Westminster Athletics successfully hosted its third annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day Panel on Thursday, February 5, welcoming a wide-ranging audience for an afternoon of insight, inspiration, and celebration of women's leadership in sports.

Held in Blake Hall, Barge Commons, the event drew 175 attendees, including 75 coaches, along with student-athletes, full teams, academic classes, faculty, parents, alumni, and members of the broader Westminster community. Prior to the panel, 55 guests attended a luncheon, filled with conversation and discussion between Westminster student-athletes and our panelists.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day is recognized each February to honor the achievements of women in athletics and to highlight the importance of equity, opportunity, and leadership within the sports world. Westminster Athletics has proudly hosted this annual event for the third consecutive year, reinforcing its commitment to celebrating and advancing women's participation and leadership in sports.

Panelists

The panel featured four accomplished women representing diverse roles across the sports industry:

Jessica Winton '99
Founder and Executive Producer, Live Events and Talent Partnerships
Watercooler Casting

Jessica Winton is the founder and executive producer of Watercooler Casting, a talent development and casting agency focused on live events, media, and branded entertainment. Her work centers on connecting talent with impactful storytelling platforms, offering a unique perspective on careers in sports media, production, and entertainment beyond traditional competition.

Carla Gilson
Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Performance and Wellness
Purdue University

Carla Gilson serves as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Performance and Wellness at Purdue University. With more than two decades of experience in collegiate athletics, including leadership roles in athletic training and sports medicine, Gilson oversees comprehensive performance and wellness initiatives that support student-athlete development and success at the highest levels.

Leah Borkan
Sport Scientist
Atlanta Hawks

Leah Borkan is a sport scientist with the Atlanta Hawks, where she works alongside coaching, performance, and medical staffs to enhance athlete performance, manage workloads, and support injury prevention through data-driven analysis. Her role highlights the growing impact of sports science and technology in professional athletics.

Miah Spencer
Former WNBA and NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Player
Varsity Girls Basketball Coach, Westminster

Miah Spencer competed at the NCAA Division I level at North Carolina State University before playing professionally with the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA. She now serves as the varsity girls basketball coach at Westminster, bringing elite playing experience and a strong focus on mentorship, leadership, and player development.

Event Highlights

The panelists shared personal career journeys, discussed challenges and opportunities for women in sports, and offered advice to students and aspiring professionals interested in athletics, coaching, science, and sports-related careers. Attendees engaged in thoughtful discussion and participated in a question-and-answer session that reflected the diverse interests of those in attendance.

Following the event, guests were treated to Crumbl cookies, providing a sweet conclusion to a meaningful afternoon of connection and celebration.

Westminster Athletics is grateful to the panelists and attendees who made this year's National Girls and Women in Sports Day Panel a success and looks forward to continuing this tradition in the years to come. Check out our photo gallery of the event below.