes won 15 medals at the 2024 Paris Games, including seven gold.
Before USC, Cohen served as Athletic Director at Washington (2016–2023), where she led the Huskies to 19 Pac-12 titles, a College Football Playoff appearance, and successful entry into the Big Ten. She negotiated a $190 million Adidas deal and made several high-impact coaching hires. Earlier in her career, she held development and leadership roles at Pacific Lutheran, Puget Sound, Texas Tech, and Washington.
A native of Arcadia, California, Cohen holds degrees from San Diego State (B.A.) and Pacific Lutheran (M.A.). She is the proud mother of two sons, Tyson and Dylan.
NELL JACKSON NIKE EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
SAM RAPOPORT
Founder, NFL Women's Forum, NFL
“As a woman who leads with conviction and commitment to supporting women sports leadership, this opportunity is sincerely appreciated. Specifically focusing on the inclusion of women and particularly women of color across all areas of sports organization's continues to be one of my deepest professional and personal interests.” OLD QUOTE ******
OLD* With decades of strategic HR leadership experience, Alberta Lee partners with her colleagues on the executive team to drive organizational excellence and cultural transformation across the enterprise. Prior to the Cavaliers, Alberta successfully led HR teams with higher education institutions. She holds a bachelor's degree from Saginaw Valley State University and a master's from Central Michigan University and an honorary doctorate in Business Administration from Saginaw Valley State University.
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Alberta Lee serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief People & Culture Officer of Rock Entertainment Group (REG), the entity behind Cavaliers Chairman Dan Gilbert’s Rock Family of Companies. The group encompasses the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers, the WNBA Cleveland expansion team coming in 2028, the AHL Cleveland Monsters, the NBA G League Cleveland Charge, and the newly formed Rock Entertainment Sports Network (RESN). REG also manages operations of key venues such as the Cleveland Clinic Courts and Rocket Arena, the epicenter of sports and entertainment in Northeast Ohio. With decades of strategic HR leadership experience, she partners with her colleagues on the executive team to drive organizational excellence and cultural transformation across the enterprise.
Prior to the Cavaliers, Alberta successfully led HR teams with higher education institutions. She holds a bachelor's degree from Saginaw Valley State University and a master's from Central Michigan University and an honorary doctorate in Business Administration from Saginaw Valley State University.
Alberta is a champion of the public through her service, demonstrated by her service on the Tri-C Community College Foundation Board of Directors, as well as her involvement with the Cavaliers Community Foundation, the American Heart Association Board, and the Go Red for Women Executive Leadership Team. She is a proud and active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and a committee member of the Cleveland part of the NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner. In addition to mentoring young professionals throughout her career, Alberta is a trusted and valued resource to leaders and organizations she engages with. She was recently identified as a Crains Cleveland Business Women of Influence.
Alberta holds a national certification as a Human Resources Professional. She is married to Cecil B. Lee, and they have two sons, C.J. (Jocelyn) and Cameron Lee, as well as one granddaughter, Cypress Rose Lee.
NIKE EXECUTIVES OF THE YEAR
Director of Athletics, Grand Valley State University
KERI BECKER
OLD* Kimberly B. Davis currently serves as Senior Executive Vice President, Social Impact, Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs at the National Hockey League, and as the President of the NHL Foundation. In her capacity as a senior executive, Kim reports directly to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and focuses on attracting, developing and retaining fans – with a specific focus on multi-cultural audiences – through culture, youth participation, and social impact initiatives.
“I’m proud to stand alongside so many trailblazing women who are pushing boundaries and changing the game by LEADING FROM THE FRONT!”
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Kimberly B. Davis currently serves as Senior Executive Vice President, Social Impact, Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs at the National Hockey League, and as the President of the NHL Foundation. In her capacity as a senior executive, Kim reports directly to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and focuses on attracting, developing and retaining fans – with a specific focus on multi-cultural audiences – through culture, youth participation, and social impact initiatives. As President of the NHL Foundation, she leads strategic funding and philanthropic investments aimed at community development, health and wellness, and promoting diversity and inclusion within the sport across North America.
