The Pro Sports Assembly Medal of Leadership Awards celebrates Pro Sports Assembly members who are advancing the professional sports industry, both inside their organization and beyond to elevate standards of leadership excellence. Pro Sports Assembly strives to elevate members who are building strong, healthy and fair organizations and communities. The Medal of Leadership Awards were inspired by two leaders who lifted inclusive leadership to new heights: Jason Jenkins and Cynt Marshall. They have leveraged their positions of influence to benefit the greater good and epitomize what it means to be a PRO.
Meet the inaugural PRO Medal of Leadership Award honorees:
- Jason Jenkins “Victory for Humanity” Award - Xavier Gutierrez, President & CEO of the Arizona Coyotes
- Marshall Award for Values in Sport - Michele Roberts, National Cycling League investor and former Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association
- Visionary Leadership Award - Lester Jones, Senior Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis at the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena
- Rising Leader Award - Mary Kate Meals, Senior Coordinator of Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement at Rock Entertainment Group
General criteria for nominees:
- All individuals must be current Pro Sports Assembly members, and meet award criteria to be eligible for nomination
- Awards are selected by the committee solely based on information provided with the nomination form
- Names and rankings of nominees by the Awards Committee shall be treated confidentially
Best Practices for nominating someone:
- All nominations can be submitted through your Pro Sports Assembly account by May 1, 2023.
Awards will be presented during The Assembly 2023, which takes place June 21 - 23. Don't miss out -- Register today!
The "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 Chair of Communications. Jason was an exceptional leader – a unifier of people and a champion in the community. The Jason Jenkins “Victory for Humanity” Award is presented to a Pro Sports Assembly member for significantly leveraging their position of influence to create lasting impact in the community.
Criteria:
- Be an active member of Pro Sports Assembly
- Be employed full-time at a professional team, league, union, or venue at the time of nomination
- Be a champion for diversity, equity and inclusion
- Demonstrate commitment to serving in the community
- Serve as a positive role model
- Demonstrate leadership and vision to unify people across all backgrounds
The Marshall Award for Values in Sports was created in honor of Cynthia “Cynt” Marshall, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks. As the first Black female CEO in the NBA, Cynt represents strength and impact for the organization, its greater community and the professional sports ecosystem. The Marshall Award for Values in Sports is presented to a trailblazing Pro Sports Assembly member who exemplifies Character, Respect, Authenticity, Fairness, Teamwork and Safety.
Criteria:
- Be an active member of Pro Sports Assembly
- Be employed full-time as a senior-level executive at a professional team, league, union, or venue at the time of nomination
- Be committed to diversity and gender equity; Be an advocate for the DEI space within their organization and in the broader community
- Demonstrate commitment, cooperation, and allegiance in promoting excellence in the professional sports industry
- Demonstrate leadership and vision in their organization and the professional sports industry
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.
Criteria:
- Possess 0-10 years of professional sports experience at a professional team, league, union, or venue
- Nominee must exhibit effective leadership skills and demonstrate involvement at their organization and in the community (specific examples should be provided)
- Show a clear sense of growth and success in their role (specific examples outlining skills, responsibilities, and accomplishments should be provided)
- Demonstrate a commitment to professional development.
The Visionary Leadership Award is presented to a senior-level (director and above) professional sports leader. Throughout their career, this individual has shown excellence inside their organization, in their community, and is dedicated to building the next generation of leaders.
Criteria:
- Be an active member of Pro Sports Assembly
- Be employed full-time as a senior-level professional at a professional team, league, union, or venue at the time of nomination
- Be committed to diversity and gender equity
- Demonstrate commitment, cooperation, and allegiance in promoting excellence in the professional sports industry
- Demonstrate a commitment to professional development and mentoring of inclusive professional sports leaders
- Serve as a positive role model
- Demonstrate leadership and vision in their organization and the professional sports industry
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