2023 NCAA WCA Class 52 Faculty

FACULTY

Go To WeCOACH Staff

Marlene Bjornsrud

marlene.bjornsrud@gmail.cpom

Marlene’s career spanned more than 40 years of leadership in women’s sports and non-profits, establishing and growing organizations.  She had a wide range of experience across multiples sports and levels including coaching and athletic administration at the collegiate level, and general management at the professional level. Now retired, she remains an advocate and leader committed to using sports as a platform to make a positive difference in the world.

Marlene served as Executive Director of the Alliance of Women Coaches (now WeCOACH) from 2014 – 2016. She joined the Alliance from the Bay Area Women’s Sport Initiative (BAWSI), a nonprofit organization she co-founded in 2005 with USA soccer stars Brandi Chastain and Julie Foudy.  As CEO of BAWSI, they engaged more than 8,000 women athletes in the fight against child obesity by having them inspire more than 16,000 BAWSI girls in underserved communities in the Bay Area and more than a thousand children with disabilities (“BAWSI Rollers”), to get moving in fun, active play.

Marlene’s work in helping girls and women through sport was recognized by the International Olympic Committee with its prestigious 2013 Women and Sport Award for the continent of the Americas. Marlene was a featured speaker in Doha, Qatar at the GOALS (Gathering of All Leaders in Sport) Forum with the intent of empowering individuals to create a roadmap for social improvement through sport and launch cross-border initiatives. Additionally, she was instrumental in helping launch the first ever Japanese Women Coaches Academy. Marlene has been a featured speaker at WBCA, AVCA, and NSCAA conventions, as well as many local, regional and national events.

Marlene resides in Colorado Springs, CO with her wife Jo and spends most of her days hiking the foothills of Pikes Peak.

Coach Yolanda Bronston

ybronston@sjcds.net

Coach Yolanda Bronston’s passion goes beyond helping young athletes improve their basketball skills and hoops IQ. Her true passion is teaching life lessons through the game of basketball to help those athletes grow to be the best young men and women that they can be. 

Coach Yo has over 25 years of coaching experience at various levels from toddlers to Division 1 college ball. As a player, Yolanda led Blacksburg High School girls’ basketball to the 1990 Virginia state championship game and the 1991 Track & Field team to an undefeated season and state championship. Yolanda went on to play basketball for Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT under the late Coach Brenda Reilly. After graduation she returned to VA and became the assistant coach at BHS. Yolanda went on to pursue her MBA at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA where she earned a Graduate Assistant Coaching position with Norfolk State University Women’s Basketball. After one season, thanks to successful recruiting and scouting efforts, she earned a full-time Assistant Coach position at NSU.

In 2021 Yolanda was the recipient of the WeCOACH High School BreakThrough Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Eastbay. This award is presented annually to a woman coach who has shown exemplary courage, resilience, and leadership in navigating the coaching profession at the high school level. In 2022 Yolanda was inducted into Blacksburg High School Hall of Fame.

Coach Yo currently serves as the Accounting Manager & Head Girls Varsity Coach at St. Johns Country Day School in Orange Park. In her five years at the helm, the Lady Spartans have reached the state playoffs each year with Coach Yo earning Florida Athletic Coaches Association District 6 Coach of the Year award each year. In the 20-21 season Coach Yo led the Spartans to their first District Championship in 29 years.

Becky Burleigh

burleigh-becky@whatdriveswinning.com

Becky is a 2011 WCA Class #24 graduate.

In 26 seasons at the helm of the UF soccer team, Burleigh, 55, led UF to a NCAA Championship, two NCAA College Cup appearances, 14 Southeastern Conference titles and 22 NCAA Championships berths. Along the way, Burleigh picked up National (1998) and SEC Coach of the Year (2012, ‘10, ‘08, ‘00 & ’96) honors. One of two females (and only in DI) in NCAA soccer history with 500 career wins, Burleigh finished her 31-season coaching career in the top 10 on two NCAA Division I Winningest Coaches charts:

• 74.5 percentage  No. 8
• 513 wins              No. 4

The 1998 season’s culmination with a 1-0 victory over North Carolina for the NCAA Championship marked a remarkable job by Burleigh, as the program she built from its beginnings used a four-year fast track to the national crown. In 1998, Florida set season marks for best record (26-1), highest national ranking (No. 1), and highest NCAA Championships seeding (No. 2). Florida captured its third consecutive SEC Tournament title and advanced to its first-ever NCAA College Cup. By taking UF to the College Cup, Burleigh became only the second female coach to lead her team to the NCAA semifinals and the first to win the NCAA crown. Burleigh also received the 1998 NSCAA/adidas, College Soccer Weekly and Soccer Buzz National Coach of the Year awards.

Those early successes evolved into the Gator soccer team being a regular among the nation’s ranked teams. Over the course of the program’s 26 years under Burleigh, Florida has:

• 22 NCAA Championships’ berths (1996-2001; 2003-2017; 2019)
• Two NCAA College Cup appearances (1998, 2001), winning NCAA title in 1998
• 14 SEC team titles (1996-2001; 2006-2010; 2012-13, 2015)
• 12 SEC Tournament titles (1996-01; 2004; 2007, 2010, 2012, 2015-16)

Florida’s 22 overall NCAA appearances is 12^th among Division I programs. Among the top-15 teams in NCAA appearances, Florida is the youngest (25 seasons).

Prior to being named Florida’s first head soccer coach, Burleigh coached the Berry (Ga.) College Lady Fury for five seasons (1989-93), when she compiled an 82-23-6 overall record. During her five-year coaching tenure at Berry, Burleigh guided the Lady Fury to two NAIA national championships (1990 and 1993) and was also named NAIA National Coach of the Year during the same two seasons. Burleigh was named NAIA Regional Coach of the Year in her first season as head coach at Berry in 1989, when her squad finished as the national runner-up. At Berry, Burleigh compiled a 76.6 win percentage, as she lost only seven games to NAIA opponents during her five seasons

Burleigh has coached 22 United Soccer Coaches All-Americans, 11 NAIA All-Americans, 51 All-SEC players, 174 student-athletes on the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll, seven CoSIDA Academic All-Americans with 11 honors and 16 student-athletes honored as United Soccer Coaches Academic All-Americans.

As a student-athlete, Burleigh played her collegiate ball at Methodist College in Fayetteville, N.C., where she was a four-year letterwinner. In her senior year, the Tarpon Springs, Fla., native served as team captain and was named to the All-South team as well as the team’s Most Valuable Player from her goalkeeper position. Burleigh graduated Magna Cum Laude from Methodist in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. In the fall of 1999, Burleigh was inducted into the Methodist Hall of Fame. She earned her master’s degree from Georgia State University in 1993.

She was inducted into the USA South Hall of Fame in the spring of 2015 and the Methodist University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.

Becky became the interim Head Coach for the professional club, the Orlando Pride of the NWSL, from July-December of 2021.

Becky and Celia Slater married in March of 2018. They are pet parents to four dogs – Loosey, Rose, Buddy and Large Marge.

