30 Professional Sports Organizations Represented in Spring 2026 Leadership Cohorts

AUSTIN, TX - April 29, 2026 – Pro Sports Assembly (“PRO”), the industry association for professional sports organizations and business leaders at teams, leagues, unions and venues, announced the leaders selected for four 2026 Learning & Leadership Development (L&LD) cohorts. Demonstrating their commitment to individual growth, organizational impact and industry-wide influence, the leaders selected are engaging with colleagues across pro sports to grow relationships and gain resources of material interest.

The four cohorts offer exclusive experiences for PRO members committed to elevating their leadership impact and refining their influence across leagues, regions, and roles, to prove the value of informed and inclusive leadership shaping the future of professional sports. Through shared learning, research, and opportunities to pressure-test their development efforts, the members are better prepared to lead the next trillio-dollar industry. The full cohort rosters are included below.

“When I began managing others, I had a clear vision of the leader I wanted to be. The Manager's Blueprint is giving me the tools to execute that vision at a higher level. Learning alongside peers from different sectors of sport has also added fresh perspectives I can bring directly to my work and my team. I'm not here to discover my leadership style, I'm sharpening it.” - Ricki Dean, Senior Director of Player Engagement for the National Basketball Players Association.

The 2026 cohorts include representatives from prominent professional sports organizations such as the Atlanta Hawks, Austin FC, Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, Hollywood Park, Los Angeles Football Club, Los Angeles Rams, LPGA, Major League Soccer, Miami Dolphins, Milwaukee Brewers, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, National Basketball Players Association, Phoenix Suns, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Reign FC, Seattle Sounders FC, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers and more.

Learning Leadership & Development partners include Bloombase, Mercer, Novus Global, Sodexo Live! and The Venn Collective.

“Across this cohort, what’s clear is that these leaders are already leading in high-stakes and high-pressure roles. They are navigating complex, ever-changing, and multiple priorities. The Growth Edge is about exploring how they show up in the moments that matter most so their leadership is grounded, intentional, and aligned with the impact they want to create." - Sheri Fella, Founder & CEO, Bloombase.

Spring Cohorts Include:

• The Growth Edge with Bloombase - Cohort 1

A cohort for women in professional sports navigating complex leadership challenges. The Growth Edge equips the members with practical strategies, trusted peer relationships, and the tools to align values with action, make bold decisions, and lead with resilience under pressure.

• The Manager’s Blueprint - Cohort 3

A cohort for people managers seeking to lead with authenticity and purpose. The Manager’s Blueprint develops core management skills through practical application, self-reflection, and values-based leadership, equipping members to build strong teams and drive lasting impact.

• Inclusive Leadership presented by Sodexo Live! - Cohort 9

A flagship cohort focused on building inclusive cultures that drive performance. Inclusive Leadership equips members with practical tools, honest dialogue, and real-world perspectives to lead diverse teams effectively, foster engagement, and create environments grounded in fairness, respect, and accountability.

• Activating Inclusive Leadership - Cohort 3

An extension of Inclusive Leadership that deepens understanding through continued dialogue and shared responsibility. Participants build knowledge, strengthen allyship, and engage in solutions-oriented conversations to advance inclusive leadership in professional sports and beyond.

The collaboration between Pro Sports Assembly and Populous reflects a shared commitment to informed leadership, inclusive development, and the long-term value of sports-led places. Collectively, this partnership is another significant step in preparing members to lead the next trillion-dollar industry and shape the future of professional sports, venues and communities.

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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. 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.

Media Contacts
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Pro Sports Assembly
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(210) 422-5002

COHORT ROSTERS

The Growth Edge with Bloombase (Cohort 1)

Grecia Barboza - San Francisco 49ers

Christine Castano - Major League Soccer

Jessica Crosson - Former, Miami Marlins

Bridget Gannon - BRIDGE Sports & Entertainment

Jen Hall - Chicago Bulls

Melissa Hemenway - Seattle Reign FC

Felicia Lamar - St. Louis Cardinals, LLC

Christina Lance - LPGA Tour

Megan Lenertz - Dallas Mavericks

Brittany Long - Cleveland Cavaliers

Katherine Milliken - Miami Dolphins

Taj Pledger - Phoenix Suns

Nadira Ramratan - NBPA

Emily Rooney - Chicago Bears

Mel Seiser - Cleveland Cavaliers

Sheila Tatsunami - Seattle Sounders & Reign

Kathryn Than - NBPA

Elizabeth Wallace Djabbarah - Major League Soccer

Josey Warnick - Hollywood Park

Keisha Wright - NBPA

The Manager’s Blueprint (Cohort 3)

Tara Ali - Milwaukee Brewers

Kyle Bartlett - Texas Rangers

Polina Brodskiy - Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium

Lindsay Coffey - National Basketball Players Association

Brianna Dawson - National Basketball Players Association

Elizabeth Dean - St. Louis Blues, Enterprise Center & Stifel Theatre

Ricki Dean - NBPA

Hannah Drysdale - Austin FC

Ben Garrod - Detroit Red Wings

Sara Jin - San Francisco 49ers

Kevin Kowynia - Chicago Blackhawks

Elena Larsen - Seattle Sounders & Reign FC

Natalie Mavrovich - Hollywood Park

Jonathan Newell - Nashville Predators

Taylor Olson - Detroit Tigers

Ashley Ritter - Los Angeles Football Club

Gustavo Silva - Chicago Bears

Arielle Singer - New England Patriots Hall of Fame

Shelby Thorpe - Hollywood Park

Ashton Washington - Chicago Bears

Jonese Washington - The Atlanta Hawks

Inclusive Leadership presented by Sodexo Live! (Cohort 9)

Andres Boyer - Seattle Sounders FC

Bianca Dawkins - Minnesota Timberwolves & Lynx

Brittany Long - Cleveland Cavaliers

Chris Kaimmer - Seattle Sounders FC

Courtney Humphrey - Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Emily Butterazzi - Buffalo Sabres

Gabrielle Smithey - NBPA

Jordan Harvey - LAFC

Jordyn Kovolyan - Cleveland Cavaliers

Marquis White - Chicago Bears

Mia Riese - Chicago Bears

Nadira Ramratan - NBPA

Rachel Sarahang - Los Angeles Rams

Activating Inclusive Leadership (Cohort 3)

Jonathan Newell - Nashville Predators

Jen Hall - Chicago Bulls

Jessica Crosson - Former, Miami Marlins

Patricia Mabry - Dallas Mavericks

Lindsay LoPicolo - San Francisco 49ers