On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by the University of Indianapolis Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Sue Willey. Sue is a PRO. She has been in the industry for 45 years, and spent 17 of those as an athletic director. She got her start as a 5-sport student-athlete at the University of Indianapolis - where she wore the same uniform for all 5 sports! She also played on the men’s tennis team when there wasn’t one for women, and ended up starting a women’s program from scratch. These experiences showed her that she could make a difference, and she has spent her entire career doing just that – all at her alma mater. And make a difference she did because she turned Uindy into a Dll Powerhouse. Listen in to hear how one mentor changed the trajectory of her future, how she established that women’s tennis team as a student-athlete, and how she got the nickname “the terminator.” There are a lot of nuggets here, and you need to get them now because Sue is retiring in 2020! I hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.

On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Violet Palmer at the LIVE podcast from the 2019 Women Leaders National Convention in Phoenix by Violet Palmer. Violet is the first woman, the first African-American woman, AND the first openly gay woman to referee in the NBA. Violet Palmer, who, because she is such a trailblazer, is featured on Makers, Here she shares so many insights about her epic journey to becoming the first. Until Violet came along, the ranks of NBA officials were definitely a “boys club.” Listen in to hear how Violet navigated that, overcame that, and how she became one of the most well-respected and successful referees, male or female, in the league. She has the code to the “boys club” and she shares it with us. She also shares how to disarm men when you are the only woman and how to use being the only woman as an advantage Violet is a force for change, and shares so much inspiration in this really fun conversation. I hope you enjoy it, and remember, we are Women Leaders!

On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Women Leaders past president and the University of San Francisco Director of Athletics Joan McDermott. When it comes to navigating your career, Joan is an expert. Between her career as a coach and then college administrator, her husband’s career as a baseball coach, AND her six children, Joan has beautifully mastered how to balance it all, and has some great tips for working moms. She has always been passionate about the student-athlete experience and providing girls and women with opportunities she never had. Joan believes a huge key to leadership is building and maintaining relationships, which we 100% agree with. Listen in to learn the importance of male champions, how and why Joan transitioned to Division l after spending 18 years as a Dll athletic director, and how she landed her dream job at her alma mater, the University of San Francisco. Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.

On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by former Women Leaders board member and University of Pittsburgh Director of Athletics, Heather Lyke. Heather is truly kicking glass as one of just four women leading power five athletic departments, and she has mastered the art of leadership at all levels. In this podcast, you will learn how Heather navigated from law school to the AD chair, how she started the “group of 6” during her time at Ohio State —(more on that later!), and how she earned the top seat at one of the most historic athletic departments in the nation. Listen in to learn the value of being present, the importance of managing up at all levels – yes even AD’s manage up, and how to take initiative and solve problems. Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.

On the most recent episode of the Women Leaders Podcast, Patti Phillips is joined by Women Leaders past president and the Mountain West Conference Senior Associate Commissioner Carolayne Henry. Carolayne was one of those people that knew from a young age what she wanted to do, and from the time she was just 12 years old, she knew she wanted to go to law school. But after earning her law degree from Pitt, and having the opportunity practice law, she realized she wanted to get back into sports. After a few years at the NCAA, Carolayne found her sweet spot in compliance at the Mountain West Conference where she was one of the first hires who helped start the conference, and has spent over 20 years building and elevating the conference to the powerhouse it is today. In my conversation with Carolayne, you will learn what it takes to actually start a conference, how to stay in one place and continue to grow, and the value of being open-minded and inclusive. And she’s a great example of, and big believer in the fact that if you work hard, opportunities will present themselves! Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.

In today’s episode, Patti Phillips talks with Peg Bradley-Doppes, Women Leaders Past President and current Vice Chancellor Emeritus and Special Assistant to the Chancellor at the University of Denver. Peg has mastered overcoming challenges by framing them as opportunities —whether it be as a Division l head coach at the young age of 21 or making difficult decisions as a leader when her job is on the line—she has built a remarkable career on a foundation of hard work and integrity. Throughout our conversation, you will learn the value in fundraising, the importance of evolving as a leader, and how to adapt and adjust to new jobs and cultures. Listen in and soak up Peg’s passion as she shares her insight on making the most of every moment and facing every challenge as an opportunity to learn, grow, and better yourself. Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.

In today’s episode, Patti Phillips talks with Amanda Braun, director of athletics for the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Amanda, now in her 7th year as an athletic director is a “proud law school dropout” as she says. Listen in to hear how Amanda aligned herself with a great Male Champion early in her career who trust and elevated her quickly and in many ways. Her experience with football oversight and revenue generation while at Northeastern were key to her becoming an athletics director. Amanda has built her career on her integrity, leadership, values driven decision making and her ability to cultivate meaningful relationships. In my conversation with Amanda, you will hear her realness come through as she shares her career journey and opens up about integrating her personal life with honesty and authenticity. Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.

On today’s episode, Patti Phillips talks with Marilyn McNeil, Women Leaders Past President and current Vice President & Director of Athletics at Monmouth University. An industry veteran with over 40 years of experience, Marilyn was born a natural competitor–not only did she play basketball, volleyball and field hockey, she was a Canadian National Champion in Curling; In her words she is “still competing today”. Marilyn knows how to navigate change and tough circumstances - from moving to a new country, and across the country, to surviving 5 presidential transitions - Marilyn strategically navigated the hurdles that came with being a woman AD, and she has THRIVED while doing it. Listen in as Marilyn shares her story of leveraging change by managing up, nurturing relationships and by caring for her team and herself. Enjoy, and remember, We Are Women Leaders! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.

Hello and welcome to the Women Leaders Podcast! I am Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports, and I am thrilled to be joined on today’s podcast by Alfreeda Goff, former senior associate commissioner and chief championship administrator at the Horizon League and long-time advocate and champion of our organization since our inception 40-years ago. Alfreeda is one the most highly respected trailblazers in the industry and has been instrumental in building and growing our organization. In fact, Alfreeda was the founder of the Women’s Leadership Symposium back in 2001 and it’s still going strong today! Listen in to hear Alfreeda voice the importance of mentoring, the value in women helping women, and how she has paved the way as a mentor and advisor for countless women and men in the industry. Enjoy, and remember, we are Women Leaders. Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.

On today’s episode, Patti is joined by Debbie Yow, North Carolina State athletic director emeritus. Debbie’s remarkable career has been anything but traditional. From a college dropout to a Power Five athletic director, Debbie has had an extraordinary career spanning over 43 years. A three-time athletic director, including the first female ACC athletic director and longest serving women Power Five AD, Debbie she has been a catalyst for change from the beginning. Listen in as Debbie shares the importance in establishing the culture, reinforcing the culture, and most importantly, how to act with integrity when the culture is threatened. Enjoy, and remember, we are Women Leaders! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.