Women Leaders Podcast: Recent Episodes
Women Leaders in College Sports
Join Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports, an organization that develops, connects and advances women leaders at all levels. Every episode Patti will talk with strong, resilient, inspired and passionate women whose career paths you will find inspirational and empowering.
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders in Sports Podcast! I’m your host, Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports.
We are taking you back to Baltimore and the Women Leaders in Sports National Convention, for our powerful “In Every Room” Keynote Panel with Allison Barber, former President and COO of the Indiana Fever, Jill Ellis, President of the San Diego Wave FC and former USWNT Coach and Gloria Nevarez, Commissioner of the Mountain West Conference AND your new Women Leaders in Sports Board President!
In this impactful discussion, these visionaries and game changers share their personal journeys and valuable insights on how to get in the room, how to have influence in the room, and how to STAY in the room.
Keep listening for more perspectives from Allison, Jill, & Gloria...& remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders in Sports Podcast! I’m your host, Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports.
Today, I’m excited to be joined by our current Board of Directors President, Meg Stevens.
After 11 years as Vice President and Director of Athletics and Campus Operations at Averett University, Meg made a significant career shift, and began her new role as President of Arizona Athletic Grounds in July.
The timing of her transition, which happened shortly after our brand evolution—focusing on impacting women in the broader world of sports—was an unexpected, but perfectly timed coincidence.
We dive into the details of her new position, explore imposter syndrome, and emphasize the importance of having the confidence to seize opportunities that challenge you—not just for yourself, but for the women who will be inspired to follow your lead.
Keep listening for more from Meg and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders in Sports Podcast...I am your host, Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports.
Today I am joined by Dr. Ivana Rich, Associate Vice President & Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Edwards Waters University.
Dr. Rich made history as the first female athletic director in the school’s 155-year history...Let’s go!
We discuss career pivots, being the first and overcoming associated challenges, cultivating a growth mindset both on and off the field, and taking the necessary time and doing the work to prepare for your dream job.
Keep listening for more inspiration from Ivana and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders in Sports Podcast...I am your host, Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports. Today I am joined by Sherika Montgomery, Commissioner of the Big South Conference.
Sherika’s path to the commissioner chair at the Big South started as a student athlete in that conference, and as her career progressed includes leadership at just about every level of the NCAA.
We discuss the importance of being informed of industry changes and headlines, showing up prepared so you can show up with confidence, & how intentionally raising her hand for opportunities led her to the role she is in today.
Keep listening for more inspiration from Sherika and remember, We are Women Leaders!
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders in Sports Podcast...I am your host, Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports.
Today I am joined by Dionna Widder, Chief Revenue Officer at the Nashville Predators. Dionna is an outstanding leader and has had a remarkable career in pro sports working in the NBA, NFL,MLS and now the NHL. She has elevated quickly in all of her roles, but not without grit & determination. We talk about how she used observation as a superpower, what makes us different is what makes us valuable, the importance of actually listening in sales, and that relationships are built with people that are relatable! Imagine that. Keep listening for more from Dionna and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders in Sports Podcast...I am your host, Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports.
Today I’m joined by Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee!
With the Summer Olympics only two weeks away, Sarah explains how she is leading her team in preparation for Paris!
We also talk about leading through crisis, the importance of athlete well-being, her focus on inclusivity, the effect team sports had on her developing as a leader, and how she continues to lift others around her.
Keep listening for more incredible insights from Sarah, and LETS GO TEAM U-S-A.!!!
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders in Sports Podcast...I am your host, Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports.
In this episode, I’m joined by good friend and partner of Women Leaders, Chrissy Dunlap. Chrissy is the Chief Revenue Officer at BirdieBox, a luxury gifting solution that focuses on the creation of extraordinary personalized experiences.
Chrissy’s journey to leadership is interesting, because she elevated through the world of sales, which is somewhat non-traditional for a woman.
But Chrissy dismantles the silent objectives that we all have around sales – and we ALL need to hear this. In fact, Chrissy says that the foundation of sales is the ‘psychology of connecting with people’ and she even outlines 3 steps to take to do that at a high level.
There is so much here! Keep listening for more from Chrissy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders in Sports Podcast...I am your host, Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports.
Today we connect with Jovan Overshown, the Deputy Athletic Director & Chief Revenue Officer at Baylor University - where Jovan is doing it ALL!
We talk about her evolution into fundraising, development, and multi media rights in addition to being the primary sport supervisor for football, and she shares some GREAT advice for pivoting into new roles.
Keep listening for more insights from Jovan, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders in Sports Podcast...I am your host, Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports.
We’ve got a special one for you today as I talk with Beth Goetz, the Director of Athletics at the University of Iowa. She joins us coming off the SPECTACULAR run the Iowa Women’s Basketball program had this year…making it all the way to the NCAA championship game for the 2nd year in a row.
We ask Beth for her perspective on “The Caitlin Clark Effect”, what it was like being the A-D during this historic season, and the current state of women’s sports.
Keep listening for more from Beth, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders in Sports Podcast... I am your host, Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports.
Today we are joined by the author of THREE Wall Street Journal best-sellers and workplace strategist, Erica Keswin! Erica was a big hit as a LeaderShop speaker at our last convention and we are thrilled to have her on the podcast!
Erica's most recent book - The Retention Revolution: 7 Surprising (and Very Human!) Ways to Keep Employees Connected to Your Company – offers practical strategies for updating culture while attracting and retaining the best people...
Erica provides us with really great tactical and actionable insights, so keep on listening, buy the book! and remember, We Are Women Leaders.
Today, we take you back to our Big 12 Reception in Kansas City, taking place during the Big 12 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, where I had a chance to sit down with Commissioner Brett Yormark for a fireside chat! Keep listening for more from the Big 12 Commissioner, and remember, We Are Women Leaders.
Welcome to the Women Leaders Podcast. Today is a very special episode as I'm joined by Sheri Fella, the founder and CEO of Bloombase, an executive development firm that focuses on increasing the high-performance impact of executives and teams.
Sheri here today to talk more about her career journey, leadership and working with executive coaches. Listen in and remember, We are Women Leaders.
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders in Sports Podcast...I am your host, Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports.
Today we have a VERY special guest – Angie Long, Co-owner of the NWSL Kansas City Current. Angie and her husband Chris are not just making an impact on the NWSL and Kansas City, they are creating a legacy for women’s sports. We discuss how it all began, including bringing the team to KC, the hiring of staff, building the FIRST-of-its-kind training facility, and of course, the new best-in-class, first female sport specific stadium in the world - CPKC Stadium...with the home opener just 2 weeks away! The women leaders staff and Board of Directors got a sneak peak of the stadium a few weeks ago - we were blown away! Angie also shares insights on leadership and the journey to leadership; how to make big dreams a reality, and how she balances two full-time jobs and 4 active kids. WOW. Listen in, and remember, We Are Women Leaders.
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders in Sports Podcast... I am your host, Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports.
Today we are joined by Desiree Reed Francois - Women Leaders board member and University of Missouri’s FIRST female and woman of color Director of Athletics!
We had Desiree on the podcast several years ago, episode 48 actually, and talked through her career journey, her why, and other leadership insights. So, if be sure to check that one out if you haven’t.
This conversation is focused on creating a Championship Culture, which Deisree has done at Mizzou in a very short time.
Everyone wants a “championship culture” but how do you actually build it? Desiree lays out the exact road map for building and sustaining it.
She shares the “secret sauce” on getting buy-in, the importance of measuring everything, and insights on hiring the right people, which she’s done A LOT of in her 3 years with the Tigers.
There are some really great tactical and actionable insights here. So listen in, and remember, We Are Women Leaders.
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders in Sports Podcast... I am your host, Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports.
We have a special episode coming to you straight from the College Football Playoff last week in Houston. In partnership with the CFP, Our “Celebrating Female Playmakers” event brought together over 200 women and men to connect and listen to a great conversation between top industry experts. And now we bring it to YOU!
The FIRE panel included:
- Jen Cohen, Director of Athletics at USC
- Boo Corrigan, Director of Athletics at NC State University
- Rosalyn Durant, Executive VP, Programming & Acquisitions at ESPN/Disney
- And Judy MacLeod, Commissioner at Conference USA
We discussed the seismic impact of football in today’s market, as a driver and influencer in college sports. And with women and people of color underrepresented in football leadership, this group tackled what needs to be done to accelerate change in representation at the top. There are SO MANY insights in here for women looking to lead in sports and break through these longstanding barriers.
So, join me, as we take it back to last week's event....and remember, We Are Women Leaders.
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders in Sports Podcast... I am your host, Patti Phillips. Today, we have a special episode on the Deputy Mindset that was recorded during our 2023 National Convention that took place in October. We will hear from these four talented women shaping their organizations as great Number 2’s:
- Carrie Michaels, Senior Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator at Shippensburg University
- Heather Owen, Deputy Athletics Director and SWA at Stanford University
- Jill Redmond, Deputy Commissioner at Missouri Valley Conference
- Summer Hutcheson, Senior Associate Athletic Director Internal Operations and SWA at Washington University St. Louis
During these candid Ted Talks, you will hear what it means to be in the deputy role from several different perspectives- as each one has impactful insights. You’re really going to love Carrie’s unique list of the “Deputy Dirty Dozen”.
Make sure to stay on until the end to gain insights from the open and honest discussion between the audience and panelists during the Q&A. Let’s dive into the mindset of a deputy....and remember, We Are Women Leaders.
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders In Sports Podcast…I’m Dr. Angel Mason, Director of Athletics at Berry College. I’ll be taking over for Patti Phillips on this special podcast episode, coming to you straight from the 2023 Women Leaders National Convention in New Orleans earlier this month!
The Women of Color Conversation is one of my favorite parts of Convention each year – our Women of Color Virtual Circle community comes to LIFE, and with over 300 members in attendance, I had the opportunity to sit down with the one and only Angela Taylor!
Angela is an equity and inclusion strategist, executive coach, motivational speaker, podcaster, TV analyst…she’s an all-around ROCKSTAR who shares with us what is needed to be in place for impact and excellence as Women Leaders.
Be sure to join the Women of Color Member Circle on ENGAGE if you haven’t already, for part two of this conversation with Angela at a later date.
Lets dive in and we remember…We Are Women Leaders.
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders In Sports Podcast…I’m Patti Phillips, and today, I’m NOT your host. We have a very special episode for you though, as we give our community a behind the scenes look into our decision to evolve our brand to be more inclusive of all women working in sports.
Nicole Auerbach, a leading voice in college sports, will help facilitate the conversation– Nicole is a senior writer at the Athletic, serves as a studio analyst for the Big Ten Network and is a radio host for SiriusXM!
I’m also joined by Women Leaders President and Director of Athletics at the University of Pittsburgh, Heather Lyke
We’ll discuss the organization's history, the “why” behind the evolution to Women Leaders in Sports and how our mission remains steadfast – to develop, connect and champion women to advance and be a powerful influence in sports.
I hope you enjoy learning more about our brand evolution, and if you aren’t a member, that you will join our community!
We Are Women Leaders.
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders Podcast. I’m your host, Patti Phillips…And I’m super excited about today’s conversation.
We all want to be able to speak as well as we think, right? Well, get your notebook ready! Communications expert Angie Bennett joins me for the ultimate coaching session.
Angie, a long-time friend of Women Leaders, is the Senior Vice President at Dardis Communications, where she’s been teaching people how to share their gift, for the past 12 years.
Just a few tips you’ll learn are why communication is physical, how to develop an elevator pitch, how to “Brief the Boss’ – this is one of my personal faves, and how to develop confidence in public speaking.
Whether you’re a seasoned leader or looking to ace your next interview, Angie’s communication coaching will resonate with you.
Let’s dive into this masterclass in communication…and remember, We Are Women Leaders.
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders Podcast. I’m your host, Patti Phillips…
Today I am thrilled joined by the President of Baylor University, Dr. Linda Livingstone! President Livingstone, a former Division I Women’s Basketball player and the current chair of the NCAA Board of Governors, has led Baylor through an impressive transformation during her tenure that started in 2017.
Throughout our conversation, she breaks down her leadership style and the importance of creating a culture that works. Hear straight from the President on what qualities she looks for when hiring and tactical leadership skills women can improve on to land the next role.
We also talk candidly about the slow pace of women elevating into the Athletic Director level, and she provides ideas and strategies on how to change that.
Lots of great nuggets here, let’s dive into this important conversation…and remember, We Are Women Leaders.
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders Podcast. I’m your host, Patti Phillips…
Today I’m joined by Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Commissioner Sonja Stills! Sonja is the first woman commissioner in the conference’s history, as well as the first woman commissioner of a Division 1 HBCU Conference…talking about Kicking Glass!
There are so many great insights in this conversation – including the importance of going above and beyond in your job, and how that will always pay off for you down the road. Sonja says jobs are not a-la-carte, and she gives great examples from her career about how saying yes and taking initiative pays off.
She also passionately and clearly talks about the importance and benefits of HBCU’s. Let’s dive into this insightful conversation…and remember, We Are Women Leaders.
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders Podcast. I’m your host, Patti Phillips…
Today we honor and celebrate Juneteenth - the day that enslaved black Americans in Texas became free. Juneteenth gives us an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.
In this episode, we take you back to a vital conversation that took place at our 2022 National Convention in Kansas City, where Dr. Angel Mason, Director of Athletics at Berry College and one of our Women of Color Circle Leads, sat down with Colorado College President L. Song Richardson, for an honest discussion about race and gender.
President Richardson, a legal scholar, lawyer, and expert on implicit racial and gender bias, has dedicated her career to civil rights and equity.
These two women leaders tap into the importance of celebrating the victories, but also point out the challenges still ahead, and why we need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Let’s dive into this important conversation…and remember, We Are Women Leaders.
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders Podcast. I’m your host, Patti Phillips…
I’m excited about this episode which highlights the strategies leaders use in recruiting and hiring top talent. It’s obviously a topic that plays a crucial role in shaping all successful organizations.
And we’re joined by two rockstar Women Leaders, who have excelled in the world of college sports and are at the forefront of hiring talent at their Universities.
