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She Creates Sports Summit presented by Group 1001 - Speakers
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Amanda Vandervort is the President of the Gainbridge Super League, a division 1 women's professional soccer league redefining the future of soccer in the United States. The Gainbridge Super League is a bold new platform built to expand professional playing opportunities, elevate athletes, engage communities, and drive sustainable growth for the sport. Vandervort leads its strategic development, championing innovation, investment, and inclusion across the league.
Before joining USL, Vandervort served as Chief Women’s Football Officer at FIFPRO, the global players’ association based in Amsterdam. There, she led strategy, policy, and stakeholder relations, and published Raising Our Game, a landmark report outlining global standards and a player-centric vision for advancing the women’s game.
Her career spans nearly a decade at Major League Soccer, where she served as Vice President of Social Media and CRM, and later as Vice President of Fan Engagement. In 2016, she was named a Sports Business Journal Game Changer, recognizing her innovative leadership in sports business.
A lifelong advocate for the game, Vandervort served on the United Soccer Coaches Board of Directors for 10 years and became the fifth female President in the Association’s 75-year history. She previously coached the NYU women’s soccer team and holds both the United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma and a U.S. Soccer Federation B License.
Globally, she has led FIFA Women’s Football Development workshops across South Asia, the Caribbean, and Africa, and mentored emerging leaders through the FIFA Women’s Leadership Development Program and SIGA Women's Mentorship Program. Today, she continues to serve on the boards of several global nonprofits dedicated to transforming communities through soccer.
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Katie Ahrens Smith, vice president for policy and compliance at the Big Ten Conference, has been a tireless advocate for student-athletes, a mentor to young professionals and a thoughtful and passionate voice for women during a 30-year career in college athletics.
In her current role at the Big Ten, Ahrens Smith provides leadership and oversight of policy and compliance matters, developing critical guidance and insight for key senior leaders across the conference.
A 1994 graduate of Southern Illinois University, Ahrens Smith began her career with a dual internship in the sports information office at Northern Illinois University and for the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (now Women Leaders in Sports) before moving into NIU’s compliance coordinator role for three years. She joined the compliance staff at the University of Wisconsin in 1998 and eventually worked her way into a position on Director of Athletics’ Barry Alvarez’s senior staff as associate athletic director for compliance from 2015-19. In 2019 she was promoted to senior associate athletic director / senior woman administrator, later joining Director of Athletics Chris McIntosh’s five-person executive team. She moved to the Big Ten from Wisconsin in May of 2024.
Ahrens Smith has been active in leadership roles both on campus and across the country. During her time at Wisconsin, she served on the Big Ten Joint Group and Administrators Council, co-chairing with Alvarez while navigating the COVID pandemic. She was deputy Title IX coordinator, sport administrator for the volleyball and football programs, a project lead in Wisconsin’s strategic planning process and a co-founder and leader of the school’s initial NIL program. She served on the National Wrestling Coaches Association executive committee and board of directors from 2018 to 2025.
Ahrens Smith is a native of Danville, Illinois. Her son Quin is an assistant sports information director at the University of the Cumberlands, while son Cody is a senior manager for the University of Iowa women’s volleyball team.
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Mandi Bender serves as Vice President of Operations for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, where she leads the daily operations, guest experience initiatives, strategic and capital planning, for one of the world’s premier motorsports museums. In this role, she oversees the teams responsible for visitor services, including, admissions and tours, events, facility and operational excellence—ensuring the Museum delivers an engaging, seamless experience to visitors from around the globe.
Located on the grounds of the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, the newly renovated IMS Museum preserves and celebrates the rich history of the Speedway and the Indianapolis 500 . Mandi plays a key role in advancing the institution’s mission by modernizing operations, strengthening community partnerships, and supporting the innovative programming that connects new generations of fans to the heritage of motorsport.
Mandi is passionate about creating memorable visitor experiences while maintaining the highest operational standards. Her work supports the IMS Museum’s continued growth as a cultural landmark and a steward of racing history.
Mandi is a proud “cheesehead” that paved her career path by way of managing resorts and restaurants in Wisconsin and Colorado, to running racing events and leading marketing initiatives for various teams, series and partners within the motorsport industry.
