ANDREA GRAHAM

Co-Executive Dir, BigTen Basketball Championships
Minnesota Sports & Events

Andrea is a Minneapolis-based brand experience consultant currently acting as the Co-Executive Director of the Big Ten Basketball Championships coming to Minneapolis in 2023 and 2024. She originally partnered with Minnesota Sports and Events as a member of the Minnesota Local Organizing Committee responsible for bringing the 2022 NCAA Women’s Final Four Championship Tournament to Minneapolis. For this project she was responsible for the VIP hospitality events programming, oversaw the partner advisory council, managed local DE&I priorities, and served as the Title IX Program Director for the Title IX 50th Anniversary campaign. With a passion for community building and a need to create work that positively impacts the world around us Andrea has also been lucky to have worked with the teams at Minnesota Festival and Events Association, Twin Cities Catalyst Music, St. Paul Downtown Alliance, Towerside Business Alliance, the Basilica Block Party Planning Committee, Rock What You Got, Surly Brewing Co, and American Public Media Group. Andrea is also a co-founder of the Great Lakes Association of Musicians and Artists, a membership-based non-profit committed to supporting the contribution of independent artists and musicians in our community by providing the social, mental, and physical support resources that allow them to continue to create a kinder, more beautiful world.

Carley Knox

President of Business Operations
Minnesota Lynx

Carley Knox is entering her 15th season with the Minnesota Lynx and her 20th in the WNBA. In February 2021, Knox was named Lynx President of Business Operations. Knox oversees the day-to-day business operations of the Lynx, including ticket sales and service, logistics, business development with the Lynx President’s Circle and corporate partnerships, budget management, diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, season scheduling, and is the primary liaison between the team and the WNBA on league-wide business, COO, and marketing initiatives.

Knox’s passion and commitment to women’s athletics and the Minnesota Lynx is fueled by her belief and desire to use sport as a vehicle of change in the community, to help support gender equality and social justice, and to celebrate diversity. During her tenure, Knox created one of the most exclusive and innovative programs in professional sports, the Minnesota Lynx President’s Circle. The first of its kind in the WNBA, this elite club offers members unparalleled access to one of the greatest dynasties in the history of sports, as well as a unique opportunity to give back to the community, promote a nonprofit they are passionate about, and help make the world a better place. Since its inception in 2016, the President’s Circle has more than quadrupled its membership, reached over 65 non-profit organizations, and touched the lives of over 5,000 underserved youth.

Originally hired by the Minnesota Lynx in January 2010 as the Business Development Manager, Knox’s primary focus included corporate partnerships and ticket sales. During her tenure with the Lynx, Knox has also held the roles of Lynx Director of Business Operations and Lynx Vice President of Business Operations. Prior to coming to Minnesota, she spent 5 years with the WNBA’s Detroit Shock where she was the Director of Sales and Marketing.

Knox attended Ohio University where she earned degrees in both Sports Administration and Women’s Studies. During her time as a Bobcat, she was a member of the Women’s NCAA Division I Soccer team that went on to win the Mid-American Conference Championship in 1998. After graduating, Knox went on to coach women’s soccer at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York, where she began her master's in psychology. Upon returning to Ohio, she accepted a position with an LPGA tournament, The Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic, where she worked in operations, marketing, and sales. In the fall of 2002, Knox went on to pursue a graduate assistantship at Bowling Green State University, where she obtained her master’s degree in Sports Administration and Women’s Studies.

Knox currently serves on the Executive Committee, Chair of the Development Committee and on the Board for the Ann Bancroft Foundation. She was recently named the Grand Marshal for Twin Cities PRIDE 2024, an honor bestowed upon an individual who has shown a tireless commitment to amplifying the voices, and elevating lives of members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Knox served on the 2022 NCAA Women’s Final Four Local Advisory Council and is currently a member of Chief. Knox also coaches her son's soccer and basketball teams. Knox, her wife, and their son Oliver currently reside in Minneapolis, Minn.

Laura Brown

Owner
Minnesota Vixen

From player to owner, Laura's journey with the Minnesota Vixen embodies her lifelong passion for football and dedication to advancing women's sports. Since taking the helm in 2014, Laura's leadership has propelled the Vixen to unprecedented heights within the Women's Football Alliance (WFA). Under her guidance, the team has tripled its roster size, acquired television broadcasting, broke attendance records, and clinched multiple division and conference titles. Notably, under her direction, the Vixen have made appearances in four national championship games, solidifying their status as a powerhouse in women's tackle football.

