From media narratives to athlete experiences, the landscape of women in sports is evolving. While 2023 saw progress, 2024 promises a spotlight on female athletes across major events like the NCAA Finals, National Girls & Women in Sports Day, and the Olympics. But what does this increased attention truly mean for the future of women in sports?
Join NYWICI for a dynamic half-day event featuring leading communicators, athletes, coaches and experts as they delve into the ongoing quest for equity and equality for women in sports.
Be part of the conversation and gain insights from:
- Prominent athletes: Hear firsthand experiences and perspectives from women who are blazing trails in their respective sports.
- Seasoned communicators: Learn from experts who shape the narrative around women in sports through media, marketing, and public relations.
- Industry leaders: Engage with individuals making strides towards equity and inclusion in the sports world.
Join our emcee, CBS News Anchor, Lana Zak for an event that showcases the talents, challenges and successes of women in sports communications.
This event is a must-attend for anyone committed to:
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- Promoting gender equality in athletics
- Elevating the voices of women athletes
- Fostering positive change in the sports industry
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Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired as we work together to rewrite the rules and rewrite the stories of women in sports. Register today!
SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
1. Opening Keynote: A Fireside Chat with Jen Matthews, VP of Brand Strategy at Fan Duel
2. Women in Sports Communications Panel: Changemakers & Rulebreakers Who Are Shaping Narratives
The roar of the crowd, the thrill of the game, but who tells the story? This panel discussion throws the spotlight on the women breaking barriers and navigating the exciting, yet complex, world of sports communications.
Join us for this dynamic conversation with seasoned communicators and experts who are shaping the narrative in sports through media, marketing and public relations.
Moderator: Jennifer Sabatelle, Executive Vice President, Communications, CBS Sports
Speakers:
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- Jane Son, Co-Head, Foundation & Community Engagement for NY Mets
- Elle Hagedorn, Senior Lead, Curry Brand Communications, Under Armour
- Katie Hill, Senior Vice President of Communications, NFL
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3. Perspectives in Collegiate Sports Panel: More Than Headlines: The Untold Story of Women in Collegiate Sports
Beyond the cheers and buzzer-beaters lies a complex reality for women in collegiate sports. While media attention is rising, questions remain about true equity, athlete well-being, and sustainable change.
Join us for a candid conversation exploring the untold story of women in collegiate sports. Our diverse panel, featuring athletes, coaches, and industry leaders, will dive deep into the challenges and opportunities shaping their experience.
Moderator: Dee Lab, College Sports Producer / Editor at the GIST (women in sports media brand/newsletter )
Panelists:
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- Ali Truwit, Former Yale Swimmer & Diver, Two-time USA Swimming Academic All-American
- Jacy Dyer, Swimming & Diving Coach, Fairfield University
- Kate Rifkin – Former Princeton Basketball player and current Licensed Mental Health Counselor provides mental health and performance counseling services to athletes, individuals, and teams. Recently worked with Columbia Athletics
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4. Breaking Barriers, Building Confidence: Amplifying Female Voices Across Sports
From locker rooms to boardrooms, the landscape of women in sports is shifting. While their talent and determination shine brighter than ever, barriers and outdated narratives still hold them back. This panel discussion ignites a conversation about the trailblazers breaking the mold and the collective voice demanding change.
Moderator: Lana Zak, CBS News Anchor
Panelists:
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- Sharon Cohen, CEO of Figure Skating in Harlem
- Olga Harvey, Chief Operating Officer, Women’s Sports Foundation
- Anna Isaacsson, Senior Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, NFL
- Adrienne Barber, Vice President, Properties and Events, Major League Soccer
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OVERVIEW & AGENDA FORMAT
NYWICI Women’s History Month Event
Beverly Wettenstein Speaker Series
Tuesday, March 12, 2024 9am – 12pm ET
A League of Their Own: Lessons from Women in Sports
Location: Ruder Finn, 425 East 53rd St., New York, NY 10022
AGENDA
9:00 – 9:10am: Welcome Remarks
9:15am-9:45am: Opening Keynote – Fireside Chat
9:45am-10:00am: BREAK
10:00am-10:30am: Women in Sports Communications Panel: Changemakers & Rulebreakers Who Are Shaping Narratives
10:30am-11:00am: Perspectives in Collegiate Sports Panel: More Than Headlines: The Untold Story of Women in Collegiate Sports
11:00am -11:30am: Breaking Barriers, Building Confidence – Raising the Female Voices Across Sports
11:30am-12:00pm Closing & Networking
TICKET PRICES:
$75 NYWICI Members
$25 NYWICI Rising Star Members (only a limited number of tickets available for this group)
$90 Non-NYWICI Members
*Proceeds from the event will ensure that NYWICI can continue to bring our community thoughtful and impactful programs featuring the very best of our industry
ABOUT LANA ZAK:
Lana Zak is evening anchor and principal weekend anchor for CBS News Streaming Network, CBS News’ premier 24/7 anchored streaming news service. Lana is a multiple Emmy, Edward R. Murrow, Peabody, Frontpage, and DuPont-awarded journalist.
At CBS, Lana has anchored major breaking news stories, including the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and the results of the 2020 election. She regularly interviews key political decision makers, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Yang, and interior-secretary nominee Deb Haaland. Just before the runoff election in Georgia, then-Senate candidate Jon Ossoff pledged to Lana that no matter the outcome, he would “accept the election results.” And after the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol, House Whip James Clyburn made headlines when he told Lana he believed the assault was an “inside job.”
Lana joined CBS News from ABC News where she was a member of the White House press corps. As a Washington correspondent she covered the Trump and Obama administrations, Capitol Hill, and the Supreme Court. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Lana reported from every battleground state leading up to the election.
Lana began her career as anchor producer for Diane Sawyer, rising to the position of coordinating producer for ABC News Special Units. Lana’s work has appeared on every platform including broadcast, radio, print and digital. While producing for Bob Woodruff, Lana became the first female in history to climb the barrels of the iconic George Washington Bridge.
A Fulbright and Truman Scholar, Lana holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and journalism and mass communications from the University of Iowa, where she served as the student body president. Lana holds a master’s degree in public policy, with a concentration in international security and political economy, from Harvard University.
Lana has lived in Korea, Spain and the U.S. She has traveled to all seven continents, and lives in New York with her husband and their extremely curious twin daughters and son.