Through the SWinG Project, I had the opportunity to speak about women’s leadership in sport and the importance of opening doors for more women to lead, decide, and shape the future of the industry. My work focuses on helping women move from visibility to influence, building the confidence, networks, and strategic power needed to take their seat at the table and change the systems around them.

This espnW Women + Sports Summit feature captures Dr. Ashleigh Huffman reflecting on the power of sport to create opportunity, connection, and global impact. In conversation with leaders across women’s sports, she brings a sports diplomacy lens to how athletes, institutions, and communities can use sport to advance equity and meaningful change.

Since the dawn of the Olympics, sports have been a contest of global powers. Today, how are sports used as a means of conducting foreign policy — for better and for worse?