The third annual NCAA Women's Final Four Women in Sports Leadership VIP Summit will take place Thursday and Friday in Phoenix. NCAA women's basketball and Women Leaders in Sports are co-hosting the event, which will bring together a powerful group of executives shaping the future of the industry to:
- Discuss ways to leverage the momentum of women's sports to achieve even greater growth, attention, exposure and value for all women's sports.
- Identify strategies to increase the number of women working and leading within both men's and women's sports.
- Foster connections across all sectors of the sports industry.
The summit will feature discussions, a public question-and-answer forum for attendees in Phoenix during the Women's Final Four, and several invitation-only receptions and networking events related to the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship.
This public forum will feature a panel of dynamic and influential leaders across the sports industry discussing the opportunities and strategic priorities driving the continued growth and visibility of women leading in sports. Together, the conversation will address timely industry topics and identify how leaders can collectively leverage this momentum to accelerate growth, expand visibility and drive long-term value across sports.
"Bringing together leaders from across the sports industry amplifies the profound impact we all can make for future generations of student-athletes and those hoping to work in sports," said Lynn Holzman, NCAA vice president of women's basketball. "The passion, energy and vision of these women continue to push the industry forward."
Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports, will facilitate leadership discussions specifically for VIP Summit attendees Thursday. From 11 a.m. to noon Mountain Standard Time on Friday, a panel session at Beyond the Baseline inside Tourney Town will be open to the public, providing opportunities for attendees and local and national media outlets to interview VIP Summit participants.
"Women Leaders is proud to continue our collaboration with the NCAA as we co-host the 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four Women in Sports Leadership VIP Summit in Phoenix," Phillips said. "As the visibility, investment and excitement around women's sports continue to surge, so does the opportunity to elevate the women leading within it. We're energized by the opportunity to convene influential leaders, support meaningful dialogue and drive progress that will shape the future of our industry."
Women's sports executives were invited to participate in discussions about their influence on various issues and topics, including the unified voice of women's sports across amateur, collegiate and professional levels. The VIP Summit will offer a valuable opportunity for networking and serve as a platform to advocate for the women's sports ecosystem on a national scale.
VIP Summit attendees include (subject to change):Â
- Stacey Allaster, chief executive of professional tennis, U.S. Tennis Association.
- Latasha Causey, president, Phoenix Raceway.
- Kim Corbitt, chief operating officer, Player 15 Group.
- Jessica Gelman, chief executive officer of Kraft Analytics Group and co-founder of the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference.
- Lynn Holzman, vice president of women's basketball, NCAA.
- Raven Jemison, president of business operations, Kansas City Current.
- Danette Leighton, chief executive officer, Women's Sports Foundation.
- Patti Phillips, chief executive officer, Women Leaders in Sports.
- Julie Urhman, Co-founder, Angel City Football Club.
- Melissa Wasson, general manager, Legends Global — State Farm Stadium.
- Jennifer Williams, chief development officer, USA Basketball.
Please note: Not all VIP Summit attendees are available for media.
The NCAA and Women Leaders will continue this summit at future Women's Final Four locations. The 2027 Women's Final Four is April 2 and 4 in Columbus, Ohio.
About the NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association provides a world-class athletics and academic experience that fosters lifelong well-being for more than 520,000 student-athletes annually. The NCAA stages 92 championships across three divisions, and its 1,100 member schools provide nearly $4 billion in athletics scholarships every year. Visit ncaa.org and ncaa.com for more.
About Women Leaders in Sports
Women Leaders in Sports is a powerful community driving the growth, performance and success of women at every stage of their careers. As a privately funded nonprofit, the organization is committed to advancing women across all levels of the industry, from emerging professionals to the C-suite. Since 1979, Women Leaders has empowered women to excel and advance through its influential network, focused experiences, curated resources and high-impact events. With comprehensive programming and training, the organization equips women in sports with the connections, tools and opportunities needed to lead and succeed. Learn more at womenleadersinsports.org and follow on X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
