Simmons’ School of Management (SOM) hosted a virtual panel entitled “The Women’s Sports Era” on March 22. Presented to prospective graduate students, the panel included four industry leaders in the business of women’s sports: Katie Arkins, vice president of head of programming strategy at Bleacher Report and Simmons Women’s Sports Management Advisory Board Member; Venessa Hutchinson, senior director of football coaches and executives at the Klutch Sports Group and Advisory Board Member; Taylor Teixeira, associate executive director of the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC); and Dina Gentile, EdD, distinguished professor of sports management and esports management at Endicott College. The panel was moderated by media executive and Professor of Practice Justine Pouravelis.
“We want to bring everyone together here because we are launching the first master’s program to focus on the business of women’s sports,” Pouravelis began. “For us to create this first cohort, we wanted to give some potential students the ability to understand what kind of careers they could be walking into, and what are the pathways of this space, because it is a new program.”
Starting in fall 2026, Simmons will be offering two new graduate programs. The master’s in management: business and leadership in women’s sports concentration provides a broader foundation in management, strategy, and leadership, alongside sports-focused coursework that prepares students for a long-term career in women’s sports. The graduate certificate in women’s sports business trains students in the areas of sports marketing, media, sponsorship, and leadership. (Credits from this program can be later applied to the MSM program). Enrollment for both programs will begin in fall 2026.
At the virtual panel, attendees learned about the professional journeys of the four panelists and had the opportunity to pose questions to them, as well as Pouravelis and Professor of Practice and Director of Graduate Programs and Certificates Christina Ramey.
New Opportunities in Women’s Sports Sphere
Pouravelis noted the recent increase in women’s sports leagues in the Boston area and beyond, which is ushering in professional pathways in marketing, finance, operations, and elsewhere. She invited panelists to comment on these new opportunities.
Responding from a sports agency standpoint, Hutchinson discussed the growth of the WNBA. “Expansion teams are coming, opportunities are becoming available, and they need the staff … And it’s lucrative for all.”
Teixeira observed the presence of accountants, attorneys, and other professionals within the women’s sports space. “You don’t have to be pigeon-holed to be in athletics, because there are so many avenues,” she said.
Gentile noted that marketing skills will be useful in entry-level positions. She also advised attendees to “be fans of every single sport,” since “opportunities show up across any sport.” Gentile expressed that “The sky’s the limit in terms of what you can do, because all of these emergent leagues are surfacing.”
Cultivating Key Skills
Interacting with attendees, the panelists responded to questions regarding the most critical skills for working in the business of women’s sports.
“I think communication is still the key,” Gentile said, noting that building interpersonal relationships and being able to listen are vital skills, and that it is imperative for young professionals to always “say yes” to new opportunities.
Hutchinson spoke about being able to converse with a wide variety of professionals, and Teixeira stressed the importance of being willing to take on a variety of roles early in one’s career. Pouravelis added that “being accountable … goes a long way.”
Finding One’s Voice
Another audience member asked about the challenges of rising to leadership roles within women’s sports (e.g., women coaches). While Gentile conceded that achieving gender equity in the sports industry is an ongoing process, “we have to embrace the [male] allies.” Expounding upon Gentile’s point, Hutchinson said, “The allyship is just huge for any progression of women coaching [and taking on more leadership roles.] … We are an allied business.”
One attendee asked the panelists about how they find their voice in a male-dominated field. Hutchinson reiterated the importance of finding allies, as well as observing individuals you admire and making connections with them.
Gentile highlighted a key strength of the Simmons graduate programs. “It’s so nice to have women teaching women, because it does give a different flavor, a different experience, and also it’s an empowering space when you’re instructed by people who have been there, and have done that and they can share their journey with you.”
As Pouravelis explained, “For this [MSM/certificate] program, we want to instill the skills so that folks can feel confident in every room, but also create a space where we are building each other up. And giving each other the voice to make mistakes, to learn, to ask questions, to feel comfortable … that’s what we want this space to be.”