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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jay Harris joined ESPN in February 2003 as an ESPNEWS anchor. He was chosen to anchor his first Sportscenter that May, and Sportscenter continues to be his main assignment. His schedule can be interesting, ranging from weekend mornings, to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays. He’s also hosted Outside the Lines, NFL Live, Baseball Tonight and NBA Finals coverage. Away from ESPN, he is a sought-after event host, speaker and panelist.
Harris came to ESPN from WPGH-TV in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he worked his way up from “temporary” weekend reporter to main weeknight anchor.

He has more than 30 years of experience in television and radio news, including morning news anchor at WAMO-FM and national news at American Urban Radio Networks, both in Pittsburgh, and at WOWI-FM in Norfolk, Va.
A native of Norfolk, Va., Harris graduated from Old Dominion University with a bachelor’s degree in speech communication. In 2003 he was honored with a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University. In 2004, he was the keynote speaker for Old Dominion’s 100th commencement ceremony and was honored to be chosen to speak at commencement again in 2022. He also served two terms on ODU’s Board of Visitors.
Among his other honors, Harris contributed to multiple Sportscenter Emmy Awards, he’s a recipient of a Silver World Medal from the New York Festival Awards, Robert L. Vann Award from the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation, and has an EXCEL Award from the Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals.

Married with two young adults, Harris enjoys mentoring young journalists, playing bass guitar, and is an avid golfer. He scored an ace in a charity tournament in Las Vegas in 2014, his first, winning a car in the process.

Tiffany D. Tucker is a dynamic six-foot-five former basketball scholar-athlete at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, a respected leader, and an award-winning sports and entertainment executive. Tucker currently serves as the Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and owner of Tiffany D. Tucker Speaks, LLC. Recognized as one of “100 Influential Black Women in Sports” by Sports Illustrated and named the “Nell Jackson Nike Executive of the Year” by Women Leaders in Sports, Tiffany has a proven track record of success at the highest levels. She has collaborated with major brands like Unilever, Yahoo Sports and the YWCA to advocate for female athletes and promote inclusivity. As an international speaker, strategist, and activist, Tiffany has captivated campuses and audiences worldwide, inspiring unapologetic leadership and empowering individuals to own their power.

Terrance Jones was named Southern Connecticut State University’s seventh Director of Athletics & Recreation in 2024.

Jones comes to New Haven from Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss. where he held the title of Assistant Athletic Director for External Operations and Stadium Management since 2022. At Jackson State, Jones hosted a variety of responsibilities in support of the Tigers including revenue generation, fundraising, stadium operations and the installation of a new ticket system that resulted in a 40% increase in ticket and game day revenue in the first year. Additionally, Jones devoted time to constant engagement of the Tigers’ fan base to stimulate revenue generation and made multiple appearances across various media platforms in advocacy of JSU’s revenue generation goals.

Prior to his time at Jackson State, Jones served as the Deputy Director of Athletics at Alabama State University in Montgomery, Ala. At ASU, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the department, served as the departmental liaison with the external partners, and was charged with the development of revenue generation and sports oversight. He monitored and assisted in managing budgets for various sports and provided hands-on leadership to the ASU External Operations Units and University Development, respectively. He also managed human resource operations of the department and conducted head coaching and staffing searches for the Hornet sports programs.

During his tenure, ASU won 43 Southwestern Athletic Conference championships, three consecutive commissioner cups, and two conference academic awards for highest GPA.

Jones also served in leadership roles at North Carolina Central University as the Associate Athletic Director of Marketing & Promotions and Delaware State University as the Assistant Marketing Director. At both institutions, Jones served on the Senior Leadership Team to implement marketing strategy, enhance fan experience as well as sponsorship, development, external operations, student spirit groups, brand enhancement and special events.
Jones is extensively involved in several professional sports organizations including the National Association of Athletics Development Directors (NAADD), National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA), National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA). He is also a graduate of the NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcombe Leadership Institute and a recipient of the NACDA U Senior Administrator Grant. He has participated in the TopConnect AD seminar in 2021 and the NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar. In 2020, he was recognized by North Carolina Central University as an inductee into the 40 Under 40 Alumni Association.

