Local Organizing Committee

Behind every Women Leaders in College Sports National Convention is a dedicated Local Organizing Committee (LOC) representative of Women Leaders members from surrounding universities, colleges, conference offices, and affiliated organizations.

The LOC is charged with assisting the Women Leaders team with local contacts and volunteers, but more importantly they make it a FUN event, giving Women Leaders members an experience to remember highlighting the best each local city has to offer!

Other duties include:

Programming

  • Input and selection of key note speakers—emphasis on local industry leaders, experts, business executives, etc.
  • Input on power panel and breakout session topics and speakers 
  • Feedback on new programming ideas

Entertainment

  • Welcome reception venue suggestions and planning
  • Board of Directors & LOC dinner venue selection
  • Videographer and DJ suggestions

Logistics

  • Registration promotion
  • Volunteer recruitment
  • Provide local vendor contacts (transportation, florist, etc.)
  • Group Dinners
  • Tour Coordination 

Local Partnerships

  • Solicitation of items for welcome bags
  • Solicitation of auction items
  • Assistance with local media coverage and event press release distribution

Committee Information & Requirements

  • Busy time: June-October
  • Familiarity with host city 
  • Up to three (3) members per institution will be selected to serve on the LOC, with some exceptions. Note: There will be plenty of additional volunteer opportunities during the event to engage and involve others on staff.

2020 Women Leaders in College Sports National Convention Committee Members

Board Liaison:  Jacqie McWilliams, Commissioner, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
Staff Liason: Kaila'Shea Menendez, Director of Leadership Programming & Events

Committee Members

  • Cheryl Aaron, Director of Athletics, Wentworth Institute of Technology, DIII 
  • Kate Bergstrom, Associate Commissioner, Internal Operations, DI 
  • Bethany Ellis, Director of Athletics and Chair of the Department of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics, Wellesley College, DIII
  • Jocelyn Fisher Gates, Senior Associate Athletics Director & Senior Woman Administrator, Boston College, DI FBS 
  • Lauren Haynie, Director of Athletics, Brandeis University, DIII 
  • Brittany Kane, Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Boston University, DI 
  • Wesley Stewart, Associate Vice President, Boston College, DI FBS 
  • Regina Sullivan, Deputy Athletic Director - Internal Affairs/Senior Woman Administrator, Northeastern University, DI 
  • Jennifer Williams, Senior Associate, Perkins & Will, Other 

Executive Steering Committee Members

  • Bridget Belgiovine, Former Director of Athletics, Wellesley College, DIII
  • Amy Huchthausen, Commissioner, America East Conference, Conference/Organization
  • Martin Jarmond, Director of Athletics, Boston College, DI FBS
  • Drew Marrochello, Director of Athletics, Boston University, DI
  • Jacqie McWilliams, Commissioner, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Conference/Organization
  • Julie Ruppert, Commissioner, Northeast-10 Conference Athletic Association, Conference/Organization
  • Julie Soriero, Former Director of Athletics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, DIII
  • Warren Zola, Executive Director of the Boston College Chief Executives Club, Boston College, DI FBS