Event is designed to help female turfgrass professionals empower their future and inspire peers
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has chosen 35 turfgrass professionals to be part of the 2026 Women’s Leadership Academy Nov. 10-12 at GCSAA headquarters in Lawrence, Kan.
Participants in the Women’s Leadership Academy will be guided along a path of discovery aimed at breaking down barriers and enhancing inner skills to maximize their impact as leaders. The event, which is in its fourth year, 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.
Opportunities to build a network of turfgrass professionals willing to support their growth as leaders in the industry will also be provided throughout the conference.
Women currently make up only a small percentage of the overall turfgrass industry professionals. By developing women leaders, inclusivity within the industry will grow through their actions and by the examples they set.
The 35 turfgrass professionals selected to be part of the 2026 WLA class are:
- Caroline Bailey, student, Brunswick Community College
- Ryliann Bednar, student athlete, Northern Kentucky University
- Ashley Binkle, golf course superintendent, Dundee Country Club – GolfNorth Properties
- Rylee Brown, graduate student, University of Arkansas
- Maureen Calvo Rosales, golf course superintendent, Reserva Conchal Golf Course
- Janis Colley, supervisor for executive golf maintenance, The Villages – Center Community Development District
- Katy Crook, general manager and superintendent, Mt. Massive Golf Course
- Gina DiMartino, student, North Carolina State University
- Shelby DuBois, cutting unit specialist, La Cumbre Country Club
- Arielle Gardner, superintendent, Shelter Island Country Club
- Amanda Gibson, field manager, Washington National
- Jaime Haddad, assistant general manager and director of sustainability, Martis Camp
- Caroline Hagler, student, University of Tennessee
- Brooke Heikkila, graduate research assistant, North Carolina State University
- Andrea Leonard, assistant superintendent, Piper’s Landing Yacht and Country Club
- Mary Maloney, chief of staff, Bloom Golf Partners
- Chava McKeel, director, government affairs, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
- Jennifer McLendon, senior manager of education & events, Sports Field Management Association and executive director, Rocky Mountain Regional Turfgrass Association
- Brandi Merrick, manager, green section education, United States Golf Association
- Marlee Moeder, landscape senior, University of Kansas
- Brigitte Ortiz-Jimenez, student, EUDE Business School
- Meredith Otero, owner, MET Marketing & Media
- Katie Piazza-Lesley, director of sales & marketing, Delta Bluegrass Company
- Brecken Price, director, agribusiness, The Andersons, Inc.
- Rosmery Quesada Capos, golf course assistant superintendent, Discovery Land Company, Zapotal Golf & Beach Club
- Christine Robinson, manager, human resources, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
- Alexis Rogers, manager of field operations, Sacramento River Cats
- Krystal Scidmore, director of campus operations, The National Sports Center
- Lucy Sellick, course manager, Raglan Golf Club
- Regina Sosing, founding partner & vice president of marketing, Links Bridges
- Marianne Stevens, academic program specialist, Pennsylvania State University
- Maria Lourdes Velasco, student, Michigan State University
- Jyoti Verma, Ph.D. student and graduate research assistant, Texas A&M University, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
- Madeleine White, member services & event coordinator, Ontario Golf Superintendents Association
- Bri Wilson, administrative coordinator, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
The event will feature a slate of inspirational speakers, including Passion Graham, CCM, and Lori LeBard, CCM. Graham has over three decades of leadership experience spanning private clubs, hospitality, education and organizational development and has dedicated her career to helping people discover what’s possible for themselves and for those they lead. LeBard brings more than two decades of hospitality and private club experience to her role as assistant general manager at Atlantic Fields Club in Hobe Sound, Fla., and she champions a culture-first approach to leadership centered on positivity, accountability, connection and developing people.
The Women’s Leadership Academy is hosted by GCSAA with the generous support of industry benefactors, which include The Toro Co. and Yamaha Golf Car, that support this event as Trailblazer benefactors, and PBI Gordon and Syngenta as Pathfinder benefactors. The event is endorsed by the Sports Field Management Association (SFMA).
To learn more about GCSAA’s Women’s Leadership Academy, visit gcsaa.org/wla.
About GCSAA
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to 20,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and improve communities through the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org or visit our industry-leading magazine at GCMonline.com.
The GCSAA Foundation is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to secure funding and support to strengthen advocacy, education, and research that advances the work of golf course management professionals. Visit the Foundation at www.gcsaa.org/foundation.
Media Contact:
Angela Hartmann
Director, Communications
800-472-7878, ext. 3647 or 785-393-1361 (cell)
ahartmann@gcsaa.org
