Written by: Kristina Crawley
Contributors: Meg Leahy, Heather Hrycyshyn, Kelley Shannon, and Pam Zandy
Published on: March 21, 2025

The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Washington’s Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) Annual Luncheon, held on December 18, 2024, at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel, celebrated the theme “Game Changers: The Women Shaping Regional Sports Today.” This sold-out signature event highlighted the monumental contributions of women at the intersection of sports and real estate. The Luncheon also included a discussion on giving back and provided an opportunity to celebrate the outreach initiatives of the WLI Community Outreach Subcommittee.

In the planning session for this event, the WLI Events Subcommittee took great care in researching and selecting the game-changing women leaders that would inspire our audience. The Subcommittee prioritized candidates who have a history of innovation, are recognized experts in their industries, and who show a dedication to community outreach and engagement. Aligned with WLI’s core mission to promote and support the advancement of women in leadership within the real estate industry, the selected speakers also demonstrated a strong commitment to creating opportunities and amplifying the voices of women in professional spaces. Meeting the goals of the Subcommittee’s search, the final lineup included panelists Sonia Chase, President & CEO of Chase Your Dreams Academy and Former WNBA Player; Michelle D. Freeman, Minority Partner of Monumental Sports and President & Chair of the Carl M. Freeman Foundation; Kim Stone, Chief Executive Officer of the Washington Spirit; and moderator Bobby Bosfield, Founder and Managing Partner of Rawson Square CRE, LLC.

Among the themes discussed during their presentation, the panelists shared poignant examples of how women-supporting-women is crucial to individual growth and to empower the next generation of leaders. Sharing their experiences, whether as an athlete on the court or as the first female Chief Executive Officer, the panelists highlighted how they were strengthened in their careers by those before them and how they have continued to promote and support opportunities for women themselves. Beyond mentorship, the speakers emphasized the importance of collaboration by sharing the pivotal moments, some personal and some public, that changed the trajectory within their own careers.

While the panelists had no shortage of professional anecdotes, they emphasized the importance of giving back to the community. The same focus on mentorship and collaboration invested in supporting fellow professionals should be utilized to promote philanthropy as a goal. The insights and experiences shared by these sports leaders have been invaluable to other WLI subcommittees in shaping outreach initiatives. The panelists’ strategies for community engagement and development have provided fresh perspectives and approaches that WLI subcommittees have integrated into their programs. This cross-pollination of ideas has led to more robust and effective outreach efforts, benefiting both ULI members and the broader community.

As a direct result of the Luncheon program, the WLI Community Engagement Subcommittee received a donation from the Carl M. Freeman Foundation to support their monthly outreach mentorship program at the Maya Angelou Public Charter School. We are thankful to Michelle Freeman, and to our other panelists, for supporting and advancing WLI’s outreach. Visit our website to learn more about the partnership between the Community Outreach Subcommittee and the Maya Angelou Public Charter School.

The 2024 WLI Annual Luncheon highlighted the power of women’s leadership in shaping industries and communities. The featured speakers showcased their achievements in the sports sector and demonstrated a commitment to empowering other women and prioritizing community outreach. ULI Washington is thankful to our panelists for demonstrating their leadership and for investing their time with our District