Jones graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s in recreation/sports management and a master’s in public administration from North Carolina Central University and is currently in the process of completing a doctoral degree in education leadership from Delaware State University.

Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree has an impressive and storied career as a higher education leader with more than 30 years in diverse roles. She made history in 2008 when she became the first female to hold the permanent title of the Director of Athletics at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Her experiences as a college student-athlete, coach, and administrator lend her success as one of the longest-tenured athletic directors in NCCU history. As a result of her hard work and support, an endowed scholarship was established in her name at NCCU; The Ingrid Wicker McCree Legacy Endowed Scholarship Fund. Ingrid is a member of four Halls of Fame as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator– C.E. Jordan High School Hall of Fame, NCCU Alex Rivera Hall of Fame, John B. McLendon Hall of Fame (CIAA), and the George Washington University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Ingrid led NCCU’s successful reclassification from NCAA Division I to Division I FCS membership, which included developing and implementing the first long-range strategic plan for the transition. Upon her retirement, Ingrid oversaw the development of a new strategic plan, Era of Excellence, 2020-2025. Ingrid has also served in various leadership positions on local, regional and national boards, including the Durham Sports Commission, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, FCS Football Regional Ranking Committee, and NCAA Division II Volleyball Committee, NCAA Research committee, and most recently the NCAA Division I Council.

Ingrid is a John C. Maxwell Certified team member and holds certifications in DEIB, Workplace Conflict Resolution, and is a certified facilitator of the 360 Leadership Assessment by the Center for Creative Leadership. She earned her undergraduate degree in criminal justice from George Washington University, a master’s degree in recreation resources administration, and a doctorate in higher education administration from North Carolina State University.

Asia was born and raised in Westchester, NY. She moved to Richmond, where she received her B.S. in Marketing and a minor in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. During and after undergrad, Asia was privileged enough to assist in marketing efforts for VCU Athletics, Washington Commanders, A10 Conference, The Basketball Tournament (TBT), Baller TV, Washington Wizards, and Monster Energy. When the world decided to take a pause, Asia made a career change into Human Resources, where she honed her client-management skills for the global company Novelis. Asia went on to join OWM as a Client Relations Manager, where she further developed her expertise in relationship-building and client services.

She now works in Corporate Sponsorships at Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment, where she cultivates meaningful partnerships and contributes to the production of large-scale HBCU games and events.

Jason Hillman was named Vice President of Basketball Operations/Team Counsel in February 2022 after serving the previous five years as Basketball Chief of Staff/Team Counsel. Prior to joining the team’s basketball operations staff in July 2017, Hillman spent 12 years with the Cavaliers on the business side, most recently as Senior Vice President/General Counsel.

He is responsible for the negotiation and execution of player and staff contracts, general administration of the team’s basketball operations department, player and staff immigration matters, compliance with NBA Rules, and assistance with management of the team’s salary cap, trade, draft and free agency strategy and execution. Hillman served as one of the team’s Alternate Governors to the NBA Board of Governors from 2019-2022.

Between 2005 and 2017, Hillman had primary responsibility for the organization’s business legal matters, including marketing and sponsorship, ticketing, lease compliance, employment, engagement with local governmental authorities related to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, recruitment, preparation, and execution on behalf of the organization of the 2016 Republican National Convention, and select basketball operations matters. Hillman was a real estate lawyer with Southfield, Michigan based Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer & Weiss, P.C. from 2001-2005. Prior to law school and continuing through his days in private practice, Hillman was a sportscaster on television and radio in the Detroit area.

He is a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Cleveland-based Centers for Families and Children, University Hospitals’ Partnership for Families, and Temple Tifereth-Israel in Beachwood, Ohio, and current member of the Board of Trustees of Playhouse Square. Hillman resides in Solon, Ohio with his wife Meredith, and daughters Caitlin, Morgan and Devin.

In 2022, Chevonne Mansfield was hired as executive senior associate athletic director for the Howard University Department of Athletics.

As the executive senior associate athletics director, Mansfield provides supervision of the department’s external units, including: marketing and promotional efforts, ticket operations and sales, fan engagement, broadcasting, and multimedia rights. She will also oversee budget/finance operations, and serve as a liaison to campus offices, such as the Title IX Office and Development Office.

