This Circle Call collab between HR/People & Culture and Rising Stars brings together women leaders with varied experiences to explore what it takes to elevate within an organization. Through candid conversation and real-world experiences, the speakers will share insights on career growth, leadership development, and influence at every level.

Perkins&Will’s Washington, DC studio is excited to host a Women Leaders in Sports PowHER Hour on June 30th, bringing together women across athletics, recreation, and sports leadership in the DMV area for an evening of networking and conversation.

The event is being hosted by Perkins&Will’s Sports, Recreation & Entertainment team alongside an incredible group of Women Leaders members and advocates:

Perkins&Will Sports, Recreation & Entertainment Team

• Jennifer Williams, Practice Leader + Managing Principal, Boston Studio

• Kate Currie, Senior Interior Designer + Senior Associate, Washington, DC Studio

In Partnership With:

• Shoshanna Engel Lewis, Founder + Consultant, VH Consultant

• Catie Dugan Vargas, Associate Director of Development, United States Tennis Association

We’re looking forward to creating a fun, welcoming event for women in the sports industry here in DC!

Pride began as a protest and has also become a celebration. During this call, we’ll explore how both are essential- honoring and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community while recognizing the ongoing challenges and advocacy efforts that remain. We’ll also invite members to share how Pride is celebrated and supported within their communities, organizations, and institutions.

Bring Your Own Best Practices! In this interactive Coach-the-Coach session, we will workshop optimizing the "off-season" for ourselves and our team members. Your co-leads will kick off this fitness and wellness session with practical tools across mind, body and spirit, then open the floor to expand your personal and professional tool kit. Where have you been, and where you do you want to grow? Let's take care of that!

Balancing the Investment in Youth Sports” is a candid conversation exploring the realities of parenting in today’s competitive youth sports landscape, including the personal, financial, and emotional investments families navigate along the way. Through the perspective of moms guiding their children through sports while also building careers within the sports industry, this discussion will examine how families can create experiences that align with their own values, priorities, and resources instead of outside pressure or expectations. The conversation will also highlight the unique perspective women in sports bring to youth athletics by challenging stereotypes surrounding motherhood and the sidelines while emphasizing the insight, balance, and intentionality women leaders can contribute to the overall youth sports experience.

Balancing the Investment in Youth Sports” is a candid conversation exploring the realities of parenting in today’s competitive youth sports landscape, including the personal, financial, and emotional investments families navigate along the way. Through the perspective of moms guiding their children through sports while also building careers within the sports industry, this discussion will examine how families can create experiences that align with their own values, priorities, and resources instead of outside pressure or expectations. The conversation will also highlight the unique perspective women in sports bring to youth athletics by challenging stereotypes surrounding motherhood and the sidelines while emphasizing the insight, balance, and intentionality women leaders can contribute to the overall youth sports experience.

This panel will explore the evolving dynamic between PR and journalists, comparing the storytelling needs of local newsrooms and brand strategies of networks. We will discuss practical tactics for building mutual trust, navigating fast-moving news cycles and breaking through the noise with impactful pitches.

Join Women Leaders in Sports during the NACDA & Affiliates Convention for Cocktails & Connections, an evening designed to bring together industry leaders, colleagues, and peers for meaningful networking and conversation. Connect with fellow professionals, expand your network, and unwind with the Women Leaders community during one of the industry’s premier events.

The sports industry is evolving, and the demand for dynamic women leaders in revenue-generating roles has never been higher. Yet, transitioning into fundraising, corporate partnerships, or revenue strategy can often feel like trying to decipher an unwritten playbook. Whether you are looking to pivot from a different department, transition from outside the sports industry, or elevate your current career trajectory, this session is designed for you.

Join other leaders for a Leaders Making the Pivot Circle Call on Wednesday, June 3rd at 1pm ET

Are you ready to maximize your Women Leaders membership? Whether you are a new member or have been around for a while, join us to connect with one another and learn how to utilize your member benefits.

