Today kicked off the 2024 Department of State-espnW Global Sports Mentoring Program (GSMP), a public-private partnership between the Department and espnW that harnesses the positive power of sport and mentorship to engage international women in sport and American sports industry executives. Now in its 13th year, the Department and espnW have created a global network of women in sports to support efforts to expand access to education, economic equity, and societal opportunity and inclusion.
This year, the Global Sports Mentoring Program will pair American mentors with 15 emerging women leaders in the sports industries of Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Brazil, Croatia, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Mexico, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, and Zimbabwe. The American mentors are professionals from the U.S. sports industry, including the Big East Conference, Creative Artists Agency, Double Verify, ESPN, Monumental Sports and Entertainment, NFL Films and Green Bay Packers in coordination with the League office, the National Hockey League, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, New Balance, Saatchi & Saatchi, the University of Connecticut, the University of Louisville, and the United States Tennis Association.
The mentorship program focuses on professional development, networking, and capacity building. When the international delegates return to their home countries, they will create and implement action plans with ongoing collaboration from their American mentors. These action plans focus on key issues of importance, from professional development opportunities in the sports industry to grassroots engagement with underserved youth and marginalized populations.
With the inclusion of this year's class of women, the Global Sports Mentoring Program has now welcomed 177 women from 74 countries.
