GCSAA selects 35 turfgrass professionals for the 2026 Women’s Leadership Academy

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) named 35 turfgrass professionals to be part of the 2026 Women’s Leadership Academy (WLA), Nov. 10-12, at GCSAA headquarters in Lawrence, Kan.

Participants in the Women’s Leadership Academy will be guided along a path of discovery aimed at breaking down barriers and enhancing inner skills to maximize their impact as leaders. The event, which is in its fourth year, will feature education focused on key areas of self-discovery, understanding others, effective communication and inspiring others.

Opportunities to build a network of turfgrass professionals willing to support their growth as leaders in the industry will also be provided throughout the conference.

Women currently make up only a small percentage of the overall turfgrass industry professionals. By developing women leaders, inclusivity within the industry will grow through their actions and by the examples they set.

The 35 turfgrass professionals selected to be part of the 2026 WLA class are:

• Caroline Bailey, student, Brunswick Community College
• Ryliann Bednar, student athlete, Northern Kentucky University
• Ashley Binkle, golf course superintendent, Dundee Country Club — GolfNorth Properties
• Rylee Brown, graduate student, University of Arkansas
• Maureen Calvo Rosales, golf course superintendent, Reserva Conchal Golf Course
• Janis Colley, supervisor for executive golf maintenance, The Villages – Center Community Development District
• Katy Crook, general manager and superintendent, Mt. Massive Golf Course
• Gina DiMartino, student, North Carolina State University
• Shelby DuBois, cutting unit specialist, La Cumbre Country Club
• Arielle Gardner, superintendent, Shelter Island Country Club
• Amanda Gibson, field manager, Washington National
• Jaime Haddad, assistant general manager and director of sustainability, Martis Camp
• Caroline Hagler, student, University of Tennessee
• Brooke Heikkila, graduate research assistant, North Carolina State University
• Andrea Leonard, assistant superintendent, Piper’s Landing Yacht and Country Club
• Mary Maloney, chief of staff, Bloom Golf Partners
• Chava McKeel, director, government affairs, GCSAA
• Jennifer McLendon, senior manager of education and events, Sports Field Management Association (SFMA) and executive director, Rocky Mountain Regional Turfgrass Association
• Brandi Merrick, manager, green section education, United States Golf Association
• Marlee Moeder, landscape senior, University of Kansas
• Brigitte Ortiz-Jimenez, student, EUDE Business School
• Meredith Otero, owner, MET Marketing and Media
• Katie Piazza-Lesley, director of sales and marketing, Delta Bluegrass Company
• Brecken Price, director, agribusiness, The Andersons Inc.
• Rosmery Quesada Capos, golf course assistant superintendent, Discovery Land Company, Zapotal Golf and Beach Club
• Christine Robinson, manager, human resources, GCSAA
• Alexis Rogers, manager of field operations, Sacramento River Cats
• Krystal Scidmore, director of campus operations, The National Sports Center
• Lucy Sellick, course manager, Raglan Golf Club
• Regina Sosing, founding partner and vice president of marketing, Links Bridges
• Marianne Stevens, academic program specialist, Pennsylvania State University
• Maria Lourdes Velasco, student, Michigan State University
• Jyoti Verma, Ph.D. student and graduate research assistant, Texas A&M University, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
• Madeleine White, member services and event coordinator, Ontario Golf Superintendents Association
• Bri Wilson, administrative coordinator, GCSAA

The event will feature a slate of inspirational speakers, including Passion Graham, CCM, and Lori LeBard, CCM. Graham brings more than 30 years of leadership expertise across private clubs, hospitality, education and organizational development, dedicating her career to empowering people and unlocking their leadership potential. Joining her is LeBard, the assistant general manager at Atlantic Fields Club in Hobe Sound, Fla. LeBard pairs her 20-plus years of hospitality and private club experience with a culture-first leadership style focused on positivity, accountability, connection and team development.

The WLA is hosted by GCSAA with the generous support of industry benefactors, which include The Toro Co. and Yamaha Golf Car, that support this event as Trailblazer benefactors, and PBI-Gordon and Syngenta as Pathfinder benefactors. The event is endorsed by the SFMA.