Dr. Angel Brutus, LPCC, ACS, BC-TMH, CMPC®, is a nationally recognized leader in mental performance, athlete wellbeing, and leadership development across sport and high performance environments. As President and CEO of Synergistic Solutions, she partners with organizations to strengthen culture, enhance human performance, and equip emerging leaders with the psychological skills necessary to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.

Dr. Brutus serves as a member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s Psychological Services team within Sports Medicine, where she supports elite athletes and staff navigating high pressure performance demands. Previously, she served as Assistant Athletic Director for Counseling & Sport Psychology at Mississippi State University, shaping institution wide strategies for mental health, performance enhancement, and culture transformation. During her tenure, she contributed to the Southeastern Conference’s Council on Racial Equity & Social Justice, helping establish industry-informed hiring and practice standards for mental health and sport-performance practitioners.

A Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®) and AASP Fellow, Dr. Brutus brings over 20 years of experience in athlete mental health, holistic performance, and culturally responsive leadership development. She is a trusted advisor to sport executives and performance-driven organizations, known for her ability to bridge mental toughness with mental wellness two competencies essential to sustainable leadership and team success.

Her leadership extends nationally through service on the executive board of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), where she oversees Professional Standards and ethics-driven initiatives. She also serves as Treasurer for APA Division 47 (Sport, Exercise & Performance Psychology) and sits on the Advisory Board for Alston for Athletes, supporting student-athlete wellbeing and development.

Driven by a commitment to developing confident, resilient, and values-centered leaders, Dr. Brutus delivers keynotes, workshops, and consulting experiences that help individuals and organizations elevate performance, strengthen culture, and expand leadership capacity.

In March 2022, Felicia Martin was named senior vice president of inclusion, education, and community engagement. Internally, she leads and supervises staff specific to inclusion operations, leadership development initiatives and programming, and national office community services and engagement. She serves as a national office ambassador to member schools and affiliate organizations, promoting the NCAA’s core priorities of service, leadership development and inclusive excellence.

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 Division I and II prospective student-athletes.

In addition to her regulatory affairs experience, Martin has a campus background. 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.

Martin is member of the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals, where she held various leadership roles, including president from 2017-18. She is a member of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association, National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, Women Leaders in College Sports and serves on the Indy Chamber of Commerce. Martin serves on the NCORE National Advisory Council and Athletics in the Academy committee, John McLendon Foundation Board. Martin is credited as a co-founder of the Lauro Cavazos & Ophelia Powell-Malone Mentoring Program (Texas Tech University’s Mentor Tech).

Martin earned her bachelor’s degree in educational psychology and master’s degree in student affairs and higher education (counselor education) from Mississippi State.

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.

Jacqie McWilliams Parker has served as the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Commissioner for 14 seasons and has worked for the CIAA for a total of 16 years. Although she is the first female to serve as Commissioner for the CIAA and first appointed African American female Commissioner representing NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) Division I, II and III, she is pleased there are currently eight (8) additional Black women serving as commissioner for representation at every level.

She has established her legacy with a 20-20-20 vision of learning, earning, and returning. She is a member of the Sierra High School Hall of Fame, she received her undergraduate degree at Hampton University and is a member of the Hampton University Hall of Fame twice, once as a two-sport athlete and recently as a member of the 1988 DII NCAA Women’s Basketball National Team. She is also a strong financial supporter of the university and athletics. She is a member of the Virginia Union University Hall of Fame for her commitment to women sports as a former coach and administrator and continues to contribute to the women’s program, the place that gave her, her start in the industry. She is a member of Temple University Gallery of success as an alum and where she has established a postgraduate scholarship for HBCU students interested in receiving their post graduate degree in sports management and hospitality.

She has spent 30 years in intercollegiate athletics serving on various committees and boards to include being selected as the President for Women Leaders in College Sports (2020), Chair of the NCAA DII Management council and Samaritan’s Feet International Board. She currently serves on the board of directors for the John B. McLendon Scholarship Foundation, Black Sports Business Academy, Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Trustees, the Doug Williams Center Advisory Board, and she just completed serving on the NCAA Gender Equity Task Force for 10 years and recently appointed to the NCAA Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact.

She loves the Lord, the love of her life, her husband Shaun Parker, former football athlete Hampton University and her legacy, daughter Samone Carpenter who attends Hampton University, class of 2028!

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.

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.

