Institute for Advancement

June 23- 25th 2024 || Kansas City, MO 

The Women Leaders in SportsInstitute for Advancement(IA), is the premier "level one" leadership development program for women in sport. An engaging faculty—including leaders representing all NCAA divisions, industry trailblazers, and executives in women's sports will prepare, empower and inspire participants to elevate their performance and advance within the industry.

Take advantage of the opportunity to grow as a leader, expand your network, and position yourself to add value to your organization!

APPLY NOW

Program Outcomes

  • Improve performance skills and learn how to add value to your department and broader organization
  • Learn the art of managing up to your boss to obtain the best possible results for you, your boss, and your organization
  • Develop career strategies, while planning a path for advancement and pursuing your career potential
  • Build self-awareness by engaging in self-exploration and reflection
  • Connect with a powerful network of women who will support you in your career journey for years to come.

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
  • A minimum of four years of full-time professional work experience
  • Currently working in a sports industry-related job or desires to move into athletics/sports industry role within the next year 
  • Able to attend the entire 2 days of in-person program in Kansas City, MO
    •  Programming begins Sunday, June 23rd at 4 p.m. and concludes at noon Tuesday, June 25th

Application & Selection Process

Applications Open: February 26th, 2024

Applications Close: April 21st, 2024

Applications will be reviewed by the Women Leaders in Sports Education & Professional Development Committee. Selections are made based on ensuring diversity in age, leadership duties, division, and ethnicity. 85 participants are admitted to the Women Leaders in Sports IA annually.

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

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

Program and Application Questions? Email Nyia Duncan.

Tuition

Tuition fees are $700 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
 Thanks to the generous support of the Women Leaders in Sports Foundation Fund, multiple IA scholarships are made available for 2024. To apply for the scholarship and request additional information visit our Scholarships page or contact Nyia Duncan.

Cancellation Policy

Registration cancellations must be received in writing by 5pm May 19th. 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.