Mansfield, previously a deputy athletics director at Florida Memorial University before earning a promotion to interim athletics director in 2020, represents Howard University in the MEAC and within the NCAA structure as senior woman administrator, a title she also held with the Lions.
Mansfield has experience working in all three subdivisions of NCAA Division I athletics, and her career has seen her work up the ranks from sports information director to athletic director.

No stranger to The Mecca, Mansfield began her career at Howard University as the assistant sports information director in 2007. She spent three years at HU before joining the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). During her time at the SWAC, she helped re-shape the perception and image of one of the nation’s oldest conferences.

Mansfield spent nearly three years at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during a pivotal time of transition when the league expanded and added University of Missouri and Texas A&M University, announced the creation of the SEC Network, and was instrumental in the formation of the College Football Playoff (CFP).
Mansfield also spent time as the Communications Director for the American Athletic Conference and the LEAD1 Association, which represents the athletics directors and programs of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), prior to joining Florida Memorial University.

Mansfield has completed multiple leadership development institutes, including the NCAA Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males and Females (2009) and the NCAA/NACWAA Institute for Administrative Advancement (2011).

On the academic side, Mansfield also was an adjunct professor at Georgetown University (2019-20) in the Master in Professional Studies Sports Industry Management (SIM) program and Johnson & Wales University (2016-17) in the Sports Entertainment Event Management (SEEM) program.

A native of Long Island, NY, Mansfield earned her undergraduate degree from St. John’s University (N.Y) in 2004, and a master’s degree from University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in 2007.

Hannibal Navies is an accomplished NFL veteran and seasoned business executive with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Following a 9-year NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, and Carolina Panthers, Hannibal transitioned into the business side of sports, leveraging his expertise in sports program development, consulting, public speaking, community outreach, and sports academy operations. During his 7-year tenure as the Director of Engagement and Outreach for The Trust powered by The NFLPA, Hannibal successfully executed numerous high-profile events involving NFL players, agents, and executives. His initiatives led to thousands of days of training, job placements for 536 athletes, millions of dollars in scholarships, and enrollment of over 5,000 players. In addition to his work at the NFLPA, Hannibal founded the 360⁰ Sports Academy aimed at youth leadership development through athletics, which continues to thrive. He also serves as the Vice President of Development for United Charitable and Athletes Charitable, further solidifying his philanthropic network. In this role, he provides leadership, strategic direction, and creative partnership opportunities that fuel the growth and sustainability of both United Charitable and its wholly owned subsidiary Athletes Charitable. United Charitable grows and supports each charitable journey by providing simple customized vehicles to fulfill companies and individual’s philanthropic endeavors. While Athletes Charitable is a concierge non-profit membership offering specifically designed by and for professional athletes. A dedicated lifelong learner, Hannibal holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Colorado at Boulder (1999) and is working on his Executive MBA from George Washington University. As a true leader in the sports industry, Hannibal Navies continues to make a lasting impact on athletes, businesses, and communities alike.

Jaunelle White is entering her third academic year at Point as the institution’s Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics. White is the university’s third athletic director and first female director.

2022-2023: White oversaw the transition of full membership from the Appalachian Athletic Conference to the Southern States Athletic Conference. She also added Women’s Flag Football to the Athletic Department, which competes in the Sun Conference and will have its inaugural season in Spring 2024. White oversaw three NAIA National Tournament teams, three NAIA All-Americans (Softball, Men’s Golf, and Football), and one Appalachian Athletic Conference Championship team (Women’s Basketball). The “Excellence Continues” phrase continued to be proven as Point University secured its highest departmental GPA of 3.25. The success at Point University did not stop there, as the NAIA announced Point University as a Champions of Character Five-Star Gold Institution. Jaunelle White is a proven leader in Athletics as she was named as one of Sports Illustrated’s top 100 Black Women in Sports.

2021-2022: In her first year at the department’s helm, White has overseen three programs earning NAIA National Tournament Appearances, one making an Appalachian Athletic Conference Championship (Men’s Soccer), three student-athletes being named All-Americans, and student-athletes receiving 100 all-conference awards. Point University was named an NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Silver institution.

