Blank Rome partner Michelle M. Gervais, chair of Blank Rome's Florida offices, will serve as a panelist at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”) Women's Final Four’s Beyond the Baseline, being held on April 3 through 6, 2025, at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida.

About the Program

Beyond the Baseline includes talks, panels, and guest speakers designed to empower and equip women in sport and business with tools for personal and professional success.

Michelle’s session, “Team Tampa Bay’s Front Office,” will take place on Thursday, April 3, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

About the Session

This session will step inside the dynamic world of sports leadership with Tampa Bay’s top industry professionals. The panel will showcase the key decision-makers and trailblazers shaping the region’s sports landscape. From marketing and sponsorships to operations and community engagement, these leaders will share how they navigate challenges, drive innovation, and create lasting impact within professional and collegiate sports. Attendees aspiring to work in sports or seeking insights into front-office leadership will receive valuable takeaways on building a successful career in the business of sports.

Panelists:

  • Elizabeth Frazier, Executive Vice President, Community Development & Social Impact, Lightning Foundation
  • Kourtney Sanchez, Chief Impact Officer, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Rafaela Amador Fink, Chief Public Affairs Officer, Tampa Bay Rays & Rowdies
  • Christina Unkel, President & General Manager, Tampa Bay Sun
  • Kris Pierce, Deputy Athletics Director/Chief Operating Officer/Senior Woman Administrator, University of South Florida
  • Michelle Gervais, Partner, Blank Rome LLP

Other sessions include:

  • Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee Q&A and Autograph Session
  • Mentorship vs. Sponsorship
  • ESPN’s Full Court Press
  • Capital One Presents: Good Game with Sarah Spain, live taping with guests Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi
  • From College Courts to Paralympic Podiums: Insights from Team USA’s Wheelchair Basketball Athletes

To learn more and register, please visit the event webpage.