Over Two Dozen Organizations Represented in Three Learning & Development Programs 

SEPT 11, 2024 (Austin, TX) - Pro Sports Assembly (“PRO”), the association for professional sports business leaders, announced the three latest leadership cohorts for 2024 learning & development programs. Demonstrating their commitment to individual growth, organizational impact and industry-wide influence, the leaders selected will engage with colleagues across pro sports to grow relationships and gain resources of material interest.

The three L&D programs offer exclusive experiences to support PRO members who take their leadership responsibilities seriously; refining their leadership capabilities across leagues, regions, and roles to expand their influence. Active members of the association bring the PRO Game Plan for Leadership Excellence to life and create economies of scale and scope for all members, driving growth in learning, research, and leadership development to future-proof their careers, organizations and the industry.

Fall Programs Include (all virtual):

• HR & Legal Strategies for People Leaders with Employee Relations Solutions - Cohort 1
  A 6-part course that equips professional sports leaders with essential insights and skills to navigate performance management and employee relations compliance from a legal perspective.

• Coaching for Performance and Productivity - Cohort 1
  An 8-part course that transforms traditional leadership models by introducing enabling leadership techniques. It covers leadership mindsets and the innovative Lead-Manage-Coach (LMC) model. 

• Inclusive Leadership Presented by Sodexo Live! - Cohort 6
  The flagship program empowers leaders across all disciplines to gain perspectives and practices to lead inclusively across all aspects of their business and career journey. engage with their organization’s DEI initiatives and become exceptional leaders in addressing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.

The 2024 cohorts include representatives from prominent sports organizations such as the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL, Charlotte FC of MLS, Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium, Major League Soccer, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Mavericks, UBS Arena, U.S. Soccer Federation, Seattle Sounders & Reign, San Francisco 49ers, Timbers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Major League Baseball, Sporting KC, Tennessee Smokies, Miami Marlins, Chicago Bulls, and LAFC.

“By being member-led and member-driven we see the “rising tide floats all boats” theory in full effect throughout our leadership development programs. I look forward to getting to know and grow alongside the incredible talent in my “Coaching for Performance and Productivity” cohort. The high-trust relationships and reliable resources gained are impactful to me both personally and professionally.” Oracio Galindo, Head of Employee Experience at Los Angeles Rams and Chair of the Board at Pro Sports Assembly.

Learning & Development program partners include Sodexo Live! and Employee Relations Solutions and feature facilitators from Gateway Equity Institute, ERS and Grey Matter Global.

"At Employee Relations Solutions we engage in collaborative and honest conversations to equip leaders in preparing and maintaining their organizations' pursuit of a discrimination-free workplace. Empowering management with inside perspectives and strategies from a variety of legal perspectives helps them achieve this goal while minimizing risks. I look forward to partnering with the incredible talent in this Cohort."  Matthew Grabell, CEO, Employee Relations Solutions.

About Pro Sports Assembly 

Established in 2019, Pro Sports Assembly (“PRO”) is the association for professional sports organizations and business leaders. PRO organizations future-proof the industry by equipping leaders across tenure, rank and discipline with the relationships and resources necessary to succeed. The power of Pro Sports Assembly comes to life because PRO members champion their individual development, organization, and industry. Collectively, PRO members set the standard for leadership excellence in professional sports.  

For more information, visit: www.prosportsassembly.org (Website) and https://www.linkedin.com/company/prosportsassembly (LinkedIn).

Media Contact: [email protected]

COHORT ROSTERS

Coaching for Performance & Productivity

• Abby English - Seattle Sounders FC

• Alesia Lawson - Sporting Kansas City

• Baylor Nicole Love - Tennessee Smokies

• Brad Freeman - Dallas Mavericks

• Cameron Dolan - Miami Dolphins

• Christine Castano - Major League Soccer

• Christopher Noboa - Major League Soccer

• Eli DeGregorio - Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium

• Jen Hall - Chicago Bulls

• Jeremy Cohen - Buffalo Sabres

• Jessica Crosson - Miami Marlins

• Katie Pendleton - Seattle Sounders FC

• Kenny Bunch - Dallas Mavericks

• Maigan Bridgette - Sporting Kansas City

• Mike Whitney - Buffalo Sabres

• Oracio Galindo - Los Angeles Rams

• Paulette Harris - Seattle Sounders FC

• Ryan Bishara - LAFC

• Sergio Canales - Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium

• Brianna Courtney - Buffalo Sabres

HR & Legal Strategies for People Leaders with Employee Relations Solutions Inc.

• JP Abercrumbie - University of Notre Dame

• Coco Bergdoll - Los Angeles Rams

• Amanda Czajka - Buffalo Sabres

• Adeleen Dimas-Martinez - Charlotte FC

• Tres Eberhardt - Chicago Blackhawks

• Erin Fierle - Buffalo Sabres

• Jovina Johnson - MLS NEXT Pro

• China Jude - United States Sports Academy

• Alexis Keelan - Miami Dolphins

• Jillian Kozlowski - Chicago Blackhawks

• Kana Lilly - Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium

• Victoria Lopez - Major League Soccer

• Morgan Petriko - Chicago Blackhawks

• Brian Pille - Carolina Panthers

• Keshia Robinson - Dallas Mavericks

• Jessica Sabedra - Dallas Mavericks

• Eboni Wilson - UBS Arena | Oak View Group

Inclusive Leadership presented by Sodexo Live! (Cohort 6)

• Paul Anderson - U.S. Soccer Federation

• Isaiah Bennett - Tepper Sports and Entertainment

• Victoria Bjodstrup - Seattle Sounders & Reign

• Jimena Cabrejos Campana - U.S. Soccer Federation

• Emilio Cortez - San Francisco 49ers

• Donna Gould - U.S. Soccer Federation

• Alena Jasinski - Miami Dolphins

• Kayla Lawson - Portland Timbers 

• Charis Mangulabnan - San Francisco 49ers

• Mary Kate Meals - Cleveland Cavaliers

• KC Nlemchi - Dallas Mavericks

• Nicole Poyser - Major League Baseball

• Mackenna Radunz - Chicago Blackhawks

• Leah Rodgers - Charlotte FC

• Ariana Smith - Major League Baseball

• Addie Spruiell - Tepper Sports and Entertainment

• Joe Sullivan - Miami Dolphins

• Elizabeth Sundstrom - Cleveland Cavaliers

• Vilona Trachtenberg - Buffalo Sabres

• Sarah Visnovsky - Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium

• Sarah Lopez, Sodexo Live!

• Franchesca Gonzalez, Phoenix Suns & Mercury