Van Adams, president of the WISE (Women In Sports and Events) NYC Metro Chapter and president of VanAdams Sports Group, has been named one of 25 2014 Leading Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners by Leading Women Entrepreneurs, a media and events company that recognizes outstanding women business owners.
The award recognizes service, leadership, and contribution to the community based on four areas: Market Potential, Innovation, Advocacy for Women and Community Involvement.
Prior to starting her own company, Ms. Adams held positions in media and public relations, marketing, and business development for leading organizations including the United States Golf Association, Sports Illustrated, the Buffalo Bills and Grambling State University. She is the creator of Gathering on the Greens (a golf initiative for businesswomen), a frequent contributing writer for various industry publications, guest speaker for events, adjunct professor of sports marketing and has been affiliated with WISE for nearly a decade. With expertise in talent management, event marketing/management and corporate consulting, she represents a number of iconic sports celebrities and is proficient at negotiating deals and adept at strengthening the athlete’s brand and business ventures.
Kathleen Francis, chairman and president of the WISE National organization, said, “As a founding Chapter board member and more recently as president of the WISE NYC Metro Chapter, Van’s innovative leadership has been the source of career development and growth for hundreds of metropolitan area women as she has expanded the educational programming, outreach, and networking opportunities available for women in our traditionally male-dominated industry. In her professional capacity, she stands as a role model for young women in building a successful sports marketing agency from scratch and in giving back to the community along the way.”
Ms. Adams said, “This recognition is particularly meaningful to me as a milestone in the goals I have strived to achieve in my professional career and as president of the WISE NYC Metro Chapter of creating and supporting programs that enhance the success and growth of women. Contributing to the career growth of others signifies far greater accomplishment to me than any personal professional success.”
WISE is the leading voice and resource for professional women in the business of sports. Through ongoing meetings, special events and mentoring programs, WISE offers its members the opportunity to gain valuable insights and connections that can provide them a competitive advantage in their current position and as they advance in their careers. Founded in 1993, WISE is a membership organization headquartered in New York City with chapters in Atlanta, the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, NYC Metro, Pittsburgh, San Diego and Washington, DC, as well as Syracuse University’s WISE on Campus. More information on the NYC Metro Chapter can be found here.