Kristy Bayer - the Athletic Director from Rockhurst University Has been the lead or part of most hires during her 20-year career as a head coach, senior ranking and deputy AD, and now as athletic director, and has incredible insights on how to stand out and succeed in the hiring process.
Jenny Borg is Notre Dame’s Senior Associate Athletic Director – Strategy & Culture. Jenny has held roles as supervisor of employee services, as consultant to Human Resources, and advisor to athletics strategy, all of which has required a keen eye or recruiting talent that builds winning cultures.
Together, Kristy and Jenny share their insights on everything from how to get noticed, get and win an interview, and what not to do during interviews.
Whether you're job hunting, a hiring manager, or interested in the dynamics of building a winning team, you won't want to miss this conversation!
Let’s dive in! And remember, We Are Women Leaders
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders Podcast. I’m your host, Patti Phillips…
I’m excited to bring today’s episode to you as I talk with two phenomenal women about their experiences with Making a Pivot in their careers:
Jenn Hunter currently the Chief Impact Officer for the Big 12 Conference, pivoted from the pro sports space after working at the Portland Trailblazers for nearly four years.
Joining her is Angie Torain, the Director of Athletics and Recreation at the University of Chicago, who made the pivot from working in Division l at The University of Notre Dame to Division lll to sit in the chair at Chicago.
Both women talk about how their varied and diverse experiences transferred to their new roles in new arenas and ultimately, allowed them to bring (or add) value in transformative ways. They not only explain how they navigated these big changes but give tangible actions steps on how to make a pivot and be successful doing it!
Jenn and Angie are CRUSHING it and I can’t wait for you to hear their stories. Let’s dive in! And remember, We Are Women Leaders.
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders Podcast. I’m your host, Patti Phillips. Today, I’m here with a very special guest, Laura Gassner Otting, Washington Post Best-Selling Author and Speaker – Yes, the same Laura who delivered an epic keynote speech at our 2022 National Convention in Kansas City! I’m excited to have her on the podcast today to talk about her newest book - Wonderhell! Which is Inspired by conversations with movers and shakers, ground-breaking leaders, entrepreneurs, and of course, her own experience with success. The title of the book actually threw me, until she explained that success isn’t a destination, its a portal. What we thought was the pinnacle of achievement (its a wonderful!) is instead a door that invites us to live up to the burden of our newfound potential (which can be hell!) aka WonderHell! This is exactly the kind of book we all need to help us get to that next level in our professional and personal lives by structuring the chapters as an amusement park. Chapters such as Impostortown, The Carousel, and The Tunnel of Love metaphorically take us through the burden of newly discovered potential of success and life. Grab a copy of Wonderhell here! Let’s dive in! And remember, We Are Women Leaders.
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders Podcast. I’m your host, Patti Phillips…CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports.
Today we bring you part two of our series on Managing Up, and we have Texas A&M in the house!
I am joined by Kristen Brown, Deputy Athletics Director, and Senior Women’s Administrator…and Ross Bjork, Director of Athletics. They are a dynamic duo, and we have a great convo.
Kristen is an all-star coming to Aggieland in 2020, after serving as an Associate Athletic Director for administration at the University of Maryland since 2014. She has a huge portfolio at A & M, and obviously manages up to Ross.
Ross is an industry veteran with a proven track record of success AND empowering women at every stop in his career. He has managed up to many leaders throughout his career, and currently manages up the President of Texas A&M, Katherine Banks, who also happens to be the first woman president he has worked for.
This is a continuation of the conversation from our last episode, where New York Times Best Selling Author Lindsey Pollak discussed the concept of Managing Up. It was a great follow-up to hear from two industry executives who do this day in and day out with, and for, one another.
If you missed the last episode, make sure to go back and give it a listen, because no matter where you are in your career, managing up is essential to getting you to that next level!
Here we go with part 2...enjoy! Remember, We are Women Leaders!
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders Podcast. I’m Patti Phillips, and I am pumped to kick off the first episode of our two-part series on Managing Up!
I am joined by Lindsey Pollak, New York Times bestselling author and one of the world’s leading career and workplace experts and WOW!...She nailed it!
We have been hearing from so many leaders that today’s workforce isn’t executing on Managing UP at a high level, or at least as much as we used to. Lindsay explains why, and then gives tips on what to do about it.
Whether you are in your first job, a middle manager, or are leading an organization, this conversation is for you! It is literally, a MUST LISTEN.
Let’s dive right in with Lindsey! And remember, We are Women Leaders.
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. In this episode, I’m joined by Judy MacLeod, our 2020 Women Leaders Executive of the Year winner, and the first female commissioner of a FBS conference. We dive deep into Judy’s career journey - She has excelled in the industry for years as a coach, athletic director and most recently in her current role as Commissioner of Conference USA. You won’t want to miss our open dialogue on how her team is navigating the landscape of change and conference realignment, and how they leveraged that to secure an exciting new broadcast deal for the conference. Judy also touches on how her time on campus set her up to succeed as a Commissioner, the importance of serving on national committees, and how she has navigated being the “only woman” so many times in her career. Don’t miss a moment of this conversation...and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports.
A few weeks ago, we attended one of college sport’s biggest event: the college football national championship in Los Angeles! In partnership with the College Football Playoff, Women Leaders hosted a panel and reception at the Grammy Museum.
I sat down with four industry leaders including: Gloria Nevarez, Commissioner of the Mountain West Conference, Desiree Reed-Francois, Athletic Director at the University of Missouri, Diana Sabau, Deputy Commissioner & Chief Sports Officer at the Big Ten, and Mike Bohn, the Charles Griffin Cale Director of Athletics at the University of Southern California.
This panel did not disappoint...we discuss why football continues to take up so much of the conversation within college athletics, the obstacles and biases that have prevented women from leading athletic departments with prominent football programs (although that is slowly changing), and how we can leverage the power of football to help move us forward.
Let’s jump right into the conversation and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Hello, happy new year, and welcome BACK to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports.
We are excited to bring you a really special episode to start the new year - our all-star keynote panel from our record-breaking 2022 Women Leaders National Convention in Kansas City.
The keynote panel featured three powerful women leaders and catalysts for Title IX - Mollie Marcoux Samaan, Commissioner of the LPGA, Angie Long, Founder & Co-Owner of the Kansas City Current, and Nikki Fargas, President of the Las Vegas Aces. All of these women are consistent winners in everything they do and are creating winning organizations where female players and teams are thriving.
The conversation was so powerful and enlightening that we knew we had to bring it to our broader audience! Just a few of the important topics we discuss are investing in women sports to create change, how to leverage the momentum behind women’s sports right now, and what it takes to be a force for change in the next 50-years of Title IX.
There are SO MANY great leadership insights and moments of inspiration from this conversation!
Let’s dive in and remember, we are Women Leaders!
On this episode, we take you back to the 2022 Women Leaders National Convention in Kansas City! If you were in attendance, I hope you are STILL feeling inspired and energized by ALL our incredible speakers, breakout sessions and connection moments. My soul was set on FIRE!
One of the many powerful keynotes brought Holly Rowe, ESPN reporter and play-by-play commentator, on stage for a candid and empowering conversation with the President of the Las Vegas Raiders, Sandra Douglass Morgan.
They chat about Sandra’s journey to becoming the first African American woman president in the NFL. Sandra sheds light on her personal career journey, shares SO MANY good leadership insights, and encourages us all to advocate for ourselves.
I enjoyed being in the room for this interview and I am very excited that we can bring it to the Women Leaders Podcast.
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports.
On this episode, I hand the mic over to the super talented Jill Bodensteiner, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Saint Joseph’s University! She is joined by Julie Cromer, Director of Athletics at Ohio University and co-chair of the NCAA Transformation Committee, and Brynn Carlson, University of Missouri Volleyball player and Chair of the D-1 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee!
This conversation dives into the work of the transformation committee and the future of college athletics from both the perspective of a student athlete and an Athletic Director.
They talk through several important topics, including the importance of student athletes having a voice, inclusive equity in sports, how the new transfer rules are playing out, and the overall impact these changes are having on college athletics.
There is obviously so much here, and it’s super timely. A big thanks goes out to Jill for moderating such a great conversation!
I enjoyed listening to this SO much and know you will too. Don’t miss a moment of this Podcast Takeover. Enjoy, and remember...We are Women Leaders!
The Women Leaders in College Sports National Convention is BACK. And In-Person!
Join us in Kansas City October 9th through 11th for three power-packed days of inspiration, connection, and growth!
In the 50th Anniversary year of Ti tle 9, Women Leaders is embracing transformation and... Rising Bolder, Rising Higher, Rising together!
Register now! and learn more online at WomenLeadersInCollegeSports.org/Convention/
We are PhoenIX Rising!
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports, And I am so excited to share this special podcast with you! It’s actually a throwback from the 2021 WOMEN LEADERS X keynote line-up - that’s right we are bringing our Podcast listeners the Leadership Masterclass which featured SIX Women Leaders sharing their best advice on how to kick glass and other leadership lessons from the top. If you are an aspiring leader, this conversation is for you!
You’ll hear from Adia Barnes, head basketball coach at the University of Arizona...Melissa Christian, Vice President of Global Brand and Category Marketing at Dicks Sporting Goods...Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee...Kim Pegula, Owner and president of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, Doctor Erika James - Dean of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania...And Romaine Seguin, former President of Global Freight Forwarding at UPS and current CEO of Good 360. During this rapid-fire conversation you’ll get tips on how to advocate for yourself, leading through the unknown, the importance of relationships, and advice for the STRONG Moms out there!
Don’t miss out on this masterclass. Enjoy, and remember...We are Women Leaders!
The Women Leaders in College Sports National Convention is BACK. And In-Person!
Join us in Kansas City October 9th through 11th for three power-packed days of inspiration, connection, and growth!
In the 50th Anniversary year of Ti tle 9, Women Leaders is embracing transformation and... Rising Bolder, Rising Higher, Rising together!
Register now! and learn more online at WomenLeadersInCollegeSports.org/Convention/
We are PhoenIX Rising!
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today, I'm joined by Allison Kern, Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics at Cal State East Bay!
Trust. Authenticity. Intentionality. Vision. – Just some of the main topics we break down in this engaging conversation where Allison gives great perspective on how to be a successful leader In college athletics.
A former student-athlete and head women's basketball coach, Allison shares some important thoughts on non-traditional leadership and changes across the college athletics landscape.
Leading through change, disruptions and transitions are a huge part of every leadership journey, and we touch on all of that, including her transition from private institutions to a public one.
And as we continue to celebrate 50 years of Title IX, Allison shares how this milestone has impacted her, and why she is constantly grateful for the opportunities Title IX afforded her in life.
There are so many great insights throughout this conversation!...Don’t miss a minute of it, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
The Women Leaders in College Sports National Convention is BACK. And In-Person!
Join us in Kansas City October 9th through 11th for three power-packed days of inspiration, connection, and growth!
In the 50th Anniversary year of Ti tle 9, Women Leaders is embracing transformation and... Rising Bolder, Rising Higher, Rising together!
Register now! and learn more online at WomenLeadersInCollegeSports.org/Convention/
We are PhoenIX Rising!
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today, I'm excited to be joined by Candace Campbell Jackson - the Vice President and Chief of Staff to the Chancellor at Syracuse University.
Candace, who is also an executive coach, brings a unique view of leadership and higher education outside of the sports landscape.
Get ready to take notes! You are about to experience a masterclass in leadership straight from one of the best. Candace provides tip after tip on how to succeed as a leader at any University or Organization. She covers topics like how to turn your energy on, the importance of intentionality, and knowing you always having something to offer - no matter how big or small!
This episode will help give you the edge as you design your life and your WHY! Whether you are a woman of color, an aspiring senior leader, or just starting your career in sports, this conversation will give you actionable steps to take on your path forward.
There are so many great insights throughout our conversation...Don’t miss a minute of it, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
The Women Leaders in College Sports National Convention is BACK. And In-Person!
Join us in Kansas City October 9th through 11th for three power-packed days of inspiration, connection, and growth!
In the 50th Anniversary year of Ti tle 9, Women Leaders is embracing transformation and... Rising Bolder, Rising Higher, Rising together!
Register now! and learn more online at WomenLeadersInCollegeSports.org/Convention/
We are PhoenIX Rising!
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today, I’m excited to be joined by the Vice President of NCAA Division III, Louise McCleary.
Louise brings 20 years of leadership experience and insights to our conversation, and thus shares several great tips for advancement. She also talks about what she believes are the 2 most important reminders for leaders, so have your pen and paper handy.
Most of Louises life’s work has been devoted to DIII schools and student-athletes, and Her passion for DIII shines through as she breaks down the rewarding experience of DIII participation and talks about some of the D III focus areas for the future.
There’s lots of great insights throughout our conversation, including some interesting dialog around navigating a role at the national office,
Don’t miss a minute of it, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
The Women Leaders in College Sports National Convention is BACK. And In-Person!
Join us in Kansas City October 9th through 11th for three power-packed days of inspiration, connection, and growth!
In the 50th Anniversary year of Title 9, Women Leaders is embracing transformation and... Rising Bolder, Rising Higher, Rising together!
Register now! and learn more online at WomenLeadersInCollegeSports.org/Convention/
We are PhoenIX Rising!
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports.
We have another special guest this June as we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX – the new CEO of the Women's Sports Foundation, Danette Leighton, who also serves in an ex officio role on the Women Leaders board.
I talk with Danette about her career path, which includes stops in pro sports and at the PAC-12. Danette’s career portfolio is broad and much of it has included experience in or focus on women’s sports, particularly in the marketing of women’s sports, and she shared some fascinating insights on that front.
I ask Danette about her transition to the CEO role – how it came about, what she has focused in her first two months on the job, and advice she has for those of you looking to advance into the CEO role.
We also spend a lot of time talking about the Women’s Sports Foundation, and their focus during this important year, the 50th anniversary of Title IX. She shares the WSF perspective on the milestone, some of its initiatives, and ways we can all get involved and continue to move the needle.
We dive into the Women's Sports Foundation report- “50 years of Title IX: We’re Not Done Yet”....and why now more than ever; we all must be protectors and advocates of Title IX.
Check out this episode notes for links to the powerful research from the Women's Sports Foundation and be sure to sign the Demand IX pledge!
