PLAYMAKERS NASHVILLE is a membership-based community dedicated to igniting the power of women in sports on the field, behind the scenes, and at every level in between. Our mission is to empower and advance women across all facets of the sports industry by fostering a vibrant, inclusive community built on passion, connection, and advocacy. We champion professional growth, create opportunities for meaningful connection, and celebrate the voices and achievements of women in sports—all while having fun along the way. Through education, mentorship, and scholarship, we strive to shape a more equitable future where every woman has the support and platform to lead, thrive, and make a positive impact.
Providing opportunities for young women to advance their education through scholarships for undergraduate programs, graduate programs, and continuing education or professional development experiences. Learn more on our Scholarships page.
Creating spaces across Middle Tennessee where women can connect, have fun, build meaningful relationships, and give back through philanthropic programming.
Supporting women at every stage with holistic resources that strengthen both personal and professional development, including mentorship.
Playmakers Nashville was founded by women who know the sports industry inside and out, and knew it could be better for women. Their shared vision and lived experience fuel our mission, shape our culture, and drive our commitment to creating real opportunity at every stage of a sports career.
Playmakers Board is made up of incredible women working in and around sports who help shape Playmakers Nashville for the better. Their leadership, insight, and commitment guide our strategy, strengthen our impact, and ensure the organization continues to grow with purpose.
Vice President of Marketing for the Nashville Predators and Bridgestone Arena
Senior Associate Athletic Director for Fan Experience and Sales, and the Senior Woman Administrator (SWA), at Vanderbilt University
Independent Director of Sotherly Hotels, Inc. and Retired General Counsel
Leads Strategic Initiatives and Brand Consulting at underdog venture
President of the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix
Director of Partnerships for Athletes Unlimited
Assistant Vice President in the Information Technology Group at HCA
Vice President and Executive Director of ONE Community and the Tennessee Titans Foundation
Community Advocate and Retired Chief Financial Officer
Director of Global Sales, Entertainment & Live Events at Global Critical Logistics
Hannah Sears is a Vice President and Advisor in Alliance Bernstein
Playmakers Advisory Board is made up of exceptional women and allies across the sports industry who share their expertise, insight, and perspective to help shape our direction. Their guidance helps ensure our programs grow intentionally and reflect the real needs of women working in sports.
Founder and CEO of Alluvium Strategies and Founder Athletez PR
Assistant Professor of Sport Administration at Belmont University
Vice President, Brand Consulting at
CAA Sports
Assistant Provost for Academic Support and Community Engagement at Vanderbilt University
PLAYMAKERS NASHVILLE’S Honorary Board is a distinguished group of trailblazers, changemakers, and champions who have shaped the landscape of sports, culture, and community. While they come from diverse backgrounds, each member shares a commitment to empowering women in sports and inspiring the next generation. This board honors their impact and helps amplify our mission.
Emma May-Bradley brings over 20 years of experience in sports and media marketing & operations, leading teams at powerhouse brands like Nike, Red Bull, NBA, Turner Sports, and the Washington Spirit. She’s currently the Chief Marketing & Content Officer for Rebel Girls, a global girl empowerment brand. A proud Nashville native, Emma was born and raised in Music City and returned home just last year. While Nashville’s incredible growth inspired her, she quickly recognized a missing piece—an organization dedicated to championing women in sports. That’s why she co-founded Playmakers, driven by a passion to create a more inclusive, empowering, and opportunity-filled sports community right here in her hometown. Emma is a believer in being kind, laughing and dancing as much as possible, and loves to explore the world with her husband John.
Erin Ryder has spent over 20 years in sports and entertainment, building a career in production and marketing with industry giants like Amazon, ESPN, and NBC Olympics. As founder and CEO of Pax Pictures & The Away Team, she’s dedicated her work to storytelling, innovation, and amplifying voices in sports. Erin has recently taken on a new role as Professor of Practice in Belmont University’s Sports Administration Department, further deepening her commitment to championing the next generation of leaders. Nashville brought Erin closer to family and introduced her to a vibrant community of inspiring women shaping the sports industry. Recognizing an opportunity, she founded Playmakers to create a powerhouse community of belonging, access, and growth. When Erin isn’t actively trying to impact the world of sports for the better, she’s traveling the world with her trusted sidekick and dog, Cowboy.
