The Bowling Green State University Department of Athletics has announced the participants for this year’s
WE LEAD program.
Women Engaged in Leadership Exploration, Analysis and Development, which is in its second year, was
created as a program designed to support the development of emerging women leaders in sports. This
program is designed to help women student-athletes in the BGSU Athletics Department identify their
strengths, develop their skills and build a network with other successful women leaders in sport.
Funded by a Community Action Grant from AAUW, this program will feature mentors for the student-athletes
from the BGSU Athletics Department, Human Movement Sport and Leisure Studies Department, and Recreation
and Wellness Department.
“Representation of women leaders, particularly women with multiple minoritized identities, is a
persistent issue in collegiate athletics,” Joanna Line, program designer and facilitator, said.
“Representation of diverse leaders is also an issue more broadly in literature about leadership. This
program is grounded in the idea that every person has the capacity to lead. It is designed to promote an
inclusive understanding of leadership in which a leader is not defined by the possession of a specific
set of characteristics. Instead, each person is valued for their unique combination of identities,
qualities, experiences and skills that they contribute to a team’s collaborative efforts.”
The skills developed through the WE LEAD program will help women student-athletes develop leadership
skills both for sport and in future endeavors. Those selected for the program will meet once a month
from January through May to discuss a variety of topics, including exploring definitions of leadership,
considering their sphere of influence, identifying and applying their strengths in collaboritive work,
and learning from other women leaders in sport.
“The WE LEAD program provides an opportunity for our women student-athletes, regardless of where they are
in their leadership journey, the opportunity to strengthen and broaden their leadership skills,” Stacy
Kosciak, senior associate athletics director and senior woman administrator, said. “This program will
prepare them to take the next step to become our leaders for the future. Whether in competition, the
classroom, or life after sport, it will position them for success.”
Listed below are the participants for the 2021 WE LEAD program.
Ioanna Tsadari, Tennis
Taylor Harris, Swim & Dive
Riley McNichols, Swim & Dive
Madelynn Luebcke, Volleyball
Malika Haver, Swim & Dive
Amber Saxon, Swim & Dive
Daisy Platts, Swim & Dive
Katelyn Goldstrom, Gymnastics
Nikolija Katanic, Volleyball
Audrey Shea, Soccer
Anna Eriksson, Swim & Dive
Madison Wolfbauer, Soccer
Kerstie Shaw, Volleyball
Petra Indrova, Volleyball
Jacqueline Askin, Volleyball
Hannah Best, Volleyball
Mallory Swartz, Golf
Payton Gottshall, Softball