Tania Haladner completed her fourth season as the Chicago Sky’s Chief Marketing Officer.  A former college point guard, Tania is thrilled to be back in the sports world after 20+ years of marketing at CPG companies such as PepsiCo and Kraft. Prior to joining the Sky, Tania was a Sr. Marketing Director at PepsiCo, where she led a variety of brands including Quaker and Tropicana. Born in Canada, Tania got her MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and her undergraduate economics degree from Yale University.

Terrance Jones became the seventh Director of Athletics & Recreation at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) in 2023, leading a period of renewed growth and national recognition for the Owls. Under his leadership, SCSU earned the 2025 NCAA Division II Diversity and Inclusion Award, expanded community engagement with New Haven, and saw student-athletes continue to excel in both competition and academics.

Jones previously served as Assistant Athletic Director for External Operations and Stadium Management at Jackson State University, where he boosted ticket and game-day revenue by 40% and strengthened the school’s fan experience and media presence. Before JSU, he was Deputy Director of Athletics at Alabama State University, contributing to 43 conference championships, multiple commissioner cups, and top academic honors.

He has also held marketing and leadership roles at North Carolina Central University and Delaware State University, advancing sponsorships, branding, and fan engagement. Professionally active, Jones is involved in NAADD, NACMA, NACDA, and MOAA, and is a graduate of the NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcombe Leadership Institute, among several other development programs. He was named to North Carolina Central University’s 40 Under 40 in 2020.

Jones holds a bachelor’s degree in recreation/sports management and a master’s in public administration from North Carolina Central University and is completing a doctorate in education leadership at Delaware State University.

Brandon Scott has spent his career building meaningful connections across professional sports. With leadership roles spanning the NBA and NFL, he has helped current players and alumni navigate their journeys on and off the field. In his role with the Portland Trail Blazers, Brandon leads the franchise’s Alumni Program, strengthening relationships with former players and ensuring they remain valued members of the organization’s story. Before joining the Trail Blazers, Brandon supported sponsorship engagement at the Detroit Pistons and led player and legend relations for the Detroit Lions, where his programs earned league-wide recognition. Whether mentoring rookies, collaborating with team leadership, or guiding community initiatives, Brandon is known for his compassion, strategic mindset, and commitment to elevating others.

Swin Cash is the Founder & CEO of She’s Got Time, a pioneering lifestyle and media company building the first holistic ecosystem shaping the lives of women with careers in sports and adjacent industries. A Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, she is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time WNBA champion whose impact extends far beyond the court. Cash is a respected leader across sports, media, and philanthropy, serving as President of the Women’s Sports Foundation, a contributor for NBA on Prime, and previously as Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations for an NBA franchise.

A dedicated advocate for equity, youth empowerment, and community uplift, she founded Cash for Kids to support young people through fitness, education, and cultural enrichment. While her professional accomplishments span global influence and decades of trailblazing leadership, Cash’s most cherished roles are wife to Steve Canal and mother to their two sons, Saint and Syer.

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.

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.

Adam Boliek is Vice President of Ticket Sales, Service, and Operations of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. In this role, Adam oversees all strategy, pricing, sales, and analytics of the Dream Ticketing Department. Prior to his time with The Dream, Adam spent four years working for the NHL’s Florida Panthers in their Premium Seating Department. This was followed by stints in the Alliance of American Football, Major League Soccer’s Orlando City Soccer Club, and most recently as Director of Sales and Service with the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Organizing Committee. Adam joined the Dream and moved to Atlanta in June 2022. Since that time, he has overseen the team that has quadrupled it’s Season Ticket Member base and annual ticket revenue. In addition, Adam hired and trained the team that helped secure two consecutive sold out seasons in 2024 and 2025.

In his spare time, Adam is an avid fitness enthusiast as the proprietor and founder of Applied Consistency Fitness and Nutrition, a certified personal trainer and nutritionist, and an aspiring amateur bodybuilder. Adam also serves on the Board of Directors of Girls Inc of Greater Atlanta as well as holding a place on the Executive Leadership Team of Girls Inc of Greater Atlanta’s Girl Dad Champion Circle. In 2023, Adam was named one of the 40 Under 40 by Atlanta Business Chronicle

Adam is a 2007 graduate of the University of Florida and lives in Marietta with his Wife Aubrey and two daughters, Brie and Blue.

Chincie Mouton serves as the Director of Sports Engagement and Community Impact at the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, a state agency and steward of some of Georgia’s most iconic event destinations, including the Georgia World Congress Center, Centennial Olympic Park, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Signia by Hilton Atlanta.