White comes to Point with nearly 20 years of athletic administration experience, particularly at the NCAA Division I level. Most recently, White served as the senior associate athletic director for internal operations and senior woman administrator at Indiana University—Purdue University Indianapolis. She has served in several athletic administrative roles, including compliance, at Texas Southern, Alabama State University, University of South Alabama, Middle Tennessee State University, and Louisiana State University.

White is a native of Lawrence, Kansas, and played collegiate volleyball at Auburn University from 1996 to 2002. She holds a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Auburn University.

White and her late husband (Marcus) have four children.

Katelyne Rubin is a passionate sports professional currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Sports Studies at Tulane University. Alongside her graduate studies, she is gaining invaluable experience as an intern with Young Money APAA, where she contributes to athlete engagement and development initiatives.

A proud alumna of Louisiana State University, Katelyne earned her undergraduate degree in Sport Administration with a concentration in Leadership and Commerce. Her educational background and hands-on experience reflect her dedication to fostering growth and success within the sports industry.

Katelyne has previously worked with Day 1 Sports and Entertainment, served as an Operations Assistant for the Southern Men’s Basketball Team, and collaborated alongside April Taylor on numerous events supporting The SVE Firm. These roles have provided her with a well-rounded foundation in sports operations, event management, and athlete support.

Katelyne aspires to become a pillar in player engagement and student-athlete development, helping to shape the lives of young athletes and guide them toward fulfilling their potential both on and off the field.

Lex Stover is the Strategic Brand Management Coordinator at LEARFIELD where she supports licensing and artwork for NCAA, Bowl, and other Properties. A former Division 1 basketball student-athlete at Wright State and Rice University, Lex applies her leadership and strong work ethic to her professional work. Outside the office, she enjoys reading, fitness and exploring new skills or hobbies to continue her personal growth.

South Carolina State has appointed Dr. Nathan Cochran to Vice President for Athletics effective Jan. 2, 2024.

Dr. Cochran’s career spans 20 years as a collegiate administrator, football and track and field coach with nearly half of his experience at HBCUs. He arrives from Walsh University in Canton, Ohio, where he has served as athletics director and vice president for athletics since February of 2023.

Prior to Walsh, he served as Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation at Xavier University of Louisiana. In that role, he oversaw 14 sports, the university recreation department and club sports.

A Colorado native, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from SC State in 2000, having played football for legendary head football Coach Willie Jeffries as a transfer student from Air Force Academy.

Cochran completed his master’s degree in management from Webster University in 2003 and his doctorate in adult and higher education from Morehead State University in 2023.

In a short time at Xavier, the athletic programs won five conference championships and Xavier’s first NAIA National Championship in Coed Competitive Cheer. In addition, Xavier was the first HBCU to win a National Championship in the sport with the highest score ever achieved.

Cochran also successfully launched the inaugural athletic hall of fame, a fundraising and sponsorship campaign and a fan engagement app (XULA GOLD) for Xavier Athletics. Additionally, under Cochran, Xavier was the first National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) institution to partner with INFLCR, an app to assist student-athletes with Name Image and Likeness (NIL) partnerships and education.

Prior to Xavier, Cochran served as Assistant Head Football Coach and Coordinator of Recruiting and Compliance at Kentucky State University. KSU’s 2019 team was NCAA Division II’s most improved and produced the second-largest improvement by a Division II HBCU since the NCAA started compiling statistics in 1996.

Along with his many accomplishments, Cochran has served on several national committees, including the NAIA Respect, Inclusivity, Support and Education (RISE) committee, the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) NAIA committee, and the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Board. He is also a member of the American Football Coaches Association, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, USA Track & Field Georgia, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. As a youth, in his hometown of Boulder, Colorado, he achieved Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow.

“As a former Bulldog student-athlete, Dr. Cochran can hit the ground running here at South Carolina State University,” President Alexander Conyers said. “It is a great honor to welcome this loyal son back to the institution that shaped his future.”

Lexi Mickens is known for being a community leader.

