Olympic Icon & Trailblazing Sports Advocate Donna de Varona to Headline Girls With Impact Gala, Championing the Next Generation of Leaders
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2025
Greenwich, CT – Donna de Varona, an Olympic Gold Medalist hailed as 'one of the most important women in sports' by AP, will headline Girls With Impact’s 5th Annual Gala to celebrate progress and inspire action for equipping the next generation of female leaders. The nonprofit, which prepares young women to thrive in business and leadership, announced the news today.
De Varona’s story mirrors the kind of empowerment and leadership training Girls With Impact provides to young women, equipping them with the skills and confidence to break barriers in their fields, just as Donna did in sports broadcasting and advocacy.
“Donna is a global trailblazer in driving opportunities for women in sports and fitness – and a role model for women who want to pursue their passions, making a lasting impact for the next generation in their industries, as Donna did within sports,” said GWI CEO & Chairman Jennifer Openshaw.
De Varona is a two-time US Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming and 18-time world record holder who broke barriers at 17 years old as one of the youngest and first female sportscasters on national network television. She is also an activist for youth, sports and women, having served five times on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, helped win the passage of the Amateur Sports Act, and established the Women’s Sports Foundation with Billie Jean King.
Donna de Varona, US Gold Medalist, groundbreaking sportscaster, and a trailblazer for women's equality.
“Sports is big business,” said de Varona. “I won’t rest until women have the same opportunities to achieve their full potential - whether on the field, in the pool, or in the corner office. That’s why Girls With Impact’s work is so vital. The kind of training and confidence-building that GWI’s programs give tens of thousands of young women in preparation for success in the business world is the kind of opportunity I was fortunate enough to have in the world of sports.”
Today’s sports industry is vast and growing, projected to exceed $52 Billion in the U.S. alone in 2025 – and over a half-trillion ($507 Billion) globally. Yet, women are underrepresented, with just 26% of executive positions held by women in major international sports federations (SIGA).
A Deloitte survey found that 69% of women who earn more than $100,000 per year and are in leadership roles played competitive sports, building confidence and teamwork and communication skills. Over 90% GWI graduates report greater leadership confidence and similar skills that are essential for work success.
De Varona currently serves on the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Board and the International Olympic Committee, where her influence is felt in global sports policy. Her advocacy spans decades, including advancing Title IX, chairing the record-breaking 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and playing a pivotal role in securing the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
“Donna’s achievements exemplify the power of investing in opportunities that drive change,” said Thomas Majewski, Founder and Managing Partner of Eagle Point Credit, the Gala’s presenting sponsor. “Her story proves what’s possible when potential is nurtured and barriers are broken. We are proud to support GWI as they equip young women with the tools to lead, innovate and shape the future.”
"We're thrilled to honor Donna and show the possibilities in our young women -- locally and nationally," said Gala Co-Chair Linda Petrone, co-founder of recruiting firm Sage Search Advisors. "There's enormous talent eager to be unleashed - bettering our communities and workplaces. Join us for an extraordinary evening and see how GWI is leading the way nationally on education and opportunity."
Petrone emphasized the event’s significance as GWI scales to prepare 50,000 young women for the workplace, featuring cocktails, an auction, dinner, and a conversation with de Varona alongside other honorees. Celebrate Donna de Varona and support the next generation of female leaders by attending or sponsoring the event.
For tickets, visit Girls With Impact here: https://give.girlswithimpact.org/event/2025-trailblazer-gala/e650022
Sponsorships/Packages: Contact Shannon King at shannon.king@girlswithimpact.org.
About Girls With Impact
Girls With Impact (GWI), based in Greenwich, is setting a new standard in business education while creating a powerful talent pipeline for Connecticut and America. GWI operates the nation's leading business training program for young women, having prepared over 18,000 for Day 1 in the workplace, now scaling to 50,000 and driving improvements in confidence, college readiness, and skills for the workplace. See GWI on Bloomberg TV and in Greenwich Magazine.
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