Women Leaders Podcast

On this episode, we take you back to the 2022 Women Leaders National Convention in Kansas City! If you were in attendance, I hope you are STILL feeling inspired and energized by ALL our incredible speakers, breakout sessions and connection moments. My soul was set on FIRE! One of the many powerful keynotes brought Holly Rowe, ESPN reporter and play-by-play commentator, on stage for a candid and empowering conversation with the President of the Las Vegas Raiders, Sandra Douglass Morgan. They chat about Sandra’s journey to becoming the first African American woman president in the NFL. Sandra sheds light on her personal career journey, shares SO MANY good leadership insights, and encourages us all to advocate for ourselves. I enjoyed being in the room for this interview and I am very excited that we can bring it to the Women Leaders Podcast. 

Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports.   On this episode, I hand the mic over to the super talented Jill Bodensteiner, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Saint Joseph’s University! She is joined by Julie Cromer, Director of Athletics at Ohio University and co-chair of the NCAA Transformation Committee, and Brynn Carlson, University of Missouri Volleyball player and Chair of the D-1 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee! This conversation dives into the work of the transformation committee and the future of college athletics from both the perspective of a student athlete and an Athletic Director.    They talk through several important topics, including the importance of student athletes having a voice, inclusive equity in sports, how the new transfer rules are playing out, and the overall impact these changes are having on college athletics.    There is obviously so much here, and it’s super timely.  A big thanks goes out to Jill for m

Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports, And I am so excited to share this special podcast with you!  It’s actually a throwback from the 2021 WOMEN LEADERS X keynote line-up - that’s right we are bringing our Podcast listeners the Leadership Masterclass which featured SIX Women Leaders sharing their best advice on how to kick glass and other leadership lessons from the top. If you are an aspiring leader, this conversation is for you!  You’ll hear from Adia Barnes, head basketball coach at the University of Arizona...Melissa Christian, Vice President of Global Brand and Category Marketing at Dicks Sporting Goods...Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee...Kim Pegula, Owner and president of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, Doctor Erika James - Dean of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania...And Romaine Seguin, former President of Global Freight Forwarding at UPS and current CEO of Good 360.  During

Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today, I'm joined by Allison Kern, Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics at Cal State East Bay!   Trust. Authenticity. Intentionality. Vision. – Just some of the main topics we break down in this engaging conversation where Allison gives great perspective on how to be a successful leader In college athletics.  A former student-athlete and head women's basketball coach, Allison shares some important thoughts on non-traditional leadership and changes across the college athletics landscape.   Leading through change, disruptions and transitions are a huge part of every leadership journey, and we touch on all of that, including her transition from private institutions to a public one.   And as we continue to celebrate 50 years of Title IX, Allison shares how this milestone has impacted her, and why she is constantly grateful for the opportunities Title IX afforded her in life.   There are so ma

Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today, I'm excited to be joined by Candace Campbell Jackson - the Vice President and Chief of Staff to the Chancellor at Syracuse University.   Candace, who is also an executive coach, brings a unique view of leadership and higher education outside of the sports landscape.  Get ready to take notes! You are about to experience a masterclass in leadership straight from one of the best.  Candace provides tip after tip on how to succeed as a leader at any University or Organization. She covers topics like how to turn your energy on, the importance of intentionality, and knowing you always having something to offer - no matter how big or small!   This episode will help give you the edge as you design your life and your WHY!  Whether you are a woman of color, an aspiring senior leader, or just starting your career in sports, this conversation will give you actionable steps to take on your path forward.   The

Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today, I’m excited to be joined by the Vice President of NCAA Division III, Louise McCleary.  Louise brings 20 years of leadership experience and insights to our conversation, and thus shares several great tips for advancement.  She also talks about what she believes are the 2 most important reminders for leaders,  so have your pen and paper handy.  Most of Louises life’s work has been devoted to DIII schools and student-athletes, and Her passion for DIII shines through as she breaks down the rewarding experience of DIII participation and talks about some of the D III focus areas for the future.     There’s lots of great insights throughout our conversation, including some interesting dialog around navigating a role at the national office,    Don’t miss a minute of it,  and remember, we are Women Leaders!   --------------- The Women Leaders in College Sports National Convention is BACK. And In-Person! 

Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports.   We have another special guest this June as we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX – the new CEO of the Women's Sports Foundation, Danette Leighton, who also serves in an ex officio role on the Women Leaders board.      I talk with Danette about her career path, which includes stops in pro sports and at the PAC-12.  Danette’s career portfolio is broad and much of it has included experience in or focus on women’s sports, particularly in the marketing of women’s sports, and she shared some fascinating insights on that front.  I ask Danette about her transition to the CEO role – how it came about, what she has focused in her first two months on the job, and advice she has for those of you looking to advance into the CEO role.       We also spend a lot of time talking about the Women’s Sports Foundation, and their focus during this important year, the 50th anniversary of Title IX.  She shares

Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today we’ve got a very special guest...It’s MIA HAMM – yes, you heard that right -MIA HAMM.  It was an honor to sit down with Mia at Boston College recently, for their “Celebrating 50 years of Title IX” event which was presented by the council for women at BC!   Mia is not only the best women’s soccer player ever, but also one of the most important and recognizable female figures in the history of sport.  But...without Title IX, you would probably not be listening to this podcast. Mia Hamm would not have won four consecutive NCAA Soccer Championships at University of North Carolina. She would not have two Olympic gold medals. She would not have two World Cup Championships.     Mia is an outspoken advocate for Title IX and gender equality. Now an active owner of Angel City FC, Mia talks to us about the important evolution going from wanting a voice at the table, to a seat at the table, to wanting to OWN

Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today, we are back for round two with Andrea Williams, now the Chief Experience Officer for the NBA Utah Jazz.  When we last talked to Andrea on episode 38, she had just moved from the Commissioner of the Big Sky to become the CFO of the College Football Playoff.  Now that she’s made the jump to pro sports as a CXO (that’s chief experience officer – coolest job title ever) with the Utah Jazz we thought it was time for another check in.     Listen in to hear how her work in college sports prepared her for this new role, how her leadership has evolved since being the Commissioner of the Big Sky, and what she believes is the most important skill that leaders possess.  We discuss the similarities and differences between working in intercollegiate athletics and pro sports, as well as the barriers women and women of color face in both spaces.  And we talk about and how to overcome those.   Lots of great info

Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today, we are talking to Rachelle Paul, Director of Athletics at Saint Peter’s University.    You all have heard of St. Peter’s by now... the small Jesuit school in New Jersey that was the first 15-seed ever to make the Elite Eight during the NCAA Men’s basketball championship.      Rachelle first shares her journey to the AD chair and emphasizes the importance of relationships throughout her career.  And in her short time as AD at Saint Peter’s, Rachelle has faced several historical moments: navigating COVID in her first year and then navigating the historic run of her MBB team during this year’s March Madness.     Listen in to hear the behind the scenes of that historic run, and all of the challenges, learnings, and excitement, from an athletic director's perspective.  Rachelle shares many great insights on how to build on that type of momentum for both the athletic program and the university.  We ta

Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today I’m talking with Dr. Roberta Page, Director of Athletics at Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. Roberta is back home at her alma mater, after previous stints that included an AD role at Shippensburg, and 12 years as the Director of Championships at the NCAA. She said she gave away a lot of national championship trophies at the NCAA and is excited to build that championship culture at Slippery Rock, and she talks about how to do that. I loved hearing Roberta’s story about how it all begin…when she convinced her parents to sign her up to play on an all-boys youth football team, because she just wanted to play. And she talks about how even at a young age, she focused on inclusivity which has been foundational in her leadership and career in athletics. Roberta uses her platform to be her authentic self and to bring positivity to campus to inspire her staff to be their best selves

Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today I’m talking with Angel Mason, Director of Athletics at Berry College in Rome, Georgia. Angel has a fascinating journey to the chair, including playing basketball overseas and being a high school athletic director. She shares with us her journey of self-discoveries, intentional moves, life decisions, and lucky breaks that got her to where she is now. Angel believes in bringing your authentic self to work every day. She knows her strengths, and she works with her challenges. In fact, she says she’s actually an introvert operating in an extroverted role—and she shares rituals that help keep her energy up. She is buoyed by gentle confidence and tells us humility is essential because we don’t reach leadership positions or do the work alone. Don’t miss a moment of this great conversation! And remember, we are Women Leaders!

Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports, and today I’m talking with Kim Damron, CEO of Paciolan, a leader in ticketing, fundraising, marketing, analytics, and technology for live entertainment organizations. Kim has been at Paciolan for 16 years, initially as the COO, a role she loved. In fact, she never imagined herself as a CEO, and you need to listen in to hear how her jump to CEO in 2017 happened.   As the leader, Kim has navigated enormous change, including an acquisition and the Covid-19 pandemic. Through it all, she says communication, transparency, and being there for employees were keys to maintaining trust and a healthy culture. In fact, many practices started during the pandemic, such as company-wide town halls, have been continued because of their positive results.   Paciolan was founded based on an inclusive culture, and Kim has carried on that legacy. 69% of Paciolan employees are women and minorities, which is fabulous. She sha

Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. For this episode, we’re doing something different! We’ve brought in two incredible leaders - former Women Leaders board member and athletic director at the University of Washington, Jen Cohen, and former UW head football coach, Chris Peterson, and the conversation is powerful. Jen and Coach Peterson are inspiring, seasoned leaders with a strong relationship based on mutual learning - and they share some of their most significant and valuable leadership lessons in this conversation.   Jen and Coach P worked together for six years at the University of Washington. During that time, they developed shared goals for the program, reciprocal trust and humility, the ability to anticipate each other’s needs, and fill gaps for one another. All of this stemmed from their willingness to do the work to become self-aware so they could create positive change within themselves and those they lead.   Our conversation co

Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today, to start the new year, I’m excited to share this illuminating and inspiring conversation with Jill Sharp, a performance and health coach for leaders and teams. This is the perfect way to start the new year! For the past 17 years, Jill has been on a mission to create positive change and unleash potential. She is an expert in the field of energy and performance, and she supports those looking to sharpen their personal and professional edge. Jill tells us that the linchpin in our ability to perform in life lies with our energy—how much we have and how well we manage it. In fact, much of how we show up and what we can deliver in life is about energy management, not time management. And we’re talking about more than just physical energy—we are talking mental, emotional, relational, spiritual. So if you want to thrive this year, listen in as Jill shares her Performance Formula, which can also be a

Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today I’m sharing an insightful conversation with Dena Freeman-Patton, the Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics at California State University-Dominguez Hills. Dena grew up a child of educators, and although she played rec softball and informal basketball growing up, high school was the first time she played organized basketball. That was early enough for her to earn a Dl scholarship! It was through one of a few internships that she discovered her love for working in sports. Her longtime inclination to support others influenced her decision to pursue academic advising in college athletics. But as she climbed through the administrative ranks in Division I athletics departments, Dena reached a crossroads. Through career training and conversations with connections and mentors, Dena realized she needed to change the industry perception of her and her skillsets, and she chose to become more stra

Hello, and welcome to the Women Leaders podcast! I’m Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. Today I’m sharing an uplifting conversation with Sam Rapoport, the Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the National Football League. Sam started playing football at age 12 in Canada, ultimately rising to play for Team Canada and pro tackle football teams. By the end of college, she knew she wanted to work in pro football. Sam landed an internship with the NFL by pitching herself as a quarterback who could deliver a ball 386 miles—from Montreal to New York City. Sam still recommends finding ways to stand out. In two stints with the NFL, Sam has brought significant change to the league, spearheading programming to retain, develop, and promote qualified diverse candidates into the football operations pipeline at NFL clubs and the league office. Rapoport created the Women’s Careers in Football Forum in 2017, which served to inspire and connect qualified women to football operations pos

In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares an energizing conversation with Sherryta Freeman, Director of Athletics at Division I Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. Sherryta fell in love with the administrative side of sport while she was a student-athlete and athletic department intern at Dartmouth College. After graduation, she landed at the Ivy League conference office—and her trajectory in the industry, eventually landing in the athletic director chair, was in motion. A collaborative leader, Sherryta learned early that when you focus on excelling where you are, new opportunities come, and that all the relationships you build along the way prepare you for whatever lies ahead. In our conversation, Sherryta talks about why the book Essentialism had such an impact on her, and She stresses prioritizing and letting the little stuff go while still doing great work and moving forward. Her message for all women is one she tells herself every day, “You got this”! Don’t miss a moment of this conversation! And

In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares an uplifting conversation with Diana Sabau, the new Deputy Commissioner/Chief Sports Officer at the Big Ten Conference. Diana recently shifted to the Big Ten after 27 years at The Ohio State University, where she started as an intern after college. Despite her unique longevity at one institution, change is one of Diana’s life mantras. She always finds ways to change, grow, and move forward—and to do so, she reminds us that performance predicts promotions. She has relied on taking advantage of opportunities, taking risks with bold innovations, and leaning into bright colleagues, trusting them to carry the water with her. Diana admits that when she was young and impatient, she didn’t know what she wasn’t ready for. She learned to value relationships, her energy and its impact, and the process of developing trust over time, which often happens by listening rather than doing. You’ll hear how Diana’s long stint at Ohio State helped shaped how she shows up every day—and put he

In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares a timely and enlightening conversation with Dr. Nicki Webber Moore, the Vice President and Director of Athletics at Division I Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. Nicki has a unique and powerful lens as an AD. With a doctorate in sport psychology, she is acutely aware of the importance of mental wellness as an essential part of overall health for both student-athletes and her staff. Nicki, a national leader in matters impacting the student-athlete experience, talks about her leadership style and how she upholds the particular needs of student-athletes and promotes the professional growth of her coaches. Nicki also shares how her career in athletics administration bloomed early—as a student-athlete who jumped into campaigning and fundraising for a new facility. Since that time, she has carried with her and benefitted from two major lessons: no relationship is disposable, and it pays to say yes to new professional opportunities that increase your value. Nicki is an