Sports (C)

<p>Don Yaeger is a nationally acclaimed inspirational speaker, longtime Associate Editor of <i>Sports Illustrated</i>, author of over 30 books, eleven of which have become <i>New York Times</i> Best-sellers, and host of <i>Corporate Competitor Podcast</i>. He began his career at the <i>San Antonio Light</i> in Texas, and also worked at the <i>Dallas Morning News</i> and the <i>Florida Times-Union</i> in Jacksonville before going to work for <i>Sports Illustrated</i>.

<p>With infectious humor and riveting anecdotes from her extraordinary journeys, Shailee Basnet shares inspiring lessons in courage, leadership, teamwork, and the importance of diversity for success.</p><p>In spite of their proximity to Mt. Everest, not many women in Nepal climb mountains. Shailee Basnet is an exception. After she completed her first summit of the world’s highest mountain, she led the Seven Summits Women Team.

<p>Three-time Super Bowl champion and five-time Pro Bowl selection, Darren Woodson is one of the greatest players to ever wear a Dallas Cowboys uniform—and now inspires organizations to build strong leaders and teams, embrace change and competition, and create a culture of excellence.  </p><p>Throughout Darren Woodson’s NFL career, his dependability, athleticism and aggressiveness helped lead the Cowboys to three Super Bowl Championships (Super Bowl XXVII, XXVIII and XXX)—securing him an elite position in the club’s history.

<p>Owner of the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academies, Dominique opened the gyms to continue her commitment to developing a healthy and compassionate culture in the sport of gymnastics. Her first academy opened in the midst of a global pandemic, in July 2020, her second location opened in 2023, and she will be opening her third Academy in 2024 located in Columbia, MD. Dawes holds minority ownership of the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League, and she also became part of the Atlanta Falcons ownership group as a Limited Partner in 2024.

<p>Since bringing home the Gold and Silver medals from the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Laurie has won the coveted Mirror ball trophy on <em>Dancing with the Stars </em>Season 23 and published her first <em>NYT</em> Best Selling book titled<em> I Got This: To Gold and Beyond</em></p><p> In 2018, she released a <em>NYT </em>Best Seller children’s picture book<em> She’s Got This,</em> and Mattel created a Laurie Hernandez <em>Shero </em>Barbie to honor her and her Latina heritage.

<p>Becca is a 3x Paralympic Gold Medalist, 6x World Champion Gold Medalist, and holds 23 American Records, and 10 World Records. </p><p>Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Becca has Usher Syndrome and has been deaf since she was born. She could not hear anything for the first few years before she began using a cochlear implant, an electronic device that allows her to hear. Becca began to swim at the age of six in 2000.</p><p>In 2012, Becca was the only deaf athlete on the U.S.

<p>Orlando Bowen was a linebacker in the CFL from 2000-04. He began his career with the Toronto Argonauts and ended it while playing for the Hamilton Tigercats. His career was sadly cut short after a severe concussion suffered at the hands of two corrupt police officers. </p><p>In 2004, while waiting to meet friends while in a parking lot, Orlando was approached by two undercover officers who accused him of dealing drugs. The officers then physically beat Bowen who suffered significant injuries to the head.

<p>Alex Morgan is a World Champion and co-captain of the US Women’s National Team. A blur on the pitch, Alex overwhelms defenders with her graceful yet attacking style, bringing defenses to their knees and fans to their feet.</p><p>A FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist, UEFA Women’s Champions League Champion, and NWSL Champion, Alex is a proven winner at all levels.

<p>After 17 years, two World Championships, two Olympic Gold Medals, and near unparalleled success as a marketing icon, Mia Hamm retired from professional soccer in 2004 as not only the best women’s soccer player in history but also as one of the most important and recognizable female figures in the history of sport.

<p>Two-time World Cup Champion and co-captain of the US Women’s National Soccer Team, Megan Rapinoe is a fan favorite and one of the team’s most technical players.</p><p>A vocal leader on and off the pitch, Megan helped lead the USWNT to the 2019 Women’s World Cup Championship scoring some of the biggest goals of the tournament. Megan took home the tournament’s two top honors – the Golden Boot for top scorer, and the Golden Ball for the best player in the tournament.