Over the past year, Ms. Davis was honored as a 2024 EBONY Power 100 honoree in the “Leaders in Sport” category, recognizing her continued impact in the Sports Industry. Under her leadership, NHL Growth Initiatives Programming reached unprecedented milestones during the 2024–25 season. Female participation in the NHL’s First Shift and Learn to Play programs—introductory clinics designed to teach kids the fundamentals of hockey—rose by 16%, reflecting the League’s commitment to inclusivity and grassroots growth. The groundbreaking ‘NHL in ASL’ alternate broadcasts, created to provide play-by-play and color commentary of live NHL games to serve the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, generated more than 2 billion media impressions and earned a Sports Emmy nomination. The NHL’s ‘Hockey Fights Cancer’ campaign raised over $8.2 million for cancer research in its second year in partnership with the V Foundation. The NHL and NHLPA co-hosted the 2024–25 Industry Growth Fund Hockey Innovation Competition, challenging students from universities and colleges across Ontario to develop creative, sustainable solutions to grow the game—offering scholarship opportunities to support their academic futures. As Board President of both the NHL Foundation U.S. and NHL Foundation Canada, Ms. Davis helped direct support to nine grantees across key areas including youth development, food access, mental health, adaptive sports, education, and veteran wellness. Additionally, the NHL Foundation U.S. launched its inaugural Girls Hockey Grant, awarding $50,000 to the Columbus Ice Hockey Club to help expand opportunities for girls in the sport.
Ms. Davis has been recognized as #1 on Sportsnet’s list of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Sports, as well as honored by Sports Illustrated in “The Unrelenting” Most Powerful Women in Sports and “100 Influential Black Women in Sports.” In addition, Ms. Davis was profiled on the front cover of the 2023 Hockey News’ Power & Influence edition and recognized as #31 on the publication’s “Top 100” Most Influential Leaders in the Sport list, Essence Magazine’s “Woke” 2019 Change Agents, Adweek’s “30 Most Powerful Women in Sports,” and Sports Business Journal’s “GameChangers.” She has also been featured in Savoy Magazine’s “Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America” and Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business.” In 2012, Ms. Davis was profiled with First Lady Michelle Obama in Essence Magazine’s “28 Most Influential Black Women in America.”
KIM DAMRON
President, Sports Properties, Learfield
“This award is both a celebration and a responsibility. It is a call to keep showing up smart, strong, bold, and grounded in purpose and to continue building pathways for others to thrive.'“ OLD QUOTE****
OLD* Jacqie McWilliams Parker has served as the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Commissioner for 13 seasons and has worked for the CIAA for a total of 16 years. Although she is the first female to serve as Commissioner for the CIAA and first appointed African American female Commissioner representing NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) Division I, II and III, she is pleased there are currently eight (8) additional Black women serving as commissioner for representation at every level.
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Jacqie McWilliams Parker has served as the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Commissioner for 13 seasons and has worked for the CIAA for a total of 16 years. Although she is the first female to serve as Commissioner for the CIAA and first appointed African American female Commissioner representing NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) Division I, II and III, she is pleased there are currently eight (8) additional Black women serving as commissioner for representation at every level.
Mrs. McWilliams Parker spent nine years at the NCAA managing championships for National Collegiate, Divisions II and III, as well as the men’s and women’s Division I Basketball tournaments, which we all know as “March Madness”. She started her career in coaching, compliance, and administration at Virginia Union University with career growth opportunities at the CIAA, Norfolk State University and Morgan State University prior to the NCAA.
Mrs. McWilliams Parker earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Hampton University, a Master of Arts in Sports Management and Administration from Temple University where she established a scholarship in her name for HBCU students interested in seeking a degree in Sports management and administration. She was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Virginia State University in recognition of her leadership and service in intercollegiate athletics. She was a member of the Hampton University 1988 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship team and a member of the volleyball team earning Freshmen player of the year in 1988 and Player of the year for the CIAA in 1990. She was selected as a Women in Sports Business Journal Game Changer (2013), Hampton University Hall of Fame (2018 and 2023), CIAA Hall of Fame with 1988 Team (2023), Temple University’s Gallery of Success (2006) and Outstanding Alumni (2013), Virginia Union University Hall of Fame (2021) and the Sierra High School Hall of Fame (2004).
She has spent 30 years in intercollegiate athletics serving on various committees and boards to include being selected as the President for Women Leaders in College Sports (2020), Chair of the NCAA DII Management council and Samaritan’s Feet International Board. She currently serves on the board of directors for the John B. McLendon Scholarship Foundation, Black Sports Business Academy, Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Trustees, the Doug Williams Center Advisory Board, and she just completed serving on the NCAA Gender Equity Task Force for 10 years and recently appointed to the NCAA Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact. Mrs. McWilliams Parker lives out her mission daily to advocate, serve and transform. Sports has been her pathway to finding success and living out her dreams. She is a mentor and sponsor in the industry, woman of faith, motivational speaker, volunteers in her community, a member of the James River Valley Chapter of the Links (VA) and member of the Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple (VA).
Mrs. McWilliams Parker is the proud mother of Samone, age 19 and wife of Shaun Parker, a former Hampton University football student-athlete and coach.
CRYSTAL LANNING
Director of Athletics, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
“I am hopeful that my achievement encourages those who have ever doubted their ability to achieve their goals and dreams after setbacks to keep going. We are enough.” OLD QUOTE******
OLD* Dr. Jacqueline Schuman was named the Director of Athletics and Recreation at UMass Boston in the summer of 2021. She was named the Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Recreation in August of 2022 and serves on the Chancellor’s Cabinet and University Senior Leadership Team. UMass Boston Athletics and Recreation has experienced unprecedented growth and innovation under Schuman’s leadership.
