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.

 

2022 Leadership Enhancement Institute Graduates

  • Femi Alao, Assistant Director of Athletics/SWA, Roberts Wesleyan College
  • Charlie Ball, Assistant AD for Academic Enrichment, University of Mississippi 
  • Erin Bean, Assistant AD for Strategic Marketing & Fan Engagement, Baylor University
  • Katie Berry, Assistant AD of Marketing, University of Pittsburgh
  • Kelly Britsky, Head Basketball Coach, Spartanburg Methodist College
  • Amber Burdge, Associate AD for Student-Athlete Success, Louisiana Tech University
  • Carlin Chesick, Senior Associate Commissioner/SWA, Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
  • Jennifer Cunningham, Associate Athletic Director, Student-Athlete Development & Internal Operations, Providence College
  • Stephanie Davis, Associate Athletics Director, Event Management, University of Minnesota
  • Christina Diaz, Special Assistant to the Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, Penn State University
  • Maura Donovan, Assistant Athletic Director - External Operations & SWA, American International College - Athletics
  • Kristy Duncan, Senior Woman Administrator, Head Women's Volleyball Coach, Loras College
  • Lauren Eads, Senior Associate Commissioner/COO, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
  • Heather Ervin, Director of Administration/Player Relations, University of Tennessee-Knoxville
  • Pam Flenke, Big East Conference
  • Justine France, Assistant Athletics Director - Operations, Colorado College
  • Margie Gill, Director of Operations and Special Projects, University of Miami
  • Ashley Grimm, Associate Director of Athletics, Shippensburg University
  • Tracy Hedrick, Senior Associate Athletic Director & Chief Marketing Officer, The Ohio State University
  • Katie Hine, Associate Athletic Director, John Carroll University
  • Amelia Howard, Assistant Director of Academic Support, University of Missouri-Kansas City
  • Amelia Hunter, LEARFIELD
  • Tara Huntress, LEARFIELD
  • Lindsay Jaffe, Associate Athletic Director - Sport Administration, University of Southern California
  • Dana, Kaczmarski, Director of Administration, GO2 Partners
  • Shannon Kelly, Associate Athletic Director, Advancement, University of Washington
  • Rachel Kuperinsky, Associate AD, Compliance/SWA, University of Pennsylvania
  • Amanda Kurtz, Associate Director of Athletics for Academic and Compliance/Senior Woman Adminstrator, Pepperdine University
  • Christine Kuznar, Senior Associate Athletic Director of Internal Operations, Purdue University Fort Wayne
  • Caitlin Luquet, Assistant Athletics Director for Internal Operations & Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Saint Mary's College of California
  • Kristina Minor, Assoc. Athletic Director for Compliance, Northwestern University
  • Erin Mykleby, Interim Athletic Director, Emporia State University
  • Rian Oliver, Senior Associate AD - Compliance/Student Services, Gonzaga University
  • Jessica Onyepunuka, Associate Athletic Director, Marketing, University of Southern California
  • Laura Pote, Operations Manager, GO2 Partners
  • Lakshmi Ramaseshan, Director, Agile Coaching, LEARFIELD
  • Ellen Ramsey, Director of the NAIA Eligibility Center, NAIA
  • Laura Sgrecci, Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs & Strategic Advancement, Colgate University
  • Danielle Shank, Associate Athletic Director, External Relations, University California Davis
  • Juliana Smith, Deputy Athletics Director, Colgate University
  • Alison Spungen, Associate Director, DIII Governance, NCAA
  • Casey Stark, Assistant Athletic Director, Quinnipiac University
  • DaShena Stevens, Associate AD/Internal Operations, University of the Incarnate Word
  • Andrea Tepe, Chief of Staff for Athletics, Louisiana State University 
  • Shelly Terry, Associate Director, Trademarks and Licensing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Michelle Towns, Associate Athletics Director, Vanderbilt University
  • Maureen Tremblay, Associate Athletic Director/Chief of Staff, Georgia Tech Athletics
  • Felicia Tucker, Director of Operations, Georgia State Univeristy
  • Dr. Dawn Turner, Senior Associate Athletic Director, East Tennessee State University
  • Alycia (Lisa) Varytimidis, Deputy Director of Athletics - Student Athlete Welfare / SWA, Austin Peay State University 
  • Kaitlyn Vincek Cox, Vice President, Louisiana State University 
  • Catherine Walker, Associate AD, Compliance/Interim SWA, Eastern Washington University
  • Erika Wallace, Athletics Chief of Staff, Wayne State University
  • Annie Weed, Senior Direector of Client Services, CLC, LEARFIELD
  • Janet, Wolbert, Assistant Director of Athletics; SWA, Concordia University Chicago
  • Angela Wyss, Senior Director, Student-Athlete Academic Support Services, Xavier 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.