Jennifer Lynne Williams is a distinguished sports leader known for her transformative impact. On May 25, 2021, she was proudly announced as the Chief Development Officer for the USA Basketball Foundation, a role that exemplifies her commitment to cultivating a culture of excellence and progress within the realm of basketball. In this capacity, she drives the comprehensive growth of the USA Basketball Foundation, pioneering an inclusive fundraising platform. Her efforts support diverse national team programs, youth development initiatives, and innovative programs spotlighting women and fostering social responsibility.

Notably, on July 20, 2022, Williams etched history by securing a monumental $3.5 million donation from the Tull Family Foundation. This landmark contribution stands as the largest gift to the USA Basketball Foundation since its inception in 2019, marking her prowess in resource mobilization.

With a distinguished career marked by groundbreaking achievements, Williams has consistently elevated the organizations she’s been a part of. Named as the director of intercollegiate athletics at Alabama State University (ASU) on October 10, 2018, she had previously served as the university’s interim athletic director and deputy athletic director, driving remarkable success during her tenure. While serving at ASU, the Hornets experienced an unprecedented 43 Southwestern Athletic Conference championships, three consecutive commissioner cups, and two conference academic awards for the highest GPA, all under her leadership.

Williams’ journey also saw her contribute significantly to North Carolina A&T State University, where she served as the associate athletic director for development and executive director of the Aggie Athletic Foundation from 2012 to 2016. Her pivotal role oversaw all giving initiatives for athletics, and she was instrumental in the institution receiving recognition as a model booster organization by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

In addition to the abovementioned positions, Williams also worked at DePaul University as the assistant director of development for athletics and worked in development and marketing for Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators).

Williams’ accolades and honors reflect her unwavering dedication to serving others and her positive impact on the sports industry. In 2018, she was named the Women Leaders in College Sports Division I (FCS) Executive of the Year. North Carolina Central University (NCCU) also recognized her as a 40-under-40 Class of 2016 honoree, celebrating her accomplishments across various domains.

A former athlete herself, Williams excelled as a four-year letterman and two-year captain in women’s basketball at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her professional career began as a reporter for the Tar Heel Sports Network and production assistant for Fox Sports South.

Hailing from Detroit, MI, Williams holds a bachelor’s degree with a double major in journalism and African American history from North Carolina and a master’s degree in athletic administration from NCCU, where she graduated magna cum laude.

Her impact also extends to leadership positions; she was appointed to the NCAA Division I Council in 2018, where she actively participated on the Football Oversight Committee. She also held executive committee roles with the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD), Women Leaders in College Sports Board of Directors, NCAA Board of Governors Committee to Promote Cultural Diversity and Equity, Black AD Alliance, and the Black Coaches United Board of Directors.

Currently residing in Colorado Springs, CO, Williams finds her strength and support in her family – her husband, Valdez; daughter, Harper; and son, Jackson.

Williams’ journey stands as a testament to her unwavering dedication to propelling the world of sports forward, promoting inclusivity, and advocating for nothing short of excellence. Her innovative leadership remains instrumental in shaping the field of sports administration and forging paths in development that set new standards for the industry.

When the Women’s National Basketball Association’s (WNBA) Atlanta Dream last year needed someone to rebuild and lead its ticket sales and service department, its leaders turned to Adam Boliek, a 10 year veteran of the sports business.  Adam made prior stops with the NHL’s Florida Panthers and MLS’s Orlando City Soccer Club.  

In one year, Boliek has doubled the size of the Season Ticket Member base of the Dream and introduced Partial Season Ticket plans that vaulted the franchise to the top of the WNBA in growth percentages for both tickets sold and overall revenue.  

Boliek also spent time mentoring underserved youth for the New Image Youth Center and Boys and Girls Club.  In addition, he was a member of the organizing committee for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, where he oversaw Ticket Sales for the nationally broadcast Opening Ceremony, secured 41 of 45 Celebrity Ambassadors, and booked the headline talent.

Adam lives in Marietta GA with his wife Aubrey and his great achievements, his daughters Brie and Blue.

