2025 AGENDA
*Subject to Change
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Game Changers Evening of Celebration
All functions will take place on the 5th Floor
4:00 PM
Honoree & Past Honoree Registration Opens
5th Floor Pre-Function
4:15 PM
Class of 2025 Networking Reception
2025 Honorees Only
Location: Lyceum & Carnegie
Exclusive 15th Anniversary Reception for Past Honorees
Invitation Only
Location: Westside Ballroom, Salon 4
5:00 PM
Registration
5th Floor Pre-Function
Pre-Ceremony Reception
Open to All Registered Guests
Location: Westside Ballroom, Salon 3
5:15 PM
Honoree Class Photo
2025 Honorees Only
Location: Main Stage, Westside Ballroom, Salons 1-2
6:00 PM
2025 Game Changers Honoree Ceremony
Location: 7th Floor – Westside Ballroom Salons 1-2
7:00 PM
Celebration Reception and Networking (heavy hors d’oeuvres)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Game Changers Conference
All programming will take place on the 5th Floor in Westside Ballroom Salons 1-2, unless otherwise denoted
8:00 AM
Registration
Location: 5th Floor Pre-Function
Continental Breakfast & Networking
Location: 5th Floor – Floor Pre-Function
Hosted by
8:30 AM
Game Changers Connect
Location: Westside Ballroom Salons 3-4 A curated and highly intentional thought leadership and networking program designed to touch on some of the hottest topics and challenges facing your industry and to ensure every attendee leaves with new, meaningful business ideas and relationships.
9:40 AM
Welcome | Opening Remarks
Abraham Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
9:50 AM
Top of the Agenda: The Trends and Storylines You Should Be Watching
Amina Bulman, CRO, Boston Legacy FC
Kim Damron, President, Sports Properties, Learfield
Dedra DeLilli, VP, Marketing Communications, Toyota Motor North America
Danita Johnson, President, Business Operations, D.C. United
Moderator: Abraham Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
10:30 AM
Driving Forward: The LPGA's Next 75
Craig Kessler, Commissioner, LPGA
10:55 AM
Networking Break
Location: 5th Floor Pre-Function
11:25 AM
Boardroom to Broadcast: Shaping Sports from the Inside Out
Karen Brodkin, President, WME Basketball
11:50 AM
Glow Up: Building a Brand and Breaking Barriers
Naomi, Superstar, WWE Superstar
12:05 PM
Networking Lunch
Location: Buffet - 5th Floor Pre-Function Space; Seating - Westside Ballroom Salons 3-4
1:30 PM
Fireside Chat: Legacy, Leadership and Redefining the Landscape of Sports
Val Ackerman, Commissioner, BIG EAST Conference
1:55 PM
The Business of Legacy: How Women Are Shaping Athlete-Owned Enterprises
Christina Francis, President, Magic Johnson Enterprises
Lara Beth Seager, Chief Business & Brand Officer, Luka Dončić; CEO, 77X and Luka Dončić Foundation
Kelly Laferriere, Chief Business Officer, A-Rod Corp
2:30 PM
Advice to My Younger Self: A Conversation with Three Game Changers OGs
Amy Latimer, EVP/COO, Delaware North
Sue Rodin, President, Stars & Strategies; Founder, WISE
Janet Marie Smith, EVP, Planning & Development, Los Angeles Dodgers; Founder and Chair, Canopy Team
3:10 PM
Networking Break
Location: 5th Floor Pre-Function
3:40 PM
Breaking Barriers: Women Leading from the Negotiation Table
Marla Ostroff, Managing Director, North America, Ticketmaster
Circe Wallace, EVP, Action Sports & Olympics, Wasserman
Moderator: Mori Taheripour, Author; Faculty, Legal Studies and Business Ethics, The Wharton School
4:10 PM
Designing Women: Creating Spaces and Experiences for the Next Generation of Fans
Barbara Bouza, Executive Director, Live, Work, Play, CannonDesign
Caroline Wright, Chief Venue Officer, Tepper Sports & Entertainment
5:15 PM