Don’t miss a moment of this conversation. Enjoy, and remember...We are Women Leaders!
50 Years of Title IX: We're Not Done Yet: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/articles_and_report/50-years-of-title-ix-were-not-done-yet/
Pledge to Join the Fight: https://act.nwlc.org/a/demand-ix/
The Women Leaders in College Sports National Convention is BACK. And In-Person!
Join us in Kansas City October 9th through 11th for three power-packed days of inspiration, connection, and growth!
In the 50th Anniversary year of Title 9, Women Leaders is embracing transformation and... Rising Bolder, Rising Higher, Rising together!
Register now! and learn more online at WomenLeadersInCollegeSports.org/Convention/
We are PhoenIX Rising!
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today we’ve got a very special guest...It’s MIA HAMM – yes, you heard that right -MIA HAMM.
It was an honor to sit down with Mia at Boston College recently, for their “Celebrating 50 years of Title IX” event which was presented by the council for women at BC!
Mia is not only the best women’s soccer player ever, but also one of the most important and recognizable female figures in the history of sport.
But...without Title IX, you would probably not be listening to this podcast. Mia Hamm would not have won four consecutive NCAA Soccer Championships at University of North Carolina. She would not have two Olympic gold medals. She would not have two World Cup Championships.
Mia is an outspoken advocate for Title IX and gender equality. Now an active owner of Angel City FC, Mia talks to us about the important evolution going from wanting a voice at the table, to a seat at the table, to wanting to OWN the table!
Of course, we can’t sit down with Mia Hamm and not talk about the epic 99 run... And why there are NO MORE excuses for not investing in women's sports.
Mia shares her life lessons from sports and how she instills those in her children, along with some great suggestions for parents of athletes.
She offers so many great pieces of advice here! Don’t miss a moment of this conversation with one of the most legendary sports figures in the world. Enjoy, and remember...We are Women Leaders!
The Women Leaders in College Sports National Convention is BACK. And In-Person!
Join us in Kansas City October 9th through 11th for three power-packed days.
We’re Rising bolder. Rising higher. Rising together! As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of title nine.
Registration opens June 21st....Learn more online at WomenLeadersInCollegeSports.org/Convention
We are PhoenIX Rising!
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today, we are back for round two with Andrea Williams, now the Chief Experience Officer for the NBA Utah Jazz.
When we last talked to Andrea on episode 38, she had just moved from the Commissioner of the Big Sky to become the CFO of the College Football Playoff. Now that she’s made the jump to pro sports as a CXO (that’s chief experience officer – coolest job title ever) with the Utah Jazz we thought it was time for another check in.
Listen in to hear how her work in college sports prepared her for this new role, how her leadership has evolved since being the Commissioner of the Big Sky, and what she believes is the most important skill that leaders possess.
We discuss the similarities and differences between working in intercollegiate athletics and pro sports, as well as the barriers women and women of color face in both spaces. And we talk about and how to overcome those.
Lots of great info here so don’t miss a moment of it. Enjoy, and remember...We are Women Leaders!
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today, we are talking to Rachelle Paul, Director of Athletics at Saint Peter’s University. You all have heard of St. Peter’s by now... the small Jesuit school in New Jersey that was the first 15-seed ever to make the Elite Eight during the NCAA Men’s basketball championship.
Rachelle first shares her journey to the AD chair and emphasizes the importance of relationships throughout her career. And in her short time as AD at Saint Peter’s, Rachelle has faced several historical moments: navigating COVID in her first year and then navigating the historic run of her MBB team during this year’s March Madness.
Listen in to hear the behind the scenes of that historic run, and all of the challenges, learnings, and excitement, from an athletic director's perspective. Rachelle shares many great insights on how to build on that type of momentum for both the athletic program and the university. We talk quite a bit about sport being a unifier, especially teams that win, and that winning is contagious. And I happen to really love the advice she gives at the end.
It's such a fun conversation! Don’t miss a moment... And remember, we are Women Leaders!
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today I’m talking with Dr. Roberta Page, Director of Athletics at Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania.
Roberta is back home at her alma mater, after previous stints that included an AD role at Shippensburg, and 12 years as the Director of Championships at the NCAA. She said she gave away a lot of national championship trophies at the NCAA and is excited to build that championship culture at Slippery Rock, and she talks about how to do that.
I loved hearing Roberta’s story about how it all begin…when she convinced her parents to sign her up to play on an all-boys youth football team, because she just wanted to play. And she talks about how even at a young age, she focused on inclusivity which has been foundational in her leadership and career in athletics.
Roberta uses her platform to be her authentic self and to bring positivity to campus to inspire her staff to be their best selves for not only athletes, but all students at Slippery Rock. Being positive is defiantly one of her superpowers.
There’s so much great info here, don’t miss a moment of this great conversation! And remember, we are Women Leaders!
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today I’m talking with Angel Mason, Director of Athletics at Berry College in Rome, Georgia.
Angel has a fascinating journey to the chair, including playing basketball overseas and being a high school athletic director. She shares with us her journey of self-discoveries, intentional moves, life decisions, and lucky breaks that got her to where she is now.
Angel believes in bringing your authentic self to work every day. She knows her strengths, and she works with her challenges. In fact, she says she’s actually an introvert operating in an extroverted role—and she shares rituals that help keep her energy up. She is buoyed by gentle confidence and tells us humility is essential because we don’t reach leadership positions or do the work alone.
Don’t miss a moment of this great conversation! And remember, we are Women Leaders!
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports, and today I’m talking with Kim Damron, CEO of Paciolan, a leader in ticketing, fundraising, marketing, analytics, and technology for live entertainment organizations. Kim has been at Paciolan for 16 years, initially as the COO, a role she loved. In fact, she never imagined herself as a CEO, and you need to listen in to hear how her jump to CEO in 2017 happened.
As the leader, Kim has navigated enormous change, including an acquisition and the Covid-19 pandemic. Through it all, she says communication, transparency, and being there for employees were keys to maintaining trust and a healthy culture. In fact, many practices started during the pandemic, such as company-wide town halls, have been continued because of their positive results.
Paciolan was founded based on an inclusive culture, and Kim has carried on that legacy. 69% of Paciolan employees are women and minorities, which is fabulous. She shares tips on her hiring practices that help achieve this.
Kim is a leader with a growth mindset and her team reflects that. In the process of managing a diverse workforce, Kim has learned a lot about being a leader. We cover topics like the need for confidence going into a new role, gaining followership from employees, being an empathetic, authentic leader but also having thick skin, and prioritizing time to care for oneself so you can perform at your best.
Don’t miss a moment of this great conversation! And remember, we are Women Leaders!
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. For this episode, we’re doing something different! We’ve brought in two incredible leaders - former Women Leaders board member and athletic director at the University of Washington, Jen Cohen, and former UW head football coach, Chris Petersen, and the conversation is powerful. Jen and Coach Petersen are inspiring, seasoned leaders with a strong relationship based on mutual learning - and they share some of their most significant and valuable leadership lessons in this conversation.
Jen and Coach P worked together for six years at the University of Washington. During that time, they developed shared goals for the program, reciprocal trust and humility, the ability to anticipate each other’s needs, and fill gaps for one another. All of this stemmed from their willingness to do the work to become self-aware so they could create positive change within themselves and those they lead.
Our conversation covers a lot of ground on the topic of leadership from the lens of two leaders, in very different roles, but who were aligned in their belief in the purpose of leadership.
We dive deep on everything from the skills Coach P thought made Jen an outstanding football sport supervisor and then athletic director, to the paradox of leadership, the importance of modeling the behaviors you want to see from the people you lead, how to maintain perspective, and how to learn to lead in the storm.
There is a ton of great content here, so don’t miss a moment of this inspirational and thought-provoking conversation! And remember, we are Women Leaders!
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today, to start the new year, I’m excited to share this illuminating and inspiring conversation with Jill Sharp, a performance and health coach for leaders and teams. This is the perfect way to start the new year!
For the past 17 years, Jill has been on a mission to create positive change and unleash potential. She is an expert in the field of energy and performance, and she supports those looking to sharpen their personal and professional edge.
Jill tells us that the linchpin in our ability to perform in life lies with our energy—how much we have and how well we manage it. In fact, much of how we show up and what we can deliver in life is about energy management, not time management. And we’re talking about more than just physical energy—we are talking mental, emotional, relational, spiritual.
So if you want to thrive this year, listen in as Jill shares her Performance Formula, which can also be a template to help you set your goals and intentions for the year.
This includes thoughtfulness about your mission and goals, mindset, training, and more. And guess what, we are always training our bodies and minds, whether we are conscious of it or not.
Jill shares her performance formula and talks about how she coaches people to be fully in the driver’s seat of their lives. Don’t miss a moment of this conversation! And remember, we are Women Leaders!
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today I’m sharing an insightful conversation with Dena Freeman-Patton, the Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics at California State University-Dominguez Hills.
Dena grew up a child of educators, and although she played rec softball and informal basketball growing up, high school was the first time she played organized basketball. That was early enough for her to earn a Dl scholarship!
It was through one of a few internships that she discovered her love for working in sports. Her longtime inclination to support others influenced her decision to pursue academic advising in college athletics.
But as she climbed through the administrative ranks in Division I athletics departments, Dena reached a crossroads. Through career training and conversations with connections and mentors, Dena realized she needed to change the industry perception of her and her skillsets, and she chose to become more strategic about moving up in athletics. She embarked on a 360-degree reflection, started “cross-training” (as she calls it) with trusted colleagues who could lend new skill sets, and set boundaries on what career moves would or would not be right for her.
In our conversation, Dena reminds us that we are in control of our career paths. She emphasizes that transparency allows leaders to be both effective and known...and being known leads to opportunities.
Don’t miss a moment of this conversation! And remember, we are Women Leaders!
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today I’m sharing an uplifting conversation with Sam Rapoport, the Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the National Football League.
Sam started playing football at age 12 in Canada, ultimately rising to play for Team Canada and pro tackle football teams. By the end of college, she knew she wanted to work in pro football. Sam landed an internship with the NFL by pitching herself as a quarterback who could deliver a ball 386 miles—from Montreal to New York City. Sam still recommends finding ways to stand out.
In two stints with the NFL, Sam has brought significant change to the league, spearheading programming to retain, develop, and promote qualified diverse candidates into the football operations pipeline at NFL clubs and the league office.
Rapoport created the Women’s Careers in Football Forum in 2017, which served to inspire and connect qualified women to football operations positions in professional and college football programs. As a result, 82 female coaching, scouting, and operations candidates have been hired in the three-year period, a record number.
By developing strong relationships and giving people reasons to believe in her, Sam forged a unique path in the NFL and proposed bold new initiatives. Sam tells us that sometimes, doing something new or different might not be well-received. Figuring things out and proving her credibility helped remove some of the obstacles and has created truly impactful change. Don’t miss a moment of this conversation! And remember, we are Women Leaders!
In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares an energizing conversation with Sherryta Freeman, Director of Athletics at Division I Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania.
Sherryta fell in love with the administrative side of sport while she was a student-athlete and athletic department intern at Dartmouth College. After graduation, she landed at the Ivy League conference office—and her trajectory in the industry, eventually landing in the athletic director chair, was in motion.
A collaborative leader, Sherryta learned early that when you focus on excelling where you are, new opportunities come, and that all the relationships you build along the way prepare you for whatever lies ahead.
In our conversation, Sherryta talks about why the book Essentialism had such an impact on her, and
She stresses prioritizing and letting the little stuff go while still doing great work and moving forward. Her message for all women is one she tells herself every day, “You got this”!
Don’t miss a moment of this conversation! And remember, we are Women Leaders!
In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares an uplifting conversation with Diana Sabau, the new Deputy Commissioner/Chief Sports Officer at the Big Ten Conference.
Diana recently shifted to the Big Ten after 27 years at The Ohio State University, where she started as an intern after college. Despite her unique longevity at one institution, change is one of Diana’s life mantras. She always finds ways to change, grow, and move forward—and to do so, she reminds us that performance predicts promotions. She has relied on taking advantage of opportunities, taking risks with bold innovations, and leaning into bright colleagues, trusting them to carry the water with her.
Diana admits that when she was young and impatient, she didn’t know what she wasn’t ready for. She learned to value relationships, her energy and its impact, and the process of developing trust over time, which often happens by listening rather than doing. You’ll hear how Diana’s long stint at Ohio State helped shaped how she shows up every day—and put her in the right position for her newest role.
Don’t miss a moment of this conversation! And remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares a timely and enlightening conversation with Dr. Nicki Webber Moore, the Vice President and Director of Athletics at Division I Colgate University in Hamilton, New York.
Nicki has a unique and powerful lens as an AD. With a doctorate in sport psychology, she is acutely aware of the importance of mental wellness as an essential part of overall health for both student-athletes and her staff. Nicki, a national leader in matters impacting the student-athlete experience, talks about her leadership style and how she upholds the particular needs of student-athletes and promotes the professional growth of her coaches.
Nicki also shares how her career in athletics administration bloomed early—as a student-athlete who jumped into campaigning and fundraising for a new facility. Since that time, she has carried with her and benefitted from two major lessons: no relationship is disposable, and it pays to say yes to new professional opportunities that increase your value.
Nicki is an accomplished and humble leader who will inspire you—don’t miss a moment of this conversation! And remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares a striking conversation with Sarah Dehring, the Athletics Director at Division III Alma College in central Michigan.
Sarah has a fascinating story about growing up on Mackinac Island near Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. This beautiful, tiny island has only 500 year-round residents, requires a ferry or plane ride to the mainland, and has no cars. Sarah’s graduating high school class had only eight students! Clearly, her path to becoming a college athlete, coach, and AD is unique! You’ll hear how her island upbringing has deeply influenced her choices and leadership style.
On multiple occasions, unexpected circumstances propelled Sarah in new directions and helped shape her career. In turn, she learned to take advantage of opportunities and make sacrifices to get where she wanted to go. She also shares how genuinely and transparently connecting with and relating to others became her leadership superpowers—whether through mentoring her staff or shoveling snow off the bleachers alongside them.
Don’t miss a moment of this conversation! And remember - we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares an inspiring conversation with the new Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Denver Broncos, Dr. China Jude.