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Dr. Jacqueline Schuman was named the Director of Athletics and Recreation at UMass Boston in the summer of 2021. She was named the Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Recreation in August of 2022 and serves on the Chancellor’s Cabinet and University Senior Leadership Team.
UMass Boston Athletics and Recreation has experienced unprecedented growth and innovation under Schuman’s leadership. In less than four years, Dr. Schuman and the department’s achievements include:
o Leading a strategic planning process that defined the future of Athletics and Recreation at UMass Boston. Advancing the Legacy of Excellence is the five-year strategic plan (2022-2027) that focuses on five key areas: Wellness, Stakeholder Engagement, Gender Equity, Capital Investment, and Advancement. The plan was built alongside and in alignment with For the Times, the University strategic plan and has paved the way for the instrumental success that UMass Boston Athletics has seen under Dr. Schuman’s leadership.
o Dr. Schuman has been instrumental in re-invigorating UMass Boston’s Athletics commitment to providing equitable athletic opportunities for female students in the following intentional ways:
The addition of two varsity athletic teams – Women's Lacrosse, who competed in their first Little East Conference season this spring and Field Hockey, who will compete in their first Conference season in Fall 2026;
An $8+ million renovation to the Clark Athletic Center, focused on Title IX improvements, including the addition of four locker rooms and new office space for all head coaches that creates a central hub for student-athlete support;
The $5+ million-dollar construction of a turf softball field, inclusive of new grandstands and a press box, providing an equitable experience for the student-athletes and one of the only Division III facilities of its kind in New England.
o Securing New Balance as the first official apparel sponsor for UMass Boston Athletics, a Boston-based brand that is aligned with UMass Boston’s commitment to investing in urban communities and the development of youth through sports
o Dr. Schuman has overseen just shy of $1.2 million in capital improvements in her tenure, tripling the yearly capital budget.
o Improved academic success efforts leading to the highest cumulative GPA for the department in over 10 years with a 3.30 in Academic Year, 2024-2025.
o Achieved the best finish in the LEC Commissioner’s Cup (competitive success) in over 5 years.
o Developed the first ever Director of Community Engagement and Inclusive Excellence position for the department and launched the first Community Engagement and Inclusive Excellence program for UMass Boston Athletics and Recreation. The program focuses on six key areas for student-athletes, coaches, and staff: education, recruitment, retention, resources, partnerships, and culture.
o Launched the first ever Beacons Day of Giving in UMass Boston Athletics and University history in Spring 2024 creating the highest alumni engagement opportunity in university history. Increased yearly giving in 2025 by 123% with 450+ alumni gifts.
o Established the Mac Singleton Fund, an endowment to support the advancement of women’s athletics at UMass Boston
o Welcomed over 5,000 unique campus members into Recreation programs and reestablished the Waterfront Recreation Program.
Dr. Schuman began her career in college athletics at Vanderbilt as a student-athlete in cross country and track and field, where she graduated cum laude. She then earned her master’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science, with a concentration in Sports Administration, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In August of 2021, she completed her Doctorate in Leadership and Learning in Organizations at Vanderbilt University.
Dr. Schuman has previous experiences serving as the Senior Associate Athletic Director at Colby College (2018-2021), Senior Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Initiatives and Talent Management at the University of Delaware (2016-2017), Division Head for Athletics and Wellness at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York City (2013-2016), Associate Athletic Director at The Catholic University of America Department of Athletics (2011-2013), Director of Student-Athlete Development at the University of Tennessee (2006-2011), and Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Welfare at Florida Atlantic University (2002-2006). She currently serves on the Board of The Base, a nonprofit organization committed to using the power of sports to engage urban young people and prepare them for life success.
While working as an education and athletic administrator, Dr. Schuman also pursues her passion for educating others in the areas of leadership, diversity, bystander intervention, and gender violence prevention through her work as a consultant both independently and for the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Sport and Social Justice. She has facilitated in these areas to athletes, coaches, and administrators at places like Vanderbilt, the University of Oregon, NASCAR, the WWE, Major and Minor League Baseball Organizations such as the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals, and the National Basketball Association’s Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Philadelphia 76ers. She has also worked with the United States Navy through Mentors in Violence Prevention Strategies.
SARAH HIRSHLAND
Chief Executive Officer, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee
“My focus has always been on servant leadership—on elevating the student-athlete experience and opening doors of opportunity, especially for women in our industry. This award is personally meaningful because it is sponsored by Nike, a long-standing and valued partner of the MEAC. OLD QUOTE ****
OLD* Sonja O. Stills made history on January 1, 2022, when she became the first female Commissioner in the history of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the first female Commissioner of any Division I HBCU conference. With more than two decades of leadership within the MEAC, Stills has been a driving force behind the conference’s strategic growth, brand elevation, and student-athlete success
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Sonja O. Stills made history on January 1, 2022, when she became the first female Commissioner in the history of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the first female Commissioner of any Division I HBCU conference. With more than two decades of leadership within the MEAC, Stills has been a driving force behind the conference’s strategic growth, brand elevation, and student-athlete success.
Stills joined the MEAC in 2002 and steadily rose through the ranks, serving in various leadership roles including Director of Compliance, Senior Woman Administrator, Assistant and Senior Associate Commissioner, and ultimately Chief of Staff/Chief Operating Officer. Her portfolio has included oversight of compliance, championships, media relations, finance, corporate partnerships, marketing, digital media, and long-range planning. She has led critical initiatives including rebranding, strategic planning, NIL policy, eligibility certification, and academic progress compliance.
As Commissioner, Stills continues to focus on enhancing visibility and sustainability for MEAC institutions and student-athletes. She has helped negotiate major corporate partnerships totaling over $683,000. Her innovative leadership led to the creation of the MEAC Esports program during the COVID-19 pandemic, positioning the conference at the forefront of collegiate esports engagement.
Among her many achievements, Stills has overseen the renewal of the MEAC Basketball Tournament partnership with the City of Norfolk, updated the conference’s strategic plan, and cultivated relationships with key industry stakeholders. Her collaborative leadership style emphasizes transparency, institutional engagement, and a shared vision for the MEAC’s future, both academically and athletically.
Before joining the conference office, Stills served at Hampton University as the Coordinator of Athletic Academic Support and Senior Woman Administrator. There, she launched the school’s first academic support program and implemented the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills initiative.
Stills is a graduate of Old Dominion University (B.S., Human Services Counseling) and Hampton University (M.A., Counseling – College Student Personnel). She also completed the Sports Management Institute and the Women Leaders in College Sports/HERS Institute for Administrative Advancement.
A trailblazer in every sense, Commissioner Sonja Stills exemplifies leadership, vision, and dedication to the student-athlete experience, making her a powerful force within the collegiate athletics landscape.
What makes this recognition so meaningful is the community it represents. It reminds me that every step forward I’ve taken has been made possible by those who paved the way before me, and by the teammates, colleagues, and supporters who walk alongside me now. This award is also a call to action. It’s a reminder that our work is far from finished. My hope is that this recognition inspires the next generation of women to dream bigger, to “beat the no,” and to know that their voices and ambitions matter. OLD QUOTE****
JANUELLE WHITE
OLD* Julie Uhrman is the CEO and Co-Founder of Angel City Football Club (ACFC), Los Angeles' professional women's soccer team that debuted in 2022 in the National Women's Soccer League. ACFC is one of the world's only majority female-founded and run professional sports teams and was recently named the world’s most valuable women’s sports team with a USD $250,000,000 valuation. Uhrman co-founded ACFC with Academy Award-winning actress and activist Natalie Portman, and technology venture capitalist Kara Nortman.
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Julie Uhrman is the CEO and Co-Founder of Angel City Football Club (ACFC), Los Angeles' professional women's soccer team that debuted in 2022 in the National Women's Soccer League.
ACFC is one of the world's only majority female-founded and run professional sports teams and was recently named the world’s most valuable women’s sports team with a USD $250,000,000 valuation. Uhrman co-founded ACFC with Academy Award-winning actress and activist Natalie Portman, and technology venture capitalist Kara Nortman.
She was named a member of One of the 50 Most Inspirational Figures in Sport by Sports Illustrated, a 2024 Brand Genius Award by ADWEEK, 2023 Sports Business Journal (SBJ) Game Changer, the 2024 Inc. Female Founders 250 List, one of the top ten Influencers of 2023 by SportsPro Media, one of the Most Influential People in Sports Business 2022 by the Sports Business Journal, and a member of Adweek's 2021 and 2020 Most Powerful Women In Sports. Most recently, Angel City Football Club was honored by ESPN as the Humanitarian Team of the Year at the 2024 ESPY Awards, in recognition of the club’s incredible community impact work. In May of 2023, Angel City Football Club was named Sports Team of the Year by SBJ and was the first women's team ever to win the category. The team also was recently recognized by Fast Company as one of 2024’s Most Innovative Companies, Fast Company 2024 Brands that Matter Awards, Fast Company’s 2024 Best Place to Work for Innovators, and to the 2024 Inc. Best in Business Awards.
