Leadership Enhancement Institute

June 25-27 2024 || Kansas City, MO 
 

The Leadership Enhancement Institute (LEI) is the premier "level two" leadership development program for women working in sports. Open to mid-to-senior level Women Leaders in Sports members. LEI provides in-depth leadership training, career coaching and advanced professional development.

Participants will engage in an immersive leadership training experience over two days, facilitated by an engaging faculty of industry professionals. The curriculum will include coaching and training on:

  • Communication skills
  • Executive leadership presence
  • Navigation the job search process and career advancement
  • Building influential relationships
  • Leading high-performing teams 

Applicant Eligibility Requirements

  • Current Women Leaders in Sports member
    • Non-members may apply, and a $200 one-year membership fee will be added to their tuition
  • Experience and intention to pursue a senior-level executive leadership role in the next two-four years
  • Currently in a position with staff oversight responsibilities.
  • Minimum of 8 years of full-time sport industry related experience.
    • This may include collegiate athletics, professional sports, high school athletics, sports business, or other sports-related professions
  • Currently in a position with staff oversight responsibilities
  • Must be able to attend the entire 2 days of in-person programming in Kansas City, MO.
    • Programming begins Tuesday, June 25th at 4 p.m. and concludes noon Thursday, June 27th

Application and Selection Process

Applications are Closed until 2026

Applications will be reviewed by the Women Leaders in Sports Education & Professional Development Committee. Class selections are made based on ensuring diversity in age, leadership duties, division and ethnicity. No more than 60 participants are selected to attend LEI each year.

Applicants will be notified of the status of their application no later than the end of April.

Want to attend but not a Women Leaders member? Join Here

Program and Application Questions? Email Kara Hess.

Tuition

Tuition fees are $850 per participant and cover all registration fees, program materials, training, and a 2 night stay at the host hotel - all attendees will be assigned a roommate for the Institute duration however single rooms are available upon request for an additional fee.  *Please note tuition fees DO NOT include travel expenses to Kansas City, MO*

Scholarships

The Brenda Weare Scholarship will be awarded to a current Women Leaders in Sports members in need of financial assistance and who demonstrates one or more of the qualities of Brenda Weare: courage, fearlessness, a strong work ethic, conviction, integrity, perseverance, sincerity, vision, and outstanding leadership.  

APPLY NOW

For additional information, please contact Kara Hess.

 

2024 Leadership Enhancement Institute Graduates

  • Erin Abbey, Associate Athletics Director – Compliance, University of South Carolina
  • Cassandra Abrams, Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services, Bethune-Cookman University
  • Tiffany Alford, Director of Community Engagement and Inclusive Excellence, University of Massachusetts, Boston
  • Erica Aresco, Sr Associate AD / CFO, Duke University
  • Shawna Armstrong, Assistant Director of Athletics, Senior Woman Administrator, Senior Compliance Officer, Elmhurst University
  • Lisa Auld, Associate Athletic Director, Student Athlete Development, University of Southern California
  • Christian Bray, Associate Director of Athletics, Compliance and DEI, Harvard University
  • Mattie Burkhardt, Assistant Athletic Director - Annual Giving, University of Nebraska
  • Blount Dana, Assistant Athletics Director for Academic Services, Texas Christian University 
  • Toni-Ann Derby, Assistant Director, Championships, Sport Operations & Governance, West Coast Conference
  • Maddie Flynn, Manager-Business Development, Learfield MMR for Grizzly Sports Properties 
  • Larissa Gillespie, Associate Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator, Widener University
  • Nikki Golston, Director of Enrichment Services, University of South Carolina
  • Drew Hannemann, Manager-Business Development, Learfield MMR Bronco Sports Properties
  • Elissa Hill, Senior Director, Collegiate Tennis, US Tennis Association
  • Christy Houghton Belisle, District Athletic Director, Bristol Warren Regional School District
  • Domenica Jones, Associate Athletic Director, Human Resources, University of South Florida
  • Nicole Kaupp, Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development, University of Chicago
  • Ashley Leko, Senior Associate Athletic Director - Chief Financial Officer, Business Operations, University of South Florida
  • Nicole Levering, Associate Athletic Director/SWA/Student-Athlete Development/Head Coach, Georgia Southwestern State University
  • Kacey Light, Chief NCAA Compliance Officer, University of Rhode Island
  • Amy Loch, Manager Premium Seat Sales and Service, Chicago Bears
  • Emily Loux, Assistant Commissioner, Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conf.
  • Stephanie Mahal, Assistant AD, Student Athlete Support Services, University of Kansas
  • Leah McCormack, Vice President of Business Development, NAIA
  • Sasha McLaughlin, Senior Licensing Coordinator | CLC | University of Michigan, Learfield CLC
  • Valerie McQuade, Associate Commissioner of Marketing and Broadcasting, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
  • Shawn Meachem, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance/SWA, Johnson C. Smith University 
  • Patty Medina, Associate Athletic Director - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, American University
  • Tayler Onion, Assistant Athletic Director for Development, Western Illinois University
  • Maya Ozery, Senior Associate Athletic Director, Student-Athlete Development and Inclusive Excellence, University of Kansas
  • Libby Padgitt, Associate Director of Academic Review, NCAA
  • Jacqueline Perez, Assistant Athletic Director/Senior Associate Director, SASC, Florida Atlantic University
  • Deidre D. Pierson, Associate Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator, Hamilton College
  • Cassandra Polansky, Director, Sales & Service of Ticketing at Marquette University, Learfield
  • Ashley Renfrew, Principal, Senior Architect, Populous
  • Julie Rinaldi, Principal, Senior Architect, Populous
  • Ajohnee Rodney, Chief of Staff/Associate Athletic Director of Administration, Southern University
  • Toni Rogers, Deputy Athletics Director/SWA, Colgate University
  • Megan Sanger, Assistant Commissioner for Compliance & Internal Operations/SWA, South Atlantic Conference
  • Ginger Swann, Assistant Athletic Director/SWA, Berry College
  • Stephanie Thompson, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, Alabama State University
  • Alison Van Scyoc, Head Softball Coach, Shippensburg University
  • Allison Venella, Senior Associate Athletic Director/Student-Athlete Development, Villanova University 
  • LaToya Williams, Senior Associate AD/SWA, Alcorn State University
  • Jen Windmiller, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator, Bethany College
  • Ashley Wolf, Executive Director of Creative Services, Duke University
  • Heather Wyatt, Senior Associate AD for Internal Operations/SWA, Abilene Christian University

Cancellation Policy

Registration cancellations must be received in writing by TBD. Refunds will be processed within 30 days following the event. Refunds will not be granted after those dates nor will they be given for no-shows, no exceptions.