GCSAA announces 37 Women’s Leadership Academy participants

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has chosen 37 turfgrass professionals to be part of the 2025 Women’s Leadership Academy Nov. 11-13 at GCSAA headquarters in Lawrence, Kan.

The event will feature education focused on key areas of self-discovery, understanding others, effective communication and inspiring others, all of which are key attributes of effective leaders. Opportunities to build a network of turfgrass professionals willing to support their growth as leaders in the industry will be provided throughout the conference.

The 37 turfgrass professionals selected to be part of the 2025 WLA are:

• Zineb Alouani, student, Penn State University
• Caroline Bailey, student, Brunswick Community College
• Jan Bel Jan, ASGCSA, golf course architect, Jan Bel Jan Golf Course Design Inc.
• Christina Bender, intern, Union League National
• Pam Brown, lift operations manager, Arapahoe Basin
• Amy Bultena, second assistant superintendent, St. George’s Golf & Country Club
• GraceMarie Chapin, executive director, Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents
• Felicia Childs, assistant superintendent, Bucks Run Golf Club
• Nancy Cienfuegos, assistant superintendent, Whitetail Golf Club
• Janis Colley, supervisor golf maintenance, The Villages Executive Golf Trail
• Kat Couch, assistant superintendent, MacDonald Golf Course
• Lauren Crownover, assistant superintendent, Cascade Hills Country Club
• Sue Davis, head grounds/horticulture, Common Ground Golf Course
• Gina DiMartino, student, North Carolina State University
• Skylar Fischer, horticulturist superintendent, Houston Country Club
• Cecilia Flannigan, assistant superintendent, Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort
• Riley Forbes, student, North Carolina State University
• Brianna Foster, student, Ohio State ATI
• Jaime Haddad, manager, Martis Camp Club
• Abby Head, grounds manager/horticulture, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
• Carey Hofner, CGCS, superintendent, Happy Ranch
• Rachel Hurt, assistant superintendent, Trinity Forest Golf Club
• Brigitte Ortiz Jimenez, assistant superintendent, Quail Valley Golf Club
• Shania Lancour, equipment technician, Sand Valley Golf Resort
• Hannah Orr, golf course superintendent, Shadow Ridge Country Club
• Roxanne Palmer, assistant superintendent, Taboo Golf Club
• Amanda Potter, golf course employee, Valhalla Golf Club
• Jennifer Roeber, greenkeeper, City of Lincoln
• Alexis Rogers, student, University of Tennessee
• Lori Sinuita, member services/event coordinator, Ontario Golf Superintendents Association
• Paula Sliefert, executive director, Sports Field Management Association
• Emily Smith, horticulture manager, Bluejack National Golf Course
• Megan Thompson, assistant superintendent, The Preserve at Verdae
• Vicky Urbina, executive director/partner operator, Settlers Bay Golf Club
• Kristina Walker, associate professor of agronomy, University of Minnesota – Crookston
• Courtney White, executive manager, Ontario Golf Superintendents Association
• Maycee Wilde, athletic operations and faculties, Arizona State University

Suzy Whaley, PGA Master Professional and first woman to serve as president of the PGA of America, will headline the event, sharing her experiences as a woman leader in the golf industry.

The Women’s Leadership Academy is hosted by GCSAA with the generous support of industry benefactors, which include The Toro Co. and Yamaha that support this event as Trailblazer benefactors; and Club Car, PBI-Gordon, Syngenta and Target Specialty Products as Pathfinder benefactors. The event is endorsed by the Sports Field Management Association (SFMA).