Brittany is the Vice President of Marketing for the Nashville Predators and Bridgestone Arena. With over 17 years of experience in sports and event marketing—including 14 seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning and two Stanley Cup championships—she is a tenured leader in the industry. With expertise spanning branding, digital, media, live events, and fan engagement, Brittany is passionate about creating unforgettable experiences that connect fans with the teams and venues they love. Beyond her professional work, she is committed to mentoring and investing in young women pursuing careers in the sports industry, helping shape the future of leadership in the field. When she isn’t working, you can find her enjoying college football or flying to a new destination on her travel list.
Lauren Belisle serves as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Fan Experience and Sales, and the Senior Woman Administrator (SWA), at Vanderbilt University, where she leads initiatives designed to enhance the Commodore fan experience through strategic engagement, marketing, and community outreach. In this role, she oversees fan engagement, revenue generation, and brand enhancement efforts, helping shape the department’s commitment to innovation and connection within the Nashville community. Lauren also serves as the sport administrator for Vanderbilt’s men’s and women’s tennis programs.
Before joining Vanderbilt Athletics, Lauren held athletic department positions at Virginia Tech and Iowa State, where she advanced marketing, ticketing, and fan engagement strategies across multiple sports. Her career in collegiate athletics began at Florida State University, where she earned her degree and discovered her passion for using sport as a vehicle to bring people together.
Lauren also serves on the DI NCAA Tennis Committee and the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA) Board of Directors where currently holds the role of First Vice President. Her leadership in NACMA reflects her dedication to advancing the profession and supporting the growth and development of marketing professionals across collegiate athletics.
With a career defined by collaboration, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the fan experience, Lauren continues to build meaningful connections between athletics programs and their communities.
Maria Caldwell has built a career at the intersection of governance, strategy, and innovation, serving for more than two decades as a General Counsel and senior legal executive across public companies and nonprofit organizations. She is an Independent Director of Sotherly Hotels Inc. (NASDAQ: SOHO), where she serves on the Audit Committee, and recently retired as Chief Legal Officer of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), where she founded and led the in-house legal department, built cross-functional teams, and spearheaded the development of new technology platforms and continuing professional education initiatives that supported the organization’s strategic growth and national impact. She began her legal career in corporate and securities law with Bass Berry & Sims and Gibson Dunn & Crutcher.
Since retiring, she has focused her time on supporting organizations that empower and advance women, particularly in sports and leadership. She lives in Nashville, where she raised her family, and is an avid fan of Vanderbilt Commodores athletics. Outside of her work, she is happiest exploring the outdoors, mapping out the next family adventure, or cooking for a house full of friends — though her favorite (and most energetic) role is keeping up with her three spirited grandsons.
A visionary leader in sports and entertainment marketing, Kim consistently builds and elevates brands, disrupts conventional approaches, and achieves outstanding results for blue-chip partners. She currently leads strategic initiatives and brand consulting at underdog venture team, leveraging her deep expertise in partnership marketing spanning across MLB, NFL, NASCAR, collegiate athletics, Special Olympics, PGA, and endurance events. Kim’s career highlights include over 13 impactful years at Octagon, where she oversaw Bank of America’s substantial sponsorship portfolio, spearheaded innovative experiences for BMW, and consulted with ESPN. Her collaborative spirit and unique insights make her a valuable partner for creating impactful sports and lifestyle marketing strategies and campaigns.
Anne Fischgrund is an experienced motorsports executive and Hoosier native, now residing in Middle Tennessee. With a long history working in the INDYCAR paddock, she has built her career around event operations, sponsorship, and fan engagement at the highest levels of racing. Currently serving as President of the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix, Anne combines her deep industry expertise with a passion for creating world-class motorsports experiences.