A highly sought-after public speaker, Julie has spoken at events around the globe including the main stage at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Global Summit, several World Football Summits across Europe, Leaders, SBJ World Congress, Harvard Business School, Sportico, MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, SportNXT in Melbourne, Australia, Advertising Week NY and Sydney, ESPNw,
Julie is active in the Los Angeles sports and technology communities. She is a board member of the LA Sports and Entertainment Council, The Rose Bowl Institute, and the LA Sports Council, and an active executive in the LA Chapter of WISE (Women in Sports and Events), where she was recognized as a 2022 Women of Inspiration Honoree. She is also part of the DraftKings' All-Star Network as an Advisor to Drive by DraftKings and earned her FIFA Diploma in Club Management in 2024.
Before ACFC, Uhrman served as the EVP and General Manager of OTT Ventures at Lionsgate, Head of Platform Business Development at Jaunt, a virtual reality content startup, and founder of OUYA, a pioneering Android-based game console. She is a mom of two and lives in Los Angeles.
CHERYL LEVICK
Three-time NCAA Division I Athletic Director
Santa Clara, Saint Louis, Georgia State
In 2014, Cheryl founded CLL Business Enterprises, LLC, which provides one-on-one executive coaching and advisory services to college athletic administrators and coaches. In addition, she is utilizing over 35 years of collegiate leadership experience to provide consulting services and workshops to colleges and universities for leadership development, sport program assessment, organizational structure review, Title IX reviews, DEI reviews, crisis management and strategic planning for athletic departments. Since starting her business, she has helped 100s of rising athletic administrators, over 60 universities and five conferences.
“To be recognized by your peers after 45 years of service in athletic administration is truly special and a highlight of my career. Thousands of student-athletes, hundreds of coaches and athletic administrators have touched my life and made my career truly remarkable.”
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In 2014, Cheryl founded CLL Business Enterprises, LLC, which provides one-on-one executive coaching and advisory services to college athletic administrators and coaches. In addition, she is utilizing over 35 years of collegiate leadership experience to provide consulting services and workshops to colleges and universities for leadership development, sport program assessment, organizational structure review, Title IX reviews, DEI reviews, crisis management and strategic planning for athletic departments. Since starting her business, she has helped 100s of rising athletic administrators, over 60 universities and five conferences.
She is a national speaker on leadership in sport, conducts workshops nationally on professional conduct and advancement for coaches and rising administrators, and has taught a graduate level Leadership in Athletics class for the University of San Francisco. She has written the workshop series “Are You a Leader Worth Following?” and trains athletic administrators and coaches across all divisions throughout The United States. Since 2000, she has worked with NACWAA and now Women Leaders to develop, promote and place women in coaching and athletic director positions.
Before starting her business, Cheryl spent five years as Director of Athletics at Georgia State University, where she launched the school’s Division I football program, transitioned it from the FCS to the FBS, and rebuilt the men’s basketball program. While at GSU, she rebranded the athletics program, developed a master facility plan, and managed 16 sports and a staff of 105.
Cheryl also served as Senior Associate Director of Athletics at the University of Maryland (UM); Director of Athletics at Saint Louis University; and Director of Athletics at Santa Clara University. At each institution, she managed all day-today operations, budgets, fundraising, facilities and capital projects. Additionally, Cheryl spent 12 years as Senior Associate Athletics Director at Stanford University. There, Cheryl served as Deputy AD/COO of the athletic department, managed a $30 million budget, oversaw 33 varsity sports, supervised eight Olympic coaches and won 42 National Championships during her tenure. Prior to Stanford University, she served in positions at the Pac-10 Conference office and the NCAA national office. She has served on numerous boards including the Atlanta Sports Council, St Louis Sports Commission, San Jose Sports Authority, the Division IA Athletic Directors’ Association, and the Executive Board of the National Association of Collegiate Athletic Directors (NACDA). She has chaired the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics, the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Committee, and the Local Organizing Committee for the 1999 Women’s Final Four.
Cheryl’s recent honors include being selected as a 2024 Leader/Legend by the Women in Sports Association, inducted into the NACDA Hall of Fame in 2020, selected by Sports Business Journal as a “Game Changer” in 2011 and inducted into the Slippery Rock University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013. St. Louis Business Journal selected her as MostInfluential Leader in Sports and Entertainment in 2007 and her peers selected her as the Athletic Director of the Year for NCAA Division I Central Region in 2005-06 and the National Association of Collegiate Athletic Women Administrators (NACWAA) Administrator of the Year in Division IA in 2000.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Missouri and her Master of Science in Athletic Administration from Indiana University. Her family includes daughters Heather and Melissa, sons-in-law Michael and Cary, and grandsons Brady, Chase, Dylan, Rip and Coast.
