Candace Parker, Natasha Cloud, Dawn Staley, Sheryl Swoopes, A'ja Wilson, Jason Brown, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Justine Siegal, Cari Champion, Sarah Spain – and many more – join leaders in finance, technology, health care, media, and entertainment to explore the future of women's sports

~ Gatorade, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Pinterest, and Women Leaders in Sports Sponsor Summit ~

CHICAGO (July 21, 2026) — Today, the Chicago WNBA All-Star Host Committee announced the powerhouse speakers taking the stage on Thursday, July 23, at the Obama Presidential Center for the inaugural WNBA All-Star Media & Innovation Summit.

In a city synonymous with championship legacy and cultural influence, the Summit will convene an extraordinary assembly of icons and trailblazers – including Candace Parker, Swin Cash, Natasha Cloud, Dawn Staley, Sheryl Swoopes, A’ja Wilson, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Justine Siegal, Anna Leigh Waters, Cari Champion, and Sarah Spain – alongside leaders from the WNBA, Gatorade, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Kraft Analytics Group, Lenovo, Monarch Commerce, Pinterest, Togethxr, Parity, the U.S. Center for SafeSport, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and more.

“The future of women’s sports won’t be decided only on the court—it will be decided in rooms like this one, where athletes, team owners, investors, technologists, and storytellers wrestle with the hard questions together: artificial intelligence, equity and IP, athlete health, online safety,” said Nadia Rawlinson, Co-Chair of the Chicago WNBA All-Star 2026 Host Committee and Co-Owner and Operating Chairman of the Chicago Sky. “This Summit, and the topics discussed here, will help shape the next decade for women and girls in sports.”

As Chicago steps into the national spotlight once again, the Summit will channel the city’s enduring sports heritage and global reach to celebrate three decades of the WNBA’s transformative impact. Programming for the July 23rd event at the Obama Presidential Center will examine the evolution of women’s sports—while setting the stage for its next era of growth, influence, and innovation. As a centerpiece of WNBA All-Star 2026, the Media & Innovation Summit reflects both a tribute to legacy and a bold declaration of what lies ahead.

From athlete ownership and artificial intelligence to sports science, online safety, and the rapidly evolving media landscape, the Media & Innovation Summit will explore the forces reshaping women's sports—and the leaders driving what's next.

Chicago WNBA All-Star 2026 Host Committee Media & Innovation Summit
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Theme: “From Participation to Power”

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. CT
Registration / Breakfast Buffet

9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. CT
Opening Remarks
Nadia Rawlinson
Co-Chair, Chicago All-Star 2026 Host Committee 
Co-Owner and Operating Chairman, WNBA’s Chicago Sky

Welcome
Michael Strautmanis
Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, The Obama Foundation

9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. CT
Building Home Court: Legacy Through Sports and Community
A Fireside chat with BOWA Construction

10:15 a.m. – 10:25 a.m. CT
Networking Break

10:25 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. CT
Panel I: Safe, Seen, and Supported: Online Safety for Girls and Female Athletes (Sponsored by Pinterest)

Part I – Framing the Problem (10:25 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.)

Wanji Walcott
Chief Legal and Business Affairs Officer, Pinterest

In conversation with: 

Natasha Cloud
Professional Athlete & WNBA Champion
Guard, Chicago Sky

Part II – IIdentifying Solutions (10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.)

Moderator: 
Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, OLY
Olympic Gold Medalist 
CEO, U.S. Center for SafeSport

Panelists:

The Honorable Kam Buckner
Speaker Pro Tempore
Illinois House of Representatives (District 26)

The Honorable Kim Du Buclet
Member, Illinois House of Representatives (District 5)

Nicole Deal
Chief of Security & Athlete Services
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee

Elizabeth Neumann
Chief Strategy Officer, Moonshot

Description

As girls, young women, and female athletes build their identities in increasingly digital spaces, online safety has become a critical issue for families, schools, teams, and brands alike. From social media abuse to privacy concerns and digital exploitation, girls and young women face unique online risks that can affect their confidence, well-being, and participation in sport and public life. This panel will explore the risks of harassment, exploitation, privacy breaches, and image-based abuse, while highlighting practical strategies, policy solutions, and athlete-centered protections that help create safer online environments. 

11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. CT
From One All-Star to Another 

Sheryl Swoopes 
6x WNBA All-Star, 4x WNBA Champion, 3x WNBA MVP, 3x Olympic Gold Medalist
Naismith Basketball and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer

A’ja Wilson
7x WNBA All-Star, 3x WNBA Champion, 4x WNBA MVP, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist

11:45 a.m. – 12:25 a.m.  CT
Panel II: Game-Changing Growth: Innovation Across Women’s Sports and Media

Moderator:
Tamika Tremaglio
Managing Director, Secretarial Advisor
Former Executive Director, National Basketball Players Association

Panelists:

Chloe Gibert
Chief Marketing Officer, Baller Alert

Jessica Robertson
Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer, Togethxr

Leela Srinivasan
CEO, Parity

Samantha Bushy
CEO, Monarch Commerce

Jason Brown
Olympic Metalist, Figure Skating

Description:

From streaming and social-first content to new sponsorship models and fan experiences, women’s sports are driving fresh ideas across the media ecosystem. Short-form video, behind-the-scenes access, and athlete-led storytelling are central to how fans discover and stay connected to women’s sports. Players are now major media brands in their own right. This panel brings together leaders shaping how the industry tells stories, builds audiences, and unlocks new value in the market.

