The 2019 Game Changers Conference was a one-day event that focused on the multiple ways in which women intersect with sports. A quintet of our very own WAF members attended the 7th annual Game Changers Conference on September 17, 2019, at the Marriott Marquis Times Square, New York City.

This event inspired our WAF members to focus on SP+’s organizational culture and ways to assist and support potential top talent while committing to mentoring those who want or need support. WAF member and Game Changer attendee, Pam Grossman, recounts her experience, “Seeing and hearing from strong women in leadership roles within the sports community was inspirational and motivating. [A key takeaway is] The importance of not just diversity, but inclusion. We need to not only “invite women to the party, but we need to invite them to dance.”

WAF Co-Chair and Director of Human Resources, Ellen Ashkenazi noted the parallels between the parking and sports industries both being greatly underrepresented by women in leadership roles. In addition, Ellen admired the success of keynote speaker Cynthia Marshall, “She is the CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, charged with creating culture change in relation to diversity and inclusion. She had a plan and executed on the plan in 100 days. Real change, real leadership!”