Founder “Personalized Executive Training” program and Collegiate Athletics Consulting services
35 years of “hands-on” collegiate athletics administration experience
12 years as Director of Athletics at three Division I institutions
2020 NACDA Hall of Fame Recipient and 2024 Leader/Legend Recipient from the Women in Sports Association
Expertise in leadership development, Title IX reviews, strategic planning, organizational structure, and program reviews
JANE MILLER
35-Year Career in College Athletics, University of Virgina
“To be recognized with this award by colleagues I admire and respect is validation of my life’s work and a credit to all of the people who have supported me throughout my career. It is a celebration of women lifting up other women.”
Jane Miller was a member of the University of Virginia Athletics Department and staff for 35 years. Jane comes from Easton, Massachusetts. She attended Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts as an undergraduate and the University of North Carolina-Greensboro for her Master’s degree. Miller coached the women’s lacrosse team at the University of Virginia to a 12-year record of 145-44 from 1984-1995. During that time she led the Cavaliers to six NCAA National Final Four appearances and captured two National Championships in 1991 and 1993. She was the NCAA Division I National Coach of the Year in 1991. Miller also coached the UVA Field Hockey team from 1983-1991 and compiled a record of 100-65-7.
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Jane Miller was a member of the University of Virginia Athletics Department and staff for 35 years. Jane comes from Easton, Massachusetts. She attended Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts as an undergraduate and the University of North Carolina-Greensboro for her Master’s degree.
Miller coached the women’s lacrosse team at the University of Virginia to a 12-year record of 145-44 from 1984-1995. During that time she led the Cavaliers to six NCAA National Final Four appearances and captured two National Championships in 1991 and 1993. She was the NCAA Division I National Coach of the Year in 1991. Miller also coached the UVA Field Hockey team from 1983-1991 and compiled a record of 100-65-7.
Jane served a dual role of Associate Athletics Director and Head Lacrosse Coach from 1991-1994. Continuing her administrative duties in 1994, she was promoted to Senior Associate Athletics Director in 2001. In this capacity, she supervised 23 of the 25 sport programs at one time or another, served on Senior staff, numerous department committees as well as University committees. Jane chaired the Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse Committees and served on the Women’s Basketball, Baseball, Equity and SWA Committees. In 2003, Jane was named to the NCAA Championship and Competition Cabinet and became Chair in 2011. She was named to the NCAA Division I Board of Directors as the first Senior Woman Administrator to hold that position.
AWARDS AND HONORS
● Palz Z Award (Z Society), University of Virginia, 2019
● Algernon, Sydney, Sullivan Award established by the NY Southern Society, University of Virginia, 2019
● Honoree, National Girls and Women in Sport Day, University of Virginia, 2019
● IWLCA Hall of Fame,, 2019
● North East Lacrosse Hall of Fame, 2015
● ACC President’s Award, 2009
● New England Lacrosse Hall of Fame, 2006
● Oliver Ames High School Hall of Fame, 2004
● National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, 2003
● Women of Achievement Award, University of Virginia Women’s Faculty and Professional Association, 1999
● Virginia Chapter of the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, 1996
● Northeastern University Hall of Fame, 1983
ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR
“TAF has helped advance many women in our organization to positions of leadership through promotions and professional development. TAF’s support of women on our staff to be active members of the Women Leaders in Sports community is something our staff does not take for granted and we are proud to be recognized for it with this award.”
LSU TIGER ATHLETIC FOUNDATION
Since 1987, the Tiger Athletic Foundation (TAF) has served as the philanthropic force behind LSU Athletics, supporting the success of more than 500 student-athletes annually. Through scholarships, facility enhancements and funding for LSU Athletics’ greatest financial needs, TAF empowers student-athletes to compete at the highest level while preparing for life beyond sports.
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Since 1987, the Tiger Athletic Foundation (TAF) has served as the philanthropic force behind LSU Athletics, supporting the success of more than 500 student-athletes annually. Through scholarships, facility enhancements and funding for LSU Athletics’ greatest financial needs, TAF empowers student-athletes to compete at the highest level while preparing for life beyond sports.
As the official fundraising arm of LSU Athletics, TAF connects the passion of donors with the evolving needs of LSU’s 21 varsity athletics programs. To uphold LSU’s storied tradition of excellence and position student-athletes and coaches to succeed in an increasingly competitive landscape, more than 19,000 donors contribute yearly through membership programs, major philanthropic gifts and premium seating.
TAF’s priority is to provide opportunities and invest in champions. This extends beyond the walls of competition and into the day-to-day operations of the organization, as evident in the substantial investment and emphasis on professional development within the workplace. Additionally, TAF is proud to lead in workplace innovation. After reflection and review, in 2024, TAF introduced a paid parental leave program, reflecting the organization’s ongoing commitment to work-life balance and employee wellbeing. Other benefits and initiatives continue to be offered and grow to reflect TAF’s core values and investment in the work community.
