Current
Speakers
Want to learn more about our speakers? Click on their picture to check out their bio!
Khalia Collier
Vice President & Chief of Staff of Basketball Operations for the Dallas Mavericks
Khalia Collier is a trailblazing sports executive and community leader, currently serving as Vice President and Chief of Staff of Basketball Operations for the Dallas Mavericks and owner of The St. Louis Surge, the first women’s professional basketball franchise in St. Louis. At just 23, she founded The Surge, leading the team to two national championships and redefining women’s sports through her leadership in the Global Women’s Basketball Association (GWBA). Previously, she was Vice President of Community Relations for St. Louis CITY SC, where she spearheaded initiatives focused on regional development and youth empowerment. A St. Louis native with a lifelong passion for basketball, Khalia has earned recognition such as induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, St. Louis Business Journal’s 30 Under 30 and 40 Under 40 awards, and Glamour’s Missouri Woman of the Year. She is also an active civic leader, philanthropist, and inspiring speaker committed to advancing women’s leadership and community impact.
Dave Poulin
Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Ottawa Senators
Dave Poulin is the Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Ottawa Senators.
Prior to this current role, Dave Poulin was a professional hockey player, best known for his career as a centre in the National Hockey League (NHL). After retiring from playing, he transitioned to roles in hockey management and media. Poulin served as Vice President, Hockey Operations for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2009 to 2014. In this position, Poulin was involved in overseeing team operations, player development, and scouting. Additionally, he worked at TSN as a hockey analyst on both television and radio. He is recognized for his insightful commentary on the game and remains an important voice in the Canadian sports community.
Conor Kenney
Vice President of Product & Technology for the Cleveland Cavaliers
Conor Kenney is a technology and product leader with over a decade of experience. As the Vice President of Product & Technology for the Cleveland Cavaliers, he is responsible for creating exceptional experiences for fans at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Part of Conor's expertise lies in personalization and digital identity. Through his strategic leadership, he has helped enable the organization to make data-driven decisions, resulting in higher engagement and deeper fan insights. Before shifting his career to sports business, Conor Kenney was a 6th grade teacher. Additionally, Mr. Kenney holds a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Educational Psychology.
Lauren McNally
Sr. Vice President of Human Resources for Comcast
Lauren McNally is currently the Sr. Vice President of Human Resources for Comcast Spectacor, leading vision, strategy and execution for all facets of Human Resources. Comcast Spectacor owns and operates the Philadelphia Flyers, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia Wings and the Flyers Training Center. McNally has worked with Comcast Spectacor for 18 years, in that time she has excelled through a series of HR roles with increasing responsibility. She is an experienced Human Resources professional with proven dexterity across Performance Management, Benefits, Talent Acquisition, Employee Engagement, Change Management, Organizational Development, Mergers and Acquisitions and Leadership. Lauren earned her B.A. in management and psychology from Gettysburg College and later received her MBA from Villanova University. She has also completed the Women in Leadership Program at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. In 2019 she was awarded the Gettysburg College Young Alumni Award for Career Development.
Ron Goldenberg
Vice-President of International Marketing & Innovation for BSE Global
Ron Goldenberg is the Vice-President of International Marketing & Innovation at BSE Global (parent company of Barclays Center, The Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty) where he is responsible for the company’s international efforts. Prior to joining BSE, Ron worked at the NBA in corporate sponsorship and marketing, most recently leading the NBA’s marketing business in Canada. He received his Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University.
Marie-Renée Boisclair
Vice-President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Tennis Canada
Marie-Renée Boisclair joined Tennis Canada in July 2022 as Vice-President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer. A financial professional first and foremost and a results-driven leader, she has over 20 years’ experience in several activity sectors, including e-commerce and logistics, the legal field and telecommunications. In addition to receiving a CPA designation, she earned an MBA and Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Paul Bee
Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service for Milwaukee Bucks Inc
Paul Bee is the current Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service at Milwaukee Bucks Inc. Prior to this, Paul worked for the Detroit Red Wings, holding various roles including Director of Ticket Sales and Inside Sales Manager. Paul also taught as an Adjunct Professor at Aquinas College and Wayne State University, focusing on sales, marketing, and financial management in the sports business industry. With experience at the Cleveland Cavaliers as well, Paul has a strong background in sales and business administration. Finally, he currently serves on the board for the Neighbor Next Door Foundation.
Tom Burakin
Vice President of Marketing for FanDuel
Tom Burdakin is the Vice President of Marketing at FanDuel Canada. He has held this position since July 2024, and leads a team responsible for tackling new challenges in this growing category, with a focus on responsible gaming and sports innovation. Prior to his current role, Burdakin served as the Sr. Director, Multi-Product Strategy at FanDuel, based in Los Angeles, after being promoted from Director, Sportsbook Commercial Marketing. He obtained his MBA in Tech Marketing from the UCLA Anderson school of Management, where he was also selected as an Easton Technology Fellow.