12:25 p.m. – 12:55 p.m. CT
Networking Break/Lunch Buffet

12:55 p.m. – 1:35 p.m.  CT
Panel III: Smart Play: AI, Innovation, and the Future of Women’s Sports 

Moderator: 
Jessica Gelman
CEO, Kraft Analytics Group (KAGR)

Panelists:
Meghan Chayka
Co-CEO and Chief Marketing Officer, Stathletes

Jeff Shafer
Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing Group, Lenovo

Dev Ward
Head of Digital, WNBA 

Description

From scouting to storytelling, artificial intelligence is transforming how women’s sports are measured, marketed, and monetized. As AI reshapes every corner of sports, women’s leagues, and athletes are uniquely positioned to lead this wave of innovation. Leaders in technology, media, and sports management discuss how AI can unlock new opportunities in fan engagement, performance analytics, content creation, and sponsorship — and ensure women’s sports aren’t left behind in the digital race.

1:35 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. CT
Panel IV: The Science of Her Game: Power, Performance, and Partnership (Sponsored by Gatorade)

Moderator:
Sarah Spain
Host and Content Director, iHeart Women's Sports 

Panelists:

Carolyn Braff
Vice President of Sports & Entertainment, PepsiCo

Dr. Jessica Cohen
Director of Health and Human Performance, WNBA’s Chicago Sky

Candace Parker
Co-Chair of the Chicago All-Star 2026 Host Committee
7x WNBA All-Star, 3x WNBA Champion, 2x WNBA MVP, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist
Naismith and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer

Dr. Kimberly Stein
Senior Manager, Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI)

Description

Women have long been underrepresented in sports science research, with only about 6% of global studies focused exclusively on women. As a result, many athletes have lacked science-backed insights into hydration, fueling, recovery, and performance across different stages of life. But this is changing. This conversation will explore how women’s sports are driving a new era of athlete care, from hydration strategies to injury prevention and recovery to menstrual health, pregnancy, and long-term wellness. The panel will also highlight Gatorade’s Body of Science—a multi-year commitment to

advancing women’s hydration and nutrition research, built on decades of scientific hydration expertise. Featuring leaders across sport, science and business, the discussion will examine how investment in women-centered research can improve athlete performance and wellbeing while creating new opportunities for brand growth and impact across women’s sports. 

2:15 p.m. – 2:25 p.m. CT
Networking Break

2:25 p.m. – 3:05 p.m. CT
Panel V: The Next Ownership Wave: How Athletes Are Rewriting Who Gets to Own the Game (Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Private Bank) 

Moderator:
Debra Langford
Managing Director and Head of Black Wealth Strategies, J.P. Morgan Private Bank

Panelists:

Treana L. Allen
Co-Founder + Chief Legal Officer, CrestHaven Capital
Former Collegiate Basketball Player and Assistant Coach, Gonzaga University

Kendall Coyne Schofield
4x Olympic Medalist - 2 Gold & 2 Silver
2x PWHL Walter Cup Champion, 7x World Champion
Served as Captain of Team USA and PWHL Minnesota Frost

Deron Guidrey
CEO and Co-Founder, PlayersTV

Zach Miller
Executive Director, 23 Wall, J.P. Morgan Private Bank

Justine Siegal
Co-Founder and Commissioner, Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL)

Description

A new generation of athletes is stepping into ownership earlier, more intentionally, and with a fundamentally different expectation of access and influence. No longer waiting until retirement, today’s players are entering ownership while still shaping the game—bringing capital, culture, and a firsthand understanding of what the future of sports should look like. This conversation will explore the evolution from participation to power, and what it will take for athletes not just to invest in teams, but to meaningfully shape and ultimately control them. 

3:05 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. CT
The Future of Women’s Sports

Cari Champion
Host, Naked Sports with Cari Champion
Co-Host, Flagrant and Funny with Jemele Hill

Dawn Staley
Head Coach, Women's Basketball, University of South Carolina
6x Olympic Gold Medalist
Naismith Basketball and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer

3:30 pm CT 
Summit Concludes
Quick Wrap-Up
Jasmine Minor
3x Emmy Award-winning Journalist, ABC 7 Chicago 
Mistress of Ceremonies

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT
Networking Reception (Sponsored by Women Leaders in Sports)

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