Currently, she is the Founder of Run It Back, a 501C3 non-profit providing free access to basketball for student athletes and adults, connecting previous student athletes to current student athletes through a 26 week curated curriculum and helping adults break out of the labor and services industry by offering mock interviews, resume reviews and speed networking opportunities with corporate professionals. In just 3 years the organization has over 3,000 members and is operating in 17 states.

The non-profit has collaborated with EastBay, RedBull, Snipes, Jordan, DrinkBarcode, Ultragame and more.

Lexi got her start in sports at a young age, playing basketball since the age of 5 and continued her love for the game by playing Division I basketball at Wagner College. She then had a chance to work for every professional sports team in New York including the New York Knicks, New York Liberty, New York Mets, New York Jets, New York Rangers and the US Open – focusing on event production and community based events. She has also served as an on court coach for the NBPA.

Outside of her philanthropic work, she has spent the last 6 years working for Salesforce, where she contributed to the Real Estate Team, Philanthropy Team, Mergers and Acquisitions Team and Employee Success.

Charles Nieves, who began his career in collegiate athletics at Georgia Tech before successful stints as a revenue generator at Georgia, Penn State and Miami (Fla.), returned to The Flats in March 2023 as executive associate athletics director/chief revenue officer.

Nieves, who was a ticket sales consultant at Georgia Tech in 2009-10 while attaining a master’s degree in sport administration from Georgia State, oversees non-fundraising revenue generation initiatives in his new role at Tech. Areas under his supervision include Tech’s partnership with Legends (multimedia rights and ticket sales), ticket operations, external operations (marketing and fan experience; brand and ideation), communications/public relations and video operations/broadcast services.
Beginning with his time at Georgia Tech in 2009, Nieves has spent 10 of the past 14-and-a-half years in revenue generation roles at Power Five institutions. Following his initial stint working with the Aspire Group at Tech, he was hired by ISP (now Learfield) to serve as an account executive for corporate partnerships at Georgia, a position that he held for nearly two-and-a-half years from Feb. 2010 until June 2012. At UGA, he attained 1,100% of his personal new business revenue target for the 2011 fiscal year.

After a two-and-a-half year stint in marketing and corporate partnerships at the Boys & Girls Club of America, which is headquartered in Atlanta, Nieves moved to Learfield, where he was named manager of business development at Penn State in Nov. 2015, then was promoted to director of business development for the Nittany Lions in Feb. 2017. With Nieves at the helm, Penn State’s corporate partnership team was honored as Learfield’s National Property of the Year in 2017 and 2018, becoming the first back-to-back Property of the Year recipient in company history.

In March 2018, Nieves became Learfield’s general manager at Miami (Fla.). As the leader of Miami’s partnership group, he managed more than 85 corporate partnerships, which included several major national brands.
After more than three years with the Hurricanes, Nieves transitioned brand-side as vice president of marketing and team partnerships at GameDay Vodka in April 2021. Until October 2022, he led a team that was tasked with supporting the brand’s launch in 15 U.S. markets and negotiated and fulfilled partnerships with nearly 20 NCAA and NFL teams.

Nieves was a three-year football letterwinner at Fayetteville (N.C.) State and earned a bachelor’s degree from the UNC Pembroke. He earned two master’s degrees from Georgia State – an M.S. in sport administration (2010) and an MBA (2015). He officially begins at Georgia Tech on March 27.

A Chapel Hill, N.C. native, Nieves and his wife, Amy, have two daughters, Elle and Ivy, and a Yorkie named MoJo.

Dr. Trayvean Scott was hired as the Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics at Grambling State University on July 1, 2021.

Scott comes to Grambling State after spending 10 years at Southern University where he was the Deputy Athletic Director/Chief Operating Officer and was responsible for the daily operations of the SU athletic programs.
While at Southern, Scott, who served as the sport administrator for football, women’s basketball, softball, and men & women’s track & field (indoor & outdoor), and men & women’s cross country, oversaw NCAA Compliance, Student-Athlete Support Services, Academics, Student-Athlete Development, as well as the Strength & Conditioning program.