China is the perfect example of writing one’s own story. I wasn’t aware that China didn’t work in college athletics until her 30s—she started with stints in broadcast journalism, community-focused nonprofits, and the Naval reserves. But Her penchant for learning and growth, plus her ability to adjust as needed, allowed her to pivot on her terms when opportunity knocked—including to Division I and II coaching and athletic director positions and, most recently, to the Denver Broncos.
A Chicago native who played volleyball in college, China says she was always incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives into her roles long before DEI had a title in the workplace. and she did it even when others suggested she not discuss these issues, that it was too aggressive, and the conversations were too uncomfortable. But, with her goal to be a positive force in helping others, China focused much of her work as an athletic director on DEI issues—and she made an enormous impact. Getting buy-in from leaders and talking candidly about the why of this work are key approaches, she says.
China shares how she honed her strengths in creative thinking, storytelling, and resourcefulness, plus her love of football, in shaping her career path. She emphasizes a powerful message of staying true to yourself, especially during temporary detours.
Don’t miss a moment of this conversation! And remember - we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips share an engaging conversation with the director of athletics at Gannon University, Lisa Goddard McGuirk.
Lisa’s experience highlights the power of a growth mindset on a career path—including a not-quite linear one. She is a firm believer in figuring things out, and says there is always a solution to everything.
Raised on a farm, where helping with chores was imperative—and in a family and community that wholeheartedly supported her love of sports—Lisa learned about being resourceful and believing in herself. That drive has sustained her through an inspiring career spanning coaching, teaching, and being an athletic director at three institutions, with stints in all three NCAA divisions.
Lisa humbly shares how she vaulted from coaching to the athletic director's chair—despite never having previously held a position in administration. She emphasizes the importance of transferable skills, a willingness to see various perspectives, and a collaborative work style. She shares that being able to communicate about skills and passion in the interview process can ensure advancement. Lisa also touches on finding an institution that is the right fit and balancing life as a parent, both key elements in her continued success.
Don’t miss a moment of this conversation! And remember - we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares an inspiring conversation with the Director of Athletics at Mississippi Valley State University, Dianthia Ford-Kee. Dianthia’s energy and zest for life is undeniable. Those qualities, she says, stem from humble beginnings. Growing up playing backyard basketball and softball games with family, she never imagined that her love of those sports would lead to being a dual-sport collegiate athlete, 6-time conference champion Head Coach, AND a Director of Athletics. Her passion for helping others and mentoring young people is palpable, and truly inspiring. The fact that a former colleague became a president and then came calling for her reminds us that we are always interviewing for the next job through our performance every day. And just as important, she never shied away from making a connection or taking the next opportunity when it came knocking. In our conversation, Dianthia opens up about her experience working in all 3 NCAA Divisions, why she has chosen to only work at HBCU’s and what her experience was like being the only female administrator in her department for many years. We also talk about her experience taking the initiative needed for department evolution and how being intentional about lifelong learning positions you for impact. Don’t miss a moment of this conversation! And remember - we are Women Leaders! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares an insightful conversation with the Commissioner of the Patriot League, Jennifer Heppel.
Jen’s pathway to the Commissioner chair not only included extensive NCAA office and committee work, campus and conference office experience, but also what she calls “becoming an accidental student-athlete.” A long-time competitive figure skater turned collegiate ice hockey player, Jen translated her love for the sport and tireless discipline into a long career of leading and impacting the student-athlete experience.
In our conversation, Jen opens up about her two stints working at the BIG Ten Conference Office – totaling 12 years, including why she left and why she agreed to go back,
We also talk about her belief in why diversity of thought and experience is critical to effective team building and why it should be top of mind in hiring decisions while building your own staff and team culture. Plus, Jen shares best practices for using your voice at the national level, understanding governance structures, and why it’s never too late to get involved!
Don’t miss a moment of this conversation! And remember - we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares a great conversation with the Deputy Director of Athletics at Rutgers University and current Women Leaders Board Member, Sarah Baumgartner.
Sarah’s impact at Rutgers has not only elevated the institution to competition at the highest level in the BIG10 Conference, but inspired women across the country to pursue a career in development. She is no stranger to bold leadership and has trailblazed record-breaking multi-million dollar fundraising efforts for capital projects at Rutgers in the last 4 years.
There is no better advocate for working in external relations than Sarah, as she has her hands full with oversight of the majority of extrinsic touch points for athletics. Her philosophy on relationship building and developing skill sets are just some of the many reasons that she has succeeded in her role. But much of what has prepared her for her current role began when she was handed Men’s Basketball as her FIRST sport supervisory role at Mizzou Athletics, and she hasn’t looked back since!
In our conversation, Sarah opens up how hiring 13 head coaches in 4 years has taught her about the value of surrounding yourself with good people, why flashy resumes don’t always get you the job and how remaining present in her work and life helps her to be the best in every moment, no matter where she is.
We also talk about why you should always raise your hand if you are interested in taking on new responsibilities, how being a working mom allows her kids to see the very best of her and why collaboration and empowerment allows her to see projects through with excellence and efficiency.
As Sarah says, “If you can bring great attitude and great energy to anything, you can lift the world.” Don’t miss a moment of this conversation! And remember - we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In today’s podcast, Patti Phillips shares a great conversation with the Senior Director of Athletics at Auburn University at Montgomery, Jessie Rosa.
Jessie’s childhood dream was to be the athletics director at AUM and today, she is not only living that dream - but also inspiring the next generation to follow their own dreams. Like many, her journey to the chair did not come without hearing a few “no’s” first and engaging in some crucial conversations with herself and others.
A former dual-sport student-athlete at AUM, Jessie was dismissed from the basketball team during her freshman year. Despite this often being a taboo topic in athletics, she shares openly about how that experience transformed her philosophy about providing others second chances and why, “it’s your responsibility as the leader to set the tone.”
In our conversation, Jessie opens up about how she used her institutional knowledge as a selling factor in securing her full-time role as AD and how the process of removing the “Interim” tag from her title at AUM influenced the ways she looks at hiring her own staff.
We also talk about how transparency and communication are the most critical components of leadership, why evaluating a candidate’s career trajectory during the interview process matters more than wins and losses and why it’s important for women to “stop considering it and just do it” for aspiring moms in athletics.
Don’t miss a moment of this conversation and remember - we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares a great conversation with the Director of Athletics at Knox College, Daniella Irle.
Her highly decorated 20-year head coaching career in Division I Swimming and Diving, paired with a masterful 15-year administrative career, has made Daniella a force in this industry and beyond. She is no stranger to defying the odds and when we say resilience changes lives, there is no better example of this than her.
Leaning into self-awareness and committing to personal growth has been the story of Daniella’s advancement and prompted a critical pivot in her career to working in Division III athletics - a decision she’s made and never looked back.
In our conversation, Daniella opens up about her experience working in athletics during the wake of Hurricane Katrina and how it became the catalyst for her transition from coaching to administration. The skills that she had already spent so many years refining in her coaching career, she says, were immediately transferable and “translate at any level of leadership.”
We also talk about shifting your mindset as a decision-maker when becoming an AD, why perfection isn’t everything, how the biggest difference in each division is simply the decimal point on your budget.
As Daniella says, “It’s always time to be aspiring.” Don’t miss a moment of this conversation! We hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares the highly anticipated conversation with the commissioner of the WNBA, Cathy Engelbert.
Cathy is an innovative and people-first leader who has made an immediate impact on the WNBA in her first 18-months as Commissioner. Cathy is no stranger to leading through crisis and navigating challenges -as she spent 33 years at Deloitte, including 4 years as CEO.
During this conversation, Cathy shares how important it is to do small things of symbolic value to build trust as a new leader. In fact, it was the trust that Cathy intentionally built from day one as Commissioner that allowed her to quickly and successfully negotiate a groundbreaking Collective Bargaining Agreement; and then execute an entire WNBA season in the “wubble”.
Cathy dives into the wubble life, and also talk about how WNBA plyers used their platform to drive social justice issues during a time when our country was plagued by racial unrest. And of course, we can’t talk to Cathy without discussing the orange hoodie movement – a marketing strategy that became a symbol of more than just women’s basketball!
Cathy is a woman who ascended to the highest levels of leadership – but she never chased a title or position - she instead aspired to LEAD. I think that’s such an important point for us to remember. Not everyone can be a CEO, she says, but everyone can be a leader! Cathy and Patti discuss all of this and SO MUCH more in this passion-packed conversation – you don’t want to it miss!
We hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
Welcome to the 100TH EPISODE of the Women Leaders Podcast!
Since 2017, powerhouse women from all corners of the collegiate athletics industry and beyond have shared their career and leadership journey with us on the Women Leaders Podcast. With over 122,000 all-time downloads in just four years and an average of 4,000 downloads per month, these conversations have provided timely and impactful insights to our listeners by covering relevant and relatable topics for women leaders at all levels - (like being THE FIRST or THE ONLY, managing up, navigating transitions, being a mom in athletics, building and sustaining organizational culture, and so much more).
Today, for our 100th podcast episode we are talking with the 2021 Women Leaders Executive Committee: Sandy Barbour, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at the Pennsylvania State University, Heather Lyke, Director of Athletics at the University of Pittsburgh and Jacqie McWilliams, Commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).
All three of these women leaders have shared their personal career story as a previous guest on the Women Leaders podcast - for the 100th episode they are back and here to engage in a different conversation.
These three will be YOUR truth tellers for all things career advancement- sharing their personal learnings, observations and best advice on career strategy so that you can position yourself for the job you want and advance into higher levels of leadership. Listen in to hear what Heather Lyke sees at the “greatest gift” you can bring to your athletics department, Sandy Barbour tells us why she hires who she hires and Jacqie McWilliams talks about the critical skills of managing up AND down to lead at the highest level.
And most importantly - all three leaders tell us why women should be opting in, NOT out right now in our industry and how to own and elevate your leadership presence!
Watch or listen in to get a front row seat of my conversation with three of the best women leaders in the business! Yes, that’s right - you can WATCH the 100th podcast! We’ve recorded the video and posted it to the Leadership Hub video library so you can get a behind the scenes look at the Women Leaders Podcast. Be sure to check it out and remember, we are women leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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In this podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Valerie Cleary, director of athletics at Portland State University
Val has somewhat of an underdog story that reminds young women that a career in sports is possible! A small, farm town girl from Northern California who never aspired to be an athletic director - Val used her undergrad experiences as a tour guide, orientation leader and sorority sister to find her passion for higher education, which led to a Masters in Counseling and Student Development, a degree she uses every single day.
While Val has spent many years in higher education, she was only in athletics for 1 year before being asked to serve as the interim AD, which says a lot about her skillset and leadership abilities. She has since been hired into two different athletic director roles and is thriving.
Find out she created her own “search firm” for hiring new coaches, developed her philosophy around what “fit” for a department really means, and how she makes sure everyone working under her has a voice in the process. Val also talks about how GIRL POWER is important in her life thanks to the “Big Sky (Conference) Strong Squad,” and why leading by example is so important- especially as we continue to care for our mental health in times of uncertainty.
Managing up in athletics, she shares, is crucial to success - and Val is no stranger to this skill as she has navigated not one, but THREE presidential transitions in just three years. Being a quiet observer, communicating goals, learning your supervisor’s learning style and getting to know your boss’s support team are some of the tricks she has learned along the way. There are nuances to her style, though, that are brilliant.
We hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by CEO and Founder of Brave Enterprises, a great friend of Women Leaders and former convention keynote, Crista Samaras
Crista is a coach, entrepreneur, and power-packed, energetic pep talk master who has coached thousands of people to feel great about themselves and to accomplish things they never thought possible,
And while her energy is infectious and not to be forgotten,, she is a brilliant teacher, practitioner, and believer in research and stats. There is endless substance behind her inspiring message., that will make you feel ready to CRUSH IT.
Crista’s career journey is one of discovery, bold passion and relentless curiosity about this thing called life. She grew up in a family of 6 fellow lacrosse athletes who all competed at the collegiate level, and she talks openly about how her struggles as a Princeton student-athlete taught her the true definition of grit and why it is important to “know your controllables.”
Both of these learnings now serve as core components of the curriculum she has created for Brave Enterprises, which mentors and molds leaders of all ages to BRAVE their FEAR.
In our discussion, Crista bravely opens up about living with depression and the ways she manages it, like building her “circle of trust team” and coaching them on how to communicate with her when she is depressed. What Crista shares here is the kind of vulnerability and transparency that changes lives. She reminds us that sharing our experiences allows us to better support one another.
Crista also talks about the difference between being BRAVE, and being fearless. And she shares some tools on how to do that, like understanding Motivation, Method, and Mindset, and remembering the BRAVE sandwich, which includes Purpose, Bravery, and Curiosity. She also gives tips on navigating uncertain times which includes understanding the difference between facts and feelings. Simple, but so very powerful!
We hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Philips is joined by Director of Athletics at Montana State University-Billings, Krista Montague.
The first female athletic director at MSU-Billings AND at a NCAA institution in the state of Montana, Krista has spent her entire career in athletics supporting and pouring her heart into the community that helped to shape her. We talk about how the journey from staff, to interim AD, to Athletic Director has contributed to her now 22-year career at MSU-Billings.
I love this story about Krista’s early introduction to sports – which came when she was able to shadow her grandfather, who chose to coach girls basketball at a time when girls and women were just beginning to have the opportunity to play. Her time at practices, on the bench, and on the bus really shaped her love of the sport, and she went on to earn a scholarship to play at MSU-Billings – and by the way, her daughter plays there now as well!
In our conversation, Krista shares her thoughts about how women feel pressured to choose between career and family, but explains that it is possible to have both!
We also talked about her leadership philosophy, which includes the importance of being a good listener, meeting people where they are, and setting expectations but then getting out of the way and letting people do their work.
There lots of great insights here! I hope you enjoy our conversation and remember; we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics at Saint Francis Brooklyn College, Irma Garcia.
With a breadth of knowledge in many areas across this industry, her heart for using them all to better the lives of others is what makes Irma a true Woman Leader! Starting as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach and now the Athletic Director, she has used every moment of her 32-year career at her alma mater to uplift and inspire.