A Pittsburgh, Pa native and former football student-athlete at Bowling Green State University, Goff earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1991 and 1994, respectively. He has over 25 years of experience in athletic administration. Prior to his role at NIU, he served as Director of Athletics at St. John’s University (New York), the University of Hartford (Connecticut), and Bowie State University (Maryland). Throughout his career, Goff has been responsible for increasing athletic fundraising efforts, and athletic competitiveness, and enhancing student athletes’ academic performance and graduation rates. 

Prior to joining the Panthers Administration, Goff was a former athletic director at three NCAA institutions whose career was built in the academic support services area and joined the NIU staff as Senior Associate Athletic Director/Director of Student-Athlete Academic Support Services/Director of Recreation on March 2, 2020.
 
Goff led Northern Illinois University’s Student-Athlete Academic Support Services unit and Recreation unit, served as a member of NIU Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics Sean Frazier’s senior staff, and worked closely with the academic departments and counselors throughout campus to put all NIU student-athletes on a path to graduation and to student career success. He served as sport administrator for the NIU women’s cross country/track and field and volleyball programs, and added oversight of NIU Recreation – including its personnel, facilities, intramural leagues, club sports, fitness programming, and Outdoor Adventures – after that department became a part of Intercollegiate Athletics in July of 2020.
 
Goff was the director of athletics at St. John’s University from November 2016 through June 2018, leading the 17-sport Big East program with a focus on fundraising as well as external relationships. As the athletic director at the University of Hartford from 2014-16, he helped the Hawks make significant strides in the areas of fundraising and student-athlete academic success while directing the 18-sport program. He oversaw several enhancements to Hartford’s branding including the creation of new athletic logos, added a women’s lacrosse program, and negotiated the first all-sports apparel deal in school history.
 
He arrived at Hartford after three-and-a-half years as director of athletics at Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland. Under his supervision, the Bulldogs captured a pair of conference championships, and he increased the academic success rate of the department across the board. He created the first athletics support fundraising organization in school history and served on multiple conference-wide committees, including the CIAA Football Competition Committee, the CIAA Basketball Tournament Committee, and the CIAA Management Council.
 
In the last of his two stints at the University of Maryland, from 2004-10, Goff served as associate athletic director with direct responsibility for the academic support and student services for over 700 student-athletes on 27 varsity teams. In that role, he developed and coordinated a tutorial program for all student-athletes, planned and implemented a comprehensive career development program, and managed the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills efforts. He also served as sports administrator for six teams and developed initiatives for scholarship fundraising while serving on the department’s senior staff.
 
Before going to Maryland in that role, Goff was the associate director of student-athlete support services and served as the academic coordinator for the football program at Michigan State University from 2001-04, overseeing all aspects of academic support as well as career development for MSU football student-athletes. He went to Michigan State after his first stint at Maryland, when he was assistant director of academic support and career development for multiple teams, including men’s basketball.
 
A football student-athlete at Bowling Green State University from 1986-89, Goff also began his career in college athletics in the Mid-American Conference, as an academic counselor and CHAMPS/Life Skills Coordinator at Kent State University for three years.  

Goff is married to Wendy Wilson Goff and they have two daughters Alexa and Gianna.  AD Goff is also a member of the prestigious Fraternity of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc.

Gabrielle Reed has spent the last three seasons working in the Human Resources department at the Detroit Pistons. As the HR Generalist she manages the internship program and assists with employee culture and leads the team’s Black Employee Resource Group (BRIDGE).  With the BRIDGE team, Gabrielle creates as safe space for African American employees to fellowship and develop through group outings, conversations, and community service, while bringing awareness and education to the entire Pistons staff. She is extremely passionate about employee development and has hosted various internal and external workshops to aid in the professional and personal development of others. 

Born and raised on Detroit’s westside, she attended Wayne State University for both her undergrad and graduate studies, earning a Master of Business Administration in Human Resources Management and Sports & Entertainment Management.  Upon graduation she moved to Texas, spending time with the Houston Rockets and Houston Grand Opera prior to returning to Detroit.

A proud entrepreneur, Gabrielle is the owner of Detroit Berry Company; an online ecommerce specializing in chocolate covered treats. As a member of the Focus Hope Emerging Leader Board and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. she dedicates time to serving her community. A self-proclaimed “Karaoke Queen” Gabrielle enjoys spending her free time singing and laughing with family and friends.