Danielle is the Director of Partnerships for Athletes Unlimited, where she helps brands tap into the excitement and growth of women’s professional sports. She previously served as Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for the Nashville Sounds, leading major partnerships and projects. After more than a decade in the Nashville sports scene, Danielle has become a champion for girls and women in sports while helping to create opportunities where they didn’t exist before. When she’s not busy changing the game for women’s sports, you’ll find her at a local antique store or on the greenway with her golden retriever, Cheerio!
Sheila is a dynamic executive and community leader with three decades of experience in Nashville, where she currently serves as Assistant Vice President in the Information Technology Group at HCA, one of the nation’s leading healthcare systems. A champion of inclusion and women’s empowerment, she chairs HCA’s ITG Culture and Values Council, leading the focus and impact within ITG that fosters a culture where colleagues feel valued, inspired, and recognized. She has received numerous accolades for her leadership and advocacy, including the 2024 Nashville Black Chamber Community Advocate Award, the 2022 Diversity & Inclusion Advocate of the Year from the Nashville Technology Council, and the 2020 YMCA Impact Award. A former collegiate All-American basketball player, she attended the University of Alabama/Huntsville and University of New Orleans. After graduating, Sheila played semi-pro for Athletes in Action and coached AAU basketball for several years. Her love for sport, mentorship, & culture drives her passion to serve on influential boards like Play Like a Girl, Nashville Sports Council, and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. In 2025, she was instrumental in bringing Nashville’s partnership with Athletes Unlimited to life, paving the way for the city to host the AU Women’s Basketball season! When she’s not leading change, she’s at the gym, enjoying Nashville’s music scene, or spending time with loved ones.
Shelbi Hendricks is a strategy and operations executive focused at the intersection of sports and business. Currently, she is the Founder of SLH Advisory, an independent strategy and operations consultancy. Her previous sports experience includes the US Women’s National Soccer Team Players Association, and sports start up OneTeam Partners, where she led strategy, operations, and partnership management teams across both college and professional sports. Prior to entering the sports space, Shelbi was a management consultant at McKinsey & Company, serving a range of clients across sectors.
Johari is a dedicated leader with over 18 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, focusing on serving marginalized communities. Currently, she serves as the Vice President and Executive Director of ONE Community and the Tennessee Titans Foundation, where she oversees corporate social responsibility initiatives and philanthropic efforts. A Nashville native and Tennessee State University alumna, Johari has been instrumental in shaping impactful community programs, including the establishment of the ONE Community platform. Her commitment extends to board service with organizations such as the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and Corner to Corner. Recognized among Nashville's Top 40 Under 40, Johari's leadership is characterized by empathy, relationship-building, and a deep commitment to community upliftment.
Maeve McConville is a community advocate and retired Chief Financial Officer. After graduating from Indiana University, Maeve began her career in public accounting in Nashville. She went on to careers in consulting and healthcare before beginning work as a CFO for various private equity backed companies. Maeve now lends her skills to a number of local and international nonprofit organizations working to elevate and empower women in vulnerable communities.
Maeve lives in Nashville with her wife where she is an avid women’s soccer fan.
Carey is a seasoned entertainment executive with a distinguished career spanning film, television, and live events. As the Director of Global Sales, Entertainment & Live Events at SOS Global Express, she leverages her expertise to deliver comprehensive logistics solutions in the live entertainment, TV, and film spaces. Previously, Carey held leadership positions at NBC and William Morris Endeavor, where she played pivotal roles in business relations and partnerships. She is also the Owner of My Own Shingle, serving as an executive producer and manager, guiding clients through the complexities of the entertainment landscape. Dedicated to advocacy and mentorship, Carey has contributed her insights as a board member for organizations including the Nashville Film Festival, Memories of Honor, and Leadership Music. Additionally, she has supported emerging industry professionals through her involvement with Belmont University’s Film and Television Advisory Board.
