REWATCH THE espnW: WOMEN + SPORTS SUMMIT
All of our Summit conversations are available on-demand here.
The espnW: Women + Sports Summit took place October 28-30 at the Ojai Valley Inn. The 16th annual Summit gathered together a world-class group of leaders across sports, business, and entertainment for an inspiring and action-packed two days in a breathtaking setting.
2025 SPEAKERS
2026 SUMMIT AGENDA
Print Agenda: 
2:00 PM
W Summit Opening and Welcome
with Sage Steele, Sarah Spain, and Laura Gentile. Athletes Unlimited Exclusive League Announcement
2:15 PM
Women in Leadership: Investing in Women's Sports
Kate Johnson / Head of Global Sports & Entertainment Marketing, Google, Monica Rustgi-Mody / Vice President, Marketing, Budweiser and Shiz Suzuki / Assistant Vice President, Sponsorships and Experiential Marketing, AT&T with Sage Steele
2:50 PM
World-Class Athlete Conversation
Kate Johnson / Head of Global Sports & Entertainment Marketing, Google, Monica Rustgi-Mody / Vice President, Marketing, Budweiser and Shiz Suzuki / Assistant Vice President, Sponsorships and Experiential Marketing, AT&T with Sage Steele
3:30 PM
Break
3:35 PM
Mental Health in Sports
Introduction with Alison Overholt / Senior Vice President, Multiplatform Storytelling & Journalism, ESPN DeMar DeRozan / NBA All-Star & Olympic gold medalist, Gracie Gold / Professional figure skater & Olympic medalist, and Molly Seidel / Professional distance runner & NCAA Champion with Sarah Spain
4:15 PM
League Leadership and Creating a Player-first League
Introduction with Carol Stiff / Vice President, Women's Sports Programming, ESPN Cathy Engelbert / WNBA Commissioner with LaChina Robinson
4:45 PM
She Persisted in Sports
Featuring Chelsea Clinton / Author, "She Persisted in Sports" with Julie Foudy
5:15 PM
Summit Top Five presented by Toyota
Key take-aways from Day 1, with Sage Steele and Sarah Spain
5:25 PM
Summit Sweat Session presented by Gatorade
with Gunnar Peterson / Professional Trainer and Director of Strength and Endurance, LA Lakers
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28
2:00 PM
W Summit Opening and Welcome
with Sage Steele, Sarah Spain, and Laura Gentile. Athletes Unlimited Exclusive League Announcement
2:15 PM
Women in Leadership: Investing in Women's Sports
Kate Johnson / Head of Global Sports & Entertainment Marketing, Google, Monica Rustgi-Mody / Vice President, Marketing, Budweiser and Shiz Suzuki / Assistant Vice President, Sponsorships and Experiential Marketing, AT&T with Sage Steele
2:50 PM
World-Class Athlete Conversation
Kate Johnson / Head of Global Sports & Entertainment Marketing, Google, Monica Rustgi-Mody / Vice President, Marketing, Budweiser and Shiz Suzuki / Assistant Vice President, Sponsorships and Experiential Marketing, AT&T with Sage Steele
3:30 PM
Break
3:35 PM
Mental Health in Sports
Introduction with Alison Overholt / Senior Vice President, Multiplatform Storytelling & Journalism, ESPN DeMar DeRozan / NBA All-Star & Olympic gold medalist, Gracie Gold / Professional figure skater & Olympic medalist, and Molly Seidel / Professional distance runner & NCAA Champion with Sarah Spain
4:15 PM
League Leadership and Creating a Player-first League
Introduction with Carol Stiff / Vice President, Women's Sports Programming, ESPN Cathy Engelbert / WNBA Commissioner with LaChina Robinson
4:45 PM
She Persisted in Sports
Featuring Chelsea Clinton / Author, "She Persisted in Sports" with Julie Foudy
5:15 PM
Summit Top Five presented by Toyota
Key take-aways from Day 1, with Sage Steele and Sarah Spain
5:25 PM
Summit Sweat Session presented by Gatorade
with Gunnar Peterson / Professional Trainer and Director of Strength and Endurance, LA Lakers
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29
7:00 AM
Pranga Yoga Flow
Connect to the deep rhythm of your breath as we move through powerful yoga poses, all guided by the beat of your heart. We will finish with deep stretches to open all connective tissues throughout the body.