Sports scholar and executive, Dr. Markesha McWilliams Henderson, serves as Executive Director of Sports Development at Clark Atlanta University. This is a newly created role to specifically enhance CAU’s footprint in the global sports and entertainment industry. She serves as the development officer for intercollegiate athletics and facilitates university-wide strategic relationships in the sports industry through the Office of Institutional Advancement. Additionally, she holds a dual appointment as a tenured Associate Professor in the School of Business and coordinator of the sport and entertainment management concentration. Her focus is to expand experiential learning opportunities for students seeking careers in the sports industry. Dr. Henderson returns to CAU from Agnes Scott College where she served as Director of Athletics. From 2018-2020, she was the Director of the Center for Innovative Teaching, Learning and Engagement at Clark Atlanta and supported faculty development initiatives in Online Learning and Continuing Education.

Dr. Henderson presents a unique combination of experiences to inform her work at the intersection of higher education and athletics. As a practitioner, she has held senior roles in all three divisions of the NCAA, including Director of Communications for the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Assistant Commissioner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Dr. Henderson has published and presented scholarship addressing student-athlete development and identity. She formerly served as program coordinator and assistant professor of sport management at University of West Georgia. She has extended her leadership and expertise to many organizations including commissioned research for the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), NCAA Leadership Development, and the USA South Conference Diversity Equity and Inclusion task force.

A Milwaukee native, Dr. Henderson earned a Bachelor of Arts in both Journalism and Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin, where she was an All-American Track and Field Athlete and National Champion. She also holds a Master of Science in Sports Administration from Georgia State University and a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University. Dr. Henderson is a life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and previously served as the organization’s National Second Vice President. She resides in Mableton, GA with her husband Derrick and two sons, Derrick II (Deuce) and William III (Trey).

Laura has full oversight of all LPGA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts where she serves as the Chair of C-Me, the LPGA’s DEI Task Force, ensuring the organization continues making a positive impact in the communities where they work and play.

Díaz is charged with leading the overall strategy related to the LPGA’s “Change the Face of Golf” movement by focusing on expanding the pipeline of people in golf and supporting recruitment of a diverse workforce. Since joining the LPGA in 2019, she has demonstrated a passion and talent in fostering a diverse and inclusive culture. While serving as Direct of Operations for the LPGA Foundation, she founded the organization’s C-Me efforts and elevated DEI conversations impacting every area of the LPGA. Díaz is a trusted golf industry professional with a track record executing national programs with a high standard of excellence. She expanded longstanding partnerships to develop new programs and opportunities for the LPGA. Díaz has been committed to empower women and girls through the game of golf providing advancement opportunities for people of all backgrounds.

Díaz began her career in golf working with the Puerto Rico Golf Association in 2007. She then moved on to lead tournament scoring and activations with PGA TOUR Latinoamerica. Prior to the LPGA, Díaz served as Manager of events with the First Tee managing national programs and events focused on youth leadership, mentorship, and character building. She holds a Master of Science in Sports Management and Policy from the University of Georgia and earned her Bachelor of Arts from East Tennessee State University, where she was a member of the women’s golf team.

Detroit native Orlando Arnold is a former Alabama State University Baseball Player with over 15 years’ experience in sales, marketing, negotiation, and contracts. Throughout his career Orlando has been able to excel in in the pharmaceutical sales world and now the world of sports as an MLB & NFL sports agent. He’s negotiated multi-millions of dollars’ worth of contracts. But the most important to him are the lives he’s able to impact off the field, helping all his clients succeed in life after sports.

As the President, CEO & Co-Founder of Pyramid Sports & Entertainment Group, one of the top Minority Owned Dual Sport full-service agencies— Orlando utilizes the insight he gained as a student athlete and experiences from corporate America to help guide the next generation of superstar athletes. Orlando assist with all aspects of clients marketing, brand partnerships, contraction negotiation, and philanthropic endeavors. Some of the athletes, & executives on the company’s roster includes Jonathan Ward, Otis Reese, Kalil Pimpleton, Kyle Battle, Jennifer Lynne Williams of USA Basketball, Johnathon Thomas, & Chandler Wooten. Orlando holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Alabama State University and an MBA from Troy University. Orlando also has been named to several 40 under 40’s as well including Legacy Miami, Alabama State’s and he’s part of the inaugural Alpha Class of his fraternity’s (Alpha Phi Alpha) 40 under 40 as well. In addition to being a TedX featured speaker, he loves speaking about the business of sports, running his youth male mentorship program, coaching his nephew in Tee Ball, giving back and trying new restaurants with his wife Casandra. Orlando and Cassandra reside in Miami with their infant son, Landon.

