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We are proud to present the 2018 Athlete Leadership Connection, the Women’s Sports Foundation’s exclusive, by-invitation-only development conference that addresses the unique needs and challenges of female athletes. Designed by athletes for athletes.

Browse panel topics, active learning sessions and participating speakers below. To choose your preferred Active Learning Session, please click on one choice. To choose your areas of interest for the Networking Lunch, please select 3 choices in Networking Lunch.

We look forward to seeing you in October!
Tuesday, October 16
 

8:30am EDT

Athlete attendee arrivals, check-in
Tuesday October 16, 2018 8:30am - 8:45am EDT
Morgan Stanley - 26th floor

8:45am EDT

Breakfast and Opening Remarks: Following in the Footsteps of an Icon
Welcome by WSF President Grete Eliassen and Lisa Cregan.

Speakers
avatar for Lisa Cregan

Lisa Cregan

Managing Director, Morgan Stanley
Lisa M. Cregan is a Managing Director for Morgan Stanley and Regional Director of the Firm’s Mid-Atlantic Region based in Washington, DC.  Lisa is also a Women's Sports Foundation Trustee.Cregan joined Morgan Stanley in September 2010. During her tenure, she founded the inaugural... Read More →
avatar for Grete Eliassen

Grete Eliassen

President, Women's Sports Foundation
6 time X Games Medalist | 4 time US Open Champion | 2 time Powder Magazine’s Best Female of the Year | ESPN’S Best Female In Action Sports | Red Bull Cold Rush Champion | World Record HolderA professional freeskier specializing in park, cliffs, air and powder, Grete took the ski... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 8:45am - 9:15am EDT
Room B

9:15am EDT

Opening Panel: Keeping Your Head in the Game of Life: Mental Health and Sports
At some point in every athlete's career, the inevitable happens: you hit a wall.  You lose your drive, you have an injury, or nerves get in the way. And when it's time to think about walking away from the sport to which you have dedicated most of your life… it's not always easy, physically and emotionally.  ESPN’s Kate Fagan, author of “What Made Maddy Run” has an eye-opening discussion with Olympic Gold medalist and five-time Olympian in snowboarding, Kelly Clark,  five-time Olympic Gold medalist in swimming, Missy Franklin, and Paralympic track & field athlete,  Scout Bassett, who has each struggled through the sometimes difficult mental health challenges of athletic competition and of its effect on life out of competitive athletics. 

Moderators
avatar for Kate Fagan

Kate Fagan

Columnist and feature writer, espnW, ESPN.com
Kate Fagan is a columnist and feature writer for espnWESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine. She is also a regular panelist on ESPN's Around the Horn and can also be seen on Outside the Lines. Previously, Fagan spent three seasons covering the 76ers for the Philadelphia Inquirer. She lives in Brooklyn, New York... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Scout Bassett

Scout Bassett

Track & Field, Paralympian
Scout was born in Nanjing, China and at the age of one and a half, lost her right leg in a chemical fire. She was left on the streets of Nanjing before being taken to the Nanjing children’s welfare institute where she spent the next seven years suffering from malnutrition, isolation... Read More →
avatar for Kelly Clark

Kelly Clark

Three-time Olympic medalist
At thirty-five years of age, Kelly is a five time Olympian, three-time Olympic medalist and the winningest athlete in snowboarding history. She is a trailblazer and dominant force in the sport of snowboarding, continually innovating and “raising her own bar” in every competition... Read More →
avatar for Missy Franklin

Missy Franklin

Five-time Olympic gold medalist
Missy Franklin is a five-time Olympic gold medalist and world record-holder in the sport of swimming.At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Franklin earned a gold medal as a member of the 4x200m free relay. The gold added to her medal haul from the 2012 Olympics in London, where... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 9:15am - 10:15am EDT
Room B

10:15am EDT

Break
Tuesday October 16, 2018 10:15am - 10:25am EDT
Morgan Stanley

10:25am EDT

10:30am EDT

1: Leading the Way: We are All Accountable
Every athlete has the right to “be safe, supported and strengthened through sport.”  A simple statement that requires diligence and accountability.   WSF President-elect and two-time Olympic medalist in bobsled, Elana Meyers Taylor moderates this important and timely discussion with Shellie Pfohl,President and CEO of the US Center for SafeSport and Cameron Myler, four-time Olympic luger and professor at New York University's Tisch Institute for Global Sports.   

