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Excel Search & Advisory and Women Leaders in Sports Announce Partnership to Expand Leadership Opportunities for Women Across the Sports Industry
Excel Search & Advisory and Women Leaders in Sports Announce Partnership to Expand Leadership Opportunities for Women Across the Sports Industry
New York, NY | September 14, 2026
Excel Search & Advisory, a division of Excel Sports Management, and Women Leaders in Sports announced a new strategic partnership focused on investing in the professional growth, development and advancement of women leaders across sports.
Through the partnership, Excel Search & Advisory and Women Leaders in Sports will create opportunities for their respective communities to connect through programming, leadership development, professional networking and major events, including the Women Leaders’ Leaders Retreat and Excel’s 2027 Excellent Leadership HR Summit.
“At Excel Search & Advisory, we see firsthand the impact strong leadership has on organizations and the sports ecosystem as a whole,” said Chris Hoppe, Partner, Collegiate Practice.
Excel Search & Advisory is a market leader in executive search and leadership advisory dedicated to the sports, media, and entertainment industries. That expertise extends to its partnership with Women Leaders in Sports, which supports women across the sports landscape in building the skills, confidence, and connections that drive career growth and leadership success.
“Women Leaders in Sports is thrilled to partner with Excel Search & Advisory to bring our networks and expertise together to ensure exceptional women leaders are visible, considered and connected to leadership opportunities across the sports industry,” said Christina Turner, Chief Strategy and Operating Officer of Women Leaders in Sports.
Through the partnership, Excel Search & Advisory was the presenting sponsor for the Leaders Retreat Reception and Dinner, which took place on July 30, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona. Excel professionals will also attend and support Women Leaders in Sports’ National Convention programming from October 12-14, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. In turn, Women Leaders in Sports will serve as a partner for the 2027 Excellent Leadership HR Summit, taking place June 8–9, 2027, in Los Angeles, California.
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 6,700 members nationwide. Offering comprehensive programs and training, Women Leaders empowers female sports executives at all levels with its invaluable networking opportunities, career resources, and growth initiatives. Learn more about their mission at womenleadersinsports.org and follow on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About Excel Sports Management
Excel Sports Management is an industry-leading sports agency representing top-tier talent, blue-chip brands and marquee properties. Excel is a three-time winner of Sports Business Journal’s Best In Talent Representation and Management award and is consistently ranked as one of the most valuable sports agencies in the world by Forbes. The agency has offices in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Charlotte and London with additional employees operating across Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit excelsm.com.