Austin, TX - February 13, 2025 – Pro Sports Assembly (PRO), the industry association for professional sports organizations and business leaders, is accepting nominations for the 2025 Medal of Leadership honorees. The celebration will take place at The Assembly: Pro Sports Leadership Retreat in Austin, TX on June 17, 2025.

Nominations for professional sports leaders who exemplify the character and meet the qualifications of the four signature awards can be submitted through midnight CST on Feb. 28, 2025 at Medal of Leadership.

The Co-Chairs of the Medal of Leadership Committee are Chioma Atanmo, Senior Director, Community Impact & The Victory Project at Sporting KC, Starr Jemison, Senior Vice President, Content Development & Private Events at the Oak View Group and Alexis Roe, Vice President of DEI Impact and Strategic Initiatives at the Atlanta Hawks.

“Our PRO colleagues are so excited to celebrate and honor the outstanding contributions of our peers across the professional sports industry.” Says Alexis Roe, “The influential leaders we spotlight are driving meaningful impact within their teams, leagues, and communities. We invite you to submit nominations for those who exemplify excellence and align with the criteria for each award.”

The Medal of Leadership celebration began in 2023 and was hosted by Forbes' Jabari Young. Seth Cohen, Forbes’ Chief Impact Officer hosted the celebration in 2024.

Past honorees include:

Jason Jenkins “Victory for Humanity” Award

2023: Xavier Gutierrez, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer for ImpactX Sports Group; former CEO of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes

2024: 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

2023: Michele Roberts, former Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association; National Cycling League investor

2024: Kevin Demoff, Los Angeles Rams President and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment President, Team & Media Operations; Co-founder and Executive Sponsor of the Black Sports Business Symposium

Visionary Leadership Award

2023: Lester Jones, Senior Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis at the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena

2024: Morgan Cato, Executive Vice President of Player Operations for the National Basketball Players Association

Rising Leader Award

2023: Mary Kate Meals, former Manager of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Rock Entertainment Group

2024: Alexandria Hill, Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer for Klutch Sports Group

The Medal of Leadership honorees are PRO leaders who drive value for the professional sports industry, both inside their organization and beyond by elevating standards of leadership excellence. While each Medal has distinct significance, each is given annually to an outstanding business leader who has leveraged their position of influence to benefit the greater good and epitomize what it means to be a PRO member.

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 2025 award will be presented to a PRO leader who significantly leverages their position of influence to create lasting impact in the community.

“Jason was passionate about bringing people together to make the world a kinder place. His spirit, empathy and commitment to improving the lives of those around him was something he exhibited every day,” said Elizabeth Jenkins, Jason’s wife and executive chair of the Dolphins Cancer Challenge. “The Jenkins family and the Miami Dolphins organization are very appreciative that Pro Sports Assembly continues to honor his legacy with this outstanding award to spotlight those who share his passion of utilizing sports to help and unify others.”

The Marshall Award for Values in Sport, inspired by Cynthia “Cynt” Marshall, former CEO of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks honors leaders who represent strength and impact for their organization, its greater community, and the professional sports ecosystem. The award will be presented to a trailblazing PRO leader who exemplifies Character, Respect, Authenticity, Fairness, Teamwork and Safety.

2025 nominations for each Medal are being accepted through Feb 28, 2025. To learn more about The Medal of Leadership, visit Medal of Leadership.

The Assembly: Pro Sports Leadership Retreat, takes place June 17-18. It is an intimate gathering for professional sports business leaders who are not only influential in setting an agenda and strategy for their organization, but who are also invested in creating a strong, healthy, and fair future across professional sports. During the annual retreat, PRO members work together to identify the most critical issues facing the industry, workshop solutions and industry standards. The 2025 retreat co-chairs are Tyler Beadlescomb of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Marina Carpenter of Navigate, and Jeff Fong of the San Francisco 49ers.

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About Pro Sports Assembly 
Established in 2019, Pro Sports Assembly (“PRO”) is the association for professional sports organizations and business leaders. PRO organizations drive value for the industry by creating economies of scale and scope around leadership development, research and advocacy. Members of PRO are inclusive and unite to create a strong, healthy, and fair future for the professional sports industry. 

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 on Pro Sports Assembly, please visit www.prosportsassembly.org and connect on LinkedIn. 

For more information contact: 
[email protected]