Celebrating Women in Sports: How Female Entrepreneurs Are Leading The Way
Key Leader Luncheon Series
April 29th, 2026
11:00-1:00 PM
Gallery 366 within The Northrup King Building
1500 Jackson Street NE Minneapolis, MN 55413
Parking:
On-site free parking lot.
This moment in women’s sports is about more than cheering for your favorite teams, it’s about how we lead, who we partner with, and how we build systems that work for women in business to thrive.
Join The Circle Community for a strategic conversation that creates opportunities for women by highlighting entrepreneurs in the sports industry as they build their businesses and careers.
After a successful Key Leader Luncheon in 2025, The Circle Community is once again gathering entrepreneurs, executives, and allies who care about empowering women in leadership and paying it forward with their time, strategic connections, and resources.
Whether you’re shaping strategy inside an organization or showing up as a community leader, your voice and your investment matter more than ever.
Be one of the 25 key leaders that show up on April 29th!
Who Should Attend?
Corporate leaders, sponsors, and decision-makers
Executives and professionals in sports organizations
Women in leadership across industries
Athletes, coaches, and advocates
The Circle Community donors and supporters
Key Topics
How women in the sports industry are rewriting the business playbook and advancing opportunity across sectors.
How corporate and small business partnership can shape the future and create mutual impact.
How we can advance pay equity and greater visibility for female athletes at every stage of their career through promotions, NIL, and entrepreneurship.
How female leaders are joining forces on the eve of the 2026 Special Olympics in the Twin Cities.
Speaker Line Up
The Circle Community
Rachel Vassar & Lani BasaThe Circle Community is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that offers grants, scholarships, and education to women in business. Sister organization, The BWC was founded in 2009 to empower women with peer support groups, professional development, and a community of 200+ members in the Twin Cities. Learn how Lani and Rachel are empowering entrepreneurs and how you can join!
Jessica Poole
Founder & Owner, Jessica Poole COmmunications collectiveAs the founder of Jessica Poole Communications Collective, Jessica brings more than 15 years of experience in sports management and athletic communications to every client relationship. As one of the few woman-owned PR firms in the country, Jessica offers her expertise to a variety of clients in the sports industry and is paving the way for athletes turned entrepreneurs.
Dani Foxhoven Young
Founder & CEOArchive Agency is a premier women’s sports agency, founded by former professional athletes and industry leaders, not to meet the market for women, but to move it. Dani is a former pro soccer player turned CEO, building a career at the intersection of sports, business, and brand partnerships.
2026 Grantee Spotlight
Meet Kelsey Joson
During a summer job supporting students on accessible transportation, Kelsey began to wonder who was taking care of the disabled adult community after they graduate out of the school system?
This question sparked the vision of a business that would serve the adult community by educating them around the three pillars of wellness:
Physical Activity
Nutrition
Social/Emotional Development
We will hear from Kelsey about how she is leading in the areas of fitness and disability services as well as ways to support her business, InControl.
Sponsors
Venue Sponsor
Thank you to Jen Nash Kochevar of JNK Art Partners for hosting us at Gallery 366. Experience multi-dimensional works of art that amplify the power, beauty, and impact women create.
Photography Sponsor
Rachel Moscatelli offers a wide array of services through Linli Studio, check out her portfolio of: On-site Event Photography, Documentary-Style Shorts, Impact Photography, Interviews & Testimonials.
Want to sponsor this event? Contact: rachel@thecirclecommunitymn.org
Collaboration in Action
When Key Leaders Partner, We All Move Forward.
Attendees of the 2025 Key Leader Luncheon forged new partnerships and:
Received free promotion in a publication
Gained a new client
Was invited to host a workshop
Got jazzed up for their next job interview
Made a key connection within a target market
“I think all who attended enjoyed it, felt valued, had a chance to share their brilliance with each other and made new connections.”
—Lani Basa, Founder of The BWC & The Circle Community (TCC)
You are invited to do more for women in business with us!
Make your donation of any amount directly to The Circle Community,
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit: