The USA Basketball Foundation is taking significant steps to foster female leadership in sports with its latest announcement.
Sixteen emerging leaders have been awarded full scholarships to attend the Women in the Game conference, which will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Arizona State University. The conference, designed for high school and college students as well as young professionals, provides attendees with tools, insights, and networking opportunities to explore careers in sports beyond the court.
“USA Basketball’s Women in the Game is a premier conference that offers future and young professionals in our industry an opportunity to hear from women who have experienced success across many career paths,” said Jennifer Lynne Williams, chief development officer of the USA Basketball Foundation. “We are excited to welcome these scholarship recipients and dozens more aspiring women to Phoenix.”
Scholarships and #WinWithHer Initiative
Recipients of these scholarships were selected from nearly 250 applicants, with each award valued at $3,500, covering travel, accommodations, and conference registration.
Notably, three recipients were selected in partnership with the Alex Morgan Foundation, further supporting the USA Basketball Foundation’s #WinWithHer initiative. This program specifically focuses on providing professional development opportunities for mothers in coaching and leadership roles in sports.
Since 2022, the Foundation has awarded more than $115,000 in scholarships and registration grants to women seeking professional development through the Women in the Game conference.
2026 Scholarship Recipients Include:
- Alycea Adams, brand sales specialist, IBM
- Kenia Cole, assistant coach/director of recruiting, William & Mary
- Jaycie Coleman, social media and marketing coordinator, Pyramid Sports Group
- Kayla Collins, senior, Lake Forest College
- Alyssa Cueto, sophomore, Rutgers University
- Sydney Cuillier, sideline reporter, ACC Network Digital
- Taylor De Bourg, assistant director of marketing and development, Southern University and A&M College
- Tracey Edson, graduate assistant, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Lauryn Goins, corporate sponsorship intern, North Carolina Central University
- Caroline Johnson, freshman, Western Carolina University
- Kelly Killion, head women’s basketball coach, American University
- Jennifer Oduho, assistant coach, La Roche University
- Ashia Pool, social responsibility and youth program coordinator, Dallas Wings
- Margaree King Richard, director of basketball operations, Howard University
- Sydney Reformado, senior, University of South Carolina
- Kiarra Rosales, women’s volleyball assistant coach, Valley Heat AZ Volleyball Club
Conference Highlights and Professional Development
The Women in the Game conference offers a wide range of opportunities to attendees, including:
- Guest speakers sharing personal experiences and strategies for success
- Panel discussions addressing trends and career paths in sports management, marketing, coaching, and media
- Workshops for networking, leadership development, and skill-building
- Mentorship sessions connecting young professionals with industry leaders
The conference coincides with the 2026 NCAA® Women’s Final Four® in Phoenix, enhancing the experience with exclusive on- and off-court opportunities. Attendees will also witness training camps for the USA Basketball Women’s National Team and the Junior National Team, adding real-world exposure to elite-level basketball operations.
Expanding Leadership Beyond the Court
The Foundation’s mission extends beyond scholarships and conferences. It invests in long-term programs like the Torch Leadership in Sport cohort, which provides hands-on experiences, leadership training, and networking opportunities throughout the week.
Additionally, an invite-only reception on April 2 will celebrate women in sports and conclude the #WinWithHer campaign, recognizing the contributions of donors and advocates.
Interestingly, the principles applied in these initiatives—mentorship, access, and equity—resonate with practices in other industries, including regulated gaming and entertainment. Platforms like Play’n GO and Light & Wonder are increasingly integrating professional development programs for women in leadership, marketing, and analytics, reflecting a cross-industry shift toward inclusivity.
Even recreational gaming sites indirectly benefit from awareness of professional development programs, with platforms such as BetMGM offering responsible gaming education and career-focused internships in digital operations. For example, The Score Bet casino review now evaluates not only user experience and promotions but also regulatory compliance and transparency, signaling that accountability and equity are industry-wide priorities.
Community Impact and Future Prospects
The USA Basketball Foundation’s scholarship programs and #WinWithHer initiative demonstrate that fostering female leadership requires sustained investment and institutional support. By providing financial access and professional mentorship, the Foundation helps shape a new generation of women who will contribute to the sports industry on and off the court.
According to Jennifer Lynne Williams, “We are committed to expanding USA Basketball programming that grows the game beyond the court, so that leaders are mentored in every community, and equity is not only an aspiration, but the standard rules of the game.”
As the 2026 Women in the Game conference approaches, the anticipation is high—not just for basketball fans, but for all who see the potential of sports as a platform for leadership, education, and community empowerment. With scholarship recipients arriving from diverse educational and professional backgrounds, the conference promises to be a pivotal moment for women in sports nationwide.
Setting a Standard for Equity and Opportunity
The 2026 Women in the Game conference illustrates a model of intentional, structured, and impactful support for women in the sports industry. By combining scholarships, mentorship, and professional development, the USA Basketball Foundation is actively shaping the future of sports leadership.
From high school students to professional staff, every attendee benefits from the knowledge, inspiration, and networking the conference provides—proving that initiatives like #WinWithHer are not just symbolic, but transformative.
This approach sets a standard for other industries and highlights the importance of creating opportunities where equity is embedded into the rules of the game, not just an aspirational goal.
