The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) selected 40 turfgrass professionals to be part of the 2024 Women’s Leadership Academy (WLA) Nov. 12-14, 2024, at GCSAA headquarters in Lawrence, Kan.
Participants in the Women’s Leadership Academy will be guided along a path of discovery to break down barriers and enhance inner skills to maximize their impact as leaders. The event will feature education focused on key areas of self-discovery, understanding others, effective communication and inspiring others, all of which are key attributes of effective leaders.
Women currently make up only a small percentage of the overall turfgrass industry. By developing women leaders, inclusivity within the industry will grow through their actions and by the examples they set.
The 40 turfgrass professionals selected to be part of the 2024 WLA are:
- Grace Allen, student, University of California Riverside
- Zineb Alouani, student, Penn State University
- Pam Brown, superintendent, Vail Resorts Management Co.
- GraceMarie Chapin, executive director, Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents
- Georgia Clingerman, superintendent, Lane Creek Golf Club
- Morgan Creighton, assistant superintendent, Woodside Golf Club
- Sue Davis, landscape/grounds, Common Ground Golf Course
- Vanya Drasler, superintendent, Montclair Golf Club
- Natalia Eggebrecht, equipment manager, Polson Bay Golf Course
- Amanda Fontaine, superintendent, Ledges Golf Club
- Riley Forbes, golf course maintenance, Pinehurst No. 2
- Rene Geyer, CGCS, superintendent, Canterwood Golf & Country Club
- Amanda Gibson, student, Auburn University
- Cari Gillan, assistant superintendent, Bigwin Island Golf Club
- Lisa Guilfoyle, assistant superintendent, Oakville Golf Club
- Abby Head, superintendent, Ledges Golf Club
- Joselyn Kent, assistant superintendent, Duke University Golf Club
- Kayla Kipp, CTEM, equipment manager, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
- Shania Lancour, student, Madison Area Technical College
- Lauren Lasocha, superintendent, La Cumbre Country Club
- Jessica Lenihan, Desert Green Turf
- Elizabeth Nemtuda, assistant superintendent, Westbrook Country Club
- Nina Oldenkamp, vice president of operations, Odeys Field Experts
- Hannah Orr, superintendent, Shadow Ridge Country Club
- Kara Piergentili, assistant superintendent, Brattleboro Country Club
- Sunserrae Roesslein, sports turf field manager, JeffCo School District
- Madison Rudsinski, assistant superintendent, Paradise Valley Country Club
- Heather Schapals, superintendent, Seascape Golf Club
- Renee Schmaltz, assistant superintendent, Sturgeon Valley Golf & Country Club
- Jill Seymour, CGCS, superintendent, Charleston Springs Golf Course
- Sara Stricker, communications coordinator, Guelph Turfgrass Institute
- Marina Stueck, equipment manager, Regina, Saskatchewan
- McKenzie Thomas, student, Austin Peay State university
- Jennifer Torres, superintendent, Westlake Golf and Country Club
- Carol Turner, superintendent, Bigwin Island Golf Club
- Virginia Urbina, director of hospitality, Settlers Bay Golf Club
- Desdamona Vance, assistant superintendent, Cabot Links
- Charlene Williams, executive representative, Jim Beatty Golf Ventures
- Zoe Wojcieszak, student, Auburn University
- Jennifer Zidzik, horticulture manager, Saucon Valley Country Club
Suzy Whaley, PGA master professional and the first woman to serve as president of the PGA of America, will headline the event, sharing her experiences as a woman leader in the golf industry. Whaley continues to apply her expertise to create a more accessible, diverse and engaging space not only in golf but the entire sporting world.
In addition to educational sessions, the Women’s Leadership Academy will include networking opportunities.
“The inaugural Women’s Leadership Academy in 2023 was a resounding success, and we are proud to offer the next class of women in the turf industry the chance to sharpen their leadership skills, which they can use to improve their facilities, careers and communities,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “Being a part of the Women’s Leadership Academy not only helps them grow their own careers, but it also shows other women that the turf industry offers many opportunities for them.”
The Women’s Leadership Academy is hosted and paid for by GCSAA based on the generous support of industry benefactors, which include The Toro Company and Yamaha who support this event as Trailblazer benefactors; and Club Car, PBI Gordon, Simplot, Syngenta and Target Specialty Products as Pathfinder benefactors. The event is endorsed by the Sports Field Managers Association (SFMA).
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