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Amber Cox, a 20-plus year sports industry veteran, joined the Indiana Fever in October 2024 as the team’s Chief Operating Officer and General Manager after two and half successful seasons as the Chief Operating Officer for the Dallas Wings.
Cox oversees day-to-day business operations for the Fever, as well as assists in roster construction and basketball operations. Despite numerous injuries throughout the 2025 season, the Fever made its deepest playoff run in a decade, advancing to Game 5 of the WNBA Semifinals. The Fever business experienced similar success, remaining among the league’s best in attendance, viewership, retail and partnership sales.
Prior to joining the Fever, Cox led day-to-day operations for the franchise related to revenue-generating activities for the Wings, including ticket sales and partnerships, as well as marketing, communications/broadcasting and community efforts.
Under Cox’s leadership, the Wings established franchise-best marks across key business metrics in 2023 and again in 2024. The team sold out of season ticket inventory and played at 97 percent capacity at College Park Center in 2024, recording seven regular season sellouts.
In addition, in 2023, the Wings inked the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks to a multi-year agreement, becoming the first WNBA franchise to sign an NBA team under a different ownership group as a major sponsor.
Prior to joining the Wings, Cox led all aspects of business operations for the Kansas City Current during the team’s first season in the NWSL. She played a vital role in launching ticket sales, securing partnerships, inking local television partnerships, building the player experience, elevating the club’s presence via social and digital efforts and launching the team’s permanent brand.
Previously, Cox worked with the Connecticut Sun, serving as the team’s Vice President of Sports from 2016 to 2021. During her tenure in Connecticut, the Sun experienced substantial growth across all business metrics, including ticket and merchandise sales, and worked alongside the basketball operations staff to enhance the player experience, as well as recruit and retain top WNBA talent. In 2019, during Cox’s tenure in Connecticut, the Sun advanced to the WNBA Finals.
Prior to joining the Sun, Cox served as the Chief Marketing Officer for the MLS’ Houston Dynamo and NWSL’s Houston Dash (2015-16), the Associate Commissioner for Women’s Basketball at the BIG EAST Conference (2014-15).
Cox began her career in professional sports with the Phoenix Mercury, holding several positions in her nine-year stint with the team, departing as the President & Chief Operating Officer in 2013, where she oversaw all business and basketball operations. During her time with the Mercury, Cox was a part of two WNBA Championships (2007, 2009) and drafted Brittney Griner in 2013.
Cox, a Missouri native, holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration from William Woods University in Fulton, Mo.
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I was born and raised (and stayed clearly lol) in Indiana; having the opportunity to intern and work for most major sports organizations within the city.
From kicking off my social media career and creative mindset as an intern with Indiana University's Athletic Department to building the channels and traveling for McLaren Racing’s INDYCAR team to now creating content for the Indianapolis Colts; I have had countless experiences, joy and honestly the stress of perfecting the ever changing landscape of social.
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Krissi Edgington is the President of MIWI Marketing, a consultancy specializing in personal and corporate branding, marketing strategy, public relations, cause marketing, communications, and events. Krissi's background is rich with sports, entertainment, healthcare, higher education, real estate, and nonprofit experience, having worked with individual clients including CEOs, Olympians and blue-chip professional athletes across the NFL, NBA, NASCAR and IndyCar; as well as corporate clients including American Honda, NASCAR, NBA Players Association, Ascension Health, Butler University, Berkshire Hathaway, Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and others.
Krissi is a graduate of Butler University and has served the university on its Young Alumni Board, Butler Giving Circle, and NIL collective All Good Dawgs. She proudly serves as Co-founder and Vice President of the Board of Project 44, and is an active LOC and grassroots volunteer with Indiana Sports Corp. As a former athlete, Krissi is also a volunteer coach for her kids’ community sports teams.
Krissi and her family reside in Indianapolis, IN. In her free time, she enjoys playing beach volleyball, traveling, fitness, and spending time in nature.
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Nicole Ezeh is an athlete marketing and brand strategy professional who specializes in building and elevating the brands of elite athletes and sports organizations. She currently serves as an Athlete Social Media Strategist at Content Capital Group, leading digital strategy, content creation, and brand development for high profile clients including DeAndre Jordan, Tee Higgins, Nneka Ogwumike, Chiney Ogwumike, and more.
