Leadership Academy for Women’s Sports
Lead and Shape the Future of Women’s Sports
Overview
Women’s sports are at a tipping point—growing rapidly in visibility, investment, and cultural influence. Yet the leadership pipeline in this space remains underdeveloped. The Leadership Academy for Women’s Sports is designed for professionals seeking to shape the business of women’s sports, whether as athletes transitioning into business roles, industry professionals committed to advancing the field, or leaders from other sectors looking to pivot into women’s sports.
This three-day, in-person program brings together a dynamic cohort of emerging and established leaders to build essential skills in leadership, business strategy, personal brand development, and influence. Participants will engage with a distinguished faculty and an advisory committee of trailblazers in women’s sports, gaining both critical insights and a powerful professional network.
Key Takeaways
Lead with Authenticity and Impact
Explore your origin story, deepen self-awareness, and build a leadership style rooted in purpose, identity, and vision. Develop your leadership skills by understanding your strengths and areas for growth.
Gain Strategic Fluency in the Business of Sports
Develop skills in finance, innovation, AI, and marketing to confidently lead, make informed decisions, and drive success in the fast-evolving women’s sports ecosystem.
Expand Your Influence and Industry Network
Connect with athletes, executives, and changemakers shaping the future of women’s sports, and walk away with a trusted network of professionals and a game plan for long-term impact.
More about the Leadership Academy for Women’s Sports
The business of women’s sports is undergoing a revolution. Investment is rising, new leagues are launching, and global interest is soaring, but strategic leadership remains critical to unlocking its full potential. The Leadership Academy for Women’s Sports program is built for those who want to drive that next wave of growth and innovation.
Enjoy an Engaging Program Experience
Led by Faculty Director Kellie McElhaney and Berkeley Haas faculty and supported by an advisory committee of high-impact leaders—including Brandi Chastain, Danette Leighton, and others—the program blends personal leadership development with business acumen, industry insights, and practical tools through:
- illuminating case studies
- lively discussions
- pragmatic hands-on exercises
Participants will explore key topics, including leadership presence, personal brand, storytelling, business strategy, AI, and analytics, all contextualized within the growing women’s sports ecosystem.
Emerge as a Catalyst for the Future of Women’s Sports
You’ll leave the Leadership Academy for Women’s Sports with sharpened leadership instincts, deeper business fluency, and a powerful network of peers and mentors. Whether you’re scaling a venture, transitioning from competition to corporate, or amplifying your impact in a current role, this program equips you to lead boldly, advocate effectively, and shape the future of the industry from wherever you stand.
Who's it for
- Former and current athletes seeking to transition into leadership roles within the business of women’s sports
- Sport industry and non-industry professionals who want to advance their leadership impact and contribute to women’s sports
- Entrepreneurs, investors, and advocates passionate about shaping the future of women’s sports through innovation and influence
- Rising leaders in sports media, marketing, operations, and development roles who want to accelerate their careers
Program Advisory Committee
Brandi Chastain
Retired Soccer Player + Co-Founder of BayFC
Charmin Smith
Cal Women’s Basketball Coach
Danette Leighton
CEO of the Women's Sports Foundation
Fayne Cohen
President, Women in Sports + Events
Karina Herold
Chief Operating Officer, Bay Area Host Committee
Kelly deMarrais
Head of Women's Sports Investing at Earlystone
Sean Campbell
Head of Community-Engaged Investing at Earlystone
Taj McWiliams-Franklin
The Upshot League
Jennfer Vescio
Principal & Operating Partner, Awestruck Ventures
Format & Structure
In-Person
- Three-day business of women’s sports program at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business campus
- World-renowned UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and Berkeley Executive Education faculty
- Exclusive network-building opportunities with leaders interested in and currently shaping the future of women’s sports
- Access to the women’s sports program alumni community
- Leadership Academy for Women’s Sports Certificate of Completion
Apply for Sponsored Tuition
Thanks to our generous supporters, we are able to provide sponsored tuition to a limited number of participants for the full cost of program fees. Travel and accommodations are not included. An application is required for consideration for sponsored tuition.