Maria Martin is the main sports anchor for 11Alive in Atlanta, GA. She is a South Florida native and joined the 11Alive team in October of 2019. Since joining the 11Alive team, she has covered 2 Georgia Bulldogs National Championship wins, a World Series title with the Atlanta Braves, and an Eastern Conference Finals run with the Hawks.

She also hosts the station’s Friday night high school football show in the fall “Team11” and a 4-time EMMY nominated 30-minute show every Sunday night called “Sports Extra.” She was named Atlanta’s favorite sports anchor for two straight years and is a finalist for NSMA Sportscaster of the Year for a second straight year.

Prior to Atlanta, Maria spent the last 3 years at WSFA 12 News in Montgomery, Alabama. During her time in Alabama, she covered 3 straight National Championships, 3 straight SEC Championships, Auburn’s historic Final Four run and first-round draft picks in every sport. She also co-hosted a weekly radio show on ESPN “The Ticket”. She won numerous awards in Alabama including Alabama AP Sports Anchor and an ABBY for best sports anchor. She is a proud graduate of the University of Mississippi, ‘Ole Miss,’ where she got her degree in broadcast journalism.

Dawn Ellerbe is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Athletics Communicans and SWA at Vanderbilt University where she oversees the communication and creative services for the Athletics Department.

As an Athletics Administrator and former Track and Field Coach, Dawn has had stops at the University of South Carolina, the University of Wyoming, Cal State University East Bay, and Cal State University Northridge. No stranger to the playing field, Ellerbe was a 4-time NCAA Champion, 5-time Southeastern Conference Champion, and 6-time All-American for the Gamecocks. She represented the US at the 2000 Olympic Games in the Women’s Hammer where she placed 7th and finished her track and field career with 12 USA Track and Field national titles. A five-time-Hall of Famer, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of South Carolina and her Master’s in Communications from the University of Wyoming.

Originally from St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands, Kelly brings a wealth of experience in collegiate sports spanning over 20 years. Most recently, she has served as the Deputy Athletic Director for Internal Affairs/Senior Woman Administrator at Vanderbilt University, a Power 5 institution in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC). In this role, she effectively managed various internal divisions, including sports performance (applied sports science, sports medicine, strength & conditioning, nutrition, mental health), academics, compliance, human resources, and the recreation center.

Dr. Kelly boasts one of the most diverse resumes in all of college athletics having worked at all three NCAA divisions. In addition to her time at Vanderbilt, she worked at Dartmouth College as the Senior Associate AD/SWA before being promoted to Executive Associate AD/SWA (2018-2020), Keene State College as Director of Athletics and Recreation (2016-2018), Saint Augustine’s University as Associate AD/SWA as well as Assistant Professor and Department Chair (2009-2016), and Johnson C. Smith University as Sports Information Director (2002-2009).

Kelly twice earned the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Senior Woman Administrator of the Year award (2011, 2013) and at the time was just the second female to be named the CIAA John Holley SID of the Year in 2005. During her two seasons, Keene State had six teams advance to the NCAA postseason, including the 2016-17 men’s basketball team that advanced to the Elite Eight. Nearly 200 student-athletes were recognized as Little East Conference All-Academic performers during her tenure as well. While at Dartmouth College, Kelly was responsible for oversight of all of Dartmouth’s 35 varsity sports at the NCAA Division I level.

A 2000 graduate of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, with two bachelor’s degrees in physical education and communication arts, Kelly began her career in collegiate athletics as an academic counselor and graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee in the 2001-02 school year. She completed her degree the following year while starting a job at her alma mater as SID. In 2014, she earned her doctoral degree of Education in Sport Management from the United States Sports Academy.

