Navigating Your Future and the Keys to College Admissions

Marcus Mathis – Assistant Director, Office of Admissions
University of California, Santa Barbara
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This exclusive workshop, led by UC admissions expert, Marcus Mathis  will provide scholars with the skills to discover their true passion and to navigate the University Admissions (high school & transfer) process, including writing a “winning” personal insight essays.

Entrepreneurship, New Media and Independent Video Production within the Sports Industry

Guest Speaker: Brandon James – Owner & Creative Director
C2R Productions, Inc.

​Professional athletes like LeBron James and Alonzo Ball are taking it upon themselves to hire professionals to produce their own content to enhance their brand via television, social media and the world wide web.  Companies such as Nike and Under Armour are following suit to promote their products on a grassroots level.  Mr. Brandon James will provide scholars with his blueprint on what it took to start C2R Productions and create opportunities to produce video content for the likes of C.C. Sabathia, formally of the New York Yankees and former NBA great, Antawn Jamison.  Mr. James will also provide the scholars with an opportunity to get behind the camera and on the editing bay to produce their own video content.

Brand Building through Marketing

Paulina Lopez – Marketing Director
Foot Locker

Join Paulina Lopez, Marketing Director at Foot Locker, for an inside look at the world of sports and retail marketing. Paulina leads marketing initiatives, brand partnerships, and community engagement efforts that help connect one of the world's most recognized brands with consumers and athletes.

In this session, scholars will learn how marketing campaigns are developed, how brands build relationships with their audiences, and explore career opportunities in marketing, communications, partnerships, and brand management..

The Business of Partnerships: How Brands Leverage Sports, Entertainment, and Culture

Keini Wilson - Vice President, Talent Partnerships, Sports & Culture
JPMorgan Chase

From global brands partnering with athletes like Stephen Curry to collaborations with entertainers such as Kevin Hart, strategic partnerships have become a powerful way for organizations to connect with consumers and build brand loyalty.

This session will provide scholars with an inside look at how corporate partnerships are developed, negotiated, and activated across sports, entertainment, and culture. Participants will learn how brands identify talent, create meaningful collaborations, and measure the impact of these relationships. Along the way, scholars will gain a deeper understanding of career opportunities in marketing, partnerships, brand management, sponsorships, and business development, while exploring how creativity, relationship-building, and strategy drive success in today's sports industry.

Community Relations & DEI in Sports

Vanessa Roberson – DEI Speacialist
Los Angeles Dodgers

Sports organizations have the power to make a difference far beyond the game. In this session, scholars will gain insight into how professional sports teams engage with their communities through outreach initiatives, educational programs, and efforts that create meaningful impact.

Drawing from her experience with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Vanessa Roberson will share how community engagement and inclusion efforts help strengthen relationships between sports organizations and the communities they serve. Scholars will also learn about career opportunities in community relations, social impact, and public engagement within the sports industry.

Sports Agents & Team Operations

CJ Laboy– Sr. Vice President, NFL Agent 
The Team, (Formally, Wasserman_

Damon Jones– Vice President, Assistant GM 
Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Club

Josh Beaurgard-Bell– Basketball Agent,
The Team (Formally, Wasserman)

Have you ever wanted to know what it took to be a successful sports agent?  Maybe learn how a professional sports franchise is ran?  Well, CJ Laboy, Damon Jones and Josh Beaurgard-Bell will take you on a journey of their experience as a sports agents/attorney as well as their current role with the Los Angeles Dodgers and The Team respectively. From negotiating marketing and sponsorship deals to signing top NFL, Major League Baseball  and NBA players.  After this workshop, scholars will be sure to know exactly how their favorite team and sports agents operate from behind the scenes.

From Scholar to Professional: Maximizing Opportunities.

Winter Chambers – Private Wealth Management Analyst, Merrill Lynch
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​​Winter Chambers returns to the Sports Industry Academy not only as a successful young professional, but as a former SIA scholar who once sat in the same seats as this year's participants. Having attended the program at just 12 years old, Winter will share her journey from student to earning both her B.S. in Business Administration and M.S. in Finance from USC and beginning her career in Private Wealth Management.

Speaking to both scholars and parents during the opening luncheon, Winter will discuss the importance of exposure, mentorship, relationship-building, and taking advantage of opportunities. She will reflect on the role that family support, internships, and professional experiences played in her development, while offering practical advice on how students can maximize programs like SIA to help shape their academic and career journeys. Her story serves as a powerful example of how early exposure and intentional planning can create a pathway to future success.

Sports & Media: Telling the Stories That Shape the Game

Eddie Maisonet – Sports Editor
Houston Chronicle (Formally of ESPN)

​Sports fans see the final product—highlights, breaking news, analysis, and feature stories—but what happens behind the scenes to bring those stories to life?

Join veteran sports media professional Eddie Maisonet as he provides an inside look at the fast-paced world of sports journalism, content creation, and digital media. Drawing from his experience with ESPN and now the Houston Chronicle, Eddie will share how sports stories are developed, how media professionals cover athletes and teams, and how technology continues to transform the industry.

