From Service & Sport to the C-Suite:
Women Leaders in Transition
Women Business Collaborative invites you to an exclusive panel reception bringing together women athletes and women veterans as they transition into the next chapter of their leadership journeys—business, entrepreneurship, and corporate leadership.
Women athletes and veterans possess extraordinary leadership capabilities: discipline, resilience, strategic decision-making, and the ability to perform under pressure. Yet, too often, these skills are undervalued or misunderstood in traditional hiring and advancement pathways. WBC is working to change that.
Through initiatives such as the Athlete Business Academy and Women Veterans Lead, WBC is building structured pathways that translate high-performance experience into business leadership—connecting women to coaching, career opportunities, and corporate networks that accelerate their success.
This event will showcase the leadership stories of women athletes and veterans, highlight the business case for investing in these talent pipelines, and provide opportunities for companies and partners to engage directly in building the next generation of leaders.
Join us to learn how investing in these leaders strengthens organizations, expands talent pipelines, and drives a more inclusive and high-performing economy.
March 9th, 2026 | 12:30–2:00 ET
Paul Hastings, 2050 M St, NW
Washington DC
Speakers
- Lori Reynolds, Chief Executive Officer, LEReynolds Group
- Sally Roberts, Co-Founder and CEO, Wrestle Like A Girl; Board Member, Hire Heroes USA
- Melissa Dawn Simkins, CEO, Velvet Suite and Founder, Athleadership
- Dr. Linda Singh, CEO and President, Kaleidoscope Effect
- Marycate Walsh, Vice President, External Affairs, Monumental Sports and Entertainment
- Moderator: Porche D. Grant, Major Account Executive-HOA, Republic Services; Chair, Sponsorship and Partnership Committee, WISE DC
“When we invest in women who have already led under pressure, we unlock extraordinary leadership for business.”