Scott is also responsible for football game scheduling. He serves as a member of the athletics department’s senior staff, and previously served as Southern’s Executive Athletic Director.
Throughout his professional career, Scott has been active on the university, conference, and national levels. He graduated in 2016 from the prestigious NCAA Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minorities, 2018 of the Sports Management Institute (SMI) and has has facilitated the NCAA’s Career in Sports Forum in 2016 while also serving as a member of the selection committee.

Scott is currently a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), National Association of Academic & Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A), the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA), and the National Association of Athletic Development Professionals (NAADD) where he was the Diversity Initiative recipient in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

During his time at Southern, Scott spearheaded an unprecedented academic recovery of Southern Athletics as it relates to the Academic Progress Rate, making a dramatic improvement from 3 to all 15 programs meeting the APR benchmarks earning post-season access after just two full years in charge.

Scott, who has written more than $2 million in grants to support academic and student development initiatives, also guided the institution through the successful completion of the NCAA Data Review process and served as the author and principal investigator of the $900,000 NCAA AASP Grant.

A former standout basketball student-athlete, four-year starter, and team captain at Southern, Scott remains atop the school’s record books in assist, steals, and minutes played. After his collegiate playing career was over, Scott enjoyed a successful career in financial services until returning to his alma mater in 2011.

Outside of athletics administration, Scott was an adjunct faculty member in the College of Business at Southern where he taught courses in Business Administration, Management, and Sports Marketing. He holds bachelor’s in marketing (2003) & Management (2005) and a Master’s Degree in Communications (2005) from Southern University. In addition, he completed his Ph.D. in Education/Sport Management in 2018 from Northcentral University.

Greene was appointed to the positions of Senior Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) in July 2019, and was promoted to Deputy Athletics Director for Internal Affairs in July 2022.

In her role, Greene serves as Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) and Title IX Coordinator and oversees compliance, academics, financial aid, budget and finance, housing, travel, contracts, community engagement and student-athlete development, and NCAA reporting.

Greene joined NCCU with more than a decade’s worth of experience in similar roles at four other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), including two other Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) member institutions. She most recently served as Associate Athletics Director for Compliance and SWA at Florida A&M University for the 2018-19 academic year.

In that role, she oversaw all aspects of the compliance office and served as a member of the department’s senior leadership team with responsibility to all aspects of gender equity and student-athlete well-being. Greene oversaw the Rattlers sports medicine and strength & conditioning units and was a liaison with student health services and counseling services. Some of her other noteworthy duties and accomplishments at Florida A&M included being a sport supervisor, serving in the capacity of director of football operation with planning and facilitating team travel for the 2018 season, liaison for NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program (AASP) and creation and implementation of a mandated athletics sub-committee.

Greene spent nearly two seasons from 2016 to 2018 as Senior Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations at Alabama State University. Her leadership and management responsibilities included serving on the executive leadership team, overseeing compliance, academic support, sports medicine, strength & conditioning and equipment. Greene collaborated on the operational budget for the Hornets and was a sports supervisor. She served as the department’s senior compliance official and in business operations regarding travel and purchasing.

In her first stint at a MEAC institution, Greene held the title of Associate Athletics Director for Compliance for over two years (2014-2016) with another Hornets program at Delaware State University. As the leader of the day-to-day operations of the Office of Compliance, she monitored the institution’s adherence to NCAA legislation, including the area of recruiting, initial and continuing eligibility, athletic grant-in-aid, awards and inducements, and Title IX.

Prior to DSU, Greene transitioned back to athletics in her five years (2009-2014) at University of the District of Columbia. She started at UDC as an academic advisor and eventually became the Firebirds Associate Athletics Director for Academics and SWA for nearly three years. She monitored all aspects of student services for the student-athlete community from the recruitment and orientation to the university, the administering of academic support services, and the monitoring of student retention and matriculation to graduation.

Greene has more than 15 years of intercollegiate athletics and higher education student services experience. She spent three years at the University of Maryland as Program Coordinator for Student-Athlete Academic Support and Career Development Unit and two years at the University of Oklahoma both as a Special Events and Facility Management Coordinator.

