The Detroit Lions Women in Football Forum is designed to connect, inspire, and empower women across all stages of their careers through meaningful networking, mentorship, and behind-the-scenes access to the business of football. Through candid conversations with Lions leadership, interactive workshops, and small-group mentorship, the forum aims to equip attendees with actionable insights, expand professional networks, and highlight diverse pathways to leadership within the sports industry.
THE WOMEN IN FOOTBALL FORUM HAS SOLD OUT!
Thank you to those who have registered. Questions? Contact ladylions@lions.nfl.net
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
9:00 AM – 9:40 AM | Registration & Networking Breakfast
9:50 AM – 10:00 AM | Welcome Remarks from Sheila Hamp
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM | Remarks from Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
(GROUP A) 10:20 AM – 11:00 AM | "Breaking Barriers in the Business of Football"
- Panelists: Maggy Carlyle (Detroit Lions Chief Legal Officer), Allison Maki (Detroit Lions Chief Financial & Administrative Officer), Emily Griffin (Detroit Lions SVP, Marketing & Brand)
- Discussion on the evolving role of women in football, organizational culture, and opportunities in front-office careers
(GROUP B) 10:20 AM – 11:00 AM | "Breaking into the World of Sport"
- Panelists: Lindsay Verstegen (Detroit Lions Chief People & Diversity Officer) and Maddi Boewe (Detroit Lions Talent Acquisition Manager)
- Interactive session on networking and career readiness for women looking to enter the sports industry; including hiring and interviewing tips, resume best practices, etc.
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM | "Driving Community Impact Through Football"
- Panelists: Gail Disner, Roxanne Caine (VP of Detroit Lions Foundation & Community Relations) and Paula Buckhaulter (Detroit Lions Executive Director of Community Impact)
- Panelists will discuss how the Detroit Lions leverage football as a platform for meaningful, lasting change across Detroit and the state of Michigan by exploring the strategy behind community initiatives, philanthropic partnerships, and social impact programs.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch & Mentorship Tables
- Seated lunch featuring themed mentorship tables by career paths (Legal, Marketing, HR/Diversity, Player Engagement, Community Relations, Finance, etc.)
1:10 PM – 1:40 PM | "Beyond the Field – Supporting Players and Families"
- Speaker: Holly Campbell
- Moderator: Jessica Gray (Detroit Lions Sr. Director of Player Engagement)
- Holly will share her perspective on the vital support systems that help players and coaches thrive both on and off the field. This session will explore the role of player engagement, family involvement, and community in building a strong team culture and navigating the demands of the NFL.
1:45 PM – 2:00 PM | Snack Break
2:05 PM – 2:45 PM | "Powering the Player Brand: A Family-Led Approach"
- Panelists: Mother and Sisters of Lions Defensive End Aidan Hutchinson – Melissa, Mia, and Aria Hutchinson
- Moderator: Sam Barney (Lions Sr. Director of Marketing)
- Go inside House of Hutch with Aidan Hutchinson's mother and sisters as they share how they help run and grow a player-led brand. From brand identity to merchandise and partnerships, this session offers a behind-the-scenes look at family-led athlete branding and the business of modern sports.
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM | "Storytelling, Strategy & Communications in Pro Sports"
- Panelists: Ellie Cross (Lions Football Communications Specialist) and Eamonn Reynolds (Vice President, Communications).
- Explore the critical role of communications in shaping the voice, brand, and culture of an NFL organization. Speakers will share insights into how strategic storytelling supports players, the organization, and its fans – both on and off the field.
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM | Snack Break
3:45 PM – 4:10 PM | "Behind the Lights: Bringing Ford Field to Life"
- Panelists: Kelly Kozole (Lions SVP, Commercial Revenue and Venue Strategy), Kristen Dale (Lions Sr. Director of Operations), Tamarah Tabor (Lions Director of Events)
- Go behind the scenes at Ford Field with the leaders who bring game days and major events to life. Speakers will share how strategy, operations, and event execution come together to create the electric atmosphere fans experience—from kickoff to concerts and beyond.