With nearly a decade of experience in the sports industry, Chincie has a proven track record of successfully leading teams, developing community programs, and managing resources for some of the world’s largest sporting events. Her major events experience includes the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl LIX, Super Bowl LVI, Super Bowl LIII, 2023 U.S. Open, 2023 WrestleMania, 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship, 2020 NCAA Men’s Final Four, and 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship.

Throughout her career, Chincie has championed underrepresented businesses by helping them secure over $25 million in contracts. While in Los Angeles, she co-chaired the LA28 Community and Business Procurement Working Group and served as a member of the Community Engagement Advisory Board at the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. Her focus areas also include social responsibility and leadership development.

Prior to breaking into the sports industry, Chincie spent five years in the civil engineering field, managing community outreach, media relations, and public involvement strategies for high-profile intergovernmental programs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Louisiana State University and is a graduate of the Greater New Orleans Foundation Emerging Leaders cohort and Young Leadership Council’s Leadership Development Series.

Dr. Markesha McWilliams Henderson is Assistant Dean of the School of Business at Clark Atlanta University. As the school’s development officer, she oversees fundraising and partnership efforts. Additionally, she serves as the Director of the Sports and Entertainment concentration, leading academic initiatives in sports and entertainment.

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, and Director of Athletics at Agnes Scott College. She has extended her leadership and expertise to many organizations including commissioned research for the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) and currently serves as Dean of the NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute.

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. She resides in Mableton, GA with her husband Derrick and two children Derrick II, and William III (Deuce and Trey).

Dr. Angel Mason was appointed Director of Athletics for the Berry College Vikings on June 1, 2019. In this role, she oversees 22 varsity programs and all athletic department operations. Mason also serves on the President’s Cabinet. Additionally, she holds several positions, including:

• Past President of the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA)
• Vice President of the Minority Opportunity Athletic Association (MOAA)
• Member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Executive Committee
• Chair of the Women of Color Circle for Women Leaders in Sports
• Game Day the DIII Way Facilitator

Under her leadership, the athletic department’s priorities have focused on people development, enhancing the student experience, and pursuing competitive excellence both in the classroom and in competition. Since her arrival, Mason has led the Vikings to unprecedented success. During the 2021-22 season, the Vikings won the SAA Commissioner’s Cup for the first time in program history. Her commitment to service and the athletic department’s success earned her recognition as the Nike Executive of the Year in 2022 and the NACDA AD of the Year in 2024.

During the Mason era, the Vikings have achieved remarkable success, including:

• 30 SAA championships
• 38 All-Americans
• 10 SAA Coach of the Year Awards
• 46 SAA Athletes of the Year
• Finished first in the SAA Commissioners Cup standings (first time in history)
• Highest department GPA in the NCAA era (3.36)
• 341 selected to the SAA Academic Honor Roll
• 3 NCAA DIII Emerging Leaders Grant Recipients
• 1 NCAA DIII College Sports Communicators Convention grant recipient
• 1 CSC Designer Portfolio of the Year – College Division

Marcus Matthews is a Social Media Strategist and Creator and owner of Goochaveli Productions; a social strategy and content agency, with over 27 plus years of experience in sports media. He’s worked as Head of Social for ESPNs Andscape/The Undefeated, served as Social Producer for the hit show First Take, and served as a Producer for USA Today and BET. Marcus is currently the Social Lead for HBCU Go TV.

Mia Berry is a senior HBCU reporter for ESPN’s Andscape specializing in enterprise stories and cultural coverage across Black college athletics. Her work spotlights coaches, players, and programs whose stories shape the landscape of HBCU sports.

Tiffani-Dawn B. Sykes, a proud 2001 Virginia State University alumna, serves as the Associate Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at VSU. A seasoned leader with more than 20 years of progressive experience in college athletics, she returns to her alma mater after impactful roles at the University of Maryland and Florida A&M University, where she became the first woman to serve as Vice President and Director of Athletics.

Sykes has held key positions across multiple Division I and Division II institutions and has served on numerous NCAA committees. Her leadership has earned national recognition, including the Women Leaders NIKE Executive of the Year (DI-FCS) and Lights on Sports FCS Athletics Director of the Year.

