A new Florida mentorship platform is being launched to help female collegiate athletes turn the skills developed through sport into careers beyond competition.
LeadHer, founded by Tampa entrepreneur Jennifer Addabbo, is initially running a pilot programme involving 25 athletes across the state. The invite-only scheme already has a waiting list, with plans to expand as the organisation grows.
The platform is aimed at current student-athletes and recent graduates who are preparing for life after university sport. It offers guidance on leadership, career planning, professional networking and personal development.
LeadHer aims to support female athletes beyond sport
Addabbo said her own experience in sport had helped lay the foundations for her corporate career. She wants LeadHer to give young women a similar support network as they move into employment, entrepreneurship or the non-profit sector.
“When they go to transition into a career, whatever that looks like; non-profit, corporate America, entrepreneurship, they lose that sense of community,” Addabbo said.
She said the programme was intended to help athletes carry forward the discipline, resilience and leadership skills they had developed through competition, while recognising that their identities extended beyond sport.
LeadHer is building a network of businesswomen, former athletes, entrepreneurs and other professionals who can provide advice and mentoring. Its services include career readiness, leadership development, financial education, employment opportunities and support with personal branding.
The organisation also plans to help collegiate athletes understand name, image and likeness agreements, known as NIL deals, which allow them to earn money through sponsorships and other commercial partnerships.
Addabbo said the programme would help participants assess potential brand relationships, ensure that partnerships matched their values and negotiate suitable financial arrangements. It will also provide guidance on managing earnings and improving financial literacy.
The LeadHer platform says it aims to connect athletes with employers, university partners and brands, including opportunities such as internships and early-career roles. Its model is designed to support women while they are still studying as well as after graduation.
Addabbo said the long-term ambition was to make the service available to young women across the United States, although the first stage will focus on participants in Florida.