Hannah Sears is a Vice President and Advisor in Bernstein’s Nashville office. She provides investment and financial planning advice to her clients, who are primarily closely held business owners. She runs the 401(k) practice for Tennessee and surrounding areas, through which she advises plan fiduciaries on plan design and investment, as well as providing direct advice to participants. She is also the Chief of Staff to Adam Sansiveri, SVP of the South Region and head of the Sports and Entertainment Business. She has worked at AB for seven years, prior to which she worked in NY at a research firm. Hannah attended Harvard University, and is currently pursuing her executive MBA through Vanderbilt. Hannah is originally from Boston, and now lives in Cherokee Park. Hannah spends her time outside of work (and school) visiting family in New Hampshire, learning to play tennis, and traveling the world (most recent highlight was climbing Kilimanjaro).
Kara currently serves as the Chief People, Impact & Belonging Officer at Spurs Sports & Entertainment and Executive Director of Spurs Give, their nonprofit arm. Kara has led complex, people-rooted, cultural transformation, designed a sustainable impact-rooted sponsorship strategy, and co-architected player off-court holistic development programming. and secured the team’s former practice facility as the first-of-its-kind Impact Center. which will serve as a global model for sustainable impact with the community at the center. In response to Kara’s leadership of the Spurs’ embrace of healing within the Uvalde community, the Spurs were recognized with an ESPY for Humanitarian Team of the Year. Beyond work, Kara is driven to lead change with empathy and urgency—tackling complex problems, challenging inequity, and collaborating with bold thinkers. She’s bungy-jumped off the world’s highest point, donated a kidney to a stranger, and never eaten ketchup. She loves tea, Twizzlers, early mornings, and most of all, her 11-year-old daughter, her inspiring partner (head coach of TSU WBB), and their 7-year-old twin girls.
Chris is the FVP, Director of Commercial Deposits at INSBANK. With a background in banking, payment technology, and FinTech, Chris brings comprehensive financial expertise and a strong commitment to community impact. He has partnered with Nashville-area nonprofits for over a decade, serving as a board member, finance committee member, and volunteer. He currently serves on the Finance Committee for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville. Chris has lived in Nashville for 18 years with his wife, Catherine, and their two sons, Connor and Campbell.
Megan is a renowned sports marketing expert and entrepreneur with a proven track record of success. As the Founder and CEO of Alluvium Strategies, she leads a cutting-edge sports marketing agency that specializes in creating strategic partnerships, media initiatives, and compelling storytelling to foster meaningful connections between communities and fans. In 2025, Megan expanded her influence by founding Athletez PR, a forward-thinking agency focused on personal brand development, media placement, and brand partnership opportunities for the next generation of Gen Z athletes. Megan has held prominent roles at WME Sports and adidas America, where she made significant contributions to team sales, NCAA-licensed properties, women’s sports marketing, and brand partnerships. Her expertise in name, image, and likeness (NIL) and athlete management has earned her recognition in leading outlets such as Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, and CBS Sports.
Kristi is an accomplished academic and former athlete, currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Sport Administration at Belmont University. She earned her Ph.D. in Kinesiology-Sport Management from Texas A&M University and holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University, where she was an all-region and all-conference softball student-athlete. Dr. Oshiro’s research focuses on social justice in sport, as well as mental health and well-being for athletes and sport industry practitioners. She was recently appointed as Belmont’s Faculty Athletics Representative, reflecting her dedication to bridging academia and athletics.
Heather Post King is an executive within CAA Brand Consulting, which advises brands such as MGM Resorts, Bose, JPMorgan Chase, Mondeléz, Salesforce, and Aflac on their sports, entertainment, and purpose-driven marketing strategies. The largest division of CAA Sports, CAA Brand Consulting is composed of 350+ people in more than a dozen global offices. CAA Brand Consulting services corporate clients across strategic advisory, insights and analytics, creative development, experiential marketing, and hospitality programs, with more than $4 Billion of sponsorship rights for brands under negotiation and management. Heather Post King was among the first executives appointed to CAA Brand Consulting, whose 16-year tenure with CAA predates the division. She is based in CAA’s Nashville office.
