Powering the Future of Women’s Sports: Media, Leadership, and the Business Behind the Growth

Women’s professional sports are no longer emerging—they are expanding rapidly across leagues, media platforms, and audiences. Yet as the industry grows, critical gaps remain in leadership development, education pathways, and representation behind the scenes.

In this Career Ellevation Roundtable, Justine Pouravelis—15-time Emmy Award-winning sports media executive with over 17 years of experience—shares an insider’s perspective on the evolving business and media landscape of women’s professional sports. Drawing from her leadership roles at NESN and Sportsnet Pittsburgh, where she oversaw multi-platform content strategies reaching more than 1.5 million followers, Justine explores how media, education, and leadership intersect to shape the future of the industry.

Justine will also highlight the launch of the first master’s degree focused on the business of professional women’s sports at Simmons University, examining how innovative academic programs can prepare the next generation of leaders. Through real-world examples and forward-looking insights, this conversation centers on how women can position themselves to lead, influence, and innovate in sports business and media.

This fireside-style discussion offers a roadmap for professionals looking to enter, grow, or lead within the fast-changing world of women’s sports.