Moderators
avatar for Elana Meyers Taylor

Elana Meyers Taylor

President-elect, Women's Sports Foundation
Elana Meyers Taylor is a four-time World Champion, six-time World Championships medalist, three-time Winter Olympian and medalist (2010, 2014, 2018) and 2015 World Cup Champion in bobsled.The daughter of a professional football player, Elana was born in Oceanside, California, but... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Cameron Myler

Cameron Myler

Clinical Assistant Professor, New York University's Tisch Institute of Global Sport
Cameron Myler is a Clinical Assistant Professor at New York University’s Tisch Institute of Global Sport, an arbitrator with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, an intellectual property and sports lawyer, and a four-­‐time Olympian in the sport of luge.She served on the Anti-­‐Doping... Read More →
avatar for Shellie Pfohl

Shellie Pfohl

President and CEO, U.S Center for SafeSport
Shellie Pfohl is President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Center for SafeSport. The Center is the first and only national organization of its kind focused on ending all forms of abuse in sport. As an independent non-profit headquartered in Denver, CO, the Center provides... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
Room A1

10:30am EDT

2: Stick the Landing: Crush Your Job Search (recommended for collegiate athletes)
Understanding your assets and how to present them to potential employers is the first step to landing a great entry job. Attendees will get invaluable insight into what to do - and not to do - during your job search from Holly Lindvall, Vice President, Human Resources and Diversity, New York Mets. Holly will give guidance on successful interviews, resume writing tips and insights into crucial follow-up to land that first job.

Speakers
avatar for Holly Lindvall

Holly Lindvall

Vice President, Human Resources, NY Mets
Holly Lindvall currently leads the HR Function for the New York Mets. After fifteen years in the hospitality business, in which ten were spent at a private-equity firm in Norwalk, CT with HEI Hotels and Resorts, she feels she has been given the chance to begin an incredible “second... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
Room A2

10:30am EDT

3: Ahead of the Game: Financial Planning for Your Future
Champion athletes have very specific financial needs and challenges, from travel and training costs to prize money and sponsorship income.  Heather McPhie Watanabe, a two-time Olympian on the Freestyle Ski Team and currently a Financial Advisor in Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley, along with Liz Lockette, Senior Vice President, Sports & Entertainment Director at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, will discuss your needs, and arm you with the knowledge needed to take control of your financial future.

Speakers
avatar for Liz Lockette

Liz Lockette

Senior Vice President, Sports & Entertainment Director, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Liz is a Senior Vice President, Sports & Entertainment Director with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and is located in the firm’s Salt Lake City, UT office. She brings over 30 years of capital markets experience to our clients. Her career has spanned working in Fixed Income Trading... Read More →
avatar for Heather McPhie Watanabe

Heather McPhie Watanabe

Financial Advisor in Wealth Management, Morgan Stanley
Heather is a Financial Advisor in Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley located in Salt Lake City, UT. She is passionate about the world of finance and has had her hand in the arena since the age of 16 when she began doing the bookkeeping and payroll for a family owned business. She... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
Room C

11:15am EDT

Break
Tuesday October 16, 2018 11:15am - 11:25am EDT
Morgan Stanley

11:25am EDT

The Impact of Billie Jean King - A Special Tribute
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Deborah Antoine

Dr. Deborah Antoine

CEO, Women's Sports Foundation
In January 2017, Dr. Antoine became CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation. Dr. Antoine has successfully led the growth and sustainability of five nonprofit organizations: the HOPE Program, the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, Per Scholas, PBS Channel Thirteen... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 11:25am - 11:30am EDT
Room B

11:30am EDT

Keynote Address: Billie Jean King
Speakers
avatar for Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King

Founder, Women's Sports Foundation
Billie Jean King, named one of the “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century” by Life magazine and the first female athlete to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, has long been a pioneer for social justice. As one of the top tennis players of all time, King won... Read More →
avatar for Hoda Kotb

Hoda Kotb

“TODAY” & Fourth hour of “TODAY”, Co-Anchor & Co-Host
Hoda Kotb is the co-anchor of NBC News’ “TODAY” and co-host of the fourth hour of NBC News’ TODAY alongside Kathie Lee Gifford. Kotb joined “TODAY” as a co-host of the fourth hour in 2008, and the Gifford-Kotb hour has been hailed as “appointment television” by Entertainment... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT
Room B

12:30pm EDT

12:35pm EDT

ATHLETIC LEADERSHIP & COACHING
Select your top 3 areas of interest.