Throughout her career, Nicole has managed branding and social media pages for clients across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NCAA, and retired professional athletes, crafting strategies that drive meaningful growth, strengthen partnerships, and expand cultural impact. Her experience includes leading digital strategy for Magic Johnson and Magic Johnson Enterprises, contributing to social strategy for the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever, supporting athlete initiatives at the NCAA National Office, and previously overseeing digital marketing and social media strategy for WNBA legend Tamika Catchings.
A former Division I student athlete at Butler University, Nicole was a multi time conference champion and NCAA Academic All American. Competing at the highest collegiate level shaped her leadership, discipline, and deep understanding of the athlete experience, insight she now uses to help athletes build authentic brands that extend far beyond their sport. She also holds an MBA from Butler University, equipping her with the business strategy to match her on the field perspective.
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Robyn Fuhrman is in her seventh season with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and currently works as the Director of Digital Partnerships for the Indiana Fever and Indiana Pacers. She oversees digital marketing campaigns connected to corporate sponsors and works collaboratively across departments to bring big ideas to life.
Prior to her time at PS&E, Robyn built her career as a marketing strategist. She worked with partners at an email marketing agency and grew digital revenue in her role at an Indianapolis based radio station.
Robyn was a part of the 2024 NBA All-Star host committee and the 2025 WNBA All-Star host committee. She is a long-term Hoosier, a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana (B.A.) and is passionate about creating inclusive spaces within professional sports. She is a proud cat mom and resides with her husband on the south side of Indianapolis.
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Rachel Gillam currently serves as the Director of Social Media & Creative Strategy for Indiana University Athletics, which includes full-time management of the Indiana Football and Indiana Women’s Basketball social accounts.
She also manages the Cuban Center Social team of 10 interns, and coordinates third party social partnerships. An IU alum, Gillam has been with the Hoosiers for four years now, two years as Director of Social and two years as Assistant Director before that. Previously, she held a two-year stint as a Packers postgraduate social media intern.
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Alex Kim is the Social Media Manager for the Indiana Fever, where she leads day-to-day content ideation, strategy, and execution across the team’s social platforms. She began her career in sports with Pacers Sports & Entertainment in October 2022 as a part-time Social Media Specialist before being promoted to Social Media Coordinator for the Indianapolis Mad Ants, serving in the role for two seasons.
Prior to transitioning into sports, Alex built a career as a professional illustrator, collaborating with clients across the entertainment, fashion, and music industries, as well as professional athletes, to create custom artwork.
Her creative background informs her visual storytelling approach and innovative content strategies in the digital sports space.
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Brett Kramer joined the Indianapolis Colts staff in May, 2023 as the Director of Kicking The Stigma. In her role, she is responsible for the development and execution of the strategic plan for Kicking The Stigma, through a collaborative approach with ownership, to position the team as a leading advocate and changemaker for mental health awareness.
Previously, Kramer served as Senior Director of Communications at Indiana Sports Corp, where she was responsible for internal communications, public relations, media relations, social media strategies, crisis communications, and external communications strategies for the organization. She began her career with the Horizon League as Director of Championships and Communications, overseeing multiple championship events and sport communications.
A graduate of Michigan State University and former First Team All-Big Ten softball student-athlete, Kramer resides in Indianapolis with her husband, two children, and Great Dane.
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A former setter for Mississippi College's volleyball team, Levi graduated with a Bachelor of Sciences in Graphic Design with a marketing concentration.
Before joining the Indianapolis Indians in 2023 as a Graphic Designer, she worked with Mud Made Apparel, where she created original merchandise designs that aligned with brand identity and collaborated with major organizations, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets, and Olympic Bronze Medalist Oshae Jones.
Going on her fourth season at the Indians, she’s been a large part of the recent brand refresh, new merchandise, and various campaign designs. Her work blends storytelling, branding, and fan engagement, ensuring that teams and athletes connect with their audiences in a meaningful way.
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Larra Overton appears across Colts media platforms as host and reporter, while also serving as executive producer for Colts Productions. Recognized with six Emmy Awards for her work as both a reporter and producer, Larra is a track & field analyst and sideline reporter for ESPN, SEC Network and USA Track & Field.
