SCOTTSDALE, AZ (September 28, 2023) – The Fiesta Bowl Organization has expanded its commitment to aid in the development of diverse leaders in a partnership with Women Leaders in Sports. The two organizations have collaborated to offer 20 scholarships to women working in the sports industry to attend the Women Leaders in Sports annual convention from October 8-10 in New Orleans, for three days of empowering programming, connection and inspiration with a powerful network of women in sports.

Emerging leaders will learn from some of the most accomplished executives in athletics, including conference commissioners, directors of athletics, professional sports owners, NCAA President Charlie Baker and more.

Scholarship recipients who will attend the convention include women who participated in the Fiesta Bowl Path to the Summit presented by AECOM Hunt last May and athletics department staff members at Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the New Orleans area.

"The Fiesta Bowl Organization is committed to helping open doors for our future leaders and supporting talented women in achieving their career goals within the sports industry," said Fiesta Bowl Organization Executive Director & CEO Erik Moses. "We've seen the positive impact of our Path to the Summit program and were excited to expand our partnership with Women Leaders in Sports to continue to directly impact the next generation of women leaders within athletics. Our industry and institutions are strengthened when we include diversity of backgrounds, diversity of thought, and of experiences."

Convention programming includes power panels, breakout sessions and TedTalks in the areas of multigenerational leadership, executive communication, innovation, fostering women leaders, navigating your career journey, college football issues, building organizational culture and more.

"The Fiesta Bowl was our first football bowl partner in 2019, and we have been aligned ever since with a common goal to elevate women and women of color through the powerful platform of the college football playoff," said Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports. "We are incredibly grateful for the Fiesta Bowl's investment in the growth and advancement of women leaders in our industry."

The Fiesta Bowl Path to the Summit presented by AECOM Hunt held its third annual event in May where approximately 50 assistant college football coaches and athletics administrators from underrepresented communities attended panel sessions on career development, networking opportunities and meetings with search firms. Some of the speakers included Directors of Athletics Alan Haller (Michigan State), Martin Jarmond (UCLA), Nina King (Duke) and Candice Storey Lee (Vanderbilt), Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez, New Mexico Head Football Coach Danny Gonzales, Arizona State Chief Operating Officer Chris Howard, TurnkeyZRG Vice President Katy Young Staudt, ESPN reporter Heather Dinich.

Women Leaders is an expanding membership community of women and men who strive to grow as leaders and believe in diversity and equity in leadership. Through year-round world-class leadership development, career training, and access to a powerful network, Women Leaders accelerates the leadership potential of women to positively impact sports.

Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe and a year-long schedule of community events, Fiesta Bowl Charities delivers impact to communities throughout the state of Arizona in the pillars of youth, sports and education.

ABOUT THE FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION
Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education.
 
ABOUT WOMEN LEADERS IN SPORTS
Founded in 1979, Women Leaders in Sports is the only nationally recognized professional membership organization whose mission is to develop, connect, advance, and champion women leaders working in sports. Women Leaders provides career and leadership training, access to a powerful network, and the resources to advance women at every stage of their careers. Learn more about the organization here and follow Women Leaders on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok @_WomenLeaders.