The first Hispanic female to step into the Athletic Director chair at the NCAA Division I level, she says the resiliency of her Brooklyn roots inspired her to pursue her passion for playing basketball and use her voice to better the college athletics industry. Irma’s philosophy on molding student-athletes into impactful world citizens has guided her through stops at every level of coaching and administration. Teaching has always been her first love, but she believes a good teacher always becomes the student.
That mindset, she says, has helped her to become a more versatile leader through the dual-pandemic our country has faced in 2020. She reminds us that education is the key to addressing social injustices in our communities and shares how life-long learning has impacted her approach to addressing this on her campus.
In our conversation, Irma talks about how she leads her team with passion, love and smiles! She shares what it means to be “Brooklyn Tough”, how Women Helping Other Women (WHOW) has molded her experience as an Athletic Director, and why family values play a role in her journey. She also teaches us how to incorporate “no, but” into your vocabulary and tips for learning to “Move the Room and move Zoom.”
We hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today, I am excited to be joined by current Women Leaders Board member and the Executive Director of the Centennial Conference, Portia Hoeg.
Portia has a broad experience in the world of collegiate athletics, that includes an all-star student-athlete experience, an internship at the WBCA, administration stops at 5 different colleges, almost 8 years in the AD chair, and now a year and a half as a commissioner. And throughout every step of her career, she has been a steadfast advocate for collegiate athletics at the NCAA Division III level.
In our conversation, Portia talks about discerning great opportunities, the current realities of the ethnic minority population in Division III, using her voice during the health and racial pandemics that our nation faces, and what it has meant to her to be the first African American woman to ascend to the Commissioner role at the DIII level in any conference.
Portia also shares best practices for how she uses her calendar to her advantage for integrating her life as mom, wife and leader, and how she and her husband, who also serves as a coach and administrator in this industry, manage it all.
Lots to unpack here! I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by the Director of Athletics at Palm Beach Atlantic University, Courtney Lovely Evans.
Courtney has ascended to the AD chair quickly, although this was not necessarily her goal in college. It was actually the opportunity to work for two female leaders at Georgia State that opened her eyes to collegiate administration.
In our conversation Courtney talks about the 3 types of decisions we are all faced with, her ideas on hiring to weaknesses, having a fearless approach to “friendraising,” and the value of a personal board of directors, especially while making choices in transition.
She shares about how her stops at Georgia State University and the NCAA National Office fueled her passion for positively affecting the student-athlete experience, and credits those positions with forming her use of storytelling and relationship building to advocate for her student-athletes.
Finally, Courtney also opens up about how “being the only” was part of her journey to becoming the first minority administrator at Palm Beach Atlantic named to both the university’s cabinet and the athletic director chair. Her philosophy on “leading with love,” she says, has not only been her guiding force in leading her department through the racial and medical pandemics in our nation, but also in her approach to engaging in conversations daily on her campus and in the athletics space.
Lots to love here. I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
In this podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by a true trailblazer, Dr. Candice Storey Lee, the Vice Chancellor for Athletics & University Affairs and Athletics Director at Vanderbilt University.
Candice’s’ appointment is historic as Vanderbilt’s first female athletic director AND the first African American woman to lead an athletics program in the SEC. We talk and how she has handled that, AND the COVID and racial pandemics that hit our country shortly after she started her role.
In fact, We dive into the experience of “racial battle fatigue” and how campus culture shapes student-athlete experiences today!
Her values of service and duty have allowed her to flourish through many periods of transition. Growing up in a military family, Candice attended 14 schools before beginning her now 25 year career at Vanderbilt; a career that includes two additional higher ed degrees and various leadership roles within the athletic department that she now leads.
Candice had a successful college basketball career in the SEC, and she talks about how she discovered her talent for building a team and harnessing the discipline needed to accomplish her goals through the sport.
We also discuss how relationships built on integrity and trust have been the difference makers in her career, There are so many insights here.
We hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Mollie Marcoux Samaan, the Ford Family Director of Athletics at Princeton University.
Mollie’s journey to the AD chair is a unique one, having never worked in college athletics prior to accepting the role at Princeton. We hear this a lot on the men’s side, but not as much with women.
Mollie did start her career at a boarding school where she held many jobs, including coaching the girls ice hockey and soccer teams.
But she soon landed an entry level job at Chelsea Piers and began a 19-year run there that saw her elevated into several different leadership roles, including Exec VP of Chelsea Piers Connecticut. Mollie said her experience there, which included work in events, fundraising, marketing and business operations to name a few, more than prepared her to lead at Princeton. And not so much because of the work she was doing, but because she was constantly challenged to learn new skills in new areas, which forced her to continue to cultivate a strong growth mindset!
In this conversation, Mollie gives great tips on hiring coaches -she’s had 14 successful hires in her tenure- and again, had not worked on a college campus previously,” , , and we discuss leading in times of crisis. Princeton was one of the first schools to cancel competitions when Covid hit, and she talks through that communication process, She also talks about the “MYTH of stress” - which also happens to be the title of one of her favorite books.
She shares a TON of great advice here, like “play life like you play sports” which includes picking your teams wisely. Amen!
We hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Michelle Morgan, Senior Director of Athletics and Recreation at John Carroll University.
Michelle’s mission in life is to “make a mark on the world with a skate on one foot and a black pump on the other” and there is no doubt this mission is evidenced in her reality.
Michelle grew up as an ice hockey student-athlete and used her love of the sport to propel her career. She was the first female awarded a scholarship from the Chicago Blackhawk association, at age 18, which presented further opportunities for her to work with both the NHL and NFL. But her transition to college athletics came unexpectedly, when she helped write a ‘Director of Marketing’ job description for her alma mater and decided to apply in the process.
In our conversation, Michelle talks about the importance of developing a solid network and skills relevant to our industry; which for her, included participation in the 2016 Women Leaders Institute for Administrative Advancement.
She also discusses the realities of relocating for a job and its impact on your personal and professional life. For Michelle, self-care includes never leaving vacation days unused and she expresses the importance of this as a leader and the opportunity it creates for your support staff.
We also talk about transparency, accountability and consistency as critical qualities of an effective leader. There is so much to unpack in this discussion!
We hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Jenn Strawley, Deputy Director of Athletics, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Woman Administrator at the University of Miami.
Jenn started her career as an NCAA intern back when it was located in KANSAS CITY, which is where our paths first crossed, and then spent 3 years in administration at Columbia before returning to the NCAA.
It is Jenn’s passion for working directly with student-athletes that led her to her current position at the University of Miami in 2012, where she capitalized on a great opportunity in a changing, and at the time, challenging environment.
In our conversation, Jenn talks about her role overseeing football at a Power 5 institution, and she provides realistic advice for women looking to get into football oversight – I’ll give you a hint – who you work for matters.
She also talks about her passion around building a culture of support for women’s athletics at Miami! And we of course touch on leading during a crisis. Jenn has been in the unique position to lead through both Hurricane Irma and the COVID-19 pandemic. She has great insights and emphasizes the importance of patience and listening!
We hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Nevin Caple, Principal Consultant and Founder of Return of Inclusion.
As a student-athlete at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Nevin’s experience helped her explore pieces of herself she had yet to discover. She used this background in sport to start not one, but THREE, companies and become a national thought leader on diversity, inclusion and belonging in athletics.
Through her latest endeavor, Return on Inclusion, Nevin focuses on educating administrators and coaches and teaching them to navigate difficult conversations within their departments and with their student-athletes.
In our conversation, we go deeper into several of Nevin’s six ROI modules including covering, anti-racism, and privilege. She emphasizes the importance of making education a strategic priority within athletics and encouraging staff to have the courage to speak up, ask for help and allow themselves to be vulnerable.
We also talk about leading during the ongoing pandemic and global reckoning happening surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement. Nevin talks about how change starts with ourselves and stresses that it is never too late to become better.
We hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Terry Gawlik, Director of Athletics at the University of Idaho.
Terry has had an impressive career as both a coach and administrator, including being the FIRST female to sit in the AD chair at the University of Idaho.
Her 13 years of coaching 4 sports and literally doing it all, greatly influenced her time as an administrator at Wisconsin, where she spent 25 years, including 14 as a SWA. She then took on the role of a lifetime and became the AD at Idaho less than a year ago, and only 7 months before our country, and sports, were halted by the pandemic.
In our conversation, Terry talks about the pivot from coaching to administration and the importance of utilizing a “Trust Tree” when making these decisions. We also talk about what leadership traits she had to rely on more when she became the AD, including listening, and she stresses the importance of aligning yourself with key people and thought partners in times of crisis. Great advice there!
I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
In this podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Terri Steeb Gronau, NCAA Vice President of Division II, and Interim Executive Vice President over Inclusion and Leadership Development.
Terri has quite a journey, having been at the NCAA for 20 years, starting as an intern in 2000 and elevating quickly during her tenure. In our conversation, Terri talks about her leadership style and how and why she made some of her career pivots and jumps, and of course, why she is so passionate about Division ll.
As a VP at the NCAA, Terri has proven to be an extremely successful leader and relationship cultivator. She shares what it means to be a decision-maker, how to empower others, and the importance in getting out of your comfort zone and taking on new projects.
We also talk about leading during the ongoing pandemic, and Terri gives us tips on the importance of both enhanced communication and creating sameness and stability during these times.
I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Mori Taheripour, entrepreneur, author and educator on negotiation.
Mori has been teaching Negotiation at Wharton Business School for over 15 years. Her new book, “How to Harness the Power of Connection to Negotiate Fearlessly” is unlike any other book on negotiation. In the book, Mori talks about assuming abundance, claiming your power, and that empathy isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have.
She has found that the best negotiators are curious and present, and that the essence of bargaining isn’t the transaction but the conversation and human connection.
Mori explains how our pressure points, personal experiences, and even our cultural expectations can become roadblocks to finding common ground, and she shares the essential strategies to move beyond them and open our minds. She also tells us that we MUST have the courage to engage, because bargaining plays a crucial role in EVERY aspect of our life.
Mori provides eye-opening and empowering insights to help YOU gain the confidence YOU need to achieve your goals in work and in life.
There is so much strength and power in this podcast! I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Dr. Kristene Kelly, Executive Associate Athletic Director for Varsity Sports, SWA, and Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Dartmouth College.
Kristene has a fascinating story. She came to the US from the Virgin Islands at age 16, and that’s just one small piece of her incredible, untraditional journey to the AD chair and beyond.
Kristene was a Dll athletic director and then accepted a job as the executive associate at Dartmouth. She has served at all levels, Dl, ll, and ll—something you don’t see very often. She has been able to navigate those transitions because of her growth mindset, willingness to do the work and learn, her ability to manage up, and her cultivation of relationships.
She walks us through her journey, decision-making processes, and talks about the value in not just learning, but being intentional about the learning and getting to know the right people along the way.
As a frequent guest speaker on work/life integration, Kristene gives us powerful, personal insights, and she shows us how to integrate your work and life, the value in being present where you are, and as she says, “you don’t have to be all things to all people.”
There is so much strength and power in this podcast! I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In this podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Deb Steward, Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Yes, Deb is the athletic director at TWO colleges at the same time! In February of 2020, Deb was named director of athletics for both Hobart and William Smith Colleges. This was a monumental and historic decision as the colleges had previously operated with two different ADs. She loves it, she’s rocking it, and she says “it’s the best of both worlds.” There’s a lot more on this in this podcast!
With over 30 years of experience at the Dlll level, Deb provides insight on how to raise money at small colleges by building and fostering relationships with the right people on campus and in the community. She also gives us tips on how to hire the right coaches and how to get experience and opportunities early in your career.
I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are women leaders.
On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Renee Baumgartner, Santa Clara University Director of Athletics.
At just 22 years old, Renee was named the head women’s golf coach at the University of Oregon, where she built the program from the ground up to a national championship team in just 6 years.
Renee knew in her first year coaching that she someday wanted to be an AD, and she took very intentional steps to get there – earning both a masters and a PhD, taking on every imaginable administrative role, and moving her family across the country for a job that allowed her to expand her skillset into the external world of athletics. Ultimately, she says being really good where you are is major key to success and advancement. Her work ethic and passion stem from her fierce determination to knock down doors and windows for future women and girls in athletics, including her own daughters.
Listen in to learn HOW Renee set herself apart from others to grow and advance in her career, the power in being a “visionary leader” in the AD chair, and why she is so proud to be part of the committee that CREATED a new NCAA sport for the first time in 100 years.
I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Chrissi Rawak, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Services at University of Delaware.
Chrissi has such an interesting journey – she started as an assistant swimming coach, and spent time as both the Personnel and Business resources director at Northwestern, and as the Talent Management and Dev. Operations VP at Michigan – her alma mater. Not the job titles we normally see in athletics advancement- which I loved. Listen in to hear which one best prepared her to be an AD. .And for those interested in in fundraising, Chrissi shares a tip , “no means maybe, and maybe means yes!”
Chrissi also talks about the most challenging parts of transitioning into the AD chair, the value in surrounding yourself with people who are smarter than you, and she shares the four phases to her Critical Thinking Model, which I found fascinating and have borrowed.
Chrissi gives us A LOT of nuggets in this podcast, so be sure to take it all in! I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by entrepreneur, motivational speaker, author of 5 books, and former sports agent Molly Fletcher.
We love all of Molly’s books, but we spent time talking about the Energy Clock, and“A Winner’s Guide to Negotiating, Molly mastered the art of negotiating as a sports agent and says negotiations are about communication, confidence, and relationships. She shares several valuable tips on how to negotiate effectively and confidently at every stage of your career!
The Energy Clock is also a must-read, and Molly shares how to give yourself an “energy audit,” how to recognize and change your energy drains, the importance of clarity in your life—especially for leaders, and the power in being curious every day.
As a 2-time Women Leaders National Convention speaker, Molly has incredible energy and unwavering optimism, and you can FEEL it in this podcast! I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Julie Ruppert, the Northeast 10 Conference Commissioner and former Women Leaders Board Member.
After spending over 15 years at the Division l level, Julie chose Division ll, where in 2008 she became the FIRST female Commissioner in Dll. She’s had many wins there, including leading the conference through a hugely successful and impactful identity campaign in 2016.