Betsy Butterick, The Coaches’ Coach and Communications Specialist

betsy.butterick@gmail.com

Betsy is a 2013 NCAA WCA graduate (Class 29)

As a former coach with experience in DI, DII, DIII, and the WNBA Betsy utilizes her unique background with individuals ready to improve and teams of all kinds – from the locker room to the boardroom. As “The Coaches’ Coach” she meets coaches where they are and supports the growth that they’re looking to make. As a Communication Specialist, Betsy helps teams improve communication effectiveness while working collaboratively to create positive change at all levels of team. Professional, playful, and with a talent for people-centric design, Betsy offers a personal and experiential approach towards learning and development. A life-long athlete, Betsy grew up playing all sports and was a competitive basketball player (and an awful golfer) at the collegiate level. She now spends her time in Colorado Springs with her wife and daughter cycling, hiking, exploring, practicing yoga, chasing sunsets and in constant pursuit of the perfect breakfast burrito.

Nevin Caple

nevin@roinclusion.com

Nevin is a consultant, educator and national thought leader on diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. She is the founder of Return On Inclusion™, an online learning platform for coaches and administrators to develop inclusive leadership skills. She sits on the Board of Stonewall Community Foundation, the Women’s Sports Foundation Advocacy Committee, National Center for Lesbian Rights Leadership Council, and serves as a member of the faculty for WeCOACH. In 2016, Nevin was retained as the Diversity & Inclusion Consultant for the CIAA Conference, the nation’s oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities athletic conference in the country. She regularly consults the NCAA on inclusion initiatives, recently developing the NCAA DIII ONETEAM Facilitator Training with her dear friend and mentor, Pat Griffin. Nevin received her Bachelor of Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2002 while playing on the Women’s Basketball Team. She resides in Brooklyn, New York with her wife, Colleen McCaffrey.

Major Alicia Chambers

Major Chambers, a Sacramento, CA native, was born on 10 November 1990. During her time at San Francisco State University, she competed in Track and Field, graduating as a three time All-American. She commissioned on 16 June 2012. Following completion of The Basic School, Major Chambers reported to Basic Communications Officer Course (BCOC) and given the PMOS of 0602.

In July 2014, after completing BCOC, Major Chambers reported to Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3d Marine Division, Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. Major Chambers was selected to be the Transmissions Platoon Commander, Data Platoon Commander, Uniformed Victim Advocate, and Operations Officer. During this time, Major Chambers completed multiple MEF- and Division-level exercises, enabling command and control for the 3d Marine Division Commanding General in Thailand, Philippines, Japan, and Korea.

In July 2016, Major Chambers reported to 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division to be the S-6A/Platoon Commander. While there, Major Chambers was responsible for enabling command and control for the Regiment Commanding Officer during Integrated Training Exercise 1-17 and multiple exercises throughout the Pacific. In December 2016, Major Chambers was selected to attend Expeditionary Warfare School FY-17 on the Commandant’s Career-Level Education Board.

In January 2017, Major Chambers reported to the MAGTF Communications Planner’s Course, where she was awarded the AMOS of 0603, MAGTF Communications Planner. In July 2017, Major Chambers checked in to Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS). While a resident, she participated in Chess Club and the Quatrefoil Society.

In February 2018, Major Chambers was selected for Marine Corps Recruiting Command Duty. In May 2018, she reported to Recruiting Station Atlanta to begin the 36-month tour of Recruiting Duty as the Officer Selection Officer (OSO), Kennesaw, Georgia. In July 2021, Major Chambers checked into Expeditionary Strike Group TWO, serving as the Dynamic Force Employment Officer-in-Charge. She has participated in HA/DR aboard the USS ARLINGTON supporting JTF-HAITI, LSE-21 aboard the USS KEARSARGE, participated in Fort Lauderdale and New Orleans Fleet Weeks, and BALTOPS-22. She is currently the Deputy C5I Officer and Amphibious Communications Detachment Officer-in-Charge.

Major Chambers has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, Information Systems. She is a graduate of Command and Staff College Distance Education Program (CSCDEP), Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS), MAGTF Communications Planner’s Course (MCPC), Officer Selection Officer Course (OSOC) Joint Humanitarian Operations Course (JHOC), Information and Communications Managers Course (ICMC), and Joint C4 Planners Course. Major Chambers’ personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd award).

Anya Covington

human2human21@gmail.com

Anya is a 2019 WCA Class #47 graduate.

As a speaker, advocate, coach, minister, teammate, mentor, friend, and believer, Anya is focused on rethinking the advancement of humanity through the lens of Love. In human2human, LLC’s first two years, Anya and the Power Players of human2human LLC have created over 130+ trainings while serving 9+ universities, 4+ high/middle schools, 12+ businesses and 3 church-related entities. Anya has committed her life to the process of healing, both internally and externally. After 15+ years of coaching and playing at the professional and collegiate ranks, Anya is a mentor of mentors, leader of leaders and trainer for all. She works to bring competent and tailored strategy to better practices of leadership, and unifies humanity through providing simple, yet critical, principles for love-focused living. For once the soul is healed, so is the whole.

Marke Freeman, Author, Consultant & Sports Broadcaster

marke@markefreemanmedia.com

As an Author, Consultant and Basketball Analyst, Marke Freeman works with organizations, teams and individuals worldwide educating, equipping and empowering through sports.

She has explored all four corners of sports as a Professional Athlete, College Coach, Sports Broadcaster and Director of Player Development. Following her professional playing career she immediately found her purpose impacting from the sidelines at University of Missouri – Kansas City and later Washington University – Saint Louis completing her coaching career with a 75% winning record, even making an Elite Eight Appearance in the 2019 Division III NCAA Tournament.

She is passionate about three initiatives:

1.) Educating Youth through sports. This is why she founded Max-OUT Foundation in 2013. A non-profit organization with a mission to “Maximize Opportunity, Unity and Training” which serves over 600 youth yearly!

2.) Equipping World Class Leaders. As the Author of CHAMPIONS’ Creed, Marke serves coaches, teams, execs & fortune 500 companies on the essentials needed to Build and Sustain a Winning Culture. She instills within them not only the mental foundations of success and the motivation to achieve, but also the actionable strategies that will empower them to grow, improve, and thrive.

3.) Empowering Female Coaches. Marke works with Brands such as WeCoach, Hudl, NBC’s On Her Turf, Point Guard College and many others to increase representation, inclusion and enhance the culture of coaching across all sports and at all levels.

Truly living through her world, Marke is an acclaimed teacher who has helped thousands create the results they seek. But, most people know her as an ordinary woman with an extraordinary message that has shifted the trajectory of many lives.

Dr. Gary Green

gtgreen31@gmail.com

Dr. Gary T. Green earned his Doctorate in Education (Recreation and Administration), a Masters in Sports Management at the University of Georgia and another Masters in Business (focused on Sport Management) at the University of London. Dr. Green conducts extensive research on the “Human Dimensions” of natural resources, recreation, sports and tourism.

Dr. Green has over 25 years of experience conducting national surveys related to sports and recreation. Dr. Green has designed and implemented thousands of survey questions and conducted thousands of interviews, and hence brings tremendous insight into the understanding of the “Human Dimensions” of people’s expectations and preferences in regards to recreation and sports.

