Sports Business Journal’s Game Changers Class of 2026 grows to 60 honorees as the program expands to include women in sports business from around the globe.
In partnership with sister company Leaders in Sport, SBJ expanded the program to recognize women for their leadership, innovation and accomplishments, as they make a lasting impact on sports business worldwide.
“It’s fantastic that we are able to extend the recognition that Game Changers provides to brilliant women making an impact in the sports business. We are truly excited to recognize the global impact of women across several continents and share their stories,” said Laura McQueen, managing director of Leaders in Sport.
Women across all sectors of sports will be featured in the Sept. 21 issue of SBJ and honored in a Sept. 30 ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Times Square. This year’s honorees include entrepreneurs, leaders and decision-makers across teams, leagues, media, technology, marketing and more.
The annual Game Changers conference is slated for Oct. 1 and will feature speakers from across the industry, panel discussions and networking.
Game Changers Class of 2026
NORTH AMERICA
Molly Adams, Chief Retail Officer, Fanatics
Lisa Bhathal Merage, Governor of Portland Fire and Thorns, RAJ Sports
Mariel Brady, Vice President, Programming, Versant Media - USA Sports
LaRhonda Burley, Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director, Marketing and Brand, Michigan State University
Leah Burton, Chief Advancement Officer, U.S. Soccer Federation
Alana Casner, Chief Operating and Athlete Officer, Parity
Olivia Cheng, Vice President, Marketing and Digital Engagement, LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Kristen Condo, Senior Vice President, Brand and Partnership Marketing, Heisman
Emily Dillinger, Executive Vice President, Good Karma Brands
Maja Ericksen, Executive Vice President, Mortenson
Deanna Forgione Carey, General Manager, NFL, and Senior Vice President of Commercial Revenue, On Location
Christina Franklin, Partner and Director of Interior Design, Generator Studio
Laurie Freeman, Operating Partner, Bruin Capital
Asia Gholston, Senior Vice President, Brand Marketing, Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings, Ilitch Sports and Entertainment
Alisha Greenberg, Founder, Rounding Third; Program Lead and Advisor, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Founder and Co-Director, Sports & Entertainment Impact Collective
Katie Haas, Executive Vice President and Chief Ballpark Operations and Engagement Officer, New York Mets
Maeve Hagen, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner, Taylor
Shani Hamilton Greenlaw, Senior Director Event Management, BaAM
Meghan Heinchon, Executive Vice President, Sports Properties, Learfield
Courtney Hirsch, Chief Executive Officer, Jomboy Media
Christina Hull, Global Head of Sponsorship, Activation and Events, PayPal/Venmo
Sarah Jones Simmer, Chief Operating Officer, National Women’s Soccer League
Ashley Joseph, Head of Creative and Senior Vice President, Marketing, WME Basketball
Jennifer Kardosh, Head of Hockey Operations, Marketing and Client Management, CAA Sports
Flora Kelly, Senior Vice President, Research, ESPN
Pam Kramer, Chief Executive Officer, KC2026
Alberta Lee, Executive Vice President, Chief People and Culture Officer, Rock Entertainment Group and the Cleveland Cavaliers
Francine Melendez Hughes, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Stadium Operations, San Francisco 49ers
Heidi Noland, Executive Vice President, Global Brand and Creative, UFC
Jennifer Perry, Senior Vice President, Player Partnerships, PGA Tour
Lee Popkin, Partner, Proskauer
Megan Riggi, Senior Vice President, Client Services, BeCore
Chantal Romain, Vice President, Communications, Klutch Sports Group
Yuki Saegusa, Senior Vice President, WME Sports
Lindsay Schanzer, Supervising Producer, NBC Sports
Kate Schoff, Head of Sports and Entertainment Marketing, JPMorganChase
Kristin Shaff, Director of Events, Sports, and Sponsorships, Amazon Web Services
Bettina Shore, Producer, Prime Video, Amazon
Kelly Skoloda, Chief People Officer, Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Britton Stackhouse, President, Fortress US
Courtney Stockmal, Lead Director, Big Noon Kickoff and FIFA World Cup, Fox Sports
Amanda Thorn George, Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships, Social Impact and International Communications, National Basketball Association
Betty Tran-Rennon, President, FEVO
Melanie Van Dusen, Executive Vice President and Co-Head of Sports, Berk Communications, a MikeWorldWide company
Rachel Walsh, Senior Vice President and Head of Communications, Excel Sports Management
Annie White, Chief Commercial Officer, U.S. Figure Skating
Donna Wilkinson, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, Pacers Sports & Entertainment
Susan Williamson, Senior Vice President of Business Operations, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
Molly Wurdack-Folt, Director, Team and League Partnerships, BetMGM
Erin Zinser, Senior Vice President of AXS Sponsorship Sales and Activation, AEG Global Partnerships, AEG
OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA
Stephanie Rudnick, Head of PR, Angel City Football Club, MKTG Sports + Entertainment, The Yellow Brick Collective
Alanoud Althonayan, Director, Head of Events & Sponsorships, Public Investment Fund
Sally Bolton, Chief Executive Officer, All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club
Jacqueline Bourke, Senior Director, Creative, Getty Images
Kayleigh Grieve, Senior Marketing Manager, UEFA Events SA
Juliet Slot, Chief Commercial Officer, Arsenal
Marina Storti, Chief Executive Officer, WTA Ventures
Anne-Sophie Voumard, Managing Director, IOC Marketing Services, International Olympic Committee
Alexandra Willis, Chief Digital Officer, The Football Association
Li Xi, Vice President, Tennis Clients, WME Sports