We talked a lot about that process, as well as how to lead during the COVID-19 pandemic with strength and solace. She says that overcommunicating, being solution-oriented, and being adaptable are KEY to getting through these trying times.
Listen in as Julie shares her experience navigating a career in athletics with 2 children, and a spouse who is also in the industry; the importance of embracing excellence and embracing what you can control; and how to WORK to be engaged, educated, and well-informed.
Listen in as there is so much to soak up here! I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Kathy Beauregard, director of athletics at Western Michigan University.
This podcast was recorded on March 17th in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, and in our unique conversation, Kathy talks to us about the effects of COVID-19 both on her campus and across the industry. She shares her coping skills, and tips to being agile, flexible, and transparent in a time when things are changing by the minute. Listen in to learn HOW Kathy got to this place where she is able to skillfully lead during challenging times like these.
Kathy is the longest-serving athletic director at the Dl FBS level, and has had a 40-year career at the same institution. During her time in the chair, she has managed through FIVE presidential transitions, and gives us some insights on how to do that.
She also teaches us how to “evolve through the process,” how to lead with trust, and SO much more. I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Erin Lind, commissioner of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Erin is one of very few in the industry who has spent her entire career—and beyond—at or in the same conference. Starting as a student-athlete within the NCIS, Erin has masterfully advanced all the way to the top by evolving and developing her skills, serving others, and intentionally positioning herself as a leader.
Listen in to learn how Erin earned the trust and respect of her staff after her transition from the #2 spot to the #1 spot by setting clear expectations and understanding the journey of those she leads—because as Erin says, “You have to know your people to lead your people.”
Erin shares tips on how to know when and where to flex as a leader, how to blend your work and home life, and the importance of collaboration in leadership.
I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Jennifer Williams, director of athletics at Alabama State University.
Jennifer has an incredible story with a wide range of experiences. After spending the first few years of her career in communications (including an internship with Women Leaders—then NACWAA!), Jennifer transitioned to the external path, with her mentor and our past president, Jean Lenti Ponsetto, and that path, she believes, got her to where she is today.
In our conversation, Jennifer shares her experience and some insights on rising in the industry as a woman of color, and she also believes that we all must embrace the fact that each of us is a force in our own way, and we need to own that, and our dopeness!
Listen in to learn tips on how to earn the AD chair as an interim, how to lead with love and own the room, and Jennifer’s “6 Ps” to being a great leader.
I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined Julie Cromer, Women Leaders Board Member, and Ohio University Director of Athletics.
Julie was one of the first women that was not an AD role to supervise football in the Big Ten, and she talks about how that unfolded, saying that football “chose her.” There is obviously much more to that story…
She also talks about being in the room with some of the most powerful leaders in our industry in her role as the Women Leaders SWA appointee on the NCAA Dl Board of Directors. We talk a lot about “being in the room,” and that it’s not just about being there, but how to prepare and what you will provide once you're in the room.
Julie also talks she also talks about how to know when an opportunity is right, and when the time is right to make the next move.
This conversation is a leadership clinic, and Julie gives us many take-aways and action items you can incorporate into your leadership toolbelt. I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Kim Chandler, Athletic Director and Chair of Sports Studies, Recreation and Athletics at Whitman College.
Kim has a successful track record of 16-years spent coaching followed by 16 years as an athletic director at 3 different schools and has proven to be one of the best leaders in the industry. In our conversation, Kim gives us countless valuable nuggets for both seasoned and new leaders.
She teaches us that in order to survive and prosper, we need to transform our mindset from “everything is a level 10” to prioritizing, balancing, and keeping our emotions in check. Not only does Kim talk about the value of a growth mindset, but she shows us how to get there.
Listen in to learn tips on gaining budget and finance experience, the importance of instantaneous feedback, and what Kim believes to be the most valuable tools for a successful leader.
I hope you enjoy it, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Lindsey Pollak, Multigenerational Work Expert, New York Times Bestselling Author and Keynote Speaker—including our 2017 National Convention!
We talk through key lesson’s in Lindsey’s latest book, “The Remix”, which is a must-read for all leaders and managers.
Lindsey explains the “why” behind questions many seasoned leaders are asking today: Why do millennials want to bring their parents to work? Why don’t some millennials know how to answer the phone? The answers are fascinating and help us better understand the benefits of having this extraordinary age group on our teams. She also gives advice and tips for millennials about how to manage up and take advantage of opportunities in the workplace today.
She gives us three key words we all need to use more as leaders, talks about how and why workplace culture is changing, the importance of a growth mindset, and so much more. The bottom line is, as Lindsey says, “If you embrace generational differences, it will improve the performance of your team, your group, and your people.”
This conversation is a leadership manual! Whether you’re a Baby Boomer, Gen X, Millennial, or Gen Z… there is A LOT to take in here!
I hope you enjoy it, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Julie Roe Lach, Horizon League Deputy Commissioner and Of Counsel at CCHA.
Julie is the epitome of a hard working high performing executive woman that can do it all. She started her career working full-time at the NCAA while attending LAW school at NIGHT for FOUR years, and she now balances TWO full-time jobs on top of her priority as a wife and mother of 2 little girls. And she’s doing all of that at a really high level!
Listen in to learn her tips on how to juggle it all—which Julie says requires the ability to say no, and constant reminders of what is truly important.
In our conversation, Julie authentically shares her story on what she calls her “involuntary transition” from the NCAA. She handled this transition with poise and resiliency, and it has served as a springboard to incredible new opportunities for her, both personally and professionally.
There is so much to take in here, so listen in and soak it up! I hope you enjoy it, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree, North Carolina Central University Director of Athletics.
Ingrid has done it all! Congressional Intern, Probation Officer, Semi-pro volleyball player, English teacher in Puerto Rico, Coach, and Administrator… you would be hard-pressed to find an AD with a resume as diverse as Ingrid’s!
As a woman of color, Ingrid says she has spent her entire career proving to decision-makers that she can do the job. Listen in to learn how she has EARNED her seat at the head of the table, received her Doctorate while working full-time, and the importance in respecting everyone—from your custodial staff to your chancellor.
I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Jean Lenti Ponsetto, DePaul University Director of Athletics and Women Leaders past president.
Jean is one of the nation’s most widely respected leaders in college athletics, and she has earned it! She has spent her entire career at DePaul University, her alma mater, and has been a driving force for the expansion and evolution of DePaul Athletics for over 45 years.
Jean is a former student-athlete, assistant coach, and is an optimistic, and super competitive woman – a combo that I love! She is a big believer that her role as an AD is to coach her coaches, and that confidence is the greatest gift you can give anyone. Listen in to learn about her journey to the AD chair, her family legacy at DePaul, and how she defeated breast cancer TWICE with courage and determination.
If there was ever someone to truly radiate authentic inspiration and gratitude, it’s Jean. And you can FEEL it through this podcast.
I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Case Western Reserve University Director of Athletics, Amy Backus.
Amy has a fascinating story on how her love for athletics began. She was the youngest of 4 girls, and she spent her childhood sailing – and was actually a very competitive sailor. She is also a high performing baton twirler—that’s something we don’t hear every day on these podcasts.
Listen in to hear Amy’s passion as she talks about the value of women in athletics and the importance of Title IX—a passion that started after she received her first college basketball scholarship – for a whopping $250. She has been on a mission to empower all women at all levels ever since.
In today’s conversation, Amy shares how she transitioned from coaching to administration at Yale, her early lessons in the athletic director chair, and the value in challenging—not competing—for championships.
I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by the University of Indianapolis Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Sue Willey.
Sue is a PRO. She has been in the industry for 45 years, and spent 17 of those as an athletic director. She got her start as a 5-sport student-athlete at the University of Indianapolis - where she wore the same uniform for all 5 sports! She also played on the men’s tennis team when there wasn’t one for women, and ended up starting a women’s program from scratch. These experiences showed her that she could make a difference, and she has spent her entire career doing just that – all at her alma mater. And make a difference she did because she turned Uindy into a Dll Powerhouse.
Listen in to hear how one mentor changed the trajectory of her future, how she established that women’s tennis team as a student-athlete, and how she got the nickname “the terminator.”
There are a lot of nuggets here, and you need to get them now because Sue is retiring in 2020! I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Violet Palmer at the LIVE podcast from the 2019 Women Leaders National Convention in Phoenix by Violet Palmer. Violet is the first woman, the first African-American woman, AND the first openly gay woman to referee in the NBA.
Violet Palmer, who, because she is such a trailblazer, is featured on Makers, Here she shares so many insights about her epic journey to becoming the first. Until Violet came along, the ranks of NBA officials were definitely a “boys club.” Listen in to hear how Violet navigated that, overcame that, and how she became one of the most well-respected and successful referees, male or female, in the league. She has the code to the “boys club” and she shares it with us.
She also shares how to disarm men when you are the only woman and how to use being the only woman as an advantage
Violet is a force for change, and shares so much inspiration in this really fun conversation. I hope you enjoy it, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Women Leaders past president and the University of San Francisco Director of Athletics Joan McDermott.
When it comes to navigating your career, Joan is an expert. Between her career as a coach and then college administrator, her husband’s career as a baseball coach, AND her six children, Joan has beautifully mastered how to balance it all, and has some great tips for working moms.
She has always been passionate about the student-athlete experience and providing girls and women with opportunities she never had. Joan believes a huge key to leadership is building and maintaining relationships, which we 100% agree with.
Listen in to learn the importance of male champions, how and why Joan transitioned to Division l after spending 18 years as a Dll athletic director, and how she landed her dream job at her alma mater, the University of San Francisco.
Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by former Women Leaders board member and University of Pittsburgh Director of Athletics, Heather Lyke.
Heather is truly kicking glass as one of just four women leading power five athletic departments, and she has mastered the art of leadership at all levels. In this podcast, you will learn how Heather navigated from law school to the AD chair, how she started the “group of 6” during her time at Ohio State —(more on that later!), and how she earned the top seat at one of the most historic athletic departments in the nation.
Listen in to learn the value of being present, the importance of managing up at all levels – yes even AD’s manage up, and how to take initiative and solve problems.
Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Women Leaders past president and the Mountain West Conference Senior Associate Commissioner Carolayne Henry.
Carolayne was one of those people that knew from a young age what she wanted to do, and from the time she was just 12 years old, she knew she wanted to go to law school. But after earning her law degree from Pitt, and having the opportunity practice law, she realized she wanted to get back into sports. After a few years at the NCAA, Carolayne found her sweet spot in compliance at the Mountain West Conference where she was one of the first hires who helped start the conference, and has spent over 20 years building and elevating the conference to the powerhouse it is today.
In my conversation with Carolayne, you will learn what it takes to actually start a conference, how to stay in one place and continue to grow, and the value of being open-minded and inclusive. And she’s a great example of, and big believer in the fact that if you work hard, opportunities will present themselves!
Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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In today’s episode, Patti Phillips talks with Peg Bradley-Doppes, Women Leaders Past President and current Vice Chancellor Emeritus and Special Assistant to the Chancellor at the University of Denver.
Peg has mastered overcoming challenges by framing them as opportunities —whether it be as a Division l head coach at the young age of 21 or making difficult decisions as a leader when her job is on the line—she has built a remarkable career on a foundation of hard work and integrity. Throughout our conversation, you will learn the value in fundraising, the importance of evolving as a leader, and how to adapt and adjust to new jobs and cultures.
Listen in and soak up Peg’s passion as she shares her insight on making the most of every moment and facing every challenge as an opportunity to learn, grow, and better yourself.
Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In today’s episode, Patti Phillips talks with Amanda Braun, director of athletics for the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
Amanda, now in her 7th year as an athletic director is a “proud law school dropout” as she says. Listen in to hear how Amanda aligned herself with a great Male Champion early in her career who trust and elevated her quickly and in many ways. Her experience with football oversight and revenue generation while at Northeastern were key to her becoming an athletics director.
Amanda has built her career on her integrity, leadership, values driven decision making and her ability to cultivate meaningful relationships. In my conversation with Amanda, you will hear her realness come through as she shares her career journey and opens up about integrating her personal life with honesty and authenticity.
Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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On today’s episode, Patti Phillips talks with Marilyn McNeil, Women Leaders Past President and current Vice President & Director of Athletics at Monmouth University.
An industry veteran with over 40 years of experience, Marilyn was born a natural competitor–not only did she play basketball, volleyball and field hockey, she was a Canadian National Champion in Curling; In her words she is “still competing today”.
Marilyn knows how to navigate change and tough circumstances - from moving to a new country, and across the country, to surviving 5 presidential transitions - Marilyn strategically navigated the hurdles that came with being a woman AD, and she has THRIVED while doing it.
Listen in as Marilyn shares her story of leveraging change by managing up, nurturing relationships and by caring for her team and herself.
Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders Podcast! I am Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports, and I am thrilled to be joined on today’s podcast by Alfreeda Goff, former senior associate commissioner and chief championship administrator at the Horizon League and long-time advocate and champion of our organization since our inception 40-years ago.
Alfreeda is one the most highly respected trailblazers in the industry and has been instrumental in building and growing our organization. In fact, Alfreeda was the founder of the Women’s Leadership Symposium back in 2001 and it’s still going strong today! Listen in to hear Alfreeda voice the importance of mentoring, the value in women helping women, and how she has paved the way as a mentor and advisor for countless women and men in the industry.
Enjoy, and remember, we are Women Leaders.
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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On today’s episode, Patti is joined by Debbie Yow, North Carolina State athletic director emeritus.
Debbie’s remarkable career has been anything but traditional. From a college dropout to a Power Five athletic director, Debbie has had an extraordinary career spanning over 43 years. A three-time athletic director, including the first female ACC athletic director and longest serving women Power Five AD, Debbie she has been a catalyst for change from the beginning.
Listen in as Debbie shares the importance in establishing the culture, reinforcing the culture, and most importantly, how to act with integrity when the culture is threatened.
Enjoy, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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On today’s episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti is joined by Women Leaders past president and University of Tennessee women’s athletic director emeritus Joan Cronan.
It was such an honor to talk with Joan, who is a LEGEND. Her career milestones are well-documented with numerous records, prestigious awards, and hall of fame inductions. She has also authored a book that is a must read.
Best known for her work in building one of the most visible and respected women’s athletics programs in the country, Joan built the Lady Vol legacy with the help of one of her best friends, the legendary Pat Summitt, who Joan calls the ultimate team player.