The native of Michigan graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and a focus in pre-law in 2004. Greene then earned a Master of Education in higher education administration with an emphasis in intercollegiate athletic administration at Oklahoma in 2005. She completed a post graduate certificate program from George Washington University in brain injury education and transitional services in 2010, and earned a doctorate of philosophy from Concordia University of Chicago in 2023.

Rushia Brown was born in the Bronx, NY and raised in South Carolina. As a sophomore, she first picked up a ball and joined the Summerville High School Junior Varsity basketball team. Athletic, yet untrained, Rushia began a journey that would forever change her life. Through hard work and dedication, she was one of the top student-athlete recruits in the state of South Carolina as a senior; being courted by esteemed universities such as Harvard, Duke University and her then dream school, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. With the recent loss of her father, Rushia chose to stay close to home and attend Furman University.

As a Lady Paladin, Rushia pursued her education and competed on the court, attaining every accolade available including Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, multiple MVPs, Southern Conference Player of the Year, Edna Hartness Athlete of the Year and eventually having her jersey hang from the rafters as #34 was retired, never to be worn again. Rushia’s collegiate years lead to a 10 year professional career overseas, which spanned 5 countries; Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Korea and 7 years in the WNBA; 6 years in Cleveland and 1 year in Charlotte.

When transitioning from the world of professional sports, Rushia decided that she would only pursue the passions that fed her spirit. She earned her Executive MBA from George Washington University to support her efforts. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to be a part of starting several companies, including the Women’s Professional Basketball Alumnae, the only organization to assist women who have played professionally in the WNBA or Internationally as they transition into mainstream society; ServCom, a nonprofit organization that strives to improve its communities by providing educational and enrichment activities for its citizens; Hearts & Hands Catering, a family business offering health food alternatives; and Young Black Entrepreneur Magazine, a quarterly publication that serves as an educational platform encouraging minorities to start their own businesses.
​Brown has made her mark in various sectors of business and continues to travel the world inspiring others to use their gifts and talents to pursue their dreams. Rushia spent 5 years as a WNBA executive. Her 1st experience was working in the NBA/WNBA front office in New York as a member of the Crossover Program. In 2018 Brown helped relocate the San Antonio Silver Stars to Las Vegas, where she served as the Player Programs & Franchise Development Manager for the Las Vegas Aces for 2 years. Brown then served as the Director of Community Relations and Youth Sports for the Los Angeles Sparks for 2 years. She also serves as a catalyst for change for those looking to take their lives and professions to the next level.

​Rushia is also the proud mother of one daughter, Morgan MacKenzie Brown.

New Jersey native that now calls the outskirts of Atlanta home. Founder and CEO of WINN Network and Project WINN. Energy is my superpower and gift to the world! My purpose is empowering others to find theirs, use it to create their own currency and ultimately live out their purpose! I use my diverse experiences to relate, engage and build trust with my audiences. My experience includes 10+years coaching, mentoring student-athletes, and corporate clients. I am a current Doctoral Candidate of Management-Executive Leadership (December 2024), MBA- Business & Project Management BA-Jurisprudence.

Emmy award winner Wisdom Martin is the anchor at the WUSA 9 morning show GET UP DC 425am-7am & 9am and host of the NFL pregame show “Commanders Kickoff”

He graduated from Jackson State university with a degree in broadcast journalism.

Wisdom has been in the nations capital covering the big stories for 22 years.

His career started in 1990 while he was a sophomore at Jackson State University. His first job in TV news was with WAPT news as a news photographer, editor and sports reporter covering college football including Steve McNair at Alcorn State.

As a college senior cover the trial of Byron De La Beckwith who was convicted of the 1963 murder civil rights leader Medgar Evers.
After leaving Jackson, he covered news and sports at KSEE in Fresno, California; WRAL in Raleigh, North Carolina, weekend anchor at CNN in Atlanta; and anchor/reporter at WKRN in Nashville Tennessee.

During his time in Washington, Martin has covered the big stories including reporting live for several days in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, reporting live in Miami on the murder of Washington football player Sean Taylor, and was the first reporter live on the scene of the game Emmy award-winning coverage of the serial bank robberies in D.C which led to the arrest of the suspects.

Wisdom is also author of “Pass Interference: the History of black quarterbacks in the NFL” and “Unconventional Wisdom”.