Pro Sports Assembly Members Have Selected Four Leaders for their Exceptional Leadership Contributions and Impact on the Industry

Austin, TX - March 12, 2024 –  Pro Sports Assembly (“PRO”), the association for professional sports business leaders, will present the 2024 class of honorees for the PRO Medal of Leadership Awards on June 5, 2024 at The Assembly: Pro Sports Leadership Retreat and Workshop. The four Medal of Leadership Award honorees were selected by members of PRO for elevating the standards of leadership excellence in professional sports. 

The Jason Jenkins “Victory for Humanity” Award was created in honor of Jason Jenkins, the late Senior Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs for the Miami Dolphins and a founding member of PRO, serving on the Governing Board as the Chair of Communications. Jason epitomized inclusive leadership, unifying people in sport and in the community. 

The Marshall Award for Values in Sport was inspired by Cynthia “Cynt” Marshall, CEO of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and Co-Founder of Pro Sports Assembly. As the first Black female CEO in the NBA, she represents strength and impact for the organization, its greater community and the professional sports ecosystem. This medal is presented to a trailblazing Pro Sports Assembly member who exemplifies Character, Respect, Authenticity, Fairness, Teamwork and Safety.

The Visionary Leadership Award is presented to a senior-level (director and above) professional sports leader who, throughout their career, has shown excellence inside their organization, in their community and is dedicated to building the next generation of leaders.

The Rising Leader Award recognizes a full-time pro sports executive (0-10 years of experience) who has made an exemplary impact early in their career. This award calls attention to an individual with an outstanding commitment to excellence.

The 2024 PRO Medal of Leadership Honorees are:

Jason Jenkins “Victory for Humanity” Award
Jessica Yavitz, Vice President of Community Relations at Chicago Fire FC and Executive Director of the Chicago Fire Foundation. 

Marshall Award for Values in Sport
Kevin Demoff, Co-founder and Executive Sponsor of the Black Sports Business Symposium and Los Angeles Rams President and President, Team and Media Operations, Kroenke Sports and Entertainment.

Visionary Leadership Award
Morgan Cato, Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Phoenix Suns.

Rising Leader Award
Alexandria Hill, Football Operations Coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.

The co-chairs for the 2024 Medal of Leadership Awards are Chioma Atanmo of Sporting Kansas City, Matt Goodman of the Dallas Mavericks, and Kim Miller of the Miami Dolphins. The Assembly: Pro Sports Leadership Retreat and Workshop co-chairs are Oracio Galindo of the Los Angeles Rams, Jamil Northcutt, formerly of Major League Soccer, and Alexis Roe of the Atlanta Hawks.

The 2024 class of honorees will receive their medals at The Assembly: Pro Sports Leadership Retreat and Workshop in Austin on June 5. The Assembly is an intimate gathering of professional sports business leaders who are influential in setting an agenda and strategy for their organization, and who are committed to creating a strong, healthy, and fair future across the industry. 

“Being celebrated by your peers validates your hard work, dedication, and skill fostering a sense of belonging and motivation to excel further,” said Medal of Leadership Committee Co-Chair, Chioma Atanmo of Sporting Kansas City. “Leaders in society, especially in sports, have the power to shape narratives, influence policies, and champion inclusivity. We’re excited for this new class of honorees because they are embodying the positive path forward that can be shaped by sports.”

In addition to those invited to The Assembly, 100 tickets are available for additional guests to attend the Medal of Leadership Awards presented in partnership with Oak View Group Arena Alliance. Tickets can be purchased here. 

Those interested in attending The Assembly can express interest here.  Sponsors of The Assembly 2024 include Major League Baseball, Oak View Group Arena Alliance, and H-E-B.

More on the 2024 Honorees:

Jason Jenkins “Victory for Humanity” Award:  Jessica Yavitz, Vice President of Community Relations at Chicago Fire FC and Executive Director of the Chicago Fire Foundation.

Yavitz boasts over 20 years of experience in professional sports and non-profit industries. Under her leadership, Chicago Fire FC and their charitable arm, the Chicago Fire Foundation, have garnered numerous accolades including winning the 2019 ESPN Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year award and leading Major League Soccer as a multi-time winner of the Community Relations Club of the Year, most recently in 2023. The Fire were recognized as the Beyond Sport Team of the Year in 2016 and have been named multiple times as a finalist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation – Best Commitment to Education Award. Yavitz also has been individually honored with several awards, receiving the Bright Promises Champion for Children Award in 2023, named as the 2022 WISE (Women in Sports and Entertainment) Chicago Woman of Inspiration, and named as the 2007 MLS Community Relations Executive of the Year. Yavitz is recognized for her innovative leadership in developing key partnerships and programs, such as the internationally acclaimed P.L.A.Y.S. (Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth, Soccer) Program, which has grown by more than 400% since its inception in 2013, expanding to over 60 Chicago Public Schools, serving thousands of under resourced inner-city youth.

Marshall Award for Values in Sports:  Kevin Demoff, Co-founder and Executive Sponsor of the Black Sports Business Symposium and Los Angeles Rams President and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment President, Team & Media Operations.

Demoff has served as the President of the Los Angeles Rams for 16 years and was recently named the President of Team and Media Operations for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. He was instrumental in the Rams’ return to Los Angeles and the development of Hollywood Park, including SoFi Stadium. Notably, Demoff’s commitment to inclusive leadership extends to his involvement in co-founding the Black Sports Business Symposium, aimed at creating opportunities for diverse professionals in the sports industry. His leadership has garnered recognition and awards for the Rams’ significant impact on the Los Angeles region.

Visionary Leadership Award:  Morgan Cato, Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Phoenix Suns.

Cato’s decade-long journey with the NBA saw her rise from Team Lead for Early Career Development in Human Resources to Associate Vice President for League Operations. She played pivotal roles in strategic programs such as the “Future of the Game” General Managers initiative and the launch of the Basketball Africa League. In 2022, Cato made history as the first woman of color to hold the title of Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations when she joined the Phoenix Suns. She was also one of the highest-ranking women in a front office, underscoring her transformative power of dedication and inclusive leadership in the sports industry. 

Rising Leader Award:  Alexandria Hill, Football Operations Coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.

Hill is a pivotal member of the Los Angeles Rams Football Operations team. In addition to contributing to a Super Bowl victory, Alex’s achievements extend beyond the field. She has been nationally recognized as a rising black professional in the sports industry. Hill’s dedication to her craft, coupled with her commitment to inclusive leadership, continues to make her a standout figure in the NFL.

Those interested in sponsoring the Medal of Leadership program or The Assembly Leadership Retreat can learn more here or send an email to [email protected].

The 2024 honorees join an illustrious group. The 2023 inaugural class of honorees were:  

Jason Jenkins “Victory for Humanity” Award 
2023 - Xavier A. Gutierrez, President & CEO at the Arizona Coyotes 

Marshall Award for Values in Sport
2023 - Michele Roberts, National Cycling League investor and former Executive Director at the National Basketball Players Association

Visionary Leadership Award
2023 - Lester Jones, Senior Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis at the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena

Rising Leader Award
2023 - Mary Kate Meals, Manager of  Diversity, Inclusion & Engagement at the Rock Entertainment Group