Scholars will gain insight into career opportunities in sports media, storytelling, content creation, editing, and journalism while learning the skills necessary to succeed in one of the most influential sectors of the sports industry.

Opening Session: Positioned for Success – Maximizing Your Experience at the Sports Industry Academy

Led by LaDonte King Vice President of Student Success, Launch Student Success

LaDonte King will set the tone for the Sports Industry Academy with an energizing and empowering opening session that prepares scholars to fully take advantage of the opportunities ahead. With over 18 years of experience in student success, academic development, and curriculum design, LaDonte brings a dynamic and relatable approach to helping students unlock their potential.

This kickoff workshop will help scholars clarify their “why,” align their personal and professional goals with the week’s programming, and sharpen the mindset and habits needed to grow as leaders in the sports industry. Known for his humor, heart, and deep commitment to student success, LaDonte will inspire scholars to be intentional, engaged, and purpose-driven from day one.

By the end of this session, students will leave focused, motivated, and ready to absorb the knowledge, mentorship, and experiences that the Sports Industry Academy has to offer.

Workshop: Inside College Athletics – Branding, Media, and Making Your Mark

Led by Kristen Keller, Associate Athletic Director for Sports Brands and Communications, USC Athletics

Kristen Keller brings a powerhouse blend of experience, energy, and insight to the Sports Industry Academy. As the Associate Athletic Director for Sports Brands and Communications at USC, Kristen leads the charge in managing media strategy and brand identity for one of the nation’s most prominent athletic departments—serving as the primary media contact for USC men’s basketball.

In this session, Kristen will pull back the curtain on collegiate athletics, sharing what it takes to build, protect, and promote a sports brand in today’s fast-moving digital landscape. Drawing from her leadership roles at UC Santa Barbara and several Illinois institutions, she’ll break down real-life strategies behind media relations, social media campaigns, and storytelling in sports. Kristen’s career trajectory—from student-athlete to national award-winning communicator—also offers students a unique look at career pathways in sports communications, digital strategy, and branding.

Whether you’re interested in sports media, college athletics, or just want to learn how to tell your story with confidence, this session is packed with insight and inspiration from someone who has built brands at every level.

Host Site: Wasserman – Exploring Careers in Sports Representation, Business Affairs, and Athlete Services

With Alanna Hernandez, EVP of Business Affairs & Operations; Alexa Rios, Athlete Coordinator; Josh Beauregard-Bell, NBA Agent; and additional Wasserman Executives

As part of our Los Angeles industry visit, scholars will step into the world of one of the most powerful agencies in global sports and entertainment—Wasserman. This exclusive opportunity gives students a first-hand look into how elite athletes are represented, branded, and supported across every stage of their careers.

Our hosts include some of Wasserman’s most respected leaders:

• Alanna Hernandez, Executive Vice President of Business Affairs & Operations, manages the legal strategy and day-to-day operations for Wasserman’s Team Sports division. She leads complex contract negotiations, oversees key M&A activity, and ensures talent agreements align with current industry trends—from NIL to inclusion riders. A founding member of Wasserman’s DEI Council, Alanna is committed to equity and mentorship in sports business.

• Alexa Rios, Athlete Coordinator for the Action Sports division, handles high-level administrative operations for top executives, including client proposals, social reporting, and athlete support services. Alexa brings a fresh, purpose-driven voice to the athlete management space and is passionate about lifting others as she grows in the field.

• Josh Beauregard-Bell, NBA Agent and key figure within Wasserman’s basketball division, will provide scholars with insight into the world of player representation, brand partnerships, and what it takes to succeed as an agent representing professional athletes at the highest level.

Scholars will also meet additional Wasserman executives across departments, gaining insight into career pathways in legal affairs, talent representation, marketing, communications, and operations. From business strategy to client service, this visit is a behind-the-scenes look at how elite athletes are supported by world-class teams—and a chance for students to see themselves as future leaders in this space.

Workshop: Mastering Your Mindset – The Key to Personal, Academic, and Career Success

Led by Gerard Vargas, Co-Founder, Legacy Mastery Academy

As the culminating workshop of the Sports Industry Academy, Gerard Vargas will bring the week full circle with a powerful session designed to help scholars internalize and activate everything they’ve learned. Throughout the week, scholars have explored the business of sports, met top industry professionals, and mapped out their academic and career goals. Now, it’s time to focus inward—on the mindset it takes to make those goals a reality.

In this engaging and reflective closing session, Gerard will guide scholars through practical strategies to strengthen their mindset, develop high-performance habits, and overcome the mental barriers that hold many students back. Drawing from decades of experience coaching educators and transforming school cultures, Gerard will equip students with tools to lead with confidence, stay grounded in their purpose, and show up as their best selves—in the classroom, in the workplace, and in life.

This workshop is more than just a conclusion—it’s a launching point. Scholars will leave inspired, focused, and mentally prepared to take the next step on their journey.