2023 Institute for Advancement Graduates

  • Janet Akinola, Director of Compliance, Southern Methodist University
  • Kylie Amato, Associate Athletic Director/Director of Student Academic Enhancement Program, The University of Southern Mississippi
  • Caroline Baldwin, Account Executive, Altius Sports Partners
  • Ashley Beaton Simpson, Assistant Athletic Director - Student-Athlete Success/ADID, University of Wisconsin - Parkside
  • Abby Bergakker, Director - Business Operations, Gonzaga University
  • Megan Berger, Internal Communications Manager, LEARFIELD
  • Clerc Bertrand, Senior Account Exectutive, Louisiana State University - Playfly
  • Precious Birdsong, Assistant Director - National Commodore Club, Vanderbilt University
  • Elise Boissoneau, Senior Partnership Services Coordinator, LEARFIELD/Boston College
  • Kelly Bryan, Assistant Athletic Director/Head Women's Soccer Coach/SWA, Kenyon College
  • Hailee Codiga, Director - Ticket Sales & Service, Air Force Academy
  • Bianca Collins, Student-Athlete Academic Coordinator, Central State University
  • Kristin Crites, Director of Developement, Women Leaders in College Sports
  • Ashley Cruder, Assistant Director of Academics, University of Arkansas
  • Kadaja Cryer, Graduate Assistant - Academic Services, Louisiana State University
  • Kacie Dohrmann, Assistant Athletic Director for the Wildcat Fund, Northwestern University
  • Erin Dwyer, Assistant Athletic Director/SWA, Nebraska Wesleyan University
  • Olivia Earls, Head Men's & Women's Volleyball Coach, Averett University
  • Anthonia Edgren, Assistant Athletics Director - Development, University of California - Berkeley
  • Marissa Edwards, Assistant Athletic Director - Student-Athlete Academic Services , University of Texas - San Antonio
  • Rebecca Fink, Senior Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Youngstown State University
  • Kayla Fisher, Assitant to the Athletic Department, Palm Beach Atlantic University
  • Kaitlyn Fraser, Senior Manager - Partnerships, LEARFIELD/CLC
  • Diah Gassett, Assistant Director - Educational Services, Ohio State University
  • Delancey Giannini, Manager of Business Development, LEARFIELD/University of Southern Mississippi
  • Haydyn Gibson, Coordinator of Division II Governance, NCAA
  • Ravin Gilbert, Director of Social Responsibility & Engagement, University of Mississippi
  • Amanda Hernandez, Assistant Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Engagement, Texas A&M University
  • Jessica Heuertz, Assistant Athletics Director for Academic Services, Arkansas State University
  • Kelsey Hunter, Assistant Athletic Director for Equity, Inclusion, & Student-Athlete Well-Being, Smith College
  • Ancia Ifill, Associate Director of Academic Services, University of Louisville
  • Taylor Jennings, Assistant Athletic Director/SWL, Point University
  • Indi Johnson, Director of Football Academics, Prairie View A&M University
  • Melanee Johnson, Associate Athletic Trainer/ Drug Testing Coordinator, University of Delaware
  • Lindsey Jones, Director of Administrative Operations, The University of Alabama
  • Samantha Karg, Director of Donor Events & Stewardship, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
  • Nicole Kaupp, Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development, University of Chicago
  • Leigh Krtek, Program Director, Girls on the Run
  • Brittney Larkin, Assistant Director - Premium Experiences, University of Notre Dame
  • Latasha Lewis, Manager of Marketing Communications, Women's Basketball Coaches Association
  • Emily Loux, Assistant Commissioner, Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference
  • Marissa Manko, Athletics Business Manager, University of Louisville
  • Kelly Mannix, Associate Athletic Director - Business Operations, Johns Hopkins University
  • Mandy Marks, Director of Marketing & Communications, Women Leaders in College Sports
  • Brianna McCarthy, Associate Director of Academic Services, University of Louisville
  • Maddy McVey, Director for In-Venue Experience, Virginia Tech
  • Becca Mitchell, Administrative & Personnel Coordinator, Northeastern University
  • Hannah Murphy, Internal Operations Manager, Seattle Pacific University
  • Rachel Mydosh, Partnership Services Manager , LEARFIELD/University of Washington
  • Jennifer Nabrizny, Director of Women’s Basketball Operations, (Formerly) Providence College
  • Georgina Nembhard, Assistant Director of Academics, University of Virginia
  • Majo Orellana, Associate Head Coach - Beach Volleyball , Texas Christian University
  • Kayla Papp, Assistant Athletic Director/Compliance & Student Athlete Support, Wayne State University
  • Molly Parsons, Athletic Trainer, Slippery Rock University
  • Shiv Patel, Player Development Curriculum Specialist & Database Assistant, Athlite (Football Branch)
  • Michaela Patt, Senior Marketing Automation Strategist, Paciolan, Powered by Learfield
  • Sheila Penn, Business Manager, Norfolk State University
  • Deidre Pierson, Associate Director of Athletics/SWA/Compliance/ADID, Hamilton College
  • Krista Pirtle, Senior Director of Revenue Generation, Baylor University
  • Emily Punt, Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Partnerships, Augustana University
  • April Reid, Assistant Athletic Director of Operations , Winston - Salem State University
  • Christine Scott-Laakso, Associate Director - Ticket Operations, Systems, & Finance, University of Texas
  • Casey Shillito, Director of Corporate Responsibility, LEARFIELD/CLC
  • Kayla Smith, Team Lead of Eligibility Services - Customer Relations, NAIA Eligibility Center
  • Siobhan St. John, Assistant Cheer Coach/ ADID, The Ohio State University
  • Morgan Stenson, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance/Business Operations, SWA, Aurora University
  • Michelle Stout, Assistant Athletics Director for Learning Services, Texas A&M University
  • Korena Stowell, Creative Director, SIDEARM Sports
  • Nicole Thibodeau, Assistant Director for Compliance & Student-Athlete Services, Palm Beach Atlantic University
  • Kaylen Thornton, Athletics Operations Manager, Louisiana State University
  • Alicia Torimoto, Associate Director of Operations, Events, & Premium Seating, Northwestern University
  • Carly Tower, Account Executive, Altius Sports Partners
  • Eline Vermeulen, Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Enrichment, Bucknell University
  • Kenyatta Walker, Associate Director of Academic Services - Lead Football Advisor, Louisiana State University
  • Ann Wallace, Associate Director of Athletic Training/ VB Atheltic Trainer, University of Kansas
  • Allison Wright, Special Assistant to the Director of Athletics, Army West Point
  • Sarah Zolcak, Director of Women's Basketball Operations, East Carolina University

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