Shangri-La Pavilion
7:00 AM
Artist Cottage
Awaken your creativity at the Ojai Valley Inn's haven for self-discovery and expression. The Artist Cottage and Apothecary provides a unique opportunity to connect with each other while creating one-of-a-kind art pieces. Guests will be given the opportunity to make one of the following 3 items: an Acrylic painting (canvas, pottery, or mandala stone), a signature scented candle, and an Apothecary creation (essential oil blended salt scrubs, sugar polish, or rollerball perfume).
Artist Cottage
7:00 AM
Run
Awaken your entire body and feed your social spirit with a perfect morning run. You will be guided through a beautiful loop through the Ojai Valley Inn at a no-pressure pace with plenty of opportunity to stretch your legs. A fun and dynamic cool down will focus on keeping you feeling good, long after the run.
Shuttle Stop 2 / Discover Ojai
7:00 AM
Hike
TIMING: 6:30AM for 6:45AM departureEnjoy an out-and-back, low intensity, walk on a popular Ojai hiking trail. This moderate hike, with gradual ups and downs, offers great views of the Ojai Valley, local orchards, and the Topa Topa Mountains.
Meet at Valet * Transportation is provided
7:00 AM
I would prefer not to participate in Wednesday morning activities
2:00 PM
W Summit Opening and Welcome
with Sage Steele, Sarah Spain, and Laura Gentile. Athletes Unlimited Exclusive League Announcement
2:15 PM
Women in Leadership: Investing in Women's Sports
Kate Johnson / Head of Global Sports & Entertainment Marketing, Google, Monica Rustgi-Mody / Vice President, Marketing, Budweiser and Shiz Suzuki / Assistant Vice President, Sponsorships and Experiential Marketing, AT&T with Sage Steele
3:30 PM
Break
3:35 PM
Mental Health in Sports
Introduction with Alison Overholt / Senior Vice President, Multiplatform Storytelling & Journalism, ESPN DeMar DeRozan / NBA All-Star & Olympic gold medalist, Gracie Gold / Professional figure skater & Olympic medalist, and Molly Seidel / Professional distance runner & NCAA Champion with Sarah Spain
3:45 PM
Kickball
Harken back to the glory days of recess and join us for some kickball action for all levels! The perfect mix of fun, socializing and competition, ice cold adult beverages will be served.
Orchard Lawn
3:45 PM
Refuel by the Pool
Network with other espnW Summit attendees & ESPN Talent at the Pixie Pool set amongst vine-covered pergolas and estate citrus trees. Iced tea/coffee and other refreshments will be served as you make new connections.
Pixie Pool
3:45 PM
Artist Cottage
Awaken your creativity at the Ojai Valley Inn's haven for self-discovery and expression. The Artist Cottage and Apothecary provides a unique opportunity to connect with each other while creating one-of-a-kind art pieces. Guests will be given the opportunity to make one of the following 3 items; an Acrylic painting (canvas, pottery, or mandala stone), a signature scented candle, and an Apothecary creation (essential oil blended salt scrubs, sugar polish, or rollerball perfume).
Artist Cottage
3:45 PM
Pickleball
The Pickleball clinic includes ground strokes (forehand and backhand), volleys and serve warmups before the Round Robin. The Round Robin format uses quick rotations of four games per round. Players are mixed randomly into teams with other attendees and compete against each other in a friendly pickleball doubles match. *Please make sure you wear the appropriate footwear. Court Shoes are required as cross runners, running shoes and black sole shoes are not permitted.
Pickleball courts
3:45 PM
I would prefer not to participate in Wednesday afternoon activities
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30
7:00 AM
Power Yoga Flow
Shangri-La Pavilion
7:00 AM
Run
Awaken your entire body and feed your social spirit with a perfect morning run. You will be guided through a beautiful loop through the Ojai Valley Inn at a no-pressure pace with plenty of opportunity to stretch your legs. A fun and dynamic cool down will focus on keeping you feeling good, long after the run.
Shuttle Stop 2 / Discover Ojai
7:00 AM
Hike
TIMING: 6:30AM for 6:45AM departureEnjoy an out-and-back, low intensity, walk on a popular Ojai hiking trail. This moderate hike, with gradual ups and downs, offers great views of the Ojai Valley, local orchards, and the Topa Topa Mountains.
Meet at Valet *Transportation is provided
7:00 AM
I would prefer not to participate in Thursday morning activities
2:00 PM
W Summit Opening and Welcome
with Sage Steele, Sarah Spain, and Laura Gentile. Athletes Unlimited Exclusive League Announcement
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS