#BSPNTX Event - Play Like a Girl: Phenomenal Women in Sports

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89010833176?pwd=h6CuGiu6EPhw8qbF0ublmaPeDkGdK8.1

Meeting ID: 890 1083 3176

Passcode: bspntx

Our seasoned panelists will share their journeys in sports, highlighting their accomplishments and the work they have put in to succeed in a male-dominated profession. From getting their foot in the door to making a name for themselves, our panelists will give insights on the skills and tools needed to navigate the sports industry, touch on the hot topics and provide nuggets of wisdom to our next generation of sports professionals.

Panelists:

Kimberly Francois is Vice President, Sponsorship Activation for the Dallas Mavericks. In her role, Francois plays a pivotal role in managing sponsorship assets for the franchise, focusing on ensuring that the collaborations between the organization and its sponsors are sustainable and mutually beneficial. Her leadership extends to a team of professionals under her guidance, emphasizing the importance of thriving and successful partnerships. Francois has set herself apart in her 17-year career with her professional acumen and leadership style. She leads with authenticity, believing in the power of being genuine and transparent. She fosters a positive and collaborative work environment by empowering others to recognize and embrace their true potential. She leads with a humble spirit, strong determination and a profound sense of respect and empathy for others. Francois earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Florida State University and obtained two master’s degrees in Business Administration and Sports Business Management at the University of Central Florida.

Jessica Gray is Co-Director of Player Engagement for the Detroit Lions. In this role, Gray provides holistic support to the players in developing life skills, pursuing off-the-field endeavors, engaging in external programming, and overseeing all programming initiatives. Gray has been selected to represent the Lions at the 2022 Stanford-NFL League of Leaders executive education program. In 2018, she was the recipient of the Commitment Award for Women Leaders in College Sports. Gray, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., recently served as a Heads of Player Engagement representative on the 2023 NFL Player Engagement Rookie Welcome Webinar. Gray’s career stops have included nine years working in NCAA Division I athletics at Texas Tech University, George Washington University and Temple University. The Philadelphia, Pa., native earned two degrees from Temple – a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and a minor in theater in 2011 while working as a student manager with the men's basketball program and a Master of Science degree in Sport Business in 2014. Over the last several years, Gray has continuously furthered her education through The Wharton School's Athlete Development Professional Certification Program as well as the NCAA's Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute. She also earned a Sports Philanthropy Executive Certificate from the George Washington University School of Business in 2022.

Shaina Wiel is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Minorities in Sports Business. MiS and its affiliates offer a national, invite-only digital hub of 1000+ sports professionals with a mission to serve as the primary source for diverse men and women in the sports industry to connect, exchange resources, glean insight, and gain a competitive advantage in their careers. In her role, Wiel provides consultancy services to clients in the sports industry with clients such as the PGA Tour, Grabyo, NBA, MLB, Octagon and many others. In her career, she has earned a reputation as a leading sports marketer and change agent, charting a course to make room for other women and people of color in sports. Wiel is a recognized thought leader, having served as an adjunct professor at several institutions including Columbia University, Georgetown University, West Virginia University as well as a featured speaker at the DISC Conference, Hashtag Sports Conference, NBA G League Sales and Marketing Conference, NFL’s Careers in Football HBCU Summit, and Minor League Baseball’s Diversity Think Tank. She has been featured in publications such as Sports Illustrated’s 100 Most Influential Black Women in Sports, Forbes, Adweek, Hashtag Sports and HuffPost Live. Wiel earned her Bachelor of Science degree in in Bio-Evolutionary Psychology from Pennsylvania State University and her Master of Science degree in Sports Management from Columbia University. A polyglot from Aruba and Curaçao, Wiel is a self-described foodie who enjoys traveling and spending time with family. She hails from Southside Jamaica, Queens in New York City, where she spent her formative years, but can be found these days in Atlanta with her dog Tropicana.

Moderator:

Monique Boyd is the General Manager for Legends Hospitality at The Star in Frisco, Home of the Dallas Cowboys. In her role, Boyd oversees hospitality operations, special events, sales, catering and concessions. She leads a team of culinary and event professionals managing over 800 special events annually. In her 10 years with Legends, Monique has managed over $100 million in catering special events revenue. In her previous roles with Legends, Boyd directed events at AT&T Stadium and developed the inaugural special events team at SoFi Stadium, the $5 billion home of the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers. In addition to being a Certified Wedding Planner, her career in sports hospitality has included working major sporting events such as the NCAA Men’s Final Four (2014), WWE WrestleMania (2016), Academy of Country Music Awards (2015, 2023) college football national championship games (2013, 2022), NFL Draft (2018) and Super Bowl LVI (2022). Boyd earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism/Public Relations from California State University, Los Angeles.