Listen in to hear Joan’s three keys to success, how to manage up and work effectively with presidents, and the value in serving, not receiving.
There is SO MUCH here to take in. We hope you enjoy, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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On today’s episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti is joined by commissioner of the West Coast Conference Gloria Nevarez.
Gloria has a great story, with broad experiences. After earning her JD and starting her athletics career in compliance at San Jose State, she went on to other schools where she added “legal” and professor to her titles, before pivoting from campus work to a conference office. She also moved from a basketball conference to a large and successful Power 5 football university, just 1 of the many non-traditional and hard-to-make transitions she has navigated so successfully in her career.
Listen in to learn the importance of national committee work “not dialing it in” and the importance in giving 100% to your current job and committing to leaving it better than you found it. She gives so many tips, and she NUMBERS them, so be ready to soak it up!
Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders Podcast! I am Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports, and I am excited to be joined on today’s podcast by one of Women Leaders Past Presidents, Susan Bassett, who currently serves as the Associate Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports at Ithaca College.
Susan’s career path began as a little girl idolizing Billie Jean King and cheering on the New York Knicks. She went on to be a two-sport athlete at Ithaca College where she competed in the swim and field hockey teams.
Susan spent the first 15 years on her career coaching both men’s and women’s swim before transitioning into administration and she has served as athletic director at three universities, including her alma mater, Ithaca College, where she has been since 2013.
Susan’s extreme passion for what she does has allowed her to make a lasting impact at every stop. Listen in to learn about that, and also how to coach coaches, the power in building your knowledge base, and the value in immersing yourself where you are.
Enjoy, and remember, we are Women Leaders.
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I am Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports, and I am thrilled to be joined on today’s podcast by Chief Operating Officer/SWA at the University of Connecticut and current Women Leaders board member Adrianne Swinney.
Adrienne’s professional story began as the first African American athletic trainer at Mississippi State, and she has been breaking barriers ever since. After seven years in athletic training and a brief stint as a head basketball coach, Adrianne found her true calling in administration where she has spent a remarkable career adapting, assessing, adjusting, and applying her impact.
Listen in to learn the value in transferable skill sets; the importance of perfecting your gifts; how to create your impact; and how to not only kick the glass, but how to destroy and obliterate the glass.
I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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On today’s episode, Patti is joined by Collegiate Women Sports Awards Executive Director Chris Voelz. 2019 marks our 40th anniversary, and we are excited to be highlighting many of our past presidents; one of those is my dear friend Chris.
Chris was born a leader and has made a major impact at every institution and organization she has worked. She was a FOUR sport athlete at Illinois State, and then started her professional career in coaching. After serving as the head volleyball coach and senior associate athletics director at Oregon, Chris was hired as the women’s AD at Minnesota where she spent a remarkable 14 years elevating the women’s programs and establishing herself as one of the greatest fundraisers in the industry.
Chris went on to serve as the lead gifts officer for Billie Jean King’s Women’s Sports Foundation, before taking over the Collegiate Women Sports Awards FOUR years ago. She continues to be passionate about empowering and celebrating women leaders at all levels, which is one of the many reasons I love her.
Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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On today’s episode, Patti is joined by Eastern Washington Director of Athletics Lynn Hickey. 2019 marks our 40th anniversary, and we are excited to be highlighting many of our past presidents, one of them being Lynn.
A true trailblazer among us, she has done it all in her 30 plus years in the industry and is still going strong! After spending 10 years as a head women’s basketball coach, first at Kansas State and then at Texas A&M, Lynn transitioned into administration at Texas A&M. Then after just six years on the administrative side, Lynn was hired as the Athletic Director at UTSA where she served for 17 years before taking over at Eastern Washington.
Listen in as Lynn talks about starting a Division l football program at UTSA from scratch, her surprise transition from UTSA to Eastern Washington, and the importance of grit, grace, and gratitude.
Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
On today’s episode, Patti is joined by the University of Chicago Director of Athletics & Recreation, Erin McDermott.
Erin’s career began as one of the first NACWAA interns, which she calls an invaluable experience that propelled her professional career. Soon after her internship, she landed her first job in the industry at Columbia University, then moved on to Princeton before becoming an athletic director herself.
Listen in as Erin talks about what it takes to advance from within, managing up, building relationships both in and out of college athletics, and the power in finding your voice.
Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
On today’s episode, Patti is joined by the executive director of the Ivy League and past President of Women Leaders, Robin Harris!
Robin was a lifelong sports fan, but never thought she would work in the industry until her time in law school at Duke. In our conversation, she reminds us of the importance of being open to new experiences and interested in the efforts of your colleagues—practices that would help her land her first position with the NCAA and would enable her to climb the ranks in collegiate athletics.
You can’t miss Robin’s incredible advice on how to rock the job application process, from nailing your cover letter to “owning the room” during an interview. Her preparation helped her land her current role with the Ivy League, where she draws on her own background and experiences to effectively manage the needs of coaches, athletic directors and university presidents.
Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
On today’s episode, Patti speaks with Val Ackerman, commissioner at the Big East Conference and a true trailblazer in the business of sports.
Val is one of the very few people to hold leadership positions in both men’s and women’s sports at the collegiate, professional, national and international levels – a truly remarkable leader! Throughout her career, Val was no stranger to being the only woman in the room – from her time in a New York City law firm to the NBA and even now as the Commissioner of the Big East, Val has thoughtfully and strategically navigated the male dominated industry of sports by building quality relationships and doing great work to prepare her for the next opportunity.
Be prepared to take notes as Val describes the “5 ingredients for promoting a successful sports property” and tips she gives for being successful in a variety of different leadership positions.
Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
On today’s episode, Patti speaks Women Leaders Board Member and University of Virginia Senior Associate AD and SWA, Jane Miller!
Jane Miller is widely known, rightly so, as a gold standard administrator. What many people don’t know is that she started her career as a coach, and really really good one. She has won 2 NCAA national championships, had six final four appearances, and is in 5 different Lacrosse Halls of Fame.
And although she spent the last 35-years at University Virginia, her impact is much broader than one campus. Jane has served on many national boards, and she was the first Women Leaders SWA appointee to the NCAA DI Board of Directors. A very important national role that Jane excelled in.
Jane is an advocate for the SWA designation – the Senior Woman Administrator and talks about the opportunities and platform that role provided her over the years.
I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
On today’s episode, Patti speaks with Director of Athletics at the University of Charleston, Bren Stevens!
Bren is one of the best in the business and has done it all. Some people talk about being a multi-tasker, but Bren has been a “multi-career-er"!
She’s been a physical education teacher, a basketball official, a softball umpire, a coach at all levels, and is now a director of athletics at a DII institution. And BTW, when the person she wanted to hire as her men’s volleyball coach wasn’t available in time, she coached the team for a season and recorded one of their best records ever!
Bren teaches us about the unique experiences we can gain by simply saying yes to any and all opportunities and reminds us of the importance of active and mindful listening. Her passion and love is contagious.
Enjoy, and remember, We are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
On today’s episode, Patti speaks with Director of Athletics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Desiree Reed-Francois!
Growing up in California to a Mexican father and English mother, Desiree says her upbringing was based on three things: faith, family, and football. An avid 49ers fan, she and her brother Roman made a pact early on that they’d team up: he’d be an NFL player, and his lawyer sister would be his agent. The plan moved forward: Desiree completed law school and was consistently pulled to jobs within professional and collegiate sports.
Roman held up his end of the deal too: He was recruited to play football in college, but in his first game a horrible accident cut his career short and transformed his and his family’s life. Be sure to listen as Desiree speaks candidly about how Roman’s accident propelled her career and strengthened her dedication to college athletics.
Enjoy, and remember, We are Women Leaders!
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
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We’re excited today to talk with athletic director at Grand Valley State University, Keri Becker!
Keri’s athletics story began when she was a softball player at Saginaw Valley State University. “Softball chose [her],” she says, and it became a huge part of her life’s story. In fact, she coached for 15 years at her alma mater’s conference rival, Ferris State University. Another huge part of Keri’s story is her service to our country: She grew up in a military family, and as a sophomore in college, she signed up for the Army reserves. In 2003, she reported for active duty and served in Iraq for a year—and we are so grateful for her service.
Be sure to listen as Keri speaks candidly about navigating her deployment while still holding her coaching job, and also how she eventually transitioned from coaching into administration—which, took her to yet another rival institution, Grand Valley State!
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On today’s episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Vice President for Women’s Basketball at the NCAA and current Women Leaders President Lynn Holzman.
Growing up with four siblings, Lynn was immersed into the world of sport at a young age. By the time she was in high school, Lynn was being recruited for not one, not two, but three sports by programs across the country! She ultimately ended up right here in our backyard at Kansas State playing Division I basketball.
Lynn is a true example of someone who has utilized her network and taken accountability of her own growth and development to create a career path that is uniquely her own. She reminds us to be intentional about the decisions we make, to not settle for the labels placed upon us, and to break out of the barriers when necessary.
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member.
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In this episode, Patti Phillips catches up with our friend Sue Thaden, who’s the CEO of not one, but two companies: Client Resources Inc. and From Now On—which is the current sponsor of our Women Leaders Podcast!
Sue started her first tech company, CRI, before the age of 30 and had to raise more than $300,000 dollars to do it. Sixteen years later, she founded From Now On, a platform that delivers a personalized experience to fans during games. Her stories and leadership lessons are relevant to all women leaders, no matter your industry. You’ll be inspired by her collaborative leadership style, her desire as a CEO to “get it great,” and how she’s been intentional about creating a culture of constant growth.
Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!
Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
Today, Patti chats with one of our industry’s brightest stars, Nina King, deputy director of athletics for administration, legal affairs, and chief of staff at Duke University.
Nina describes herself as “the most unathletic person in my family,” but her love of working in athletics administration was sparked as an undergrad at Notre Dame, when she got picked to be a manager on the football team and then the head manager for swimming and diving. It was at Notre Dame that she met Kevin White, the legendary athletics director, and the rest, as she says, is history. You have to listen to hear the story about how as an intern in the business office, Nina was asked by none other than Sandy Barbour to sit in for Kevin’s assistant. That was a move that cemented Nina’s future and helped her get to where she is today at Duke—which is more than a decade in working with Kevin.
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Today, we’re thrilled to talk with athletic director at the University of Washington, and current Women Leaders board member Jen Cohen!
Jen grew up loving UW athletics, particularly football. In fact, she became a pen pal—yup, she wrote actual letters—with the famous Husky football coach Don James as an elementary-school student. The precocious kid announced she would coach Husky football one day—Coach James wrote her back, which set Jen on the path that led her to the UW athletic director chair. And as you know, she is currently one of just five female athletic directors at the Power 5 level!
Jen shares so many tips on leadership here: how working in different departments on campus can be so beneficial in positioning yourself for leadership, the importance of being a consistent culture maintainer, how to bloom where you are planted, what she thinks are key qualities of leaders, and so much more.
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Today, we’re excited to share a live episode with Dr. Katrice Albert, which we recorded at the Women Leaders National Convention in Atlanta, this past Tuesday!
In this conversation, Katrice shares with us the hardships she faced as a woman of color working towards her PhD and in higher education in general. She reminds us to never stop asking difficult questions and having courageous conversations. Her motivation is the constant reminder that even though we may fall once, she says, we must get back up twice. Today, as the vice president of inclusion and human resources for the NCAA, Katrice is truly a trailblazer fighting for equality and inclusion within athletics.
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Today, we have an exciting guest on the show: associate athletic director and senior woman administrator at Georgia Institute of Technology, Joeleen Akin. Joeleen is an active member of our Atlanta Local Organizing Committee and has done incredible work getting us ready for the upcoming 2018 National Convention!
Joeleen has experience at both the Division I and Division lll levels, and she reminds us why it’s so important to always tell people about our goals and aspirations—doing that led to her to opportunities with amazing champions including Lynn Hickey, Kay Yow, and Beth Bass! Joeleen also shares with us the lessons she learned growing up on a 3,000-acre farm, the importance of active listening, how to make yourself irreplaceable, and what determination can do for your career.
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In this episode, Patti talks with Kelley Kish, the director of athletics at Lake Erie College. Kelley started her career in athletics administration when she became the first-ever coordinator of volleyball operations at her alma mater, the University of Florida. She stayed there for nine years until she decided to make the transition from a Division I institution to Division II—which is where she’s found her home ever since.
Kelley talks passionately about the importance of internships and mentors—and she gives shout outs through the episode to her own mentors, and how they influenced her path to the AD position at Lake Erie. Wherever she goes, Kelley makes a huge impact—and that’s proven through the influence she has on the Division II governance, her student-athletes, and to all of her colleagues!
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In today’s episode, Patti sits down with Atlantic 10 commissioner and a Women Leaders past president, Bernie McGlade.
Bernie is truly a legend in college athletics: She’s been decorated with accolades as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator. Here are just the highlights: After an amazing undergraduate basketball career at the University of North Carolina, Bernie went to Georgia Tech in 1981, where she became one of the youngest Division I head women’s coaches in the nation and the first full-time female coach at the institution. She was already breaking down barriers at the age of 23!
After 17 years at Georgia Tech, Bernie spent 11 at the Atlantic Coast Conference where she absolutely transformed the ACC’s women’s basketball tournament, which resulted in at-capacity crowds and an extensive outreach program that’s still in place. And today, as commissioner of the Atlantic-10, she’s been instrumental in creating a strategic plan that’s extended the reach of the conference throughout multiple media outlets. Bernie’s all about “planning your work and working your plan,” and, wow, have her plans paid off!
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Today, we’re chatting with Andrea Williams, the newly named chief operating officer for the College Football Playoff. We recorded this episode in late July, just a week after Andrea’s new job had been announced so the timing couldn’t have been more perfect!
Andrea grew up in a very athletic family. She started her career as a big-time athlete at Texas A&M, playing basketball and volleyball—yes, two sports—and both teams advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament! Two of her older siblings also played college sports so, for her, it was “just the way the world works,” she says.
Andrea parlayed her love of sports into a 16-year career at the Big 10 Conference—where she took on many different roles, eventually becoming the associate commissioner—and then to two really successful years as the Big Sky Conference commissioner, which she left only because her dream job at the College Football Playoff became available.