Being able to positively impact one of the founding teams of modern women’s tackle football is the utmost gratifying aspect of her role and her paramount objective. She believes the sports environment, football in particular, has a strong team component that permeates through a common goal, creating a powerful setting that can be one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have.  She is proud to be part of a sports league that is for women and run by women.

In addition to operating the Vixen, Laura serves on the Women’s Football Alliance Board, co-founded the Minnesota Minx, and coaches WFA International. 

Laura holds a Baccalaureate in Biochemistry and a Doctorate in Pharmacy, reflecting her diverse skill set and passion for excellence in all endeavors. Outside of her commitments with the Vixen, she finds fulfillment in her role as a clinical emergency room pharmacist and cherishes spending time with her husband, James.

Natalie Darwitz

General Manager
PWHL Minnesota

Natalie Rose Darwitz is an American ice hockey executive and retired player, currently serving as general manager of PWHL Minnesota in the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

Darwitz’ collegiate career began with the University of Minnesota where she had a hand in achieving two national championships. She was a member of the U.S. National Ice Hockey Team for more than a decade and served as team captain for several seasons, beginning with the 2007–08 season. Her decorated playing career was highlighted by three world championship gold medals, two Olympic silver medals, and an Olympic bronze medal. In 2018 she was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, following that in 2024 she was inducted into the IIHF Hockey Hall of Fame.

Jessica Poole

Chief Operating Officer
Minnesota Aurora FC

Jessica Poole has been an industry leader in athletics for over 20 years. She believes that sports can change the world and has enjoyed seeing the opportunities created and lives changed when people have the opportunity to participate in sports. While the bulk of her career has been spent in a college setting, Poole has spent time working in professional tennis and the opportunity with Minnesota Aurora FC provides her an opportunity to return to her first sport of soccer. 

“The mission and vision of Minnesota Aurora FC is unique and rare in today’s athletic landscape and culture. The idea that we are able to center all that we do around values steeped in community, equality and boldness is a game changer for our organization. I am grateful to have a front row seat for all that we will accomplish now and in the future.” 

Prior to taking on her role at Minnesota Aurora, Poole served as the Deputy Athletic Director at Chicago State University and also served as Interim Director of Athletics. Poole provided leadership, vision, strategy, direction and management over professional and support staff with oversight of business operations, human resources, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), facilities, events, campus engagement, and capital engagement.  Poole also led in the oversight and management of policy development and strategic planning.  

Poole also served as Senior Associate AD for External Operations at Florida Atlantic University where she oversaw FAU's communications, marketing and corporate sponsorship areas while serving as a member of the athletics leadership team. 

A communications specialist by nature, Poole served in athletic communications capacities in athletic departments in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) at Vanderbilt and Ole Miss, in the Big Ten at Michigan and also in the Ivy League at Dartmouth College. 

When not out and about representing Aurora, Poole is active on the Board of College Sports Communicators (CSC), where she recently completed service as Board Chair and was the first Black woman to hold the position. She is also a member of the Black College Sports Information Directors and serves as a member of the executive team while also serving on the NCAA's Women's Basketball Final Four Media Coordination Committee.

She is also mom to her son William and enjoys spending time with friends and family. As an Ann Arbor, Michigan native, you can also always catch her cheering on her beloved Michigan Wolverines. 

•   Bachelors of Journalism. University of Missouri-Columbia

•   Women Leaders in College Sports Institute of Administrative Advancement (2013)

•   College Sports Communicators Executive Board of Directors Chair (2022-23)

•   Memberships include: College Sports Communicators, Women Leaders in College Sports

Anne Doepner

Sr. Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Minnesota Vikings

Moderator

Anne Doepner just completed her 18th season with the Minnesota Vikings and her fourth full year as the team’s Senior Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. In her role, Doepner leads the team’s DEI strategy and works to implement employee engagement, inclusion, and learning initiatives aimed at creating a sense of belonging in the workplace.

In her previous role as the Vikings’ Director of Football Administration, Doepner was responsible for matters of salary cap management and compliance with the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. She worked closely with the personnel department on contract proposals, negotiations and player budgets, and performed research and analysis to assist the club’s strategic efforts.  She served as the primary contract negotiator for rookie contracts from 2017 to 2019. 

A staunch advocate for women’s career and professional development, Doepner is the founder and chairwoman of the Twin Cities chapter of Women In Sports and Events (WISE), which was established in 2017.