Tuesday October 16, 2018 12:35pm - 2:00pm EDT
Morgan Stanley

12:35pm EDT

FINANCIAL SERVICES
Select your top 3 areas of interest.

Tuesday October 16, 2018 12:35pm - 2:00pm EDT
Morgan Stanley

12:35pm EDT

12:35pm EDT

12:35pm EDT

PHILANTHROPY & ADVOCACY
Select your top 3 areas of interest.

Tuesday October 16, 2018 12:35pm - 2:00pm EDT
Morgan Stanley

12:35pm EDT

SPORTS BUSINESS & MARKETING
Select your top 3 areas of interest.

Tuesday October 16, 2018 12:35pm - 2:00pm EDT
Morgan Stanley

12:35pm EDT

TECHNOLOGY
Tuesday October 16, 2018 12:35pm - 2:00pm EDT
Morgan Stanley

2:00pm EDT

Break
Tuesday October 16, 2018 2:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
TBA

2:15pm EDT

Afternoon Panel: Raise the Bar: Using Your Voice to Make a Difference
Moderated by Sandra Richards, Managing Director at Morgan Stanley.  Marianne Schnall, activist and author of “What will it Take to Make a Woman President?”will join veteran sports journalist and advocate, Sam Marchiano, as they talk with 2012 gold medalist in gymnastics, Jordyn Wieber, an outspoken voice for change. Ever wonder “what will it take” to make a difference? As a visible athlete you have a unique position inside your sport and out. Jordyn explores ways to be a vocal advocate, effecting change toward equity and reform in a number of issues. 

Moderators
avatar for Sandra Richards

Sandra Richards

Managing Director, Head of Segment Sales & Engagement Group, Morgan Stanley
Sandra L. Richards is a Managing Director of Morgan Stanley and Head of Segment Sales & Engagement Group, National Sales in Wealth Management based in Purchase, NY.  She joined the Firm in 2007. Sandra’s role includes leading the Diverse & Multicultural Marketing efforts across... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Sam Marchiano

Sam Marchiano

Adjunct Faculty, Tisch Institute for Global Sport
Sam Marchiano, adjunct faculty at the Tisch Institute for Global Sport, is a journalist and advocate. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, the New York Daily News among others. Marchiano is a founding member of the Board of Directors of both Equality League... Read More →
avatar for Marianne Schnall

Marianne Schnall

Founder and CEO, What Will It Take
Marianne Schnall is the founder and CEO of What Will It Take Movements, a media, collaboration, learning, event and social engagement platform that inspires, connects, educates and engages women everywhere to advance in all levels of leadership and take action. She is also a widely-published journalist whose writings and interviews with high profile... Read More →
avatar for Jordyn Wieber

Jordyn Wieber

Gymnastics, Olympic Gold Medalist
Jordyn Wieber is an Olympic gold medalist and American gymnast from DeWitt, Michigan. The teenage-gymnastics-phenom caught the world’s attention by becoming the 2011 American Cup Champion, beating out the reigning world-all-around champion at the time. She went on to become the... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
Room B

3:00pm EDT

Mentoring Kick-Off: Carrying the Torch of Leadership Forward
WSF President Grete Eliassen will launch the mentoring initiative, meant to “carry the torch of leadership forward.”

Speakers
avatar for Grete Eliassen

Grete Eliassen

President, Women's Sports Foundation
6 time X Games Medalist | 4 time US Open Champion | 2 time Powder Magazine’s Best Female of the Year | ESPN’S Best Female In Action Sports | Red Bull Cold Rush Champion | World Record HolderA professional freeskier specializing in park, cliffs, air and powder, Grete took the ski... Read More →


Tuesday October 16, 2018 3:00pm - 3:15pm EDT
Room B

3:15pm EDT

Relocate
Group A travels to National Basketball Players Association facility to change; Group B changes at Morgan Stanley, then travels to National Basketball Players Association facility.

Tuesday October 16, 2018 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT
NBPA Headquarters 1133 Avenue of Americas, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10036

4:00pm EDT

Mentoring Leadership Initiative
Professional and collegiate athletes will be paired as a mentoring team to help young girls from NYC metro area youth organizations.

Tuesday October 16, 2018 4:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
NBPA Headquarters 1133 Avenue of Americas, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10036
 
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