Kelly has significant expertise in NCAA compliance, Title IX, athletic fundraising, and managing budgets exceeding $2 million. Notably, she also oversaw a program that achieved a national championship, demonstrating her expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Kelly is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is happily married to Jonathan Kelly Sr. Together they have one son, Jonathan Jr., who will attend Albany State University.

Tenitra Batiste is the Sideline Reporter for the College Park Skyhawks and former In-Game Analyst for the Atlanta Hawks. She provides color commentary for college football and sideline reporting for college basketball for ESPN. She is also a host and Anchor for the Tegna LockedOn Sports national podcast network, and is a Guest Analyst for Tegna NBC Affiliate WXIA. Batiste is also a Sports Anchor, Reporter, and Host for WZGC / 92.9 The Game. In addition, Tenitra has covered major sports events such as the Super Bowl, Celebration Bowl, and NBA All-Star Weekend. Previously, Tenitra was an Anchor and Reporter for BHSN regional sports network.

Tenitra is one of only 15 leaders in the Atlanta metro area selected as a 2023 Visionary for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She is also the recipient of the 2023 Atlanta Women in Sports Award, and was honored with the Women’s History Month Power Women award by Georgia State Representatives Erica Thomas and Park Cannon in 2022.

A proud Xavier University of LA (XU) alumna, Tenitra has given her time, talent, and treasures to her alma mater over the years. She was recently honored as a 2022 recipient of the University’s Spirit Award and selected to usher in the inaugural class of the Athletic Hall of Fame. She has served as President for both the Houston and Atlanta Alumni Chapters; was National Alumna Chair for the 2021 Homecoming Experience and Fundraising Campaign; serves as a mentor for many of XU’s students; and serves as an Ambassador for the Department of Athletics.

She was initiated into the Gamma Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; is a Diamond Life member of her beloved sisterhood; and is currently a member of the Atlanta Suburban Alumnae Chapter. Batiste is also a member of Elizabeth Baptist Church and was chosen to serve as the Correspondent to serve on the church’s most recent missionary trip to Africa, serves as a Communications Lead for the church; and serves in the Christian Education Ministry. She’s also a member of the National Sports Media Association.

In her spare time, she teaches dance classes, hosts mentoring sessions for aspiring female sports professionals, and brunches in Atlanta because…well…it’s a thing!

In March 2022, Felicia Martin was named senior vice president of inclusion, education and community engagement.

She had held the role in an interim capacity beginning in June 2021. Internally, she leads all inclusion operations and leadership development programming and supervises national office staff in inclusion, education and community engagement. She serves as a national office ambassador to member organizations, promoting the NCAA’s core values of diversity and inclusion.

Martin became the vice president of the NCAA Eligibility Center in February 2017. In that role, she was responsible for the Eligibility Center’s strategic direction and oversaw a staff that annually certified academics and sport participation credentials for approximately 100,000 Division I and II prospective student-athletes.

In addition to her regulatory affairs experience, Martin has an extensive campus background. Before coming to the NCAA, Martin was a senior associate director of athletics for academics, student services and sports administration at Texas Tech from 2008 to 2017. From 2003 to 2008, Martin served as the assistant executive director at the Division 1A Athletic Directors’ Association, now known as the LEAD1 Association. She began her athletics career at Texas Tech as a counseling
specialist focusing on freshman student transition, student-athlete tutorial services and mentoring programming.

Martin is a long-standing member of the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals, where she has held various leadership roles, including president from 2017-18. Previously Martin represented the NCAA on the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Executive Committee as an at-large representative. In addition, she is a member of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association, Women Leaders in College Sports and the Indy Chamber. Martin serves on the NCORE National Advisory Council, Athletics in the Academy committee and McLendon Foundation board. She also is a graduate of the NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute. Martin is credited as a co-founder of the Lauro Cavazos & Ophelia Powell-Malone Mentoring Program (Mentor Tech). She has facilitated several student- athlete development leadership conferences and is a frequent panelist, presenter and keynote speaker.

A native of Bay Springs, Mississippi, Martin earned her bachelor’s degree in educational psychology and master’s degree in counselor education from Mississippi State.