This commitment is also reflected in the organization’s leadership. In a field traditionally dominated by men, more than half of TAF’s executive leadership team are women, and 21 of the 37 full-time staff members are female. Within the last year, seven women have been promoted or elevated. One standout among them is Chief Financial Officer Alicia Vidrine, who was recognized in 2024 as one of Baton Rouge Business Report’s Influential Women in Business, an honor that underscores the strength, capability, and forward-thinking leadership that defines TAF.
The organization’s commitment to developing women leaders extends nationally, with 12 staff members actively engaged in Women Leaders in Sports. TAF team members also participate in leadership service on committees and circle leads, executive coaching, and various levels of leadership programming. This focus on inclusion and professional growth also extends to the board level, where seven women currently serve on the TAF Board of Directors, and the board chair-elect is poised to become the organization’s second-ever female president.
At its core, the Tiger Athletic Foundation exists to serve LSU student-athletes, but it also helps build a stronger, more inclusive future for the entire athletics community. With the continued support of loyal donors and a forward-thinking team, TAF remains dedicated to championing excellence at LSU—on the field, in the office, and nationwide.
INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
JESSICA HUNTLEY
Senior Business Development Executive, Teamworks & Former Commissioner, Atlantic East Conference
Jessica Huntley is a seasoned leader in collegiate athletics with nearly two decades of experience spanning conference leadership, campus administration, and sport governance. As a Senior Business Development Executive at Teamworks, she draws on that breadth to support athletic departments in elevating their operations, empowering staff, and enriching the student-athlete experience.
“This award affirms the countless hours and unwavering belief we poured into establishing the first NCAA women's flag football conference. It reinforces the idea that bold ideas can become reality and that purposeful innovation can truly elevate the athlete experience.”
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Jessica Huntley is a seasoned leader in collegiate athletics with nearly two decades of experience spanning conference leadership, campus administration, and sport governance. As a Senior Business Development Executive at Teamworks, she draws on that breadth to support athletic departments in elevating their operations, empowering staff, and enriching the student-athlete experience.
Before joining Teamworks, Huntley served as the founding Commissioner of the Atlantic East Conference, a Division III league she helped launch in 2018. Under her leadership, the conference hit major milestones, including a national championship in men's lacrosse, becoming the first Division III conference to partner with BSN/Under Armour, and making history as the first NCAA conference to sponsor women's flag football as a varsity sport. These efforts reflected her commitment to innovation, equity, and forward-thinking leadership.
Her career also includes senior roles at the Centennial Conference, ECAC, and Great Northeast Athletic Conference, as well as campus-based positions at Harvard University and Bay Path College. This comprehensive perspective—across institutions, governing bodies, and student-facing roles—has made her a trusted advisor to athletic leaders navigating both strategic transformation and daily operational challenges.
A former Division III student-athlete herself, Huntley was a four-year letter winner and captain of the women’s basketball team at York College of Pennsylvania, where she earned her degree in sport management and served on the NCAA Division III SAAC. She later earned a master’s in higher education administration from Boston College. Huntley now gives back to her alma mater as an adjunct professor and advisory board member.
At Teamworks, Huntley helps athletic departments realize the benefits of a unified platform designed specifically for the demands of modern sport. The Teamworks Operating System for Sports™ brings together best-in-class tools—communication, scheduling, payments, analytics, and more—into a single, athlete-centric experience. For Huntley, it’s not just about streamlining operations; it’s about ensuring that every coach, staff member, and student-athlete has the support they need to succeed. Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons, Huntley continues to lead with purpose, partnership, and a deep belief in the transformative power of sport.
RESILIENCE AWARD
RAVEN JEMISON
President, Kansas City Current
“When I shared my diagnosis back in March, I never could have imagined the support and response from so many. This award is as much a testament to those who buoyed me with their well-wishes, thoughts and prayers as it is about resilience. I'm equally grateful for the challenge as I am the triumph.”
Raven Jemison was appointed Team President of the Kansas City Current in January 2024. She oversees all business operations and was integral as the club opened the 2024 inaugural season in CPKC Stadium, the first stadium in the world purpose-built for a women’s professional team.
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Raven Jemison was appointed Team President of the Kansas City Current in January 2024. She oversees all business operations and was integral as the club opened the 2024 inaugural season in CPKC Stadium, the first stadium in the world purpose-built for a women’s professional team.
Jemison joined the club after spending the previous four seasons as the Executive Vice President of Business Operations for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. On the court, the Bucks won their division every season of her tenure and the NBA Championship in 2021. Off the court, Jemison’s leadership enabled the Bucks to produce impressive growth across all revenue generating departments while building out the team’s data analytics capabilities.
Her sports career began in the NHL as an Inside Sales Representative for the Florida Panthers. From there she worked her way upthe corporate ladder with the Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB) and San Francisco 49ers (NFL) before joining the NBA’s Team Marketing & Business Operations, the league’s in-house consulting arm.