Jason Hillman
Vice President of Basketball Operations and Team Counsel for Cleveland Cavaliers
Jason Hillman is the Vice President of Basketball Operations and Team Counsel for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Hillman’s responsibilities consist of drafting the player and staff contracts in compliance with the National Basketball Association’s rules; assisting in short & long-term roster strategy; and contract negotiation strategy. Before joining the Cleveland basketball team’s business side in 2005, Mr. Hillman practiced law. His career in the legal profession laid the foundation for his transition to the sports industry, where he has been able to apply his legal expertise in the fast-paced world of professional basketball.
ANITA MARTIN
VP Human Resources and DE&I for the Houston Texans
Anita Martin is a HR leader with over 25 years of progressive experience in industries such as oil & gas, information technology, retail, and sports & entertainment. Currently, she serves as the VP Human Resources and DE&I for the Houston Texans and serves on the executive leadership team. Anita earned her MS in Human Resources Management from Houston Baptist University and holds the professional certification SHRM-SCP and is a certified DEI leader. Anita is a member of SHRM, HR Houston, and WISE; currently serving on the Board of Directors for HR Houston. She was recently named as a 2024 Houston Business Journal Women Who Mean Business honoree.
Abitzel Robinson-Hobson
Chief Financial Officer for the Association of Tennis Professionals
Abitzel (Abbi) Robinson-Hobson is the Chief Financial Officer for the Association of Tennis Professionals. Abbi leads with over 25 years of experience in strategy, financial management, and business operations within diverse sectors including sports, film, television, financial services, venture capital, start-ups, and not-for-profits. Abbi held leadership finance and operations roles at the National Basketball Association (NBA), American Express, Getting Out and Staying Out (GOSO), Rock The Bells, and early on at 40 Acres and a Mule with Filmmaker Spike Lee. Early in her career, Abbi also held accounting and auditing roles at global firms PricewaterhouseCoopers and EisnerAmper where she provided professional services for Fortune 100 companies Viacom, Inter Public Group, and General Electric. Abbi is also the founder of Everly Business Solutions Group, LLC., a consulting and advisory practice.
Nigel Wheeler
Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the Carolina Hurricanes
Nigel Wheeler is the Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey league. Nigel has been serving in this position for 5 years, overseeing all legal affairs including legal compliance, risk management, and contract negotiations. Prior to his legal career, Nigel was a broadcast journalist and later toured the country with his reggae-rock band before enrolling in law school. Nigel received his Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Mass Communication from UC Berkeley, and received his JD from Washington and Lee University School of Law.
Patrick Hum
Director of Sales & Marketing for the Laval Rocket
Patrick Hum is the Director of Sales & Marketing for the Laval Rocket. He has worked for the Laval Rocket for over 7 years, starting as a Corporate Account Executive in 2017 and moving up the ranks ever since. Prior to joining the organization, Hum worked as a Corporate Account Manager, Business Development for the Montreal Alouettes. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University, John Molson School of Business.
John Barnett
Director of Scouting Administration and Assistant to the General Manager for the Las Vegas Raiders
John Barnett is Director of Scouting Administration and Assistant to the General Manager for the Las Vegas Raiders after 11 seasons in administration at the collegiate level. He spent the previous six seasons as Director of Football Operations, with stints at Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss, and Eastern Kentucky University. His responsibilities included overseeing all day-to-day operations of the football program, coordinating team travel logistics, and serving as a liaison with campus departments and the community. Prior to working at the collegiate level, he served as an assistant football coach at Blacksburg (Va.) High School and Camden (N.J.) Catholic High School, his alma mater. Barnett holds a bachelor's degree in human development from Virginia Tech and a master's degree in sport management from Southern Miss.
Adrienne Scherenze
VP of Community Engagement & Executive Director of the Chicago Bulls
Adrienne Scherenzel-Curry serves as VP of Community Engagement & Executive Director of the Chicago Bulls where she oversees community relations and philanthropic outreach. She ensures the Bulls’ community partnerships focused on youth health and wellness, youth development and violence prevention are creating a sustainable impact in the Chicagoland area. Prior to joining the Bulls, Scherenzel worked as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Program Officer for After School Matters (ASM), the largest after-school provider for teens in the country. Prior to ASM, Scherenzel held multiple leadership positions in support of public education reform and innovation including positions at Chicago Public Schools, the third largest school district in the nation. She holds a Bachelors in Psychology from Syracuse University and a Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.
