WISE Twin Cities 2025 Power Play with 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
Date: Monday, March 24, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Huntington Bank Stadium - Club Cambria
Address: 420 23rd Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
WISE Twin Cities hosted its 7th annual Power Play event, this year was Up Close with the Women of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. We were fortunate to host this event at Huntington Bank Stadium, one of the host venues for the USA Games.
The panel discussed the organization of Special Olympics and the reach across the state, nation and world. Attendees learned about the vetting process to bring the USA Game to Minnesota and the social and economic impact this will have on our community.
Thank You to Our Featured Panelists and Moderator!
Quotes
"Bringing the USA Game to Minnesota is a competitive bid process. When you look at the thousands of people we are bringing in, we are looking for a community that has not just the resources, leadership, infrastructure. In addition, government support, corporate support, and certainly community support. A community that has demonstrated to us that they are ready to promote, advance, and model the ideals of special Olympics and our inclusive community." - Amie Dugan
"This is the inclusion revolution! Volunteers are the lifeblood of the game, it’s so wonderful to be in a state like Minnesota that comes out for it and shows up." - Mary Horwath
"No matter who we are and who we are sitting next to, our voices are important, as is theirs. It’s just about our community and making sure you are very present to what’s around you." - Amy Murray
"When I look back at my younger self I wish I would have had someone who prompted me to speak up more. If you find yourself sitting in a room with executives as a young person; they don’t care what you say, just say it. It’s about finding that connection with people and being someone that people want to work with and work for." - Molly Gallatin
"Play happy! Whatever you are doing, put that joy into it and think about that attitude. Great bosses encourage us to do that, great coaches encourage us to do that and sometimes we have to talk ourselves into that." -Amanda Brinkman
"The USA games is led by a women, Christy sovereign is our CEO so we’re really blessed to have her leadership. Our leadership team is more than half women so we are surely breaking some statistics there. It’s a wonderful dynamic!" - Mary Horwath
"At the heart of every story telling piece that you have in sports is that you have that emotional connection. That’s the power of sports, right? It’s the human spirit and that’s what we get to focus on." - Molly Gallatin
"There are definitely more women in the industry but not enough in senior positions. There’s the reality of scarcity and the myth of scarcity and when we buy into the myth of scarcity we can inadvertently perpetuate it. As we get these opportunities to have this seat at the table, as a historically underrepresented group of leaders how do we ensure we are pulling out chairs for others behind us. I think that’s what wise does beautifully is provide a network and atmosphere that is so supportive of other women." - Amie Dugan
Timeline
- 5:30 pm - Check-In and Networking
- 6:00 pm - Program Begins
- 7:00 pm - Program Ends, Networking Resumes
- 7:30 pm - Event Ends
About WISE Twin Cities
Founded in 2017, WISE Twin Cities carries out the WISE mission by facilitating meaningful connections among local industry professionals and offering programming, events and valuable networking opportunities in the area throughout the year. Our signature programs include WISE Power Play, Women of Inspiration, and Speed Mentoring Roundtables. We partner closely with WISE National to deliver industry wide thought leadership and sports and events industry connections beyond our Minnesota and region borders.
About 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
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.
If you wish to volunteer for the 2026 USA Games, please fill out the form here.