4:10 PM – 4:30 PM | Closing Remarks & Group Photo on Field
- Final reflections
- Group photo on field
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Networking Happy Hour
- Informal networking with Lions staff and panelists
- Photo opportunities on field and in locker room
SPEAKERS
SHEILA HAMP
Sheila Hamp became Principal Owner and Chair of the Detroit Lions in June 2020, continuing the Ford family's multigenerational legacy with the franchise. Guided by her vision for a collaborative, innovative culture, she helped usher in new football leadership with Executive Vice President/General Manager Brad Holmes and Head Coach Dan Campbell, laying the foundation for sustained success. Under her leadership, the Lions have reached historic competitive milestones, elevated the organization's national profile, and strengthened both football and business operations. Deeply committed to community impact and the growth of the game, Hamp also serves in key NFL and nonprofit leadership roles.
SAMANTHA BARNEY
Samantha Barney is going into her eighth season with the Lions and serves as the Senior Director of Marketing. In her role she leads the team's advertising and brand strategy, fan engagement, retail marketing, and integrated marketing efforts both domestically and internationally. Bridging tradition and innovation, her focus is on creating transformational fan engagement and affinity programming to fill the top of the funnel and create value for corporate partners. Sam brings a wide range of sports experience holding various marketing roles with the American Junior Golf Association, Boston Red Sox Single High-A Affiliate and NASCAR. Sam graduated from George Mason University with a degree in Journalism where she played Division I softball. During her time with the Lions, she earned her master's degree in Sports Administration from Ohio University.
MADDI BOEWE
Maddi Boewe enters her fourth season with the Detroit Lions as Manager of Talent Acquisition, where she focuses on building inclusive, people-first hiring strategies in professional sports. Since joining the organization in 2023, she has partnered with leaders across the business to attract and retain diverse talent while creating a positive, supportive candidate experience. Prior to the Lions, Maddi spent over six years at United Wholesale Mortgage leading initiatives in internal mobility, university relations, and onboarding. A lifelong Michigander, Maddi earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Central Michigan University and is passionate about creating more opportunities for women in sports.
PAULA BUCKHAULTER
Paula Buckhaulter is the Executive Director of Community Impact with the Detroit Lions, leading efforts to execute impactful programming in Greater Detroit communities and across the state of Michigan. She and her team strategize to curate activations that leverage relationships with corporate and community partners to identify needs that align with organization Pillars including Cancer Support, Military Support, Social Justice, Food Insecurity and Access, and Literacy. Paula began her career in sports as the Lions first-ever intern before working in college athletics at two NCAA campuses before an 18-year stint at the NCAA National Office in Indianapolis managing fan experience, branding, events, corporate relations, and community outreach at select NCAA championships. In 2024, she worked with the Detroit Sports Commission to lead the Community Engagement Committee in creating meaningful community initiatives and events for the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit that set attendance records.
ROXANNE CAINE
Roxanne Caine serves as Vice President of the Detroit Lions Foundation and Community Relations, providing strategic leadership for philanthropic initiatives and community partnerships. With the implementation of key pillars, the Foundation supports youth development and education programs as well as programs for growing the game of football. Community outreach efforts focus on Cancer Support, Military Support, Social Justice, Literacy and Food Insecurity. Working alongside a dedicated team, they have expanded the organization's reach both statewide and nationally. In 2025, the team also strengthened relationships with community-based organizations, expanding access to literacy programs across underserved neighborhoods. Caine played a key role in growing the Thanksgiving Meal Distribution program to provide more than one million meals in Michigan and throughout the country this past holiday season.
HOLLY CAMPBELL
Holly Campbell is a dedicated community advocate and the wife of Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. A steadfast supporter of her husband's coaching career, she has been a constant presence alongside their family throughout his journey in the NFL. Holly is passionate about fostering strong family values, supporting women and families within the football community, and giving back through charitable and community initiatives. She and Dan are proud parents to two children and place a strong emphasis on teamwork, resilience, and connection both on and off the field.
MAGGY CARLYLE
Maggy Carlyle serves as Chief Legal Officer for the Detroit Lions, providing legal and strategic counsel across the organization. She joined the Lions in 2023 after seven years with the Pac-12 Conference, most recently as General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Business Affairs, where she oversaw legal, sports integrity, security, and athlete health matters. Carlyle brings extensive professional sports experience from prior roles with the San Jose Sharks, San Francisco 49ers, NFL Management Council, Kansas City Chiefs, and Mizzou Athletics. A graduate of the University of Missouri with a J.D. and a Visiting J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, she also serves on multiple national boards and was named a Sports Business Journal Forty Under 40 honoree in 2022.