A former VSU volleyball captain and track and field letter-winner, Sykes credits her student-athlete experience with igniting her passion for college athletics. She believes deeply in the power of sport to expand access to higher education and transform lives, a philosophy that guides her work with Trojan Athletics. Sykes holds a master’s degree in Sports Administration from Grambling State University.

Tony Tucker, Athletic Director and Senior Associate Vice President for Athletics and Recreation at Delaware State University (DSU), is a distinguished leader in college athletics and a passionate advocate for student-athlete development. His extensive career spans over three decades in educational and sports administration, marked by a commitment to academic achievement and athletic excellence. Tucker is a former high school basketball All-American and a standout basketball player at the University of Delaware. He is also a member of the Delaware Basketball Hall of Fame. He was honored and fortunate to continue his playing career beyond college, playing professional basketball in Europe and Asia.

His professional background includes:

• Co-founding the IMG Basketball Academy , where he managed global recruitment and daily operations (athletic and academic), ensuring the alignment of academic and athletic curriculums for aspiring student-athletes, while also managing and executing on-court training programs for elite NBA players.
• Serving as an NBA Scout for the Charlotte Hornets, assessing college and international prospects in preparation for the NBA Draft. Additionally, helping to organize and run NBA Pre-Draft camps for the NBA’s top prospective draft picks.
• Holding various leadership roles in prominent educational institutions, including Head of School and Director of Enrollment, where he consistently demonstrated an innate ability to identify and attract mission-appropriate talent.

At DSU, Tucker is driving an ambitious “Athletics Transformation” initiative to upgrade facilities and elevate the university’s sports programs and profile. His work includes developing innovative strategies to attract and retain student-athletes, as well as creating programs that support mental health and wellness. Recognized as one of Delaware’s “Most Influential People in Sports for 2025”, Tucker’s uniquely blended experience as an athlete, scout, coach, and senior administrator provides him with a holistic perspective on the sports ecosystem, from grassroots development to professional evaluation and high-level collegiate management.

RECENT BOARD MEMBERSHIPS

• Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA)
• Cleveland Council of Independent Schools (CCIS)
• Ohio Association of Independent Schools (OAIS)
• Urban Youth Racing School (UYRS)

HALL OF FAME INDUCTION & ATHLETIC ACCOLADES

• Member – Delaware Basketball Hall of Fame
• Selected – One of Delaware’s “Most Influential People in Sports for 2025”

CONTRIBUTING JOURNALIST

• Autism Parenting Magazine

Charles Nieves, the Chief Revenue Officer at Georgia Tech Athletics brings more than 15 years of experience driving revenue growth and building partnerships across collegiate athletics.. Charles began his professional journey at Georgia Tech, working as a ticket sales consultant while pursuing his MS in Sport Administration from Georgia State. From there, Charles carved a niche for himself in revenue generation roles at the Power Four level, including stops at the University of Georgia, Penn State, and Miami.

A seasoned sports executive, educator, and entrepreneur whose career spans professional, collegiate, and entrepreneurial leadership in athletics, Dr. Paula Jackson began her journey in professional sports with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, where she spent five seasons working in football operations and external relations, gaining firsthand experience in the business of professional sports and cultivating relationships that would shape her career trajectory.

Transitioning into higher education, Dr. Jackson built a reputation as a transformational leader over two decades in collegiate athletics. She has now served four times in the Athletics Director’s chair—including her current role as Interim Director of Athletics at Texas Southern University, a historic appointment in August 2025 that made her the first woman to ever lead the Texas Southern Athletics Department. Her leadership as an Athletics Director at both the Division I and Division II levels has guided programs to national championships, expanded resources, and elevated the student-athlete experience through holistic personal and professional development.

In addition to her campus leadership, Dr. Jackson is the President and Founder of Sports Enfocus x KREWE OF SPORT, an organization dedicated to advancing opportunities, equity, and access in athletics. She is also the visionary behind the Minority Trailblazers in Sports Conference, which is about to celebrate 25 years of impact in the sports industry, creating platforms that amplify diverse voices, highlight underrepresented leaders, and inspire the next generation of trailblazers.

Today, Dr. Jackson is recognized nationally as a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) subject matter expert. She has facilitated groundbreaking initiatives—including the first HBCU NIL Summit Masterclass—and developed partnerships that empower student-athletes to leverage their personal brands responsibly and sustainably. Her work bridges the worlds of education, entrepreneurship, and athletics, making her a sought-after thought leader on issues of equity, leadership, and the future of college sports.