Heather is a brand strategist who applies expert insights, creativity, and people-centered leadership to advise clients on achieving business objectives through maximizing partnerships, with specific focuses on sponsorship strategy and managing naming rights partnerships. She led the launch of many multi-sport stadiums on behalf of clients such as SoFi and SoFi Stadium; New Balance and The TRACK at New Balance; and StubHub and StubHub Center, among others. Most recently, Heather brings her robust sports expertise to develop sponsorship strategy for brands including Coinbase and MGM Resorts.
Heather is a member of CAA’s prestigious Global Fellows program, which recognizes the next generation of agency leadership as appointed by management. She is a proud graduate of the University of Southern California.
My name is Jason Smith, and my story is deeply rooted in Nashville, TN. Growing up in a diverse, multicultural environment gave me a unique perspective and the ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
For twelve years, I had the privilege of serving as a coach and Athletic Director within the Metropolitan Nashville Public School System. That time was foundational, not just for my career, but for me as a person. Building lasting relationships with my student-athletes taught me the true meaning of empathy and strength, and it cemented my core belief in servant leadership.
My goal has always been to light a fire in people, not under them. My passion is empowering future teachers, coaches, and mentors to find their own paths to success.
In 2012, I brought this passion to the collegiate level at Tennessee State University, and it’s been an incredible decade of growth! Here, I’ve focused on providing strategic leadership and building a vibrant, collaborative community among our students, staff, and academic departments. As the Department Chair of the Human Performance and Sport Sciences and my extensive background as a coach and athletic director, combining administrative leadership with my passion for student success. Whether on or off campus, my mission is to create programs that foster success for everyone.
I’m still bringing a full tank of positive energy to every teaching and learning environment, and I couldn’t be more excited to continue creating opportunities for the next generation.
Dr. Jill Stratton is the assistant provost for academic support and community engagement at Vanderbilt University. With over 30 years of experience in higher education, she has invested a great deal of time and energy in researching joy, college student development, strengths-based leadership, and the concept of creative flow and has presented extensively at professional conferences, school districts, college campuses, non-profits, and community agencies.
Through opportunities to connect personally and professionally with scholars, writers, teachers, and artists on these topics, she is firmly convinced that the more time spent exploring joy and sadness and how to hold both, the more effective people will be in their lives and future careers. At Washington University in St. Louis where she spent 27 years, Jill developed courses on the psychology of young adulthood and leaders in context and affectionately became known by the students as the Dean of Joy.
At Vanderbilt University, she holds a teaching appointment in the Culture, Advocacy, and Leadership department in the College of Arts and Science and serves on the senior leadership team in the Office for Undergraduate Education. Jill directs the Live. Learn. Lead. Academy, oversees the Writing Studio and Tutoring Services, the English Language Center, and is the university’s liaison to ROTC. She collaborates closely with many university areas including Athletics, Government and Community Relations, and the Vanderbilt Center for Languages.
Jill grew up in Mayfield, Kentucky and earned her B.A. in Psychology at Transylvania University where she served as a Residential Advisor. She holds graduate degrees from Indiana University and Union Institute & University and is a trained life coach. Jill loves to travel, cheer on the Commodores, eat ice cream, and spend time with her family especially her nieces and nephew who bring her so much joy! Her favorite movie is Inside Out.
Nancy VanReece is a steadfast champion of Nashville’s evolution and a former Metro Councilmember (2015–2023). She was the Chair of the Convention, Entertainment and Tourism Committee and served on the advisory council to the Nashville Sports Authority, working diligently to bring professional women’s sports to the city. During her tenure, she transformed a landfill into a solar park, shepherded thousands of attainable homes into existence, and integrated local artists into placemaking initiatives.
Nancy also championed the creation of Madison Station Boulevard, the Amqui Station Farmers Market, and the world-class Harken Hall — all while earning an executive certificate in State and Local Government from Harvard Kennedy School. Known for her pragmatic, results-driven approach, she values action over rhetoric.
A former 6×6 basketball player in 1980s Oklahoma, Nancy jokes that she’s still at the half-court line calling, “Give me the ball!” She and her wife, Joan, met in Nashville in 1988, and they live in Madison, TN. Together, they enjoy traveling, during which Nancy creates sought-after street and landscape photography.
