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
Hosted by: U.S. Soccer
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: Westside Ballroom Salons 1-2
7:00 PM
Celebration Reception and Networking (heavy hors d’oeuvres)
Hosted by: Major League Baseball
Location: Main Stage, Westside Ballroom, Salons 3-4
8:30 PM
Reception Concludes
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
Hosted by: U.S. Soccer
Continental Breakfast & Networking
Location: 5th Floor – Floor Pre-Function
Hosted by: Connect Partnership Group
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
Moderator: Angela Stanford, Commentator, Golf Channel
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
Moderator: Rachel Axon, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
11:55 AM
Glow Up: Building a Brand and Breaking Barriers
Moderator: Jenn Azara, Managing Editor, Sports Business Journal
12:15 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
Moderator: Abraham Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
2:00 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
Moderator: Patti Phillips, CEO, Women Leaders in Sports
2:35 PM
The Business of Legacy: How Women Are Shaping Athlete-Owned Enterprises
Lara Beth Seager, Chief Business & Brand Officer, Luka Dončić; CEO, 77X and Luka Dončić Foundation
Kelly Laferriere, Chief Business Officer, A-Rod Corp
Moderator: Ellen Hyslop, Co-Founder & Head of Content and Audience, The Gist
3:10 PM
Networking Break
Location: 5th Floor Pre-Function
3:40 PM
Breaking Barriers: Women Leading at the Negotiation Table
Marla Ostroff, Managing Director, North America, Ticketmaster
Circe Wallace, EVP, Action Sports & Olympics, Wasserman
Michelle Smith, President, Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment; Chief People Officer, Larry H. Miller Company
Moderator: Mori Taheripour, Author; Faculty, Legal Studies and Business Ethics, The Wharton School
4:15 PM
Leveling the Field: Partnerships that Transform Women’s Sport
Alanoud Althonayan, Head, Sponsorship and Events Management, PIF
Kim Clijsters, Grand Slam Singles Champion
Ashley Keber, Senior Vice President of Member Relations, WTA
Moderator: Jenn Azara, Managing Editor, Sports Business Journal
4:40 PM
Designing Women: Creating Spaces and Experiences for the Next Generation of Fans
Barbara Bouza, Executive Director, Live, Work, Play, CannonDesign
Beth Penfield, Senior Director, CAA ICON
Caroline Wright, Chief Venue Officer, Tepper Sports & Entertainment
Moderator: Rachel Axon, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
5:10 PM
