The University of California – Berkeley has developed the Leadership Academy for Women’s Sports, which will formally launch in March 2026 following a “Women in Sports” conference founders hosted this fall.
According to UC Berkeley Haas, the leadership academy and conference were developed by two MBA students: Sarah Bartholomae and Sabrina Rodriguez. Bartholomae and Rodriguez worked with the Center for Equity, Gender, and Leadership to create the conference and three-day course “aimed at people working in the women’s sports industry or those looking to enter the field.”
Students in the course, and those who attended the recent conference, get a crash course in understanding the salary gaps that exist not only between male and female athletes, but also between the business professionals working behind the scenes. Other topics will include leadership skills, business strategies and networking.
“The goal of the program is to continue to drive profit in women’s sports at the same time as driving purpose,” said Kellie McElhaney, executive director of EGAL. “It also lays the groundwork for a broader vision to create professional development opportunities for those working in women’s sports, as well as for former athletes, beyond the playing field.”
The inaugural “Women in Sports” conference sold out, and it featured former Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall, the first Black woman CEO in the history of the NBA.
“She’s a legend, and she just lit up the room,” Bartholomae said. “Our hope is that the conference continues to draw a room full of leaders, changemakers, and emerging talent ready to shape the future of sports.”