Margaret L. Behm has earned a reputation as the go-to person in 45 years of representing clients and forging coalitions for change. After beginning her legal career in 1976 at Legal Services of Middle Tennessee, Inc., Behm and Marietta Shipley in 1980 founded Shipley and Behm, the city’s first all-woman law firm. “Back then, women just weren’t taken seriously as business owners or lawyers,” Behm says. “I wanted to run my own business and demonstrate that women could not only run a law firm, but also be good lawyers.” Today, Behm’s practice concentrates on business law, employment, municipal law, estate planning, and commercial litigation. Behm also serves as general counsel for the Metropolitan Transit Authority, for which she also serves as Board Secretary since 2003.
Outside the courtroom, Behm has been a dedicated champion for women’s sports in Nashville. She co-chaired the city’s successful bid for the 2014 NCAA Women’s Final Four and led the Ad Hoc Committee for the Women’s Professional Sports Initiative, laying critical groundwork to attract a women’s pro team to the city. Her leadership has played a pivotal role in advancing opportunities for women in and working in professional sports.
Monica Fawknotson stands at the intersection of Sports, Facility Management, Government & Sports Tourism where, for the last decade, she’s served as Executive Director of the Metropolitan Nashville Sports Authority, the public entity that owns Bridgestone Arena, First Horizon Park, Geodis Park & the Ford Ice Centers and Nissan Stadium. Prior to her time at the Sports Authority, she served in the Office of former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell.
Monica holds a M.S in Education in Human Performance & Sports Studies (Sports Management Concentration) from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She has served as a speaker/presenter/panelist for events like The Conventions, Sports & Entertainment Facilities Conference (CSEF), the NCAA/Black Women in Sports Foundation roundtable, and the University of Tennessee’s Partners in Sports Management Conference.
Monica is a member of the Nashville Sports Council’s Board of Directors and a former Chair of Nashville’s Women in Sports Committee. In 2018 she Co-Chaired the local organizing committee for the 2018 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament. She is an alum of Leadership Nashville and the Young American Leaders Program (YALP) at Harvard Business School.
Deana Ivey serves as President and CEO for the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and has been with the organization since 1997. She has helped oversee and coordinate the organization’s marketing efforts as Nashville became a top global destination. The city’s tourism industry has been at an all-time high with 16.9 million annual visitors and $11.13 billion in direct visitor spending, one-third of all visitor spending in Tennessee. Ms. Ivey has played a key role leading Nashville in branding itself around the world as Music City.
Ms. Ivey’s previous roles with the NCVC included President, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. She has been instrumental in creating and producing successful large annual concert events to market the city, including Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th and New Year’s Eve in Nashville. She has been a co-producer and helped lead creation of two award-winning Nashville documentaries, as well as the Music City Walk of Fame.
Ms. Ivey was recognized in the inaugural Variety 2025 Power of Women Nashville list and named one of the YWCA Women of Achievement in 2025. In 2024, she was honored as a Power 100 Trendsetter by the Nashville Business Journal, which also recognized her with its Women in Music award. In 2023, she was named one of the Nashville Post’s Most Powerful Women and featured in In Charge 2024: Tourism Edition. She also received a Women in Business award from Nashville Lifestyles and was ranked No. 7 on The Tennessean’s list of the Top 25 Most Influential Sports Figures.
Ms. Ivey is a board member of the Academy of Country Music, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, Country Music Association, Music City Bowl, Nashville Sports Council, Nashville Zoo, Rhythms of the South and Tennessee Hospitality Association. She serves as an honorary board member of Playmakers Nashville and on the Executive Board of Directors for the U.S. Travel Association. Ms. Ivey is a graduate of Leadership Nashville’s 2025 class and was a member of the 2015 Leadership Music class. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was a driving force behind the city’s recovery as a key member of the Mayor’s Hospitality Committee advocating on behalf of the tourism industry and as the chief architect behind the Good to Go health and safety program, in partnership with Vanderbilt Health and Ryman Hospitality Properties.
