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St. ����ֱ�� University was honored to host basketball legend Coach Dawn Staley for a memorable evening of empowerment at the Women of Color Leadership Series on May 8. Fresh off another NCAA championship, Coach Staley's visit to St. Kate’s, hosted at The O'Shaughnessy in front of a sold-out crowd, entertained and inspired both the University and the wider community. 

Staley, the head coach of the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team since 2008, shared insights from her illustrious career, which includes two NCAA Championships, five NCAA Final Four appearances, four Olympic gold medals (three as a player and one as a coach), and induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Throughout the discussion (moderated by Lea B. Olsen, sports journalist and founder of Rethink the Win), Staley spoke of her experience in the basketball world with humor and passion, touching on everything from her upbringing in Philadelphia to the challenges of collegiate coaching.

At a time when women’s basketball is enjoying unprecedented levels of viewership, Coach Staley’s visit reminded the audience of the long road it took to get here, and of the power that women have to break down barriers. 

"It was truly an honor to meet and hear Dawn Staley speak," said Jaycee Rhodes ’24, a ����ֱ��-athlete and recent graduate of the School of Business who introduced Staley to the packed crowd at The O’Shaughnessy. "Her story serves as a reminder that with dedication and determination, anything is possible. I left feeling inspired and ready to tackle any challenges that come my way."

Staley’s message resonated with attendees and spoke to the University’s commitment to empowering ����ֱ��s to make a positive impact in their communities and to take advantage of the opportunities with which they’re presented. 

"The School of Business at St. Kate's celebrates the success of the Women of Color Leadership Series, a vital part of our Katie Leadership Impact (KLI),” said Anupama Pasricha, PhD, dean of the School of Business. “This initiative has brought prominent women of color from diverse fields to campus, inspiring ����ֱ��s and the community. Representation matters, and hearing from trailblazing BIPOC women expands ����ֱ��s' sense of possibility and leadership aspirations. Basketball Hall of Fame player and coach Dawn Staley's May talk was impactful, offering relatable insights and humor that resonated deeply with my leadership and the audience.”

The Women of Color Leadership Series aims to highlight the importance of women of color in leadership roles across various industries and provide a platform for meaningful discussions. Previous events in the series have brought Pashtana Zlamia Khan Durrani and Roya Mahboob, Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, and Dr. Tamar Rodney to campus to share their experiences with the St. ����ֱ�� community. 

“The series underscores the School of Business' commitment to women-centered education, fostering the talents of women to become leaders who drive community transformation,” Pasricha said. “As dean, I support leadership development initiatives that benefit St. Kate's and the wider community. This leadership series inspires and strengthens connections within and beyond our institution, embodying our mission to empower women to effect positive change."

The event, made possible with support from the Manitou Fund, Ameriprise Financial, and Securian Financial, concluded with a Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage directly with Staley and delve deeper into topics including leadership, mentorship, and overcoming adversity, and ultimately leaving the audience with a message of resilience and empowerment.