WISE TC Power Play with Special Olympics USA
Date: Monday, March 24th, 2025
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: University of Minnesota
Join WISE Twin Cities and Special Olympics USA on Monday, March 24th at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Campus. Program will include a panel composed of the Special Olympics USA Games planning committee who will provide unique insights on the planning process for the upcoming games and how you can get involved!
The Games are scheduled to take place from June 20-26, 2026, at the prestigious University of Minnesota, the official host venue. In addition to the university, the event will unfold across other premier locations, including the National Sports Center in Blaine. This event will bring together 3,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and 75,000 fans from all 50 states.
This WISE Power Play panel event is a national WISE Signature Program, hosted in March in celebration of Women’s History Month. The series brings together executive-level female sports business leaders for a panel discussion surrounding the industry and career journeys. WISE Twin Cities continues to host this program annually, with past panels featuring the 2019 NCAA Men’s Final Four LOC, the X Games, the Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Vikings, the Minnesota Timberwolves & Lynx, Version1, Bally Sports North, and Minnesota United FC.
Timeline:
- 5:30 PM - Check in and networking
- 6:00 PM - Panel Begins
- 7:00 PM - Panel Ends, networking continues
- 7:30 PM - Event ends
Featured Moderator and Panelists:
Amanda Brinkman - Moderator
Amanda Brinkman is a sought-after speaker and storyteller, known for her fresh perspective on purpose and her ability to bring heart and humor to any stage. As a corporate leader, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and marketing innovator, Amanda has captivated audiences worldwide with her unique approach to blending purpose and business.
Her career began in marketing, where Amanda quickly rose to prominence by helping major brands connect with consumers in ways that matter. She then took her talents to the screen, where she hosted and produced “Small Business Revolution,” an Emmy-nominated series on HULU that highlighted the resilience and spirit of small business owners across America. Through this, Amanda built a reputation not just as a speaker, but as a storyteller who brings real-life inspiration to audiences everywhere.
With a message that resonates across industries and audiences, Amanda is a guiding voice for those ready to build lives—and businesses—that are both purposeful and powerfully impactful.
Amie Dugan
Senior VP, Organizational Development, Special Olympics North America
An accomplished, engaging, and versatile nonprofit leader, consultant, and sought-after speaker, Amie Dugan has 30 years of nonprofit experience, ranging from the grassroots to international levels of the sector. Amie serves as Senior Vice President, Special Olympics North America, leading the Organizational Development team that provides guidance and oversight to all 85 SONA Programs (comprised of United States, Canada, Caribbean), from ensuring compliance to facilitating the operational and programmatic advancement and excellence of all Programs to further the mission and impact of Special Olympics.
Amie has experience ranging from the grassroots to global levels of the Special Olympics movement, an international organization that advances some of her greatest passions: inclusion, social equity, and the transformative power of sport.
Amie began as a Special Olympics volunteer in 1994 and was inducted into the Special Olympics Florida Hall of Fame in 2011. Prior to Special Olympics, she worked for the Walt Disney World Company and the Juilliard School of Music. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Rollins College and holds a MMBA as well as a certificate in nonprofit management, multiple leadership institute program certificates, and has designed and led numerous Leadership Academies.
Amie currently serves on the Boards of Directors member of WISE (Women in Sports and Events) – where she also serves as a WISE Within mentor; and is a member of the Greater Orlando Organizational Development Network.
Molly Gallatin
VP, Communications, 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
Molly Gallatin has worked in sports communications and PR for nearly 20 years leading content, brand, and communication strategies and working with media all over the world in baseball, golf and now Special Olympics.
Molly is currently the VP of Communications for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games where she leads the communications, content, and PR efforts. Prior to joining the USA Games, she spent 10 years in the golf industry with both the PGA of America and the LPGA. At the PGA she led brand, marketing, and communications efforts for all member consumer efforts before shifting to the inclusion and culture team with a focus on DEI storytelling and leadership development. While with the LPGA she led PR and communications efforts with a focus on developing an international PR plan and increasing awareness of the players and corporate partnership opportunities.
Molly began her career with the Minnesota Twins in their baseball communications department and spent 10 years in MLB in a variety of communication roles. She's been a part of planning, designing, and opening two world class facilities in Target Field (2010) and PGA Frisco (2022). Molly, her wife and son are back in Minnesota after 10 years in Florida and Texas and are happy to enjoy the four seasons once again.
Mary Horwath
CMO, 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
Mary Horwath's innovative sports pedigree is truly unmatched. It spans over 35 years and has touched as many as 30 different sports—from national teams and major events to popular sporting goods brands. A true sports pioneer, she has led an impressive career that has often taken the "road less traveled" with a proven track record for building new sports. She was a key figure in the establishment of free skiing's acceptance as a Winter Olympic sport and was the first woman to be named Director of the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team. Her most career-defining achievement was her leadership in developing inline skating which won her acclaim as an AD AGE Top 100 Marketer. She originated Rollerblade's guerilla marketing efforts and coined the phrase in-line skating, taking the company from its humble training-product beginnings to a global sports phenomenon in the 90s.
As Chief Marketing Officer of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, Mary feels privileged to apply her decades of sports marketing skills to support the inspiring abilities of Special Olympics athletes at what will be the largest sports and humanitarian event in the United States in 2026.
Amy Murray
SVP, Special Events, 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
Amy Murray is the Senior Vice President of Special Events for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Amy has over 25+ years of experience as an event producer and will design and develop all non-sport USA Games events, including the Opening Ceremony, Fan Zone, and many others during an action-packed Games week, kicking off June 20, 2026. With a passion for amplifying inclusion and celebrating diversity, Amy is dedicated to creating unforgettable moments that unite communities and showcase the extraordinary abilities of every individual involved. This unique role allows her to merge her expertise in large-scale event production with a mission that aligns deeply with her values.
Amy has built an impressive career orchestrating immersive and memorable brand experiences for world-renowned clients such as Nike, the NFL, and the Olympics. Her background in marketing, creative direction, and innovative media solutions has made her a trusted leader known for building world-class teams and delivering impactful results. Throughout her career, Amy has championed diversity and inclusion as essential pillars of her work, believing in their transformative power to bring people together and spark meaningful change.
Parking, Directions, Entry:
Parking is available in the lots surrounding Huntington Bank Stadium. The Gopher Lot will be the closest parking option, the Maroon Lot and the Victory Lot will also be available. Parking rate of $1/hour will apply for all lots. See map below for locations.
Once parked, make your way to the John & Nancy Lindahl Premium Entrance located on the southwest corner of the stadium. See map below for reference. Once inside, take the escalators on your right hand side up into the Club Cambria event space.
Registration:
To RSVP for this event, make sure to login using your WISE member login. Non-members please login as a guest to register or sign up for a membership. This event is complementary for all to attend. Contact WISE Twin Cities with any questions at info@wisetwincities.org.