For the past twenty years, Dr. Green has been specifically examining and evaluating the recruiting practices of various collegiate sports (basketball, beach volleyball, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, etc) in relation to their recruiting, retention and understanding of student-athletes. In fact, Dr. Green has interviewed over 30,000 student-athletes in relation to their recruiting and athletic coaching experience. Dr. Green has also examined and evaluated the quality and consistency of communication practices within athletic programs. Every program, 90+ teams at over twenty universities (AL, AU, FSU, GT, LSU, MSU, ND, NE, UGA, UT, VT, etc), that Dr. Green has worked with has seen a strong improvement in their recruiting and communication practices and in their signing and retention of high-profile recruits, which speaks to the effectiveness of Dr. Green’s evaluation process. Dr. Green also examines generational differences in student-athletes such as Millennials, Gen Z, Gen Alpha, etc, and how these differences directly impact the recruiting and retention of student-athletes. Recently Dr. Green has been examining the impact of COVID-19 on student-athletes, how it has impacted their resiliency and how coaches can help build resiliency in their student-athletes.

Teresa Gould

tgould@pac-12.org

Teresa Gould joined the Pac-12 Conference office staff in August 2018 where she manages sports administration and championships for women’s basketball and all Olympic sports, oversees governance and compliance, and serves as the conference’s senior woman administrator.

Gould brings a breadth of leadership experience and track record of success in major collegiate athletics to the role, having worked both at the university and conference levels, within and outside of athletics, and in broadcast and revenue generating roles. At the University of California, Davis she served as Interim Athletic Director from 2015-16 after having held the role of associate executive director and chief revenue officer of the alumni association, finishing her tenure at UC Davis in 2017 as director of the preferred partnership program.

From 2001-14, Gould worked in the athletic department at the University of California, Berkeley where among a number of positions she served as deputy director of athletics, external relations and chief of staff to the athletic director. In these roles, her responsibilities included development of the athletic department’s strategic plan and administration of all sports, in addition to serving as member of the Pac-12 Council. Previously, Gould spent eight years at the West Coast Conference where she served as associate commissioner, as well as three years at ESPN in the role of conference coordination and rights acquisition.

Teresa currently serves as WeCOACH Board of Directors President 2023.

Lesley Irvine

lirvine@coloradocollege.edu

Lesley is a 2009 WCA Class #17 graduate.

Lesley Irvine began her tenure as Vice President and Director of Athletics at Colorado College on June 1, 2019. In her role, Irvine serves on the President’s cabinet and oversees Athletics and Recreation within the Division. In addition, she currently serves as:

• Chair of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Athletic Director Council
• Chair of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Athletic Director Council
• Member of the Board of Directors for the Women Leaders in College Sports, Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, the Olympic City USA Task Force and the Colorado Springs Sports Authority
• Founding Board Member and Division III representative of the WeCoach organization

Irvine has been instrumental in several high-profile endeavors that will be the foundation of the department’s championship culture in the years to come:

• Launched the Tiger ExCCellence campaign, a championship culture fundraising initiative celebrating the history of Colorado College athletics and charting a course for its ambitious future. Tiger ExCCellence has grown each year and ended the 2022 fiscal year with historic highs in dollars raised and participation rates.
• Provided key leadership in the planning, construction and operating of the brand new Ed Robson Arena, which opened in October of 2021. The state-of-the-art 3,400-seat multi-purpose facility provides the Colorado College hockey team an on-campus home for the first time in program history and also serves as one of the City for Champions projects. Robson Arena sold out every game in the inaugural 2021-22 season.
• Oversaw the planning, unveiling and implementation of a logo refresh that was unveiled in February 2020.

Dr. Breigh Jones-Coplin, PsyD

Dr. Breigh Jones-Coplin, PsyD, is a mental health provider, passionate professor, and accomplished entrepreneur. She obtained her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology, where she now serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor and Adjunct Professor, empowering future generations in the field. With a Master’s degree in Sport and Performance Psychology from the same institution, Dr. Jones-Coplin possesses extensive expertise in working with performers of diverse ages, sports, and skill levels.

In addition to her academic roles, Dr. Jones-Coplin holds prominent positions that exemplify her exceptional contributions. She serves as a Sport Psychology provider for USA Track and Field, supporting athletes in their mental well-being and performance.

Dr. Jones-Coplin’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through her ownership and founder status of Black + Blossomed, LLC—a remarkable floral design company. Through this venture, she endeavors to showcase Black art, foster community thriving, and create meaningful connections between floral design and mental health. Her innovative approach involves developing curriculum that bridges the transformative power of flowers with mental health, revolutionizing the field.

A sought-after facilitator, Dr. Jones-Coplin conducts enlightening workshops on healing and wellness for a wide range of businesses, teams, and organizations. She emphasizes the paramount importance of authenticity and love as guiding principles when navigating these profound topics, ensuring an inclusive and compassionate approach.

Dr. Jones-Coplin’s multifaceted expertise and commitment to empowering others through psychology, sport, entrepreneurship, and floral design truly set her apart as a trailblazer in the mental health field.

Dr. China Jude

chinajude@msn.com

Dr. China Jude was named Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion on April 26, 2021. In a newly created role for the organization, Jude works closely with football, business and community leadership on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy.

Jude guides the team’s internal DEI committee, increasing viewership and participation in organization-wide programming, and has strengthened DEI presence in the corporate partnership area. She also has successfully introduced, researched, and vetted the launch of an anonymous reporting platform and newly created recruitment strategies to increase ethnic minorities in the application pipeline.

Laura-Ann Lane

lauran-ann.lane@nichols.edu

LA is a 2008 WCA Class #14 and 2019 Academy 2.0 Class #3 graduate.

Laura-Ann Lane became the 13th head coach in the history of the Nichols College field hockey program in the summer of 2020. The Bison won seven games during Lane’s first complete season in Dudley in 2021, often times playing with only 10 student-athletes on the field. Eight student-athletes were named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III National Academic Squad, two of which – Mackenzie Doran and Emily LeBlanc – garnered National Academic Squad honors.

The 2020 campaign was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the spring, the Bison played four scrimmage games as Lane began implementing her style of play and system which has made her one of the most successful field hockey coaches in the nation for two decades. Off the turf, five Bison received both Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) and NFHCA Academic honors. Doran was named an NFHCA Division III Scholar of Distinction.

A three-time Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Coach of the Year (2007, 2015-16) and the 2018 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Coach of the Year, Lane came to Nichols from Gwynedd Mercy University, where she spent the last 13 years as the head field hockey coach, Senior Woman Administrator, Athletics Work-Study Coordinator, and Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Mentor. Lane guided the Griffins to nine consecutive championship games – including four-straight CSAC Championships (2011-14) – and six NCAA Tournament appearances.

Competing annually against opponents which increased the program’s SOS and RPI ranking, Lane mentored 89 all-conference student-athletes (45 first team selections) during her time in Gwynedd Valley with seven earning Player of the Year nods and two receiving Rookie of the Year accolades. She also coached one CSAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and NCAA Woman of the Year nominee. Lane saw 13 student-athletes grab National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) South Atlantic All-Region honors to go with four NFHCA Senior All-Stars and one NFHCA All-American.