With her unique combination of professional experience, entrepreneurial vision, and a proven record of championship-level leadership, Dr. Jackson brings an authentic and powerful voice to conversations about sports, leadership, and opportunity.

The Morgan State University Athletics Department has announced the hiring of Melvin Hines as the Senior Associate Athletics Director/Chief Operating Officer.

Hines will oversee facilities and capital projects, business and finance and sport supervision of football and women’s bowling. As the Chief Operating Officer, he will also assist in the development of staff and coaches.

“I am excited to have Mr. Hines join the Bear Family,” said Dena Freeman-Patton, Vice President and Director for Intercollegiate Athletics at Morgan State. “He brings tremendous experience in athletics administration as well as prior coaching experience and has a foundation for student success.”

Hines, who spent the previous year as a Senior Associate at Brentwood Partners Consulting Firm, comes to Morgan State bringing more than 25 years of experience in college athletics as both an administrator and coach. He has experience in intercollegiate sports at eight Division I institutions, including Auburn, Louisville, Alabama A&M, Troy, Minnesota, Mississippi, Alabama State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and South Carolina State.

“I would like to thank AD Freeman-Patton for the opportunity to join the Morgan State Family! Morgan State has a rich history and tradition that I look forward to being a part of,” said Hines. “It’s an honor to have the opportunity to work with AD Freeman-Patton. Her industry recognition and accolades speak for themselves.”

In 2020, Hines became the Senior Associate Director of Athletics at South Carolina State after serving a year as the Director of Athletics at Arkansas-Pine Bluff from 2018-19.

Hines would spend nearly six years as the Director of Athletics at Alabama State from 2012-18, after spending the previous two years as the school’s Senior Associate Director of Athletics.

Hines spent two years as the Assistant Director/Director of Football Academics at Minnesota and served a year at Troy as the Director of Student-Athlete Services.

During a seven-year stint at Alabama A&M, Hines served as an assistant football coach to becoming the Director of CHAMPS/Life Skills and Academic Advisor. He spent four seasons on the Bulldogs’ football staff – three as the wide receivers coach and a year as the outside linebackers coach.

Hines would spend two years as the Director of CHAMPS/Life Skills and Academic Advisor from 2001-03, before returning to the position in 2004. From 2003-04, Hine spent the year as the judicial affairs officer.

His coaching career began as a graduate assistant defense coach at Louisville during the 1997-98 season.

Hines, who was a four-year letterwinner and a two-time Southeastern Conference champion in football at Auburn University, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Adult Education and received his Master’s in Education, with a concentration in Sports Administration from the University of Louisville.

Dr. Derrick assumed the role of Vice President for Athletic Strategy in September 2024. Previous to that appointment, Gragg had served as Northwestern’s Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation since June 2021. A longtime athletic director, and senior college sports administrator, Gragg joined Northwestern after serving as the NCAA’s senior vice president for inclusion, education and community engagement. Prior to becoming Senior VP for the NCAA Gragg served as Vice President for Athletics at the University of Tulsa. Gragg’s experience covers 30 years in progressively advanced senior-level roles at the universities of Arkansas, Michigan, Missouri, Vanderbilt and Eastern Michigan. A former football letter-winner at Vanderbilt, Gragg has always valued the impact of academics on athletes. Gragg received his doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Arkansas in May of 2004 and has also taught nearly 20 college courses during his tenure as an athletic administrator. A native of Huntsville, AL, Gragg was inducted into the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010. Gragg and his wife Sanya have four children.

New Jersey native that now calls the outskirts of Atlanta home. Former student athlete that used sports as a tool to make my dreams of becoming the first in my immediate family to attend college come true. I use my diverse experiences to relate, engage and build trust with my audiences.

Lovie Tabron, MS, LAT, ATC, CCISM, is a pioneering professional at the critical intersection of mental health and athletic performance. With advanced degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Exercise Science, Lovie has dedicated her career to advancing holistic wellness for athletes across all levels of sport. Her foundation as an athletic trainer shaped her understanding of athlete care from a whole-person perspective—recognizing that true performance and recovery are deeply rooted in both physical and mental well-being.

Lovie currently serves as a Player Engagement Specialist for the Atlanta Falcons, where she supports players through wellness initiatives, life skills development, and mental health programming. She also founded Athletes & Mental Health, LLC, which educates high school and middle school athletes and their parents on identifying mental health concerns, fostering resilience, and reducing stigma around seeking help.