DETROIT -- Wayne State University Director of Athletics Erika Wallace has been elected to serve on the 2025-26 Board of Directors for Women Leaders in Sports.

"I'm thrilled to join the Women Leaders in Sports Board of Directors and contribute to advancing women's leadership across the sports industry," commented Wallace.   "Being part of this organization provides an incredible opportunity to support, connect, and inspire the next generation of women leaders in sports, and I look forward to working alongside such a talented group of professionals to further that mission."

Women Leaders Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Women Leaders in Sports (Women Leaders) has elected the following individuals to serve on the 2025-26 Board of Directors. 

President-Elect: 
Nina King, Vice President, Director of Athletics, Duke University

Board of Directors:
Katie Fraumann, Senior Vice President, Advancement & External Relations, DePaul University
Raven Jemison, President, Business Operations, KC Current
Donease Smith, Executive Director of Administration, Kansas City Royals Urban Youth Academy
Erika Wallace, Director of Athletics, Wayne State University

Women Leaders in Sports is proud to welcome our incoming board members, a group of exceptional leaders who bring deep experience and a longstanding commitment to our mission to transform the landscape of leadership in the sports business. Each has actively supported and advanced women in the industry and championed our vision for a comprehensive approach to leadership and career development - one that fosters strong networks, maximizes resources, and cultivates a mindset for success. We look forward to the meaningful contributions they will make as we continue to elevate and empower women leaders across sports.

Nina King, Vice President, Director of Athletics Duke University, boasts over two decades of leadership in collegiate athletics. A nationally recognized voice in sports, King has served as Chair of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee and held key roles within the ACC and NCAA. At Duke, she oversees 27 varsity sports, teaches in the MBA program, and spearheaded the Rubenstein-Bing ACE global civic engagement program. Previously honored by Sports Business Journal and Leaders Under 40 for her impact in the industry, King brings a legal background, strategic leadership experience, and a deep commitment to student-athlete development. Nina has accepted the President-Elect position shifting from her Board seat into the Executive Committee track. Her year as President will be 2027.

Katie Fraumann, Senior Vice President for Advancement and External Relations at DePaul University, brings more than two decades of experience leading high-impact fundraising campaigns across higher education and athletics. Prior to joining DePaul, she served as Executive Associate Athletic Director at the University of Michigan, where she helped raise over $500 million through the "Victors for Michigan" campaign and led development efforts for the Ross School of Business and School of Public Health. A champion of equity and inclusion, Fraumann co-founded WOMAN (Women of Michigan Athletics Network) and served on multiple DEI-focused committees. At DePaul, she leads all philanthropic, alumni, and external relations initiatives, overseeing a transformational capital campaign aligned with the university's mission and long-term vision.

Raven Jemison is an experienced sports executive and published author who brings robust cross-league sports leadership to the board. She joined the KC Current as President of Business Operations in 2024 after serving as Executive Vice President of Business Operations for the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks. During her three-year tenure, the Bucks saw both on-court and business success, including a 2021 NBA Championship and significant growth across all major business functions. Her career spans roles in the NHL, MLB, NFL, and NBA, where she held key positions with the Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco 49ers, and the NBA's Team Marketing & Business Operations department. With deep expertise in strategy, analytics, and revenue generation, Jemison has driven success at both the team and league levels across the NBA, WNBA, and G-League.

Donease Smith, Executive Director for Administration at the Urban Youth Academy, offers a wealth of experience in athletics, operations, and youth development. A long-standing member of Women Leaders who has actively participated across all programs and offerings, Donease previously served as Chief of Staff for Intercollegiate Athletics at La Salle University and held leadership roles at the University of Kansas, where she helped launch a Women's Mentorship Program. Her career also includes operations roles with the University of Memphis, Kansas State, and the WNBA's Detroit Shock. A former collegiate basketball standout and Hall of Fame inductee at Smith-Cotton High School (Sedalia, MO), Smith is recognized for her strategic leadership, commitment to student-athlete development, and dedication to creating inclusive environments within sports organizations.

Erika Wallace, Director of Athletics at Wayne State University, is recognized for her dynamic record of leadership, innovation, and impact in collegiate athletics. Since her appointment in 2023, she has driven competitive success, academic excellence, and groundbreaking partnerships - including Wayne State's first-ever sports marketing agreement with Ilitch Sports & Entertainment. A champion for student-athlete well-being and equity, Wallace has expanded sport offerings with the launch of WSU's first women's soccer program and established the university's first Assistant AD for Mental Health and Wellness. A respected voice nationally, she chairs the NCAA DII Women's Basketball Committee and is a graduate of multiple leadership institutes through Women Leaders in College Sports. Wallace's career includes leadership roles at Grand Valley State and across campus at Wayne State, where she plays an integral role in university-wide strategy and advancement.

Fraumann, Jemison, Smith, and Wallace will succeed outgoing board members Keri Becker (Director of Athletics, Grand Valley State University), Lesley Irvine (Vice President & Director of Athletics, Colorado College), Candace Campbell Jackson (Senior Vice President & Chief of Staff, Syracuse University), and Past-President Meg Stevens (President, Arizona Athletic Grounds). Each will serve a four-year term, except Smith, who was appointed to a two-year term to complete the vacancy left by President-Elect King.

Ex-Officio members Janna Blais (Deputy Director of Athletics, Administration and Policy/SWA, Northwestern University) and Tracy Warren (Managing Shareholder, Buchalter Law Firm, San Diego Office) will also conclude their service on the board.

Board members play a vital role in shaping the vision, strategy, and impact of our organization. Their leadership, expertise, and commitment help drive our mission forward and ensure long-term success. We are deeply grateful to all outgoing and continuing board members for their dedicated service, and we thank them for the time, insight, and passion they bring to our work.

About Women Leaders in Sports 
Women Leaders in sports is a privately funded non-profit committed to transforming the landscape of leadership in sports. Since its inception in 1979, Women Leaders has sparked a vibrant movement, uniting over 5,500 members nationwide. Offering comprehensive programs and training, Women Leaders empowers female sports professionals at all levels with its invaluable networking opportunities, career resources, and growth initiatives. Learn more about their mission at womenleadersinsports.org and follow on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.