The field hockey program at Gwynedd Mercy recorded the highest grade point average (GPA) in the conference three times (2017-19) and the highest at the college the past two years. The Griffins received three-straight NFHCA National Academic Team Awards (2017-19) and over 140 student-athletes were recognized by the NFHCA for their academic prowess under Lane, 17 of which were Scholars of Distinction.

Off the field, Lane wore many hats for Gwynedd Mercy. She oversaw all aspects of game management and student employment within the athletic department, and also established the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society Chapter at the university. Lane created and produced an annual student-athlete talent show which raised money for the Sunshine Foundation, the results of which provided 12 children the opportunity to go to Walt Disney World.

Lane arrived at Gwynedd Mercy following three years as the head coach at Roanoke College (2004-06). The Maroons qualified for the conference tournament in each of Lane’s three seasons at the helm of a program which saw nine student-athletes receive Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) All-Conference honors; she also coached the 2004 ODAC Rookie of the Year. Nine student-athletes were Academic All-America selections while five were named to the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) All-State Team.

Lane began her coaching career at her alma mater, Beaver College (now Arcadia University), where she guided the field hockey program to the postseason in five of her six seasons in Glenside, Pa. Named the 2002 Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) Coach of the Year, a total of 23 student-athletes received PAC All-Conference honors under Lane’s watch while three grabbed STX/NFHCA Regional All-America status. In the classroom, a total of 55 student-athletes were named to the PAC Academic All-Conference squad – 17 of which later received STX/NFHCA Academic All-America status.

Lane has served as an NCAA Field Hockey Championship site representative on six occasions (2010, 2015-16, 2019-22) as well as on the NCAA Regional Rankings Committee (2009-12, 2019) and the NFHCA Regional All-America Committee (2008-12). Currently, Lane is the Chair of the Senior Games Committee and has coached at the NFHCA Senior Game four times (2013-14, 2017-18) and was a speaker and presenter at the NCAA Division III Senior Woman Administrator Program in 2020. Lane is 2007 NCAA Women Coaches Academy Graduate and a 2019 Class #3 WeCoach 2.0 Academy graduate.

Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi

nmlavoi@umn.edu

Nicole M. LaVoi, Ph.D. is a Senior Lecturer in the area of social and behavioral sciences in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota and the Director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport. Through her multidisciplinary research she answers critical questions that can make a difference in the lives of sport stakeholders—particularly girls and women. As a leading scholar on gender, leadership and women coaches, Dr. LaVoi has published 100+ book chapters, research reports and peer-reviewed articles across multiple disciplines. Her seminal research includes the annual Women in College Coaching Report Card™ which is aimed at retaining and increasing the number of women in the coaching profession and holding decision makers accountable, a groundbreaking book Women in Sports Coaching (2016), and a documentary GAME ON: Women Can Coach (2018). GAME ON is the third Emmy-nominated collaborative film project with tptMN; the first was Concussion & Female Athletes (2011) and the second, Media Coverage & Female Athletes: Women Play Sports, Just Not in the Media (2013) won a regional Emmy for best sports documentary. As a public scholar she hosts a podcast, consults with a variety of stakeholder groups, speaks frequently around the world, fields media requests, provides thought leadership, and serves on numerous mission-driven, national advisory boards related to girls and women in sport. LaVoi played collegiate tennis at Gustavus Adolphus College earning two-time Academic All-American status and an NCAA-III National Team Championship, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees. Prior to her career in the academy, she was a USPTA Teaching Pro, an assistant coach at Carleton College, and the head tennis coach at Wellesley College. In her free time she enjoys being outdoors, biking, hiking, golf, and soaking up the sun.

Sara Liebscher

sara.c.liebscher.1@nd.edu

Sara Liebscher is currently in her 13th year in Development with the University of Notre Dame where she serves as the Senior Director of Athletics Advancement. In this capacity, she is responsible for overseeing the fundraising efforts and operations for all Athletics priorities and serves as the primary liaison between the Athletics and Development Departments. In addition to her management duties and sitting on both departments’ executive teams, Liebscher also manages a national portfolio of principal and leadership benefactors.

Liebscher led the development of a strategic business plan for the creation of the University’s Athletics fundraising operation in 2013-14. Through those efforts, the Athletics Advancement team was formed and is now raising record levels of private support for the endowment, expendable and capital needs of Notre Dame Athletics. Under Liebscher’s leadership, an initiative to fully endow all of the University’s coaching and athletics scholarships was launched, and the first-ever head coaching endowment at the University was secured in 2015, with seven additional coaching positions named subsequently; the Rockne Heritage Fund has grown nearly 150% in annual expendable revenue in support of discretionary funding; and a new Boathouse and Track and Field Facility have been built. Liebscher has also been involved in the new $400M Campus Crossroads project and is currently leading the fundraising for a Basketball practice facility and an indoor Football facility. She assisted with the establishment of the Advisory Council for the Student-Athlete and now has oversight of this group of high-capacity benefactors.

After returning to her alma mater in 2002 as a Senior Academic Counselor for Student-Athlete Academic Services, she was asked to join the Development team in September of 2004 as an Assistant Director and was promoted to Director of Athletics Advancement in 2007. In that role, Liebscher developed and led the Joyce Grants-in-Aid program – a program that was recognized campus-wide as the gold standard for outstanding donor stewardship – while also managing a portfolio of individual benefactors and playing an instrumental role in the capital campaigns for the Softball, Lacrosse and Hockey facilities. In 2010, Liebscher was promoted to Director of Regional Development, where she was responsible for developing relationships with members of the Notre Dame family who primarily resided in Southern California and other parts of the western United States.

Prior to returning to the University, Liebscher spent four years in National Corporate Banking at PNC Bank in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati managing a portfolio of Fortune 500 companies, and served as the Associate Head Women’s Basketball Coach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 1996-2002.

A four-year monogram winner and captain of the women’s basketball team, Liebscher graduated from Notre Dame with a Bachelors in American Studies in 1991 and earned the distinction of being the first athlete in school history to record a triple-double. She led her team to four conference championships and the first Top 20 national ranking in school history. While completing her M.B.A. at the University from 1991-93, she served as the Women’s Basketball Graduate Assistant Coach under newly-elected Hall of Fame Head Coach, Muffet McGraw.

Liebscher was a part of the Notre Dame family long before donning the Irish uniform, as her father, Carl, graduated from the University in 1949 and her mother, Mary, graduated from Saint Mary’s College in 1950. Including four older siblings who earned degrees from Notre Dame and one from Saint Mary’s, Liebscher has 17 additional members of her extended family who are “Domers” and she currently shares the campus with three more who are undergraduates.

Outside the office, Liebscher has been an avid participant in the Women’s Basketball team’s annual Pink Zone efforts in support of breast cancer research and awareness. She has also served as a volunteer youth basketball coach and as a mentor for the Building Bridges multicultural program, in addition to recently joining the Women’s Advisory Board for Habitat for Humanity.