This Mental Health Circle Call, held in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, will be a collaborative discussion focused on the realities, challenges, and opportunities within athlete mental health support. “Beyond the Hashtag” will explore how we can move beyond awareness messaging and toward sustainable, meaningful, and culturally responsive mental health care in sports.

Join other leaders for a Student-Athlete Academics Circle Call on Thursday, May 28th at 12pm ET

This Conference Administrators Circle Call will be a positive way to close out the academic year and celebrate wins across our conference administrators.

Join this session for a focused discussion on how to design and implement a strategic plan that drives success across an athletics department. The call will cover how to align your department’s mission with institutional priorities, assess current strengths and opportunities, and identify key focus areas that support competitive excellence, student-athlete success, resource growth, and operational effectiveness.

NIL FOR ALL: Athlete Marketing in Your Local Community
While the biggest brands in the world continue to invest in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) advertising, local and regional businesses are winning big by activating with student-athletes. Learn how you can drive business results and support your favorite players – from the people writing the playbook.

Summer can be one of the most important — and challenging — seasons in small college athletics. While campuses may slow down, the work doesn’t stop.

Join fellow small college athletics professionals for a conversation on how to use the summer months with intention. We’ll discuss balancing rest and productivity, planning ahead for the academic year, tackling long-term projects, and setting yourself and your department up for success.

This Circle Call is an opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from peers, and leave with strategies to help you reset, refocus, and get ahead for the year ahead.

In this collab call with Women of Color x HR/People & Culture, we will explore how to build influence, demonstrate value, and navigate career growth with intention. We will share our career paths, unpack the invisible weight we've had to overcome, and offer practical guidance based on what we have learned along the way. Attendees will gain actionable insights to support their professional development, strengthen self-advocacy, and approach the next stage of their career with greater clarity and confidence.

Join other leaders for a panel of women leaders who are in various phases of both leadership and motherhood. Panelists will discuss how they navigate professional life by day and mom life by night (or all in one at the same time!)

Join the Denver Women's Sports Collective's (DWSC) next Sip & Social, a special joint happy hour between the DWSC, a community that supports and empowers women working in Colorado's sports industry, and Women Leaders in Sports, a national organization dedicated to building the most powerful community of leaders working in sports – fueling the growth, performance and success of women at every stage of their careers.

Join other leaders for a conversation on the ever-present “other duties assigned” and how it takes on new meaning at small colleges and universities. Hear from Circle Leads, share your experiences, and connect with others navigating multiple roles—we’re all in this together.

Join us for a candid conversation with JP Abercrumbie on building a culture that drives recruitment and retention in athletics. She’ll share insights on today’s talent landscape, real examples from campuses nationwide, and practical ways anyone can help shape a stronger team culture—no HR title required. Come ready to engage and leave with ideas you can put into action right away.

The Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit, for mid-level career women with up to seven years of professional experience who are passionate about sports and business, is an impactful event bringing together women who are passionate about sports and business. Participants come prepared to engage and be empowered at this one-of-a-kind opportunity where they learn from industry professionals, exchange leadership insights and build a powerful network that extends beyond the event. Event attendees experience diverse and dynamic speakers and programming designed to be flexible and responsive to the evolving needs and interests of the audience.

Join us on April 9 from 5:00–7:30 PM for a Women Leaders in Sports happy hour hosted by Perkins&Will. Enjoy bites, drinks, and lively conversation while connecting with fellow Women Leaders members from across the city and region. This is a great opportunity to expand your network, catch up with peers, and build new relationships within the Women Leaders in Sports community!

Join other leaders for an engaging panel of mental health practitioners across the sport industry to encourage Rising Stars with practical insight and skills to establish healthy mental wellness habits for their careers.

For Cocktails & Connections during the 2026 NCAA Women’s Final Four in Phoenix, we’re bringing together a small group of leaders for conversation, connection, and community - just steps away from the excitement of Final Four weekend.

This gathering is invite-only, and space is limited.

Join other leaders for a Women in Football Circle Call on Tuesday, March 31st at 2pm ET