Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit

We believe that strong women lift each other up. That’s why the Durham Sports Commission and Women Leaders in Sports, along with the WISE Greater Raleigh Chapter are excited to offer the second annual Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit on Thursday, April 11 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

The Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit will be an impactful event bringing together women who are passionate about sports and business. Come prepared to engage and be empowered at this one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn from industry professionals, exchange leadership insights and build a powerful network that will extend beyond the event.

Event attendees can expect diverse and dynamic programming designed to be flexible and responsive to the evolving needs and interests of the audience. We recommend arriving early for a complimentary professional headshot and joining the happy hour immediately following the event for extended networking opportunities. Registration for the event is now closed.

Building on the success of the inaugural 2023 event, this year’s summit will broaden its scope and provide a unique program tailored to individuals who have approximately seven years of professional experience or less. If you are a current undergraduate student, recent graduate, or have been in the industry for fewer than seven years, you are welcome to attend.

Read this blog post on why you should attend the 2024 Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit.

PowHer Talk Speakers

• Kendra Bulluck-Major, Executive Director, Orange Blossom Classic
• Francie Gottsegen, President, North Carolina Courage and North Carolina FC
• Tonia Walker, Senior Associate Commissioner for Strategic Communications & Internal Operations/Senior Women Administrator, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)

Roundtable Facilitators

• Shauna Barnes, Executive Coach/Associate Partner, Novus Global
• Kendra Bulluck-Major, Executive Director, Orange Blossom Classic
• Sara Daniel, Senior Vice President of Ticket and Premium Sales, Carolina Hurricanes
• Rhonda Dreibelbis, Assistant Commissioner of Sports and Championships, North Carolina High School Athletic Association
• Katharine Eberhardt, Chief Marketing & Development Officer, North Carolina FC Youth
• Kristin Frade, Executive Coach/Associate Partner, Novus Global
• LaTaya Hilliard-Gray, Deputy Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator/Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Elizabeth City State University
• Nina King, Vice President/Director of Athletics, Duke University
• Kelley Kish, Head of Pro Volleyball Operations, League One Volleyball
• Lori Krueger, Executive Coach/Associate Coach, Novus Global
• Dr. Cricket Lane, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Jenna McLaughlin, Head of College Athletics, Korn Ferry
• Jessica Rippey, Senior Associate Commissioner of Championships and SWA, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
• Chrystal Rowe, Assistant General Manager, Durham Bulls
• Heather Ryan, Deputy Director of Athletics/Student-Athlete Experience & Senior Women Administrator, Duke University
• Monique A.J. Smith, CEO, Seeds of Empowerment
• Etienne Thomas, Director of Athletics, Winston-Salem State University
• Tonia Walker, Senior Associate Commissioner for Strategic Communications & Internal Operations/Senior Women Administrator, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
• Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree, Consultant, PICTOR Group
• Donna Wilkinson, Chief People Officer, Pacers Sports & Entertainment

Programming

Registration for the Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit is now closed.

The scholarship application is now closed.

Are you in need of a professional headshot? We have you covered! Included in the cost of registration are digital headshot photos which will be emailed to event participants after the event.

Professional headshots are available on a first-come, first-served basis 60 minutes before the event and will end promptly at 1:00 p.m.

Attire during the event is business casual. We want you to be comfortable, but still professional. No ballcaps or athletic wear, please.

The Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit will be held at the Durham Convention Center, located at 301 W Morgan St, Durham, NC 27701.

The Durham Centre Parking Garage, located at 300 W. Morgan St, Durham, NC 27701, is recommended for event parking. If interested, you may secure parking in advance at the Durham Center Parking Garage for $7.00, which can be added to your event registration. Parking validation will be provided onsite for event participants who purchased in advance.

For additional parking options and hourly rates, please view the Durham parking brochure here.

Durham is a vibrant destination in the heart of the famed Tobacco Road – a place unlike any other at the nexus of college sports fandom, business development with international corporations, and darn good food. For guides on things to do, restaurants, attractions and places to check out before or after the event, visit Discover Durham’s website and start planning your visit today!

Are you interested in extending your stay in the City of Champions? The Durham Marriott City Center is attached to the Durham Convention Center. View the lodging guide to explore additional hotel properties in the city.

The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is a collaboration of the City of Durham, the County of Durham, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Discover Durham. The DSC was established in 2016 as a 501(c)(3) with a mission to create economic and social impact by leading the community’s efforts to attract, support, and promote youth, amateur, collegiate, and professional sporting and recreational events and is operated by Discover Durham. The DSC provides leadership for sports-based initiatives and create positive economic impact and quality of life in Durham and the surrounding region. Be sure to follow the DSC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with all sports-related news in Durham, NC, and other announcements.

Founded in 1979, Women Leaders in Sports (formerly NACWAA and Women Leaders in College Sports) is the only nationally recognized professional membership organization whose mission is to develop, connect and advance women leaders working in sports. Women Leaders provides career and leadership training, access to a powerful network, and the resources to advance women at every stage of their careers. Follow Women Leaders on Twitter, Instagram, & TikTok.

WISE is the leading voice and resource for women in the business of sports. Its network of established industry leaders and professional development programs provides members with the practical tools and support necessary to reach their professional goals and accelerate their careers. A registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, WISE was founded in 1993 and has its headquarters in New York City with chapters across North America, including: Arizona, Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas Fort Worth, Greater Orlando, Greater Raleigh, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York City Metro, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco Bay Area, South Florida, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Twin Cities, Utah, and Washington DC. For more information about WISE, please visit WISEworks.org.

For questions, please contact Kaila’Shea Menendez at kailashea@durhamncsports.com.