Discover how women athletes are turning their competitive edge into careers in sports product, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

You spent years inside sport — you know what gear fails at mile 20, what products were never designed for your body, and what gaps every teammate complained about. That lived experience isn’t a soft credential; it’s a competitive advantage.

This virtual panel is for the woman athlete wondering what comes next, and whether the sports product world has a seat at the table for her.

You'll walk away with:

• How to translate your athletic career into product-world language
• Where the real entry points are (brand roles, startups, advisory, founding)
• Why the women's sports market boom makes right now the best time to make the move
• Practical first steps to build credibility and community before you ever land the role

This event is a partnership between LaunchBreak, The Professional Networking & Career Platform for Women Athletes, and the UO Sports Product Management master's program.

Bios

Moderator

Shana Sumers - LaunchBreaker, Shana Sumers is a keynote speaker, relationship strategist, and former leader at HubSpot, where she launched and led Black@INBOUND, helping grow the community by more than 400%. She is the co-host of the Bad Queers podcast and specializes in helping professionals build meaningful relationships that drive career growth and business opportunities. Through her speaking and consulting work, Shana helps individuals and organizations develop strategic networks, create community, and unlock new opportunities through authentic connection. Shana played collegiate soccer and is currently a professional football player.

Panelists

Lisa Gilliland - For the past seven years at Title Nine, LaunchBreaker, Lisa Gilliland has focused on creating opportunities for women and girls to lead, take risks, and thrive. She leads initiatives that support women entrepreneurs, community partnerships, and nonprofit giving through the T9 Fund, helping drive both social impact and business growth. Known for her ability to connect people and build meaningful relationships, Lisa is passionate about advancing gender equity, strengthening communities, and creating programs that empower women in sports, business, and the outdoors. Lisa played collegiate softball at Occidental College.

Sarah Weihman - LaunchBreaker, Sara Weihman founded Paradis Sport, the only underwear brand on the market to fit-test their products with elite and professional women athletes. After 17 prototypes, 3 years in product development, and 37 athlete fit-testers, Paradis brings you the best underwear for active women! Sarah played field hockey and lacrosse at Dartmouth and holds a master's degree in architecture and landscape architecture from UVA. She lives in Lakeville, CT, with her husband and two sons, and is the founder and principal of her own design firm, Drake Design Studio, since 2006.

Maddie Haden - Maddie Haden brings a passion for footwear and product creation. For 10 years, she has focused on understanding consumer needs and transforming those insights into meaningful product experiences. She takes pride in connecting people with products that truly fit their lives. Maddie earned a master's degree in Sports Product Management from the University of Oregon. She has since built a diverse background across product creation at brands including OluKai, adidas, and now Nike Jordan, where she continues to grow her expertise.

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