Liz Masen, CEO and Client Director, Athlete Assessments

liz.masen@athleteassessments.com

On the surface, Liz Masen has an unlikely background for a career in sport. As a self-confessed ambitious workaholic, Liz graduated with an Honors Degree in Accounting and Finance, while working full-time, and was awarded the prestigious University Medal for receiving the highest academic marks at QUT. Her professional career started in investment banking, working in Australia, Asia, and South Africa as a specialist in the Mining and Resources sector.

From investment banking, she became the youngest ever General Manager of Finance for the global gas and engineering company, BOC Gases, and it was within these predominantly male environments that one of Liz’s true passions emerged. Liz co-founded Xplore, a leadership development company for women, which grew into the leading provider of its kind within Australia. After selling out her ownership in Xplore in 2006, Liz co-founded Athlete Assessments with Bo Hanson.

Now, Liz holds joint roles as CEO and Client Director at Athlete Assessments, and looks after their key clients and consultant relationships, as well as manages marketing and new business development. Her slogan is ‘when our clients are successful, we are successful too’. Liz continues her long-term involvement with WeCOACH and has been a faculty member of the NCAA Women Coaches Academies for over a decade. These opportunities bring together Liz’s two passions of sport and the leadership development of women.

Sport is a massive part of Liz’s life, both professionally and personally. In more recent years, most of her personal time in sport revolves around her two daughters’ basketball training and sitting courtside or on the score bench at their games. Back ‘in the day’, as a 100m age champion hurdler and sprinter, Liz’s High School Track & Field team ended a 60-year drought by winning the most prestigious Girls’ High School Championship in their State. Liz also has a black belt in Taekwondo, has previously coached Surf Sports at her local surf club, has been a volunteer youth coach in basketball, ran her first marathon in 2000 and her second (and last!) in the 2014 New York Marathon. Her proudest sporting moments have not been her own, instead she counts cheering on her husband to win medals at three of his four Olympics, and watching her daughters benefit from all that sport provides in their personal development, as the most special times.

Teri McKeever

mckeever-terimckeever@icloud.com

Regarded as one of the most accomplished swimming mentors in the United States, if not the world, Teri McKeever was the first woman to become a U.S. Olympic swimming head coach. Over the course of her career with the Cal Golden Bears, she guided Cal to four NCAA and five Pac-12 team championships.

In 2012, McKeever served as head coach of the U.S. Olympic women’s swim team in London, a unit that included six past, present and future Golden Bears who produced 13 medals for Team USA. In addition, McKeever was an assistant Olympic coach in both 2004 and ’08, has been head coach of the U.S. team at the Pac Pacific Championships twice and was head coach of the U.S. squad at the 2012 World Short-Course Championships. She is also a seven-time assistant for the United States at the World Championships.

McKeever’s swimmers have been named Pac-12 Swimmer of the Year 11 times, including Isabel Ivey in 2021, and National Swimmer of the Year on eight occasions. A total of 64 of her swimmers and divers have been chosen national scholar-athletes with 133 on Pac-12 All-Academic teams, including Rachael Acker, who was selected the Pac-12 Woman of the Year, Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year and a first-team Academic All-American in 2016.

McKeever’s list of accomplishments also features coaching 26 Olympians who have won 36 medals, while Golden Bears have captured NCAA individual or relay titles an impressive 66 times. She was inducted into the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018.

Prior to making her mark at Cal, McKeever spent five seasons at Fresno State, coaching the women’s team from 1988-92 and the men’s squad from 1990-92.

As a collegiate swimmer, McKeever earned All-America honors at USC, competing in the NCAA Championships meet all four years and helping the Trojans to four consecutive top-10 finishes. As a senior in 1983, McKeever was named USC’s Outstanding Student-Athlete. She worked as an assistant coach at USC from 1984-87, helping develop several All-Americans.

McKeever graduated from USC in 1983 with a degree in education and two teaching credentials (multiple subject, secondary life science) and also earned a master’s degree in athletic administration in 1987. McKeever’s father, Mike, was an All-American lineman for the Trojans’ football team in 1959. McKeever comes from a family of 10 children (she is the oldest), all with varied athletic backgrounds. Sisters Kristi and Kelli Gannon were members of the U.S. national field hockey team.

In 2014, McKeever was inducted into the Breitbard Hall of Fame at the 68th annual San Diego Hall of Champions ceremony, as well as into the American Swimming Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Teri McKeever’s Career Highlights

• U.S. Olympic Team Head Coach – 2012
• 2-time U.S. Olympic Team Assistant Coach
• 7-time U.S. World Championships Team Assistant Coach
• 2-time U.S. Pan Pacs Head Coach and 1-time U.S. Pan Pacs Assistant Coach
• U.S. World Short-Course Championships Head Coach – 2012
• 9-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year
• 4-time NCAA Team Champion – 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015
• 5-time Pac-12 Team Champion – 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2021
• Coached 6 National Swimmers of the Year – Natalie Coughlin (2001, 02, 03), Dana Vollmer (2009), Caitlin Leverenz (2012), Elizabeth Pelton (2013), Missy Franklin (2015), Kathleen Baker (2017)
• Coached 9 Pac-12 Swimmers of the Year – Marylyn Chiang (1999), Haley Cope (2000), Natalie Coughlin (2001, 02, 03), Dana Vollmer (2009), Caitlin Leverenz (2012), Elizabeth Pelton (2013), Missy Franklin (2015), Abbey Weitzeil (2019), Isabel Ivey (2021)
• Coached 5 Honda Sports Award Winners – Natalie Coughlin (2002, 03), Dana Vollmer (2009), Caitlin Leverenz (2012), Missy Franklin (2015), Abbey Weitzeil (2021)
• Coached 26 swimmers who have won 36 Olympic medals
• Coached 64 swimmers and divers who have been named CSCAA All-American Scholars
• Coached 133 swimmers and divers who have been named to the Pac-12 All-Academic team
• Member of the ASCA Hall of Fame and Cal Athletic Hall of Fame

Felecia Mulkey

felecia_mulkey@baylor.edu

A transcendent leader on the forefront of the growing sport of acrobatics and tumbling, Felecia Mulkey has won all 11 of the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association (NCATA) championships offered and boasts a career record of 106-4 over 12 seasons as a head coach of acrobatics and tumbling. 

In the 2021-22 season, she was in her eighth year as the head coach at Baylor University and has completely changed the program since arriving in Waco in June of 2014. After winning four-straight NCATA titles at the University of Oregon, she has led the Bears to seven-straight NCATA championships with a 73-2 eight-year record in Waco and compiled a 38-meet win streak (2017-21) as she has tutored 22 NCATA-All-Americans in eight seasons. 

The 2022 season saw three individual national titles for the Bears and the seventh-straight NCATA National Championship, Mulkey’s 11th-straight title in her career. Mulkey saw BU gain two yearly NCATA awards, with Emily Tobin being named Most Outstanding Athlete of the Year and Bayley Humphrey being named Specialist of the Year. The Bears had three named NCATA All-Americans in Tobin, Humphrey and Riley Chimwala. Baylor got it done on the mats and in the classroom, with Kamryn Kitchens named All-Academic and 26 other student-athletes named to the NCATA Academic Honor Roll. Six newcomers were named to the 2022 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team for Baylor, and 27 student-athletes were named to the Academic All-Big 12 At-Large Team. 

