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Welcome to Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy, a podcast that explores the stories of life and leadership from extraordinary women – and men – who are making a difference and creating a better world. Each episode features powerful conversations filled with personal stories, insights, and actionable advice to inspire you to lead, learn, and make a difference.
Show Notes:
Dr. Nancy sits down with Danette Leighton and Jean Tatge of the Women’s Sports Foundation to discuss the critical role of sports in fostering equality and leadership. Reflecting on Billie Jean King’s founding vision and Title IX’s 51-year legacy, they discuss the role of sports in teaching resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, and how that prepares women for leadership. They highlight the urgent need for equitable opportunities, especially for underserved groups—including girls with disabilities, LGBTQ+ youth, and those in low-income communities.
The conversation emphasizes the importance of redefining sports as a vital part of education, not just an extracurricular activity. They also touch on ways to advocate for more investment in women and girls’ sports and increase women’s representation in coaching. Leighton and Tatge inspire listeners to view sports as not just a game, but as a pathway to leadership for women.
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About Danette Leighton:
Danette Leighton is a seasoned sports executive with over 30 years of experience in professional and collegiate sports. Since 2022, she has served as CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation, founded by Billie Jean King, where she drives initiatives to expand access and opportunities for girls and women in sport. Previously, Leighton was Chief Marketing Officer at the Pac-12 Conference, leading marketing, branding, and the creation of their fan analytics program. A University of Arizona graduate, she has also held leadership roles with the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, the WNBA Monarchs, and Sony.
About Jean Tatge:
Jean Tatge serves as Chief Development Officer at the Women’s Sports Foundation, founded by Billie Jean King to advance gender equality in sports. She oversees fundraising strategies, generating over $9 million annually, and leads a transformative $55 million capital campaign. With a 40-year nonprofit career spanning advocacy, urban planning, economic development, and the arts, Tatge joined WSF in 2020 after consulting for organizations like the Art Bridges Foundation and Waterfront Alliance. Raised in the Middle East, Europe, and Washington, D.C., she holds a BA in Art History from Lawrence University and a nonprofit leadership certificate from Columbia University.
About Women’s Sports Foundation:
The Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF), founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King, is dedicated to unlocking the possibilities in every girl and woman through the power of sport. Their mission is to advance gender equality in sports by driving research, advocacy, community impact, and partnerships. WSF champions initiatives like Title IX education, financial training support for elite women athletes, and groundbreaking studies like #PlayToLead, which explores the link between sports participation and leadership. By fostering equitable access and opportunities, WSF aims to transform lives through movement and inspire the next generation of leaders. Learn more at womenssportsfoundation.org.
Timestamp:
[00:02:27] – Discussion about a program promoting sports internationally and the focus of the day’s conversation.
[00:04:33] – Overview of the Women’s Sports Foundation’s history and their role as champion of women’s sports from youth, through college, and elite levels.
[00:08:21] – Concern about Title IX and the lack of compliance and enforcement of this federal law.
[00:11:00] – The importance of positioning sports as integral to education and personal growth, not as something extra that can be cut from the program.
[00:14:28] – Discussion of the “Play to Lead” study that showed 94% of women CEOs had played sports and how sports participation influenced women’s various careers.
[00:19:00] – Challenges faced today by girls and underserved demographics in accessing sports opportunities, comparing 2025 numbers for girls with 1972 figures for boys.
[00:23:53] – Exploration of the need for more women coaches and programs supporting their development.
[00:27:22] –Review of how community-focused programs, like girls’ clinics, and broader grant programs advance women’s sports.
[00:32:10] – Reflection on advocacy efforts and persistent work to provide equal opportunity for girls and boys can advance equality across the board.
[00:33:29] – Call to action for investing in sports for girls and women to support leadership and equality with contact information to engage socially.