Prior to joining the Indianapolis Colts, she spent seven years at Fox59 and CBS4 both on the morning show and in the sports department.
A native of New Albany, Ind, Larra attended Indiana University, where she was a captain on the Hoosiers’ track & field and cross country teams, competing in four NCAA Championships.
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As the director of digital strategy at Hirons, Hanna has specialized experience in digital marketing and strategy, and she is well versed in conceiving and executing expansive campaigns that span a diverse array of digital platforms. She continually strives to establish a robust and captivating brand presence for her clients, using the potential of digital marketing through the constantly evolving online landscape.
Hanna’s strategic insight and keen understanding of her clients’ brands have effectively guided their communications strategies. She expertly uses digital platforms to improve stakeholder engagement, making sure communications are impactful and far-reaching. Her expertise has been especially valuable in the sports sector, including her work with the Indianapolis Indians, where she helps organizations define their distinctive identities. By doing so, she enables them to stand out in a crowded digital landscape, connecting with audiences in ways that are distinctive and authentic.
With a strong foundation in project management, Hanna brings additional experience spanning across communications, branding and event management, and she has worked closely with clients in the transportation, sports, education, nonprofit and arts industries.
Before Hirons, Hanna spent three years as a digital marketing team lead and account specialist at another local marketing agency. Hanna is originally from South Bend, Indiana and graduated from Ball State University with a degree in public relations, a minor in marketing and a concentration in event management.
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Lauren Roa is in her tenth season with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and currently serves as Vice President of Merchandising & Retail, where she oversees and drives the in-arena and digital retail strategy for all PSE brands, including the Indiana Pacers (NBA), Indiana Fever (WNBA), and Noblesville Boom (G-League). Lauren is a graduate of Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, earning a degree in Fashion Merchandising & Marketing.
Sports and fashion have long been central in Lauren’s life, from playing sports at a young age to developing an early passion for fashion inspired by her grandfather. Before joining PSE, Lauren held roles working with the USGA/U.S. Open and Finish Line, Inc.
Outside the Fieldhouse, Lauren enjoys traveling, working out, and spending time with family and beloved pups: Panda, Alexander, and Sebastian.
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Mikayla Rowan is the Social Content Manager for Homefield, supporting the company’s rapidly rising online presence in the fan community.
An athlete throughout her life, she played DII basketball at the University of Southern Indiana, and, two years ago, founded a local women's basketball pickup league, Indy Women Hoop.
When she’s not working on photoshoots/social content for Homefield, she’s organizing those meetups!
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Shayna Sangster is the Vice President of Marketing for the Indiana Fever at Pacers Sports & Entertainment. With over a decade of experience, Shayna oversees brand strategy, advertising, marketing campaigns, and fan engagement initiatives.
As the first in this role for the Indiana Fever, she has helped build brand awareness and credibility for the franchise, leading their marketing efforts from 2019 to present. In addition, Shayna founded PS&E’s Women's Network, led marketing efforts through two number one draft picks and is oversaw the marketing committee for the WNBA All-Star 2025 host committee.
Shayna is on the board of WISE (Women in Sports & Events) Indianapolis, serving as their Vice President and was named to the Indianapolis Business Journal's 40 Under Forty list in 2023. She holds a B.A. from Western Michigan University and an MBA from Indiana University.
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As a founding partner, Shawn concentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning, probate and trust administration, and business formation and counsel.
After graduating from Hanover College (B.A., Political Science 2000), she attended The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois (J.D., LL.M. Intellectual Property 2004). Shawn frequently presents at legal seminars on the topics of estate and trust administration and estate planning. Shawn has served as president of the Estate Planning Council of Indianapolis and chair of the Probate, Trust and Real Property Section of the Indiana State Bar Association. She has also served on the boards of the Indianapolis Bar Association Estate Planning and Administration Section, the Indiana Trust and Estate Specialty Certification Board, and the Indianapolis Bar Foundation.
Shawn has been designated as an Indiana Rising Star (2018) and a Super Lawyer (2020-2024) by Law & Politics and the publishers of Indianapolis Monthly. Shawn is a graduate of the Indianapolis Bar Association Bar Leader Series Class XI, and she received her certification as a Board Certified Indiana Trust and Estate Lawyer in 2017 from the Indiana State Bar Association Trust & Estate Specialty Board. Furthermore, Shawn was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) in 2022.
Shawn and her husband, Sean, live in Indianapolis with their three children, their three Boston Terriers, and their two cats. Among her many passions is that she both participates in and instructs classes at a local hot yoga studio.
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Sarah Silcox creates spaces where art and community meet. As the founder of Connection Club, she curates immersive, hands-on experiences that encourage play, self-expression, and connection through programming like art and craft workshops, adult field trips, and unique pop-up events.
Her work reimagines the act of making as a communal ritual—one that can foster connection, nurture creativity, and remind us of our shared humanity.
In addition to hosting public and private creative events under the Connection Club brand, Sarah works with clients on marketing strategy and content creation, and sells stickers, stationery, and other crafty products under the brand Sarah Silcox Studio.
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Sheila is a skilled marketer with more than two decades of experience leading strategic marketing campaigns for organizations of all sizes spanning the globe. As a strategic consultant, she specializes in business analytics using consumer behavior insights and emerging technology to direct advertising and marketing strategy and implementation.
Her guidance in the investment of data, partnerships and platforms, using predictive analytics, generative AI and programmatic buying, has increased return on advertising spending for the agency’s clients and helped drive revenue for Hirons. Working in government and other highly regulated industries, Sheila informs the agency’s policies on technology to ensure client information is secure and guardrails are in place to manage data appropriately and ethically. Sheila also leads Hirons’ AI Task Force to drive innovation within the agency and bring value to our clients. Sheila leads Hirons’ Supplier Development Program where she oversees securing new partners for the agency. She also manages program components to position Hirons’ supply chain for expansion.
In addition to her digital dexterity, Sheila’s varied experiences have taught her how to navigate the nuanced relationships between marketing and communications consulting firms and their clients, having worked on local, regional, national and international campaigns for prominent clients including the Indianapolis Indians, Indiana Pacers, and the Indianapolis Colts.
Sheila is active in the business community participating in city and state chamber events, women-focused membership organizations such as the National Association of Women Business Owners, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and Women in Sports + Events and is on the steering committee for Indy Ad Connect, bringing local marketing professionals together on a quarterly basis. Sheila holds a professional certificate in digital media and advertising from Duke University and earned a bachelor’s in advertising and business from the University of West Florida.
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Ashley Strauss is a creative leader with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry, currently serving as Creative Director for the Detroit Lions. She has built and grown high-performing in-house creative teams, helping shape brand systems and campaigns that resonate with fans across the NFL, MLB, and collegiate athletics.
Her work blends strategic thinking with strong visual storytelling, elevating how sport brands connect with their audiences. Ashley is passionate about collaboration, team development, and building creative environments where great work can thrive.
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Peyton Thompson is the Retail Digital Marketing Coordinator for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, where she leads the journey of product from unboxing in-store to launching online and across social media. She studied Digital Media Production at Butler University and brings nearly 2.5 years in her role, with a retail career that began all the way back at 15.
A lifelong basketball lover because of her dad, Peyton blends sports and fashion to connect with fans through storytelling and style. She believes clothing is a powerful form of self-expression, lives by the motto “come as you are,” and is passionate about
bringing style from the street to your seats. Outside of work, her favorite things are family, friends, faith, and animals.
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As the Founder of Jenny Tod Creative, Jenny brings a unique blend of agency expertise, artistic vision, and entrepreneurial empathy to her work. With over a decade of creative experience, she has collaborated with a wide range of notable clients, including Pacers Sports and Entertainment, The Indianapolis Cultural Trail, the United Healthcare Children’s Foundation, The Orchard School, IU Health, and Four Day Ray Brewing.
Jenny is the author and illustrator of two children's books: "Brunch brunch baby" and "You're an Artist, Imagine What You Can Be." Jenny's background as a former high school athlete and current long-distance runner have instilled in her a deep commitment to hard work and determination.
When she's not designing or working out, you can find her exploring new Indianapolis restaurants, attending a professional Indy sporting event, or spending time with her husband and two kids.