ELLIE CROSS
Ellie Cross has worked within the Lions' football communications department for five seasons, joining the organization as Football Communications Assistant in 2021 before being elevated to Football Communications Specialist in 2024. In her role, she serves as a liaison between Lions players, coaches and football staff and the media, both internal and external. Prior to Detroit, Ellie completed multiple football communications internships around the National Football League with the Washington Commanders, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers. She attended the University of Georgia, where she worked for the Bulldogs' athletic department for three years. Ellie is a native of McLean, Virginia.
KRISTEN DALE
Kristen Dale started with the Detroit Lions as an intern and recently completed her 23rd season. She has been the Senior Director of Operations since 2022. In that role, she works with promoters, stadium partners, and several departments in the organization to successfully implement large events at Ford Field including Detroit Lions home games and concerts. She also manages parking, credentialing, and the event day operations center. Kristen graduated from Central Michigan University. In her spare time, she enjoys staying active outside and spending time with her family.
DEBBIE DINGELL
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell represents Michigan's 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. An active civic and community leader, Dingell is a recognized national advocate for women and children. She successfully fought to have women included in federally funded health research and advocated for greater awareness of women's health issues overall, including breast cancer and heart health. She is a founder and former chair of the National Women's Health Resource Center and the Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health.
GAIL DISNER
Gail Disner is an entrepreneur and founder of @thesoutherngail, a lifestyle brand reaching more than 500,000 people across all platforms. As the wife of Mike Disner, Chief Operating Officer of the Detroit Lions, she's experienced firsthand how sports build connection and inspire service, fueling her commitment to philanthropy and community involvement. Through storytelling and purpose-driven partnerships, she blends family, design, and impact.
JESSICA GRAY
Jessica Gray just completed her fifth season with the Detroit Lions in 2025 as Senior Director of Player Engagement, providing holistic support to players through life skills development, off-the-field pursuits, and comprehensive programming. She joined the Lions after nine years in Division I collegiate athletics, most recently serving as Assistant Athletics Director for Texas Tech University's J.T. & Margaret Talkington Leadership Academy. Gray has held multiple student-athlete development and compliance roles at Texas Tech, George Washington University, and her alma mater, Temple University. A Temple graduate with bachelor's and master's degrees, she has continued her professional growth through executive education programs at Wharton, Stanford, and the NCAA, and is a recipient of the Commitment Award for Women Leaders in College Sports. Gray is a proud Philadelphia native and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
EMILY GRIFFIN
Emily Griffin is Senior Vice President, Marketing & Brand for the Detroit Lions, overseeing all global brand and consumer marketing operations for the Club. She and her team drive innovative strategies to create new Lions fans and bring existing fans closer to their team through engaging content, fan programming and experiences, live events and entertainment, retail promotions and strategic partnerships. Griffin played a key role in the multi-year project to design and launch of the Club's new uniforms which debuted in 2024. The previous year she led the design and rollout of the team's new on-field alternate helmet as well as the creation and unveiling of a monument to Barry Sanders at Ford Field. Under her leadership, the Lions achieved the NFL's top ranking in Game Entertainment for the 2023 season and have maintained a top 5 ranking in the two seasons to follow. Griffin also served on the local organizing committee for the record-breaking 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, and co-chaired the Marketing committee for the event.
MELISSA, MIA AND ARIA HUTCHINSON
Melissa Hutchinson and her daughters Mia and Aria are the women powering House of Hutch, the family-led brand built around Detroit Lions Defensive End Aidan Hutchinson. As career photographers, Melissa, CCO, and Mia, social media manager and content creator, bring a distinct creative vision to the brand's identity weaving their passion for storytelling into its foundation. Aria anchors the mission as a key voice on the team while balancing medical school. Together, they embody the strength of women in football, turning a player brand into a platform for purpose through House of Hutch and their charitable foundation, Hutch Heroes.
KELLY KOZOLE
Kelly Kozole, now in her 24th year with the Lions organization, is the Lions Senior Vice President of Commercial Revenue and Venue Strategy. She oversees the broadcasting, corporate partnerships, events, and box office divisions of the Lions organization. Kozole also manages the relationship with the team's food and beverage partner, Levy Restaurants, and the team's retail and e-commerce partner, Fanatics. Kozole led the effort for several years on behalf of the Lions organization that resulted in the city of Detroit being named the host of the 2024 NFL Draft. Under Kozole's leadership, she coordinated with the NFL, corporate, and civic leaders to create the Detroit NFL Draft vision that went on to set a record for attendance. In 2019, Kozole and her husband founded Don't Forget Morgan, a 501 c3 foundation created to help their daughter and other children with the rare disease BPAN. The goal is to raise awareness as well as financial support to begin research to find a cure for this extremely rare genetic disease.