Mulkey won her 10th-career national championship and sixth-straight while at the helm at Baylor in 2021 as the No. 2 seed in the 2021 NCATA National Championships hosted inside the Ferrell Center. The Bears first defeated No. 3 seed Oregon in the semifinal, before downing No. 1 seed Azusa Pacific in the championship meet. Baylor finished the season with a 6-1 record, while earning a number of individual honors at the end of the season. For the fourth-consecutive time, a Baylor student-athlete was named the NCATA Most Outstanding Athlete as Emily Tobin earned the honor, while Riley Chimwala was named the NCATA Freshman of the Year. Tobin, Chimwala and Kam Kitchens all earned All-America honors, while Maddie McNamee was named the Louise Goodrum Academic Award winner.

In 2019 she guided the Bears to an unprecedented fifth-straight NCATA title, winning a program-record 14 meets as the Bears went 14-0 on the year to finish with a 278.400-271.725 victory over Oregon in the NCATA team final in front of the home fans at the Ferrell Center. Ashley Echelberger was named the NCATA Most Outstanding Athlete, becoming the third-straight Bear to win the title and the fourth such honor under Mulkey’s leadership. Top Joie Hensley was named NCATA Specialist of the Year and four Bears (Kaylee Adams, Hope Bravo, Ceara Gray and Echlelberger) were named NCATA All-Americans. 

In 2018, the Bears went 11-0, the third undefeated season in four years en route to winning the program’s fourth-straight NCATA title. Mulkey was named NCATA Coach of the Year for the second time in her career. The Bears defeated Quinnipiac, 283.360-274.650, while winning all six events. Ceara Gray earned Most Outstand­ing Player and Kaylee Adams Specialist of the Year. Gray, Adams and Lauren Sturm earned All-America honors.

In 2017, Mulkey’s squad went 9-1 and finished the season with eight straight wins to secure the program’s third straight NCATA national title. When it was all said and done, the Bears had three NCATA All-Americans (Kiara Nowlin (NCATA Most Outstanding Player), Kaelyn Cowan and Lauren Sturm) for the second consecutive year and third time since 2013, five NCATA individual event titles, 15 Academic All-Big 12 At-Large hon­orees and a then-program-record four NCATA Player of the Week awards. 

During the 2016 season, Mulkey led Baylor to a second straight perfect re­cord (10-0) en route to claiming the 2016 NCATA national championship. Along the way, Kiara Nowlin, Shayla Moore and Kaelyn Cowan earned NCATA All-American honors.

After guiding the Oregon Ducks to four consecutive NCATA national championships in five years, Mulkey, in her first season as Baylor’s head coach, guided the Bears to the program’s first NCATA national cham­pionship, defeating the defending champion Oregon Ducks three times en route to the crown. The Bears posted a program-best 11-0 record. Sophomore Kiara Nowlin, freshman Shayla Moore and senior Keegan Johnson received 2015 NCATA All-America honors and the Bears claimed eight event titles. In addition, Nowlin was named the 2015 NCATA Most Outstanding Player and Moore earned Freshman of the Year recognition.

Mulkey was the head coach at the University of Oregon from 2009 through 2014, first at the helm of the competitive stunts and gymnastics team and that evolved into acrobatics and tumbling and the inaugural season of the NCATA in 2011. At the helm of the Ducks, Mulkey boasted a 43-3 overall record while winning four national championships, 30 event titles, 11 All-America honors, two Athlete of the Year accolades, a Newcomer of the Year honor and a Coach of the Year award.

Dr. Missy Price

mprice@usclubsoccer.org

Missy is a 2015 WCA Class #35 and 2017 Academy 2.0 Class #1 graduate.

Dr. Missy Price became the Vice President of Education and Development for US Club Soccer in February 2023. She was previously the Vice President of Women’s Soccer at the United Soccer League (USL). Dr. Price brings more than 20 years of experience as a coach, instructor, consultant, author, and public speaker. She earned her PhD in Sport Psychology at the University of Virginia and played soccer collegiately at the University of Maryland. Dr. Price holds numerous coaching licenses and has served as a coach educator for US Soccer and United Soccer Coaches. She has been both an attendee and instructor for the NCAA Women’s Coaches Academy. A longtime advocate for women’s soccer and women in coaching, Price was selected as one of 30 mentors for the inaugural US Soccer SheChampions Mentorship Program which matches female candidates in Pro and “A” license coaching courses with experienced mentors to guide them on their coaching journey. Missy is the Immediate Past-President of United Soccer Coaches, an advocate and outspoken member of the LQBTQ+ community, and most importantly, a mom. Known by her colleagues and friends as an ally and thought leader who has spearheaded several DEIB initiatives throughout her career, Dr. Price tries to stay curious and encourages others to do the same.

Ann Salerno

annsalerno@changecycle.com

Ann Salerno is a change expert. She is hired by the US Federal Government and Fortune 500 companies to teach them how to predict people’s behavior in difficult & changing situations.

Ann is cofounder of The Change Cycle™ Series, built on the acclaimed Change Cycle™ model that depicts the six predictable and sequential stages of change. Ann is a partner in CCMC Inc. — the international training and development company in metro Washington, DC and Durban, South Africa — that is home to The Change Cycle™ Series product line. Ann is the creative design force and lead trainer and consultant for CCMC Inc.

As an avid, curious detective in the research and understanding of personal and organizational change, Ann’s knowledge and skill keeps her in demand and on the road. Whether in the training room, keynote speaking, or on loan as an interim executive, Ann’s gift is communicating practical, motivational, entertaining and metaphor-laden stories to link success skills and strategies to concepts and methodology about a very tough subject – personal, professional and organizational change.

Ann is one of the three Co-Creators of the NCAA Women Coaches Academy. 

Rev. Dr. Joanne Sanders

revjms@gmail.com

The Rev. Dr. Joanne Sanders, retired as Senior Associate Dean for Religious Life after 20 years at Stanford University in Stanford, CA. She is a priest in the Episcopal Church and earned a Master of Divinity from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP) at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California and a Doctor of Ministry (D. Min) from Seattle University in Seattle, WA, with a concentration on interdisciplinary leadership.

Sanders professional background includes previous university experience in college admissions and intercollegiate athletics, including collegiate coaching and a Master of Science in Sports Administration. Her educational research and religious interests explore the integrated connection between religion, spirituality and sport. Sanders doctoral work features research on emerging adults and the question of meaning making through intercollegiate athletic participation. Thresholds of Meaning; Sports and Religion on Campus, explores questions of meaning through intercollegiate athletic participation using both theological and philosophical inquiry and the conditions required to consider sport as threshold, a point at which our deepest yearnings and ultimate meaning may be discovered. She has presented her research at two NCAA Women Coaches Academies in Denver, CO in 2018 and 2019.

Rev. Sanders had the unique opportunity to serve on a 40-member multi-faith chaplain team at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. She collaborated with colleagues across the Stanford campus in developing courses in Sports and Spirituality, The Athlete and Identity and Gender and Sports.