Andrea shares so many great tips she received from her mentors that she lives by today, and she is an example of how being a rock star where you are is the best way to get you where you want to go.
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It was fantastic to catch up with Lesley Irvine, the director of athletics for Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, for this conversation.
Lesley’s career journey began in England where she was an elite field hockey player at the university level. With a year of eligibility remaining, she joined the University of Iowa field hockey program and connected with one of the biggest trailblazer in college athletics and Title IX pioneer, Dr. Christine Grant, who was her college professor. Lesley credits Dr. Grant with teaching her to never waver on her leadership philosophy—a lesson she has implemented throughout her career as a coach and as a high-level administrator.
We know you’ll love Lesley’s vision for Sagehen athletics and her ability to get her teams firing together on all cylinders!
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Joining us for this episode is our current board member and University of North Georgia director of athletics, Lindsay Reeves.
Lindsay has such an interesting career journey—she started her career in corporate America with one of the world’s most successful companies, and interacted with the one and only Jack Welch!
And you might be surprised to know that she started in higher education at UNC Chapel Hill as the director of employee wellness and as a faculty member. How did she go from there, to become the first woman athletics director in the school’s history at the University of North Georgia? You’ll have to listen to find out!
Lindsay is a true competitor, which is something she learned from her grandmother, who was a three-sport college athlete in 1916!
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Our guest today is the calm, cool, and collected director of athletics at George Washington University, Tanya Vogel.
Tanya is “wired to be at GW,” she says, and that’s obvious when you hear her long journey at her alma mater: she started as an undergrad soccer star, and because of her incredible four seasons, she landed a spot as the first women’s soccer player in the GW Hall of Fame. After a few coaching gigs at Colgate, Cornell, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, she came back to GW to take the head women’s soccer coaching job, a position she held for 12 years. She then took off the cleats, put on a blazer, and pivoted into administration—which, after a few years away, eventually led to her being tapped for the athletic director back at GW earlier this year.
In this chat, you’ll learn what “big, hairy audacious goals are” in Tanya’s eyes, and how she’s always striving to make decisions based on values and convictions—which is one of the many reasons we all respect Tanya so much.
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Our guest today is deputy athletics director and chief operating officer at Tulane University, Mónica Lebrón.
As an undergraduate, Mónica was a standout softball student-athlete and team captain at Yale University. She also interned in several Division I athletic departments and met one of the greatest at the University of Michigan—a Women Leaders past president and Lifetime Achiever!—Peg Bradley-Doppes, who became Mónica’s first woman mentor in the industry.
Mónica has an incredible assertiveness and tenacity when reaching out to others to help determine the best next steps for her career—a recurring theme in this episode. As a result, she’s worked with some of our best, including Sandy Barbour and Carla Williams. Be sure to listen throughout the episode to discover Mónica’s other connections and how they influenced her path to Tulane.
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Today, you’ll get to hear from a past-president of Women Leaders and a true trailblazer in our industry, Bridget Belgiovine, the director of athletics at Wellesley College.
After getting her start as a high school health and physical education teacher, Bridget has spent more than three decades in college athletics, with tenures at Springfield College, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, the NCAA national office, and finally Wellesley for the past 12 years. Wherever she goes, Bridget makes a huge difference—and that’s proven through the several national titles and conference championships her teams have won, the impact she’s made on Division III governance, and her deep commitment to creating opportunities for women in leadership.
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Today, Patti Philips talks with Women Leaders board member and Averett University director of athletics, Meg Stevens.
Meg’s been a go-getter ever since her undergraduate days at SUNY Cortland, where she was very involved with the student-athlete advisory committee. After graduating, she took on as much responsibility as she could in her first jobs, becoming a head women’s lacrosse coach at Buffalo State at just 23 and eventually the director of athletics at Averett at 34!
Meg’s taken chances on first-time head coaches, is absolutely committed to equality and fairness on her staff, and her “3-2-1” philosophy will leave you eager to attack your days with energy – which we love!
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Patti Phillips had a great time catching up with Beth Goetz, the chief operating officer at the University of Connecticut. Beth was a standout soccer student-athlete at Brevard College and Clemson, and when she was just 23 years old, she was named the head women’s soccer coach at the University of St. Louis—the youngest ever in school history! She spent more than 10 years coaching, and then became so intrigued by athletics’ bigger picture, that she pivoted entirely to administration in 2008.
Beth’s ability to transition from a successful head coach to a high-level athletic administrator at Butler, the University of Minnesota, and UCONN is a jump that many coaches are interested in, and one Beth navigated perfectly. She shares many professional insights on her way to becoming chief operating officer, including how she’s worked with not one, not two, but three Olympic coaches!
I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
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We’re so thrilled you can listen to Patti Phillips’ conversation with President Carmen Ambar, the first African American and second female president in Oberlin College’s 184-year history. She, quite frankly, blew us away!
Patti and President Ambar talk about the role higher education and the arts played in her family growing up, the leadership skills she gained as an assistant corporate council in the New York City law department, and how she’s making an impact in her current, high-profile position. Throughout her career, President Ambar has been on the forefront of promoting diversity and inclusion—we took away so much while talking to her about this.
President Ambar also reminds us how important it is that athletic directors help college presidents understand the valuable role athletics plays on campus, and how we should all help each other take risks—not to be afraid of them.
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Today, Patti Phillips talks with Dawn Rogers, the deputy athletics director at Baylor University. You’ll gain so much listening to Dawn’s extraordinary story: She’s succeeded in several huge leadership positions in her career. Early on, she accepted positions she didn’t feel entirely prepared for, including short stints with the Olympic Training Center and Temple, and longer tenures at Xavier University and Arizona State University.
Dawn highlights the significance of doing your homework in searches, owning your mistakes, working hard but smart, and embracing the learning curve – a lesson she learned right out of the gate when she became the assistant athletic director at the University of Akron at the early age of 24.
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Pennie Parker—director of athletics at Rollins College and the treasurer of Women Leaders in College Sports—is so well-known in athletics, you may think she has spent her entire career in the industry, but that’s not so. After graduating from the University of Georgia, she went into banking, but eventually made her way to three Division I compliance programs – Georgia, Jacksonville University, and Florida State.
Pennie is married to a NASA engineer, so the couple relocated to Orlando to be closer to the Kennedy Space Center. She worked her network—a good reminder that it’s not who you know; it’s who knows you and is willing to go to bat for you—to earn a spot at Division II Rollins College, where she’s been for 16 total years, 12 as the director of athletics!
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Chris Plonsky is a true trailblazer! She’s the director of women’s athletics at the University of Texas and a past president of Women Leaders. She’s spent more than three decades working in intercollegiate athletics, having started as a media relations assistant and spending the majority of her years at one of the biggest brands in college sports, UT. As the long-time women’s athletic director, she has hired and fired coaches, been a part of several national championships in numerous sports, and was a key figure in getting the Longhorn Network started. She has also worked with and for many of the industry greats, like Donna Lopiano and Dave Gavitt, and she can still rattle off names and dates like the best SID!
Chris is a Longhorn through and through, and her deep passion for developing student-athletes and her belief in the importance of higher education, is inspiring.
Enjoy our conversation, and remember, We Are Women Leaders!
We can’t wait for you to listen to Patti Phillips’ conversation with Lori Hendricks, the director of athletics at her alma mater, Mount Holyoke College, and a current Women Leaders board member. Lori and Patti go way back to their days at the NCAA with some other names you might know.
Lori was a three-sport athlete at Mount Holyoke—competing in cross country, and both indoor and outdoor track and field. After graduation, she taught and coached in South Africa, worked at the NCAA national office, earned her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, and eventually landed back at in sports administration at Mount Holyoke.
Lori is truly a champion of women leaders—when asked about mentoring, she succinctly explains that great mentors make you visible. We love that, and should all strive to do this for one another!
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Patti Phillips talks with Amy Huchthausen, the commissioner of the America East Conference. Amy’s been a leader all the way back to her days as a two-time all-conference softball player and team captain at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. While there, she worked in the athletics department and met one of the industry’s greatest, the current director of athletics at Wellesley and a past-president of Women Leaders, Bridget Belgiovine. This was where Amy realized she could make athletics her career—which is why seeing other women successfully doing the job you want is so important!
Amy is truly a force to be reckoned with: Not only was she was the league’s first female commissioner and the youngest commissioner ever hired at the Division I level at the time of her appointment, but she’s also working toward her executive MBA at the MIT Sloan School of Management. We can’t wait to celebrate her graduation with her in June 2018!
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At the NCAA Convention this past January, Patti Phillips caught up with Carla Williams, the director of athletics at the University of Virginia, and the first female African-American athletics director to lead a Power Five Conference institution – which is incredible!
During her time as a standout women’s basketball student-athlete at the University of Georgia, Carla volunteered in the athletics department and her career in administration was born. She went on to be an assistant coach at Georgia during one of the most successful periods in women's basketball history (including a run for the national championship!). It’s truly fascinating that Carla knew she wanted to transition to athletic administration while she was coaching and used this platform as an opportunity to learn as much as she could about the many angles of administration, which became a reoccurring theme in Carla’s journey – be a lifelong learner!
Carla is an incredibly hard worker, whose advice is "be the best at your job.” This is what we tell all of you, our members, at our summer institutes and at Convention. You have to be a rock star, and Carla absolutely is.
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In today’s episode, Patti Phillips sits down with Julie Soriero, director of athletics at MIT, our current Women Leaders president, and the recently-named NCAA Pat Summitt Award winner!
You’ll learn so much hearing about Julie’s remarkable journey, which highlights her parents’ philosophy of doing everything to the best of your ability, and we know you’ll be inspired by Julie’s message to, “be bold, hold onto your dream, and work towards fulfilling that dream.”
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We are excited for you to listen to Patti Phillips’ chat with Etienne Thomas, the associate athletics director of student life at The University of Kansas. Etienne joined KU in the summer of 2017 after nearly a decade at her alma mater, North Carolina Central University. We couldn’t be more grateful that she is now just down the road from us in Lawrence, Kansas!
Etienne started her athletics career in compliance as an intern at the University of Iowa, and as a full-time administrator at Howard University, Saint Paul’s College, and North Carolina Central. While at NCCU, a Division II HBCU, the institution transitioned to a Division I-FCS, which is huge and helped pave the way for her current position as an administrator at a Power Five institution!
I was left so inspired by how Etienne describes the impact many women made on her life—from her mother, who pursued her collegiate degree at Luther College, to her mentor, Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree, the current Director of Athletics at North Carolina Central University, to the student-athletes she has worked with who “become your historians,” she says. We love that!
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Patti Phillips talks with Jill Bodensteiner, the senior associate athletics director at the University of Notre Dame…Go Irish!
Like many of you, Jill’s journey in athletics was not necessarily a straight one. She jokes that at the age of six she had both a legal bug and a basketball bug—but despite playing some hoops in high school, the legal route eventually won out. She headed to South Bend to complete her undergrad degree, then received her JD at to Washington University in St. Louis, which kicked off a career in employment law. It was after “one of those lunches that changes your career,” Jill says, that she was offered a position at her alma mater, and back to South Bend she went, and has stayed for the past 20 years.
Jill shares how working with wonderful mentors paved her career path. Her insights on remaining rooted in values, serving others, and being authentically you are inspiring—and we know you’ll be wowed by her determination and incredible ability to invest in people and give back.
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We are very excited about this conversation with Joni Comstock, the senior vice president of championships at the NCAA, and ex-officio member of the Women Leaders Board of Directors. Joni talks about the impact her parents had early in her life, when they stressed the importance of education, commitment to community, and a strong Midwest work ethic—which are all values that have served Joni throughout her career. She has a wide range of experience, taking on coaching jobs, athletics administration positions, and eventually landing the top seat as director of athletics at UNC Asheville and American University. In 2006, Joni left the campus experience to join the NCAA National Office as senior vice president and SWA. Today, as the senior VP of championships, she oversees 84 NCAA championships and 69 sports committees, along with many other duties that are too numerous to list! Multiple times throughout our chat, Joni reminds us to “step in!” to new opportunities, which she’s done throughout her career. She’s proof that an open-minded, motivated attitude like that will serve us well in our jobs and in our lives! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In today’s episode, Patti Phillips sit down with Lisa Campos, who was named Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Athletics Director at the University of Texas, San Antonio on November 17! When we recorded this, she hadn’t yet made the jump to her new, exciting job, so you’ll hear references to her previous position as Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Northern Arizona University. Lisa’s career journey is so interesting: She is a first-generation college graduate, and after grad school, she took a job in student affairs, as the assistant dean of students at the University of Texas at El Paso. It was during a fateful 4:25 a.m. run with a friend that Lisa heard about a job in the athletics department at El Paso, and she officially made the transition to athletics administration. Fast forward to 2012, when at the ripe age of 35, she landed the top seat at Northern Arizona—at the time she was the youngest female AD at a Division I institution. And now, she’s at the top seat at UTSA, a DI-FBS institution. Incredible! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
In our most recent episode, Patti Phillips chats with Stevie Baker-Watson who, since 2012, has been the associate vice president for campus wellness and Theodore Katula director of athletics and recreational sports at DePauw University. Stevie is a dynamic Division III leader, whose portfolio includes experience in nearly every aspect of sports leadership: She’s been a referee and an athletics trainer and also spent time in compliance, student-athlete development, and compliance before becoming an athletics director. In every role, Stevie says she’s the “super glue and duct tape who plugs holes and fills gaps,” an attitude that is so important if you want to be an invaluable team member, which Stevie is! We know you’ll be inspired by her motivation to jump in and make a difference at every level. Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.
Today, Patti sits down with Tamica Smith Jones, director of intercollegiate athletics at the University of California, Riverside. At our National Convention—just a few days ago!—Tamica was elected to the Women Leaders board of directors, and we are so excited that now our entire membership will benefit not only from her passion for our industry, but also her broad experience leading at both DI and DII schools, with football and without. We’re so inspired by how Tamica’s journey motivated her mother to back and get her college degree at age 50. In fact, as an African-American woman leader, Tamica is a role model for so many. She’s also an author and a motivational speaker, and we can’t wait for you to be inspired by her, too. Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.