Dates & Costs
In-Person
Get more information
Download the Program Guide
The complimentary guide includes sample schedule, program curriculum, learning objectives, and more.
Download the Application Essay Questions
Prepare your essay questions in advance to make the application process easier.
How do I apply to the Leadership Academy for Women's Sports?
Applying to the program is simple:
- Click on the "apply" button on the program page
- Complete the online application form. You'll need the following
- A professional bio
- A link to your LinkedIn profile
- Information about your organizational structure
- Our program services team will follow-up with you after reviewing your application
How much time can I expect to spend on coursework each day?
We know that time away from the office is precious, so we work hard to make our program experiences as productive and valuable as possible. Our programs span full business days starting between 8:30-9:00 a.m. and running through 5 p.m. with lunch served in the classroom and short breaks throughout the day.
Approximately 1-2 hours of evening activities and preparation for the next day are required for some programs. Please download the program guide for more detail.
Do your programs provide credits towards a degree, grades, transcripts, or Continuing Education Units (CEUs)?
Our programs are non-degree programs and do not hold any credit unit equivalency, letter grades, pass/fail designation, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or transcripts. Rather, we provide a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the program.
To qualify for a certificate of completion, a participant must meet the minimum requirements as noted for each program and maintaining at least 80% attendance/engagement.
Can I enroll in a program if I live outside of the U.S.?
Yes. Enrollment is available to global participants, but visa requirements may apply. Proficiency in written and spoken English at a level that allows full engagement and participation in a program is recommended.
For most international participants, a B1/B2 visa—for participation in scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions, conferences, or seminars—is required for entry into the United States to attend a program with us.
Requesting and receiving a visa takes time and we recommend beginning the process three or four months in advance of the start date of a program.
You can ask your Program Manager to prepare an invitation letter to help with your visa application. It is important to emphasize that the visit is for business purposes.
The Visa Waiver Program is available to citizens or nationals from select countries. Check the Department of State website to determine your eligibility and learn about the waiver process.
The list of countries sanctioned by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control currently includes: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and the Ukraine-Crimea Region, plus the addition of Russia for Berkeley Executive Education at this time.
Faculty
Sara Beckman
Teaching Professor | Earl F. Cheit Faculty Fellow Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Innovation & Design | Operations & IT Management | Sustainability, Haas School of Business
Dacher Keltner
Distinguished Professor of Psychology, UC Berkeley | Faculty Director of the Greater Good Science Center
Thomas Lee
Mike and Carol Meyer Faculty Fellow | Associate Adjunct Professor | Director of Data Science, Fisher Center for Business Analytics | Operations & IT Management
Francesca LeBaron
Professional Faculty, Center for Impact Leadership | Center for Social Sector Leadership | Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Management of Organizations
Maura O'Neill
Lecturer | Distinguished Teaching Fellow | Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Management of Organizations
Panos N. Patatoukas
Professor, L.H. Penney Chair in Accounting | Co-Faculty Director, Sustainable and Impact Finance, Haas School of Business
Juliana Schroeder
Associate Professor | Harold Furst Chair in Management Philosophy & Values | Center for Equity, Gender, and Leadership | Management of Organizations
Certificates
Certificate of Completion
Signal your professional achievement to your network and get recognized for your completion! Upon successful completion of the program, UC Berkeley Executive Education grants a verified digital certificate of completion to participants that you are encouraged to add to your profiles.
Note: This program results in a digital certificate of completion and is not eligible for degree credit/CEUs. After successful completion of the program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you directly. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of UC Berkeley Executive Education.
Certificate of Business Excellence
Participants in the Certificate of Business Excellence (COBE) program will earn a mark of distinction from a world-class university, gain access to a powerful global network, and enjoy the flexibility of completing the program in up to three years. A UC Berkeley Certificate of Business Excellence allows individuals to create a personal learning journey structured by our four academic pillars to gain management essentials in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Strategy, and Finance to drive both personal and organizational development.