ALLISON MAKI
Allison Maki is in her 22nd season with the Detroit Lions and serves as the team's Chief Financial and Administrative Officer. Since joining the organization in 2004 and being named CFO in 2015, she has overseen finance and accounting, information technology, and facility operations at Ford Field and the Meijer Performance Center. One of only nine female CFOs in the NFL, Maki also serves on the NFL's Club Technology Advisory Board and as Treasurer for Detroit Lions Charities. A former manager at Ernst & Young and a graduate of Albion College, she is an active board and committee member in both higher education and healthcare investment organizations.
EAMONN REYNOLDS
Eamonn Reynolds is entering his 15th season with the Detroit Lions and currently serves as the club's Vice President of Communications. In his role, he serves as the primary liaison between Lions players and coaches and the local and national media, and also oversees publicity efforts surrounding the Lions' business endeavors and community impact. He works closely with Head Coach Dan Campbell and General Manager Brad Holmes on all media obligations and also bridges internal storytelling and brand promotion opportunities between the Lions' football and business operations. A native of Sylvania, Ohio, Reynolds began with the Lions as a media relations intern in 2012 after graduating from Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. He went on to earn his Masters of Sports Administration from Ohio in 2018.
TAMARAH TABOR
Tamarah Tabor enters her fifth season with the Detroit Lions as Director of Events and Retail. In her role, she is responsible for the planning and execution of major events at Ford Field and oversees the organization's retail partnerships between Fanatics e-commerce and Lions Supply. Prior to joining the Lions, she spent more than 15 years overseeing events on behalf of ESPN Productions. During this time, she was involved in the planning and execution of nationally televised collegiate bowl games and premier basketball tournaments across the U.S. and internationally. She has also managed international professional soccer matches and large-scale corporate events. Tamarah has served on the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame committee and the Hawaiʻi Bowl Foundation. Tamarah is a proud graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
LINDSAY VERSTEGEN
Lindsay Verstegen is entering her fifth season with the Detroit Lions as Chief People and Diversity Officer, leading all people, inclusion, and belonging initiatives in partnership with organizational leadership. She brings more than a decade of experience in hiring and talent across the technology industry, including serving as Chief People Officer at ShopRunner, where she helped build one of the most diverse and inclusive workplaces in the industry. Previously, Verstegen held senior talent and diversity leadership roles at Braintree, Venmo, PayPal, and Groupon during periods of rapid growth. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, she is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer on talent strategy, gender equity, and healthy workplace cultures. She resides in Metro Detroit with her husband, Tony, and their two sons.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is there a deadline to register?
The deadline to register is Friday, March 6 at 12 PM ET. Space for the Forum is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis – we encourage you to register early!
Where will I park?
Complimentary parking will be available in the Ford Field Parking Deck. More details will be provided closer to the event.
What should I wear? Is there a dress code?
We recommend business casual – attendees are encouraged to dress professionally while remaining comfortable.
Are breakout sessions pre-assigned, or can I choose?
The morning breakout session is pre-assigned based on registration details. Attendees will be matched to the session that best aligns with their career goals.
Will there be networking opportunities at the Women in Football Forum?
Absolutely. The Forum is intentionally designed to foster meaningful connections among attendees and Detroit Lions Front Office staff. During lunch and the post-event networking happy hour, attendees will have the opportunity to meet women across various departments at the Lions and continue building relationships in a relaxed, engaging environment.
Do I need to bring my own food and drink?
Food and drink will be provided (including gluten free and vegetarian options). We will start the day with a continental breakfast during registration check-in. A full lunch will be provided, as well as an afternoon snack. We'll end the day with light refreshments and appetizers at the networking happy hour! If you have any special dietary restrictions or have questions surrounding food/drink – please reach out to ladylions@lions.nfl.net.
I registered, how do I access my ticket to the Forum?
Upon check-in, we will have a list of everyone who successfully registered for the event. There is no physical ticket needed!