From 2017-2019, Rev. Sanders served as the President of the Association of College and University Religious Affairs (ACURA), a national organization of professionals in higher education working to support pluralistic and inclusive endeavors in religion, spirituality and ethics in colleges and universities. She has been a member of the ACURA Board of Directors since 2014, and will complete her term as Past-President in March, 2021.

Celia Slater, Athletics Strategist, Creative Coaching Visionary, and Impassioned Leader

celia@truenorthsports.net

Pioneering, forward-thinking and solution-focused, Celia Slater is the owner and founder of True North Sports and the Coach Development Academy. She is a nationally recognized leader committed to providing personal and professional development opportunities for coaches of all sports. Celia brings nearly 35 years of unmatched experience in college athletics as both an organizational head and a collegiate basketball coach. Most recently Celia has worked with United Soccer Coaches to launch their pilot Coach Credentialing Program. Prior to starting True North Sports she was co-founder and executive director of both the NCAA Women Coaches Academy (NCAA WCA) and The Alliance of Women Coaches (Now WeCOACH).

Celia’s core beliefs rest in the power of emotional investment in reaching one’s own “true north” to achieve the height of victory as a coach, not just in accolades, but by successfully understanding oneself, being authentic, and communicating with one’s players to have a mutually-beneficial relationship.

Dawn Staley

Catapulting South Carolina into the national spotlight when she was hired in May 2008, Dawn Staley has made the Gamecocks a mainstay in the battle for SEC and national championships. Under her leadership, the Gamecocks have reached many firsts – National Championships, NCAA Final Fours, No. 1 rankings, SEC regular-season and tournament titles, SEC Players of the Year, National Players of the Year, WNBA No. 1 Draft picks, an undefeated regular season, and No. 1 recruiting classes – to name the most notable.

In Staley’s 15 seasons at the helm of the Gamecocks, highlights include:

• Two National Championships (2017, 2022)
• Five NCAA Final Fours in the last eight tournaments (2015, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023)
• Ranking in the AP Top 25 every week since Dec. 10, 2012, the third-longest active streak in the nation (206)
• 38 straight weeks ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll, just the third program to go wire-to-wire in that poll in back-to-back seasons
• Six 30-win seasons, including a program-record 36 wins in 2022-23
• Seven SEC regular-season championships (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2023)
• Seven SEC Tournament titles (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023)
• Three top-two recruiting classes (#1 in 2021, #1 in 2019, #2 in 2014)
• Nine NCAA Attendance titles (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)

While her coaching career is in full bloom, Staley is still recognized for her body of work as a one of the most decorated participants in United States women’s basketball history. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame solidified that legacy with her enshrinement as part of the Class of 2013. The Phoenix Club of Philadelphia established the Dawn Staley Award recognizing the nation’s top guard in women’s Division I basketball in 2013 as well. Staley was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2012 and was one of the final nominees for induction to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame the same year.

In 23 seasons as a head coach, Staley has led her college teams to 13 25-win seasons, a total of 19 postseason appearances (two WNIT) and 197 weeks in the Associated Press top 10, including 63 in the No. 1 spot – the fourth most times in the top spot in the history of that poll.  Her .755 winning percentage (574-186) ranks 10th in the nation among active head coaches with at least 10 years of experience and 13^th all-time.

Also a force in USA Basketball, Staley was named the U.S. Women’s National Team head coach for 2017-21, leading the U.S. to 2018 FIBA World Cup gold to earn USAB National Coach of the Year honors that year, adding gold medals at the 2019 and 2021 FIBA AmeriCups and stretching the U.S. Olympic gold medal streak to seven straight at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, for which she again earned Coach of the Year honors. Prior to that appointment, Staley led three other U.S. teams to gold medals – 2015 FIBA U19 World Championships, 2014 FIBA U18 Americas Championship, 2007 Pan Am Games – and served as an assistant on the Senior National Team 2006-08 and again 2014-16, during which the U.S. claimed gold in the 2014 FIBA World Championship and the 2008 and 2016 Olympics

Staley was honored by the University of Virginia Women’s Center in 2006 with the Center’s Distinguished Alumna Award, which honors a female graduate of the University who has demonstrated excellence, leadership and extraordinary commitment to her field and who has used her talents as a positive force for change. The University further recognized Staley’s standing in the community when it asked her to give the valedictory address at the 2009 Valedictory Exercises.

Following the South Carolina’s 2017 National Championship, both of Staley’s hometowns renamed streets in her honor with Columbia Mayor Steven K. Benjamin renaming Lincoln Street from College Street to Blossom Street Dawn Staley Way, which leads directly to the Gamecocks’ homecourt, Colonial Life Arena, in April 2017. In December 2017, the City of Philadelphia named the two-block stretch of Diamond Street from 23rd to 25th Street, which was the path from Staley’s house in the Raymond Rosen Projects to the Moylan (now Hank Gathers) Recreational Center where she began her basketball career, Dawn Staley Lane.

Judy Sweet

jmssd19@gmail.com

Judith Sweet, a UW graduate, became the first woman to be secretary-treasurer of the NCAA (1989 to ’91) and its president (1991 to ’93).She previously served as the NCAA Senior Vice President for Championships and Education Services. Prior to that, Judy served as Director of Athletics at the University of California, San Diego for 24 years. She was the first female to run both the men’s and women’s programs. In 1991, she became the first female president of the NCAA. In 2006, ESPN listed her among the top 100 most influential student-athletes. In 2009, she was inducted into the State of Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame. Judy is also co-founder of both the NCAA Women Coaches Academy (NCAA WCA) and The Alliance of Women Coaches (Now WeCOACH).

Tiffany Tucker

tuckert@uncw.edu

Tiffany D. Tucker is the Deputy Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator at UNCW. Tucker has established a legacy as a seasoned athletic administrator with extensive experience in the college athletics realm. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned her master’s degree from Hampton University.

A native of Petersburg, Va., Tucker joined the Seahawk staff after serving as Deputy Director of Athletics for Internal Operations and Senior Woman Administrator at S.C. State. She previously gained athletic administration experience at Hampton University and Elizabeth City State and coached basketball at Allegheny (Pa.) College, Radford, Francis Marion, and Claflin.

As a proud Tar Heel alum, Tiffany was selected by the University of North Carolina Athletics and The Rams Club to serve as an ambassador for the FORevHER Tar Heels Campaign. The $100 million initiative is the first of its kind in the country, building upon Carolina’s legacy as a pioneer in women’s athletics and emphasizing its long-time continued commitment to creating and enhancing opportunities for female student-athletes.

In a partnership with the world’s #1 antiperspirant brand, Degree, and Yahoo Sports – Tiffany was featured in a gender equity series that empowered and inspired female athletes during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four. She used her platform to support the need for equitable investments for female athletes and increase awareness of Degree’s commitment to inclusivity.

Tucker is a graduate of the UNC System Executive Leadership Institute’s second cohort and the Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute. She was the recipient of the UNCW Kathleen Berkeley Inconvenient Woman Award, the Women Leaders in College Sports Nell Jackson NIKE Executive of the Year Award, and winner of the WILMA Magazine Women to Watch Award Education Category. Tiffany also joined a star-studded list of athletic influencers as one of Sports Illustrated’s 100 Influential Black Women in Sports.

