Location: Northeastern University, 5000 MacArthur Boulevard Oakland, CA 94613
Date: Friday, February 28, 2025, 11am – 4pm PST
Rooted and Rising, Women Leading in Sports Business, Oakland, CA
A event aimed at empowering, educating, and connecting women in the sports business.
Rooted and Rising: Women Leading in Sports Business is a Bay Area event that aims to highlight the important contributions women play in the sports industry’s business side.
This first event, hosted by Oakland Roots and Oakland Soul, seeks to empower, educate, and connect women who are making important contributions to the sports business as executives, writers, and others.
During panel discussions and networking opportunities, attendees will learn about leadership, marketing, media, and technology. Women who are new to the sector or want to break in will have the opportunity to meet and learn from industry experts. Panels, networking, and lunch are provided.
The event will take place on Northeastern University’s Oakland Campus, in Lisser Hall and the Graduate School of Business (GSB). Oakland Roots and Soul President Lindsay Barenz will deliver a welcoming and opening comments.
Attendees will be given a copy of Hannah Gordon’s “SZN of CHANGE: The Competitor’s Playbook for Joy on the Path to Victory.”
Moderators include:
Angelina Narvaez is the radio host of Wild 94.9 and the official stadium voice for Oakland. Soul
Kate Karniouchina, Director D’Amore-McKim School of Business
Lara Potter, Chief Revenue Officer – Oakland Roots & Soul
Panelists include:
Jessica Smith – President, Golden State Valkyries
Rachel Heit – Chief Marketing Officer, San Francisco Giants
Hannah Gordon – Freelance Advisor – Former Chief Legal Officer of the San Francisco 49ers.
D’Lonra Ellis, Vice President – Athletics
Neda Tabatabaie – Senior VP Business Analytics & Technology, San Jose Sharks
Maritza Davis – VP of Experiences and Social Responsibility, Sacramento Kings
Ay’Anna Moody, Senior Director, Social Impact – Warriors Foundation
Gabby Turner – VP Marketing and Partnerships, Bay Area Host Committee
Marissa K Nichols – Senior Associate Athletics Director, Cal Berkeley
Zena Keita – On-Air Talent for NBC Sports Bay Area
Marissa Ingemi – Sports Reporter, San Francisco Chronicle
Kristen Rogers, Director of Brand, Retail, Media, and Advertising – Plug and Play.
Akilah Cadet – Founder and CEO Change Cadet and Co-owner Oakland Roots/Soul
Pam Baker – Founder of Women’s Coaching Alliance
Joanne da Luz – Co-Founder and Board Member My Yute Soccer.
Jill Schweitzer – Head of Product, PFF FC
More to be announced.
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE:
Nelda Kerr, Director of Community Engagement, Oakland Roots & Soul
Andrea Lepore, VP Brand Partnerships – Oakland Roots & Soul.
Nikki Lowy – Director of Community and City Outreach at Northeastern University
Magda Cooney, Director, Center for Transformative Action at Northeastern University
Carrie Maultsby-Lute – Head of Partnerships, Northeastern University
SCHEDULE:
11:00am-11:30am Check in at 11:30 am. Welcome, 12:00pm. Women in Leadership Panel (1:00pm) Light Lunch and Networking Sponsored by WISE
1:45 Breakout Session 1: Data and Technology
Media & Marketing
3:00 Breakout Session 2: Brand Partnerships, Community and Purpose