She has served as an adjunct professor at Belmont University. Before her work in Nashville, Ms. Ivey had prior CEO-level experience leading the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce, having served the tourism industry for ten years in both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tenn. She is a graduate of Western Kentucky University and has completed master’s work at the University of Tennessee and Western Kentucky. She and her husband Brian have a college-age son.
Cheri Kempf is Chief Broadcast Officer and Executive Producer at Athletes Unlimited, a network of professional women’s softball, basketball and volleyball leagues featuring the world’s best professional athletes. Kempf oversees broadcasting for all three sports, negotiating media rights deals and managing relationships with rights holders, while spearheading all aspects of production and game presentation for all live events, including Drafts.
Kempf helped design and launch AU’s original softball league in 2020, serving as its Director of Pro Softball and working with the Player Executive Committee to shape the league and lay the groundwork for what has now become the AUSL.
Prior to Athletes Unlimited, Kempf was Commissioner of National Pro Fastpitch for nearly 15 years and was long at the forefront of women’s fastpitch softball, as a player, instructor, an industry marketing representative and a television sports commentator.
A four-time National Champion and six-time Hall of Fame Inductee, Kempf has also represented the United States on the international stage as a National Team member for Team USA and 1992 World Cup Champion.
Kempf was a color commentator for 20 years, covering NCAA softball for ESPN, as well as college and professional softball for FOX Sports, Comcast Sports, YES Network and the MLB Network.
Candice Storey Lee is the vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director at Vanderbilt University. Appointed in May 2020, she is Vanderbilt’s first female athletic director and the first Black woman to lead an athletics program in the Southeastern Conference. During her tenure, she has led the most ambitious fundraising effort in Vanderbilt Athletics history through the $300+ million Vandy United campaign, expanding resources and facilities for all student-athletes. She has also added women’s volleyball as a varsity sport (launching in 2025) and made key head coaching hires across several programs.
A former standout on the Vanderbilt women’s basketball team, Lee was a team captain, four-year letter winner, and five-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection. She helped lead the Commodores to an SEC Tournament championship in 2002. She earned all three of her degrees from Vanderbilt’s Peabody College, completing her doctorate in higher education administration in 2012. Lee began her administrative career at Vanderbilt in 2002 as an academic adviser, later serving as compliance director, senior woman administrator, and deputy athletic director before becoming athletic director.
Nationally, Lee is a recognized leader in college athletics. She currently serves on the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee and previously served on multiple NCAA and SEC leadership committees. Her honors include being named National Athletic Director of the Year (2024–25), Athletic Director of the Year by the Black Student-Athlete Summit, and selection to the Sports Business Journal “Power Players” list.
Deeply involved in the Nashville community, Lee has served on the boards of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, Nashville Sports Council, YWCA of Middle Tennessee, Harpeth Hall School, and The Family Center. Under her leadership, Commodore teams have won multiple national championships and more than 20 conference titles across a wide range of sports. Lee is married to Sean Lee, and they have one son, Andrew.
Betty Wiseman has been a trailblazer in Nashville’s sports and education community for over six decades. A beloved figure at Belmont University, she founded the women’s basketball program in 1968, four years before Title IX, and served as head coach for 16 seasons, leading the team to national recognition and multiple championship runs. She spent 18 years coaching, 40 years in the classroom, and over 20 years as Belmont’s Assistant Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator, helping guide the university’s transition to NCAA Division I and championing the launch of six additional women’s sports programs. Wiseman’s leadership, advocacy, and mentorship have inspired generations of student-athletes.
Her commitment to service and global impact runs deep. In 1995, she launched Belmont’s athletics mission program, which has since reached 14 countries across four continents. Honored by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, and Belmont’s own Hall of Fame, Wiseman’s influence continues through the Betty Wiseman Mission Fund and the ongoing celebration of “Belmont Betty.” She remains a powerful symbol of purpose, progress, and what’s possible for women in sports.