As a speaker, strategist, and activist, Tiffany has ignited stages all over the country, empowering women, encouraging unapologetic leadership, and educating people in the areas of confidence, resiliency, and owning their power.

Jennifer Lynne Williams

jwilliams@usabasketball.com

On May 25, 2021, Jennifer Lynne Williams was announced as the new Chief Development Officer for USA Basketball. In this role, Williams is responsible for all aspects of the USA Basketball Foundation, including developing a holistic fundraising platform to support various USA Basketball national team programs, youth & sport development initiatives, and programing that champion women and promote social responsibility. On July 20, 2022, history was made when Williams secured a $3.5 million donation from the Tull Family Foundation, which is the largest gift to the USA Basketball Foundation since its inception in 2019.

Named on Oct. 10, 2018, the director of intercollegiate athletics at Alabama State University, she previously served as Alabama State’s interim athletic director and deputy athletic director for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 academic years. During her time at ASU, the Hornets experienced tremendous success, with athletic teams winning 43 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championships, three consecutive commissioner cups and two conference academic awards for the highest GPA under her leadership.

Williams spent four years (2012-16) at North Carolina A&T State University as the associate athletic director for development and executive director of the Aggie Athletic Foundation. While there, Williams oversaw all giving initiatives for athletics, while overseeing the athletics marketing department.

Williams also worked at DePaul University as the assistant director of development for athletics (2009-12) and worked in development and marketing for Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators).

Williams was recognized by Sports Illustrated as one of the top 100 Black women in sports (2022) and in 2018 was named the Women Leaders in College Sports Division I (FCS) Executive of the Year. She was also selected by her alma mater, North Carolina Central University, as a 40-under-40 Class of 2016 honoree.

A four-year letterman and two-year captain in women’s basketball at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Williams began her professional career as a reporter for the Tar Heel Sports Network and as a production assistant for Fox Sports South.

The Detroit native earned her bachelor’s degree as a double major in journalism and African American history at UNC, and a master’s degree in athletic administration from NCCU, where she graduated magna cum laude.

Williams currently resides in Colorado Springs, CO, with her husband, Valdez; daughter, Harper; and son, Jackson.

Ann Walker

coachw65@hotmail.com

A passionate and experienced leader, Ann Walker spent over 30 years leading in the world of coaching, administration, and in the non-profit sector.  She semi-retired in 2019 but still pursues her personal commitment to help grow women in leadership positions in coaching, teaching, and administration.

Her most recent job was as the Director of Events and Communications for WeCOACH (2016-19).  Prior to WeCOACH, Walker served two years (2014-16) as the Director of Athletics at Clark College, a community college in Vancouver, WA.

Before moving to the Pacific Northwest, Walker spent six years (2006-12) as the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Internal Ops/SWA at Nova Southeastern University (NSU), a NCAA Division II college in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  She also served as the South Region Chair of the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Committee for three years. In 2008, she was named the National Chair, a position she held until the conclusion of the 2011 season. In her tenure, she served on numerous other Regional and Conference committees. Also during her time at NSU, and while the Associate AD, Walker served for one season (2010-11) as the women’s basketball interim head coach, when the Sharks were left without a coach right before the start of the season. While in her final year at NSU (2012), she was named the NCAA Division II Administrator of the Year by the Women Leaders in College Sports.

Walker landed at NSU from the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) office, where she served for one year (2005-06) as the Assistant Commissioner/Senior Woman Administrator.  In addition to those duties, she was responsible for the planning and oversight of the Division II Disney Men’s & Women’s Tip-Off Classic, and was the primary liaison with Disney Sports.

Prior to her stint with the SSC, Walker was at Minnesota State University in Mankato, MN (NCAA Division II) for seven years (1998-2005).  Walker was the head women’s basketball coach the first six years and served her final year as Assistant Athletic Director of Fundraising. While at MSU, she attained her 100th win as a head college basketball coach.

Before joining the staff at Minnesota State, Walker served as the assistant women’s basketball coach at Creighton University (Omaha, NE) for three seasons (1995-98).

Walker began her career in college athletics at Teikyo Marycrest University in Davenport, Iowa, where she served as Assistant Athletic Director, head women’s basketball coach and head softball coach from 1989-1993.

Today, she continues to work as a Site Rep for the NCAA during Championships.  In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Positive Coaching Alliance chapter in Portland, OR, and recently finished a 5-year term on the Board for the Washington Timbers Football Club.

Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree

iwickermccree@gmail.com

Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree has an impressive and storied career with more than 30 years in diverse roles. She made history in 2008 when she became the first woman to hold the permanent title of the Director of Athletics at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Her experiences as a college student-athlete, coach, and administrator lend her success as one of the longest-tenured athletic directors in NCCU history. Ingrid is a member of four Halls of Fame as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator– C.E. Jordan High School Hall of Fame, NCCU Alex Rivera Hall of Fame, John B. McLendon Hall of Fame (CIAA), and the George Washington University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Ingrid led NCCU’s successful reclassification from NCAA Division I to Division I FCS membership, which included developing and implementing the first long-range strategic plan for the transition. Ingrid has also served in various leadership positions on local, regional, and national boards. Currently, she is the Chair of the Durham Sports Commission and a Board member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. She served on several NCAA committees including the FCS Football Regional Ranking Committee, NCAA Division II Volleyball Committee, NCAA Research Committee, and the NCAA Division I Council.

Ingrid is currently the Associate Director for Sports Performance at Duke Sports Medicine, a consultant for The Pictor Group and the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, and the Executive Director for the Advancement of Blacks in Sports. She is also a John C. Maxwell Certified team member and holds certifications in DEIB, and is a certified facilitator of the 360 Leadership Assessment by the Center for Creative Leadership. She earned her undergraduate degree in criminal justice from George Washington University, a master’s degree in recreation resources administration, and a doctorate in higher education administration from North Carolina State University.

Dr. Amy S. Wilson
NCAA Managing Director of Inclusion

awilson@ncaa.org

Dr. Amy Wilson serves as the NCAA’s Managing Director of Inclusion where she drives inclusive excellence throughout college sports by supporting member schools’ commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity.  Wilson leads the NCAA Office of Inclusion’s efforts to provide resources, education, and support in the core areas of disability, international, LGBTQ, race/ethnicity, and women.  Her entire career has been in higher education where she has authored multiple national reports on Title IX and won multiple awards for teaching excellence.

Wilson was a tenured faculty member at Illinois College and served as the Faculty Athletic Representative.  A former student-athlete and member of the Illinois College Athletics Hall of Fame, Wilson has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English and earned a Ph.D. in Health and Sport Studies with a concentration in Athletic Administration at the University of Iowa.  For nearly two decades, she worked closely with nationally recognized Title IX expert Dr. Christine Grant on equity issues in intercollegiate athletics and has given numerous presentations on Title IX, gender equity, and inclusion on both the national and international levels.  In 2018, Women Leaders in College Sports honored Wilson with the Nell Jackson Award for her work as an advocate for equity.

Wilson’s most recent publication is the State of Women in College Sports on Title IX’s 50^th Anniversary, which tells the story of where women are in terms of participation, resource allocations, and leadership number in intercollegiate athletics.