“To be in a group dedicated to advancing women in sports has been inspiring and empowering, and the connections made and lessons learned have been invaluable to the advancement of my career.“

– Kelly O’Neill, Digital Product Management, Manager, NBA
WomenX HerSport Industry Pro Fellow (Cohort ’23)

“To be in a group dedicated to advancing women in sports has been inspiring and empowering, and the connections made and lessons learned have been invaluable to the advancement of my career.“

– Kelly O’Neill
Digital Product Management
Manager, NBA

A CURRICULUM DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR WOMEN PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES

HerSport Pro is a career and leadership fellowship designed exclusively for current and former professional women athletes. Whether you’re still competing or recently retired, this program helps you tap into your full potential off the field, court, or ice—without leaving your identity as an athlete behind.

Through a women-centered lens, you’ll take a deep dive into the business of sports, examining industry trends, power structures, and the evolving role of women in sports, media, and business. Along the way, you’ll build relationships with leaders and changemakers—and with a community of athletes who, like you, are ready to lead.

Many athletes who’ve joined the Fellowship while still playing say that learning has helped them approach their sport with new insight and advocacy, while also activating parts of themselves that had been put on hold. For those recently retired, it’s been a chance to reimagine their next chapter with purpose and power.

New this year, we’ve added a Career and Leadership Specialization—a three-course track designed to help you clarify your goals, build your brand, and take action. Whether you’re launching a venture, transitioning to a new field, or planning your next move within the sports world, HerSport Pro gives you the tools to make it happen.

You’ve already built discipline, resilience, and leadership on the field. Now, it’s time to leverage all of it—on your terms.

  • Her Business: Learn the business of sports (including, economics, power of data, and betting)

  • In fact, 94% of women who hold C-suite positions are former athletes and 80% of female Fortune 500 executives played competitive sports at one point in their lives (Forbes).
  • HerBrand: Explore branding strategies to amplify the female athlete and elevate the industry

  • Women’s sports sponsorships account for just 0.4% of all sports sponsorships (Forbes)

  • HerRights: Understand the legal tools at an athlete’s disposal in fighting for gender equity

  • USWNT and the US Soccer Federation settle equal pay lawsuit for $24 million (ESPN)

  • HerBody: Examine the biology of the female athlete to maximize performance
  • In addition to the underrepresentation of women in sports research, the percentage of female participants in sports science studies averages 30 to 40% of overall participants, with only 6% of studies investigating exclusively women. (Frontiers)

  • HerMedia: Dig into the role media plays in elevating the game

  • Women make up 40% of athletes but only received 4% of media coverage (Forbes)

HerSport Pro Fellowship

Professional athletes

Retired Professional athletes

  • START: Spring, Summer & Fall Cohorts

  • WHEN: Flexible schedule, set with the cohort

  • WHERE: Live virtual sessions & In-person meet ups

HerSport Industry Pro Fellows:

How we develop leaders :

EMPOWER THROUGH EDUCATION

Provide deep knowledge of the sports industry from various academic and professional lens

BUILD CONFIDENCE & PERSONAL BRAND

Create a safe space where women’s voices and contributions are centered in each discussion, encouraging knowledge sharing and the expansion of networks

GENDER EQUITY ACTIVISM IN WORK

Engage in practical application of knowledge with goal of advancing women in sports

Why should you join?

A FELLOWSHIP BUILD WITH AND FOR WOMEN ATHLETES

Learn alongside current and former professional women athletes through a curriculum designed to center women’s experiences, elevate women’s contributions, and address the realities of leadership in sports.

CAREER MAPPING FOR WHAT COMES NEXT

Clarify your post-athletic path through guided career mapping that helps you identify strengths, explore opportunities, and create a practical plan for your next chapter, whether within sports or beyond.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE NEXT STAGE OF YOUR CAREER

Develop the strategic, communication, and leadership skills needed to lead in the sports industry and beyond. Fellows receive guidance through office hours, one-on-one support, and group sessions designed to translate athletic experience into professional impact.

A NATIONAL NETWORK OF LEADERS AND TRAILBLAZERS

Connect with industry leaders, executives, and changemakers through the HerSport Pro Speaker Series, building relationships that support your career long after the Fellowship ends.

REAL-WORLD APPLICATION THROUGH A CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE

Apply what you’re learning immediately through a hands-on capstone. Fellows may engage in research, collaborate with a company or organization, or begin developing their own venture aligned with their goals.

“This Fellowship has been life changing for me in both my professional career and as a professional athlete. I have been able to utilize what I learned to advocate for myself as an athlete, especially a female athlete. My unique experiences combined with the knowledge and skills I’ve gained through this Fellowship has given me direction on how to be a leader in women’s sports.”

–Dr Andrea Cyr, Sports Medicine Physician, Professional Cyclist
WomenX HerSport Pro

“To be in a group dedicated to advancing women in sports has been inspiring and empowering, and the connections made and lessons learned have been invaluable to the advancement of my career.“

–Mikayla Coombs

WomenX HerSport Fellow (Cohort ’21)

Photo Credit: © 2023 University of Georgia Athletics

Photo Credit: © 2025 The Penultimate Stage

Frequently Asked Questions

This is a highly selective Fellowship and our cohort sizes depend on various factors. We typically strive for a diverse, intimate group of Fellows who can delve deep with us for the entire 20 week commitment.

There is no application fee. The cost of the Fellowship can be paid overtime. Scholarships are available on a need basis. For more information, please email us at [email protected].

We will accept and review applications on a rolling basis.

Any professional, retired athlete or college graduate. 

The Fellowship is designed to be flexible and to fit alongside participants’ academic, training, and professional commitments. Time expectations will vary by cohort and phase of the program and will be finalized once participants are selected.

In general, Fellows should plan for a manageable ongoing commitment that may include live or collaborative sessions, independent work, and optional engagement through the WomenX digital platform. Weekly office hours are available to provide guidance, flexibility, and support.

The Fellowship is intentionally designed around the needs of each selected cohort. Format and scheduling may include a mix of virtual sessions, collaborative work, independent learning, and, in some cases, a short in-person gathering or multi-day intensive.

Session timing is determined with the cohort and designed to accommodate academic schedules, training, travel, time zones, and professional responsibilities. WomenX works closely with each group to create a structure that is accessible, meaningful, and manageable.

If you have additional questions, there information on how to contact our team in the application form.

We look forward to meeting you.

Lessons from
Morgan Shaw Parker

 

President of the WNBA Atlanta Dream

HerSport Guest Speaker Series

Join WomenX for All to RSVP for WomenX Events

To Be Her, You Have to See Her.