Women’s History Month offers a moment to reflect on how the game has evolved — and the individuals who helped move it forward.

Across every level of sports, progress has been shaped by leaders who challenged expectations, expanded opportunity, and influenced what the industry looks like today. At Learfield, it’s also a chance to recognize how those moments continue to shape where the game is going next.

This month, we launched “Women Who Changed the Game,” a series highlighting pioneers whose impact can still be felt across college athletics, global competition, and the evolving business of sports.

Carolyn Peck

In 1999, Carolyn Peck became the first Black woman to win an NCAA Division I women’s basketball national championship as a head coach.

Her achievement helped reshape leadership at the collegiate level — where many of the industry’s biggest shifts begin.

Joanna Lohman

After her professional career, Joanna Lohman has become a leading voice in sustainability in sports.

Her work reflects how athletes are increasingly shaping conversations that influence the long-term future of the game.

Olivia Dunne

Olivia Dunne has emerged as one of the most influential athletes in the NIL era.

Her platform and partnerships reflect a new model for how athletes build brands and create opportunity within college athletics.

Each of these women represents a different way the game continues to evolve — through leadership, global growth, sustainability, and innovation.

At Learfield, moments like Women’s History Month are an opportunity to reflect on how far the game has come and where it’s headed next.

Celebrating the individuals who have helped shape the sports landscape is about more than recognition. It’s about continuing to build on that progress, creating space for new ideas, new voices, and new opportunities that will move the industry forward.

Because the game is always evolving, and honoring those who have changed it is part of how we keep pushing it ahead.