Regional Summits Sports Marketing Upfronts Past Events

Entertainment & Culture: Women’s Sports

Jul 18 • Hosted by NCAA and Hatch • Indianapolis

Women’s sports aren’t just having a moment, they’re launching a movement. From sold-out stadiums to record-breaking ratings, female athletes are rewriting the rules of engagement and demanding the spotlight they’ve always deserved. At the Brand Innovators Entertainment & Culture: Women’s Sports Summit, we’ll explore how this cultural shift is changing the game for marketers, as brands increasingly see women’s sports as not just a cause, but a compelling business opportunity.

This summit will bring together leading marketers, athletes, and media executives who are fueling the rise of women’s sports through bold storytelling, authentic partnerships, and investments that move the needle. We’ll examine how brands are aligning with powerful female voices, creating deeper fan connections, and helping drive equity across the sports ecosystem. The question isn’t why brands should care—it’s how fast they can catch up.

Friday, July 18th, 2025

8:00 AM Breakfast and Registration

Fuel up and network with fellow innovators before the program kicks off.
9:00 AM Opening Remarks

Brandon Gutman, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Brand Innovators

Marc Sternberg, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Brand Innovators

Emcee: Graham Williams, Chief Growth Officer, HATCH
9:10 AM Activating the Power of the Women’s Sports Consumer

Adam Herstig, SVP Marketing – International, Lids

Stef Strack, Founder and CEO, Voice in Sport

Moderated by: Austie Montgomery, Vice President of Sales, ClutchPoints
9:35 AM How Brands Can Show Up for Women's Sports Authentically

Quinnie Jenkins, Director|Sponsorship, Delta Air Lines

Andrea Wilson, Director, Sponsorships & Experiential Marketing, AT&T

Moderated by: Julie Haferkamp, SVP Sales Brand Activation Events, Spiro
10:15 AM Keynote Session

Tess Erickson, Senior Director, Strategy & Research, Involved Media
10:25 AM The Sponsor Shift — Why Brands Are Betting Big on Women’s Sports

Bridget Sponsky, Executive Director, Marketing, Ally Financial Inc

Moderated by: Beatriz Ribeiro, SVP of Client Success, Mediaprobe
10:50 am Beyond the Game: Building Brands at the Intersection of Culture, Sports & Purpose

Caroline Ryan, Vice President, Brand Marketing, Excel Sports Management

Kimberly Wallengren, Vice President Marketing, North America, Coach

Moderated by: Anderson David, Lead of Brand Partnerships, TeamSnap
11:25 am Fueling Futures: Nutrition, Innovation and Power of Partnership

Eric Halvorson, Corporate Affairs Manager, Kroger

Katie Lucas, President, Lucas Oil

Darryl McDaniels, RUN DMC

Randi Raff, Director of Community Engagement, Indy Ignite

Moderated by: Danny Leckie, CEO, HATCH
12:00 PM Creating Genuine Engagement in a Digital World

Kat Lutz, Student-Athlete UCLA Volleyball, Big 10 Conference

Dev Ward, Head of Digital, WNBA

Moderated by: Tess Erickson, Senior Director, Strategy & Research, Involved Media
12:30 PM From the Locker Room to the Boardroom

Colie Edison, Chief Growth Officer, WNBA

Moderated by: Austie Montgomery, Vice President of Sales, ClutchPoints
1:00 pm Networking Break & Closing Connections

One last chance to connect, reflect, and continue the conversation.