WISE Greater Raleigh is dedicated to recognizing women who have achieved a standard of excellence in sports business, lead by example and support other women.
The Woman of Inspiration and Woman to Watch Awards, determined and awarded by WISE chapters, honor women in chapter markets who exemplify the spirit of the WISE mission and are making a positive impact on the business of sports while serving as positive role models and mentors for other women.
A Woman of Inspiration is a woman who leads by example, inspires others to be extraordinary, and champions to advance women in the sports and events industry. She is a role model who inspires others to go further, making an impact across her company, community, and industry.
Thayer Lavielle, Executive Vice President of The Collective at Wasserman, was named the 2024 Woman of Inspiration. Thayer joined Wasserman in 2011 and currently leads the division that aims to raise the visibility of women and drive inclusion in sports and entertainment. As part of The Collective, Lavielle spearheaded the formation of The Collective Marketplace in 2021 and The Collective Think Tank in 2020 – both first-of-its-kind innovations for women in sports. Throughout her career, Lavielle has negotiated over $250 million worth of talent, brand, property and venue deals in sports and entertainment. Well-versed in brand and talent strategy, partnerships, events and hospitality, she has been at the forefront of innovations in consumer engagement, including app development and integration, personalized experiences, retail integration, ticketing and delivering thought leadership.
A Woman to Watch is a rising star within the sports industry with less than ten years of experience who is passionate, innovative, and showcases a commitment to meaningful work.
Allison Gupton, Director of Baseball Administration at USA Baseball, was named the 2024 Woman to Watch. Allison started with USA Baseball in 2017 as a summer intern and has quickly risen to leading the Baseball Administration department in her current role. Allison’s biggest strength is her “we’ve got this” approach to each day. No matter the task – collecting player laundry, assembling a deck for the Board of Director’s meeting, presenting the Golden Spikes Award to the #2 overall MLB draft pick or editing bylaws to remain in compliance with the USOPC – Allison tackles each job with the same level of detail and commitment to executing to the best of her potential.
The 2024 Woman of Inspiration and Woman to Watch winners will be celebrated at WISE Greater Raleigh's event on Wednesday, February 21.
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