At the NBA, Jemison was able to use her skills and knowledge to help grow the league, while providing valuable insight to specific teams with the NBA, WNBA and G-League. She consulted with teams on all business operations, including ticketing, partnerships and marketing.
WOMAN TO WATCH
AVIGNON T. GREENE
Senior Associate, Architect, Populous
“This award is both a celebration and a responsibility. It is a call to keep showing up smart, strong, bold, and grounded in purpose and to continue building pathways for others to thrive.”
Avignon (Avi) Greene is an architect at Populous specializing in women’s professional sports. She plays a central role in building the firm’s thought leadership and design excellence in this rapidly growing market. Since rejoining the firm in 2024, Avi has helped launch and shape Populous’ Women’s Professional Sports market, leading purpose-driven strategies and collaborating closely with leagues, teams, investors, and stakeholders to deliver athlete- and fan-first environments.
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Avignon (Avi) Greene is an architect at Populous specializing in women’s professional sports. She plays a central role in building the firm’s thought leadership and design excellence in this rapidly growing market. Since rejoining the firm in 2024, Avi has helped launch and shape Populous’ Women’s Professional Sports market, leading purpose-driven strategies and collaborating closely with leagues, teams, investors, and stakeholders to deliver athlete- and fan-first environments.
With her background as a collegiate athlete and a lifelong dedication to equity and inclusion, Avi sees sport as a powerful platform for impacting the larger culture. Her recent portfolio reflects both her technical skill and personal investment in changing the industry from the inside out. She has been instrumental in shaping the design of some of the most influential women’s sports facilities currently underway, including the Denver NWSL Stadium and Training Facility.
Avi supports Populous’ values of equity, intentionality, and inclusion across every phase of the design process. Her role includes providing quality assurance, shaping design narratives, and advocating for environments that reflect the evolving needs of female athletes and their fans.
Beyond her design work, Avi actively contributes to the broader movement of women’s sports and is a trusted advisor to influencers within the industry. Known as a collaborator, Avi’s colleagues seek out her valuable insight. She has made a name for herself in the industry through living her core values of remaining inclusive, approachable, and authentic in every aspect of her work. A grounded trailblazer, Avi continues to lead with conviction and originality.
“Avi’s impact on women’s sport will be long lasting. Her authenticity and actionable inclusion is at the heart of her work,” says Sherri Privitera, Populous Senior Principal, Director of Women’s Professional Sports and Elite Athlete Training.
Avi holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Arts from Agnes Scott College, where she was a four-year captain of the softball team. She is an active member of Women Leaders in Sports, NOMA, and the Denver Women’s Sports Collective. Within Populous, she contributes to the firm’s sustainability resource group, EcoPop, and serves on PopTogether, the firm’s DEIB Steering Committee.
Avi resides in Denver with her partner and continues to drive forward the design of women’s sports facilities with clarity, passion, and purpose.
RISING STAR
LULU BLACK
Former Assistant Director, Durham Sports Commission
“This award is not only a personal milestone, but a reminder of the importance of representation, resilience, and community in this field. As a young woman navigating a traditionally male-dominated industry, I’ve come to understand just how powerful it is to have people in your corner—cheering you on, challenging you to grow, and creating space for you to lead.”
Lulu Black serves as the Assistant Director of the Durham Sports Commission in Durham, North Carolina. For the past two years, she has worked alongside a dynamic team to promote Durham as a “championship city,” leading initiatives that drive both economic and social impact through sport. Whether recruiting major events or supporting community-based programming, Lulu brings the same values she honed as an athlete—teamwork, resilience, and the belief that sports can transform lives and cities.
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Lulu Black is a lifelong competitive athlete whose passion for sports has shaped her professional journey. Raised in Indianapolis—a city renowned for hosting major sporting events like the Indy 500, NCAA Final Fours, and the U.S. Olympic Trials—she developed an early appreciation for the power of sports to unite communities and energize entire cities.
Lulu continued to pursue her love for sports at North Carolina State University, where she competed at the Division I level in Cross Country and Track & Field while earning a degree in Sport Management. During her time at NC State, she was a member of two NCAA National Championship cross country teams and gained hands-on experience across various sectors of the sports industry.
Her early career included roles with the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, the Carolina Hurricanes, an NCAA grant-funded research study, and the bid writing committee for the 2029 World University Games. It was through the bid process that she discovered her passion for sports tourism and the strategic impact of positioning a city as a premier sports destination.
Today, Lulu serves as the Assistant Director of the Durham Sports Commission in Durham, North Carolina. For the past two years, she has worked alongside a dynamic team to promote Durham as a “championship city,” leading initiatives that drive both economic and social impact through sport. Whether recruiting major events or supporting community-based programming, Lulu brings the same values she honed as an athlete—teamwork, resilience, and the belief that sports can transform lives and cities.