Nanna Rivers, is a big ball of ENERGY, love, light and peace. Physically, Nanna shows up in the world as a mother, life partner, friend, CEO of Own Your Energy and Nanna Rivers Coaching, Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, Certified Professional Coach, Reiki Master Teacher, Meditation Teacher, Speaker, Women’s Basketball Hall Of Famer, European Professional Basketball Champion, Division 1 Women’s Basketball Collegiate Coach, NC State Women’s Basketball Player, and a NCAA Division 1 Basketball Referee.

Nanna attended NCState University and was a women’s basketball 4 year letter winner under the Legendary Coach Kay Yow. Afterwards, she went on to play professional basketball in Europe for 5 years. Shortly after playing, she decided to continue to give back to the game as a Division 1 basketball coach and a
NCAA Division 1 basketball referee, under the likes of Anne Donovan and Charlene Curtis.

Nanna realized that something was missing from sports. In every sector of the game the focus was majorly on the physical game and the mental, emotional, spiritual and cellular level of the game were hardly ever discussed in depth.

Certified since 2013 in Coaching and as an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC). These certifications revealed to Nanna that the sports world needed a holistic journey.

Now, Nanna is the CEO of OWN YOUR ENERGY where they provide a variety of services that holistically supports their clients mental, emotional and physically health. They promote mastering self awareness to effectively leverage energy leadership. Ultimately, they equip you to win in the game of life.

As an innovative Founder, esteemed Career Basketball Coach, and former Professional Basketball Player, Marquetta “Coach Q” Dickens has devoted her 16-year career to fostering growth and development in value-aligned environments. Dickens is steadfast in her mission to generate opportunities that nurture personal growth and empower individuals to realize their potential and contribute meaningfully to society.

Dickens is the driving force behind Freedom Org, a Community Development Corporation committed to devising comprehensive, holistic solutions for traditionally under-resourced areas. Guided by her commitment to living faithfully and upholding her family’s legacy of societal transformation, she founded the organization to foster economic development, equitable educational alternatives, agricultural independence, and the preservation of heritage within these communities.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, her educational background lays a strong foundation for her work. Additionally, Dickens earned a Master’s degree in Student Affairs & College Counseling. This advanced education not only underscores her belief in the importance of education but also shapes her coaching-centric leadership style.

Throughout her career, Dickens has applied her developmental approach predominantly in the sports sphere. As a career basketball coach and therapist, her leadership style – characterized by positivity, determination, and an ethos of hard work aligns seamlessly with her community endeavors. Dickens’ experience as a Head Coach, Assistant Coach, and Assistant Director of Athletics has enabled her to cultivate emerging leaders both on and off the court at esteemed educational institutions, including William Peace University, College of St. Elizabeth, Community College of Philadelphia, Monmouth University, and North Carolina Central University.

As Chair of the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee, Dickens has utilized her influential voice to boost Leadership Development, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in sports. And her dedicated involvement in the NCAA panel, ‘Growing the Game: Women’s Basketball in the Spotlight, ‘and Program Director for Own Your Energy further reinforces her unwavering commitment to this cause.

Dickens’ journey from professional basketball player to respected community leader has propelled those around her, equipping individuals with valuable skills and fostering environments ripe for impact. Her dynamic approach to societal innovation, complemented by her extensive professional experience and firmly rooted values, allows her to constantly create spaces for leaders to unleash their potential and make a difference in their communities. As Dickens strides into the future, her vision remains resolute: a world where everyone is empowered to carve their own path to greatness.

April D. Taylor, the Chief Executive Officer of The SVE Firm, leads a comprehensive consulting entity that collaborates closely with clients to achieve positive outcomes in the face of complex challenges. The name of the firm, The SVE Firm (SVE), reflects its unwavering commitment to Strategy, Vision, and Execution, which form the foundation of all its operations. With over a decade of experience in strategic planning, sports marketing, branding, event management, sponsorship activation, NCAA compliance, business development, and nonprofit management, April is renowned as an independent businesswoman with a knack for inventive problem-solving and strategic creativity. Her extensive network allows her to provide innovative solutions to her clients, earning her the nickname “the fixer.” Guided by April’s astute leadership, the firm is dedicated to supporting its clients with integrity, excellence, teamwork, and top-tier customer service. The majority of the firm’s clientele consists of former professional athletes seeking to enhance their brand, expand their networks, navigate NCAA compliance, curate memorable events, and diversify their foundation funding portfolio.