Sports, because of their unparalleled popularity, can advance human rights and positively impact social and economic development globally. As we celebrate International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, hear from VCU Center for Sport Leadership’s graduates and friends of the program on how they’re changing the world for the better. The panel will be moderated by a leading sport for development advocate and CSL’s Executive Director Carrie LeCrom, Ph.D. (M.S.’03/E; Ph.D.’07/E).

Learn more and register.

 Moderator:

• Carrie LeCrom, PhD has served as the Executive Director of the Center for Sport Leadership (CSL) since 2015, holding various roles within the CSL since joining the staff in 2003. Under her guidance the program has launched a dual degree program (M.Ed./MBA), a doctoral track in Sport Leadership (Ph.D. in Education), and has seen significant growth in terms of competitiveness and reputation (currently ranked top 10 in the nation among graduate programs in sport business). LeCrom is passionate about the use of sport for social change and has secured over $2 million in grant funding from sources such as the U.S. Department of State and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Some notable related initiatives she has overseen include two way exchanges between the United States and Ethiopia, China, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, India, and Sri Lanka, among others. She is currently embarking on a new cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of State’s Sports Diplomacy division focused on four countries across sub-Saharan Africa that will run through 2023.  LeCrom’s research interests lie in sport for development and global sport. She and her family spent all of 2019 on a Fulbright Fellowship living in South Africa, where she implemented a female-focused gender empowerment program through the sport of soccer. She has published in various sport-based journals and regularly presents her work at national and international conferences. LeCrom holds degrees from Lynchburg College (B.A. in Business Administration and Sport Management), and VCU (M.S. in Sport Leadership; Ph.D. in Education). She is married to the Director of Youth Development for the Richmond Strikers Soccer club and has 2 amazing children.

Panelists:

• Roxy Davis, The Roxy Davis Foundation

Roxy Davis is a nine time South African Surfing Champion, professional Surf Coach, Business Owner, Mother, and Founder of the Roxy Davis Foundation. As a professional surfer, Roxy has won numerous awards - too many to list! She has represented South Africa at numerous Surfing, Longboarding, and Stand Up Paddleboarding World Championships. In 2017 she made history in South Africa when she was named Captain of the SA Longboard Surfing team, becoming the first individual to represent SA as a shortboard surfer, stand up paddle-board surfer, longboard surfer, National Surf coach, and National surfing manager.  Roxy is a longtime coach and administrator in the sport of surfing, and teaching people to surf is her passion. Roxy founded her surf school in 2002, which found success very quickly and is currently the largest surf school in SA and one of the largest in the world. In 2019, Roxy officially launched the Roxy Davis Foundation, a non-profit that aims to affect meaningful change in people’s lives by improving their mental and physical well-being through ocean based therapy programs. Out of the water, Roxy has an honors degree in Psychology and Communication through the University of South Africa, is a registered Psychological Counsellor, and is a qualified chef. She’s currently studying for a Master’s degree in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Cape Town. On top of all of this, she is a wife and mother of young children. 

• Rashauna Hamilton, (M.Ed. ‘12), Miami Dolphins

RaShauna, currently the Senior Director of Community Relations and Youth Programs for the Miami Dolphins overseeing outreach, diversity and inclusion and youth initiatives has crafted a diverse career in the sports industry. After beginning in Inside and Group sales for Monumental Sports and Entertainment Hobbs received her masters from Virginia Commonwealth University in Sport Leadership. This position led to an Account team position with GMR Marketing on the Lowe’s business streamlining store opening events for over 15 locations, building strong community platforms in partnership with the Charlotte Bobcats, and maximizing the B2B client entertainment priority. A former collegiate basketball player Hobbs shifted her focus back to the sport and worked with the Atlanta Hawks for three (3) years as the Manager of Community Basketball Programs. She was responsible for the creation of Hawks Basketball Academy and growth of the Jr. Hawks brand and business to over 2,400 participants with 90 events and activations. 

• Alejandra Ortiz, (M.B. CSL ‘19), First Tee of the Triangle

Born and raised in Panama, Alejandra went to Torcuato Di Tella University in Argentina where she graduated with a bachelor’s of International Affairs and Studies. Alejandra complemented her academic career with the sport of horse show jumping. During this time, she was also a silver medalist at the 2010 Central American Games, and the first Panamanian to qualify for the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games. After finishing her undergraduate studies, Alejandra served as a political adviser at the Permanent Mission of Panama to the United Nations. In 2019 she obtained her master's degree in Sport Leadership at VCU. During this time, Alejandra started her career in fundraising where she worked as a development assistant both for VCU Athletics and SwimRVA. Before joining The First Tee of the Triangle, Alejandra worked at the Wolfpack Club as development intern. In her free time, Alejandra enjoys running, road cycling, reading and exploring the food scene in Raleigh along with her husband Santiago.