General | 10/13/2025 4:15:10 PM

Kansas City, Mo. — Women Leaders in Sports (Women Leaders) recognized its annual award recipients for 2025 today, honoring outstanding women who are transforming leadership in the sports industry. Among the honorees is Sonja O. Stills, Commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), who was named a Nike Executive of the Year Award recipient.

The 2025 award recipients were acknowledged in Kansas City, where the organization also kicked off its Women Leaders in Sports National Convention, taking place October 12–14. The awards program honored exceptional leadership and innovation across professional, collegiate, and sport business sectors, with categories including the Nike Lifetime Achievement Awards, Nike Executive of the Year Awards, and BSN SPORTS Rising Star Award, along with new honors for Organization of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Resilience Award, and Woman to Watch—all sponsored by BSN SPORTS.

Commissioner Stills, now in her fourth year leading the MEAC, was recognized for her visionary leadership, commitment to advancing opportunities for women and minorities in athletics, and for elevating the profile of the MEAC on a national scale.

“My focus has always been on servant leadership-on elevating the student-athlete experience and opening doors of opportunity, especially for women in our industry. This award is personally meaningful because it is sponsored by Nike, a long-standing and valued partner of the MEAC,” said Commissioner Stills. 

Women Leaders is dedicated to recognizing the achievements and successes of women working in sports. Celebrating their accomplishments is integral to the organization’s mission to change the landscape of leadership in athletics.

Along with Commissioner Stills, other notable honorees were recognized as a Nike Executive of the Year Award Recipient, including:

• Jennifer Cohen, Charles Griffin Cale Director of Athletics, University of Southern California (Sandy Barbour Nike Division I FBS Executive of the Year)
• Kimberly Davis, Senior Executive Vice President, National Hockey League
• Alberta G. Lee, Executive Vice President, Chief People and Culture Officer, Cleveland Cavaliers – Rock Entertainment Group (Nell Jackson Nike Executive of the Year)
• Sonja O. Stills, Commissioner, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
• Jacqie McWilliams Parker, Commissioner, CIAA
• Dr. Jacqueline Schuman, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics and Recreation, UMass Boston
• Julie Uhrman, Founder and CEO, Angel City FC

Nike Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients:

• Jane Miller, 35-year career in collegiate athletics, University of Virginia
• Cheryl Levick, Three-time NCAA Division I Athletic Director, Santa Clara/Saint Louis/Georgia State

BSN SPORTS Award Recipients:

• Organization of the Year: LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation
• Innovator of the Year: Jessica Huntley, Senior Business Development Executive, Teamworks & Former Commissioner, Atlantic East Conference
• Resilience Award: Raven Jemison, President, Kansas City Current
• Woman to Watch: Avignon T. Greene, Senior Associate, Architect, Populous
• Rising Star: Lulu Black, Assistant Director, Durham Sports Commission

About Women Leaders in Sports
Women Leaders in Sports is a privately funded non-profit committed to transforming the landscape of leadership in sports. Since its inception in 1979, Women Leaders has sparked a vibrant movement, uniting over 5,500 members nationwide. Offering comprehensive programs and training, Women Leaders empowers female sports professionals at all levels with invaluable networking opportunities, career resources, and growth initiatives. Learn more at womenleadersinsports.org and follow on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.