About Us
Meet our Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Jen Brooks, CMAA
In a world where I often stood as the only woman in the room, I found inspiration—not intimidation—in that solitude. I saw an opportunity to change the narrative, to build a space where women in high school sports could gather, support one another, and thrive. Recognizing that such a space didn’t yet exist, I set out to create it myself. That’s how the Global Community of Women in High School Sports was born.
This isn’t just a community; it’s a movement. Imagine a room filled with women who share an unwavering passion for high school sports, who bring determination, grit, and joy to their roles every day. This is the reality we’ve crafted—a vibrant, inclusive network where connections are made, ideas are shared, and barriers are broken.
Our Global Community is not exclusive. It’s a place for anyone who believes in the power of sports to inspire, lead, and unite. Whether you’re a woman working in high school athletics, a male ally, or a passionate supporter, you’ll find a home here. Together, we celebrate not only the victories on the field but also the resilience, collaboration, and innovation that define our work off it.
Here, the vision is clear: to empower and uplift individuals through shared experiences, mutual support, and collective growth. By fostering this environment, we’re not just breaking barriers; we’re building bridges—connecting generations of leaders and creating a legacy of excellence and inclusion.
At the Global Community of Women in High School Sports, we dare to dream of a future where every voice is heard, every leader is celebrated, and no one stands alone in their pursuit of greatness. Together, we’re redefining the landscape of high school sports, one connection at a time.
Welcome to our community—a place where passion meets purpose and dreams have no bounds. Join us as we continue to shape the future of high school sports for women and allies everywhere.
Meet our Executive Council
Tabitha Beard
Tabitha Beard is a celebrated educator, coach, and athletic leader with a track record of success both on and off the field. Currently serving as the Co-Activities Director for Oxford School District, Beard has dedicated over two decades to shaping the future of education-based athletics. Prior to her current role, she spent three years as the Assistant Activities Director and taught math while coaching high school softball for 20 years.
During her coaching tenure, Beard led her teams to extraordinary heights, winning five state championships at New Hope High School in New Hope, Mississippi. Her remarkable achievements earned her numerous accolades, including being named Coach of the Year by the Mississippi Association of Coaches in 2009 and receiving nine Coach of the Year honors from the Commercial Dispatch and Clarion Ledger.
Beard’s commitment to professional excellence extends beyond coaching. She is one of only three Athletic Directors in Mississippi to earn the prestigious Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA) designation from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). She also holds national certifications as an Accredited Interscholastic Coach (AIC) and a Certified Interscholastic Coach (CIC), reflecting her dedication to fostering student, school, and community success.
A proud alumna of Mississippi University for Women, Beard earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the institution. Despite her extensive accomplishments, she considers her greatest achievement to be her 25-year marriage to her husband, Wade, and their two children, Brittni (24) and Hunter (19).
Dena Floyd
Dena Floyd is a force in athletics. Known for her success as a strength and conditioning trainer and former collegiate soccer coach, she brings passion and administrative knowledge to the executive council of the Global Community of Women in Sports.
Floyd currently serves as the athletic director at Woods Charter School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where she oversees the multi-sport options for kindergarten through 12th grade students and teaches health and physical education courses. She is an active member of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and is licensed as a Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA). Floyd is a graduate of the University of Florida and received her Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from North Carolina State University. She’s also been training collegiate and even Olympic athletics for more than 11 years, encouraging her clients to achieve their dreams.
When asked what the Global Community of Women in Sports means to her, Floyd remarked “GC is a space and community that I believe really helps women in sport and their allies grow as individuals and as a collective for the betterment of our student athletes and women in sport.”
Deborah Mize
Coach Deborah Mize is a former basketball star who took her talents from the hardwood to the classroom. She is the current Assistant Athletic Director in the Fort Bend Independent School District Athletic Department, home to more than 80,000 students, including 14,000 athletes.
As a student athlete for many years, Mize led her basketball team in three-point percentages and assists at Houston Baptist University in Austin, Texas. She later transferred to St. Edwards University, where she received All-Conference basketball honors. An award-winning basketball coach, she was selected five times as a district coach of the year and took Hightower High School to two State of Texas Tournament Appearances. Outside of administrative duties, Mize currently serves on the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Health and Wellness Committee.
Mize’s passion for athletics is an impetus for serving on the executive council for the Global Community of Women in High School Sports. She strongly believes that education-based athletics are the best “real-life” teacher we can offer students.
Vicki Nelms
Vicki Nelms joined the executive council with a wealth of knowledge as a former athlete, teacher, coach and sports administrator. Her extensive 43-year career in youth athletics makes her an outstanding addition to the organization.
Nelms’ love of sports began at Pacific High School in Pacific, Missouri, where she was a three-sport athlete who went on to play collegiate volleyball at Arkansas State University. She later received her master’s in education from Texas Woman’s University, and spent her career as a coach, athletic director, teacher and assistant principal in states from Missouri to Texas to Florida and Oregon. Nelms officially retired in 2023 and will be recognized in the Oregon Athletic Directors’ Hall of Fame in 2025.
For Nelms, joining the Global Community of Women in High School sports meant the opportunity to help women continue to grow in this profession. She shared that the organization offers women the chance to find strength, empowerment and networking. Nelms is currently retired and committed to supporting other women in the profession she loved for more than 40 years.
Jenn Nelson
Jenn Nelson is a passionate athletic leader who leverages her expertise to empower women in sports. As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Women Belong Everywhere (WBE), she is a fierce advocate for the continued advancement of women in sports management leadership roles.
Nelson brings more than 11 years of experience in youth athletics to the Global Community of Women in High School Sports. She has led young soccer players to success on the field as a head coach and holds a US Soccer Federation D license. She also creates conversation on the topic as a frequent contributor to the SportsMoney section of Forbes.com. Her writings offer a comprehensive perspective on the achievements and obstacles associated with women’s sports, at all levels.
Nelson believes in the power of the Global Community of Women in High School
Sports because it’s a space where women in the profession are “celebrated, encouraged, and given real opportunities to grow. It’s a movement to break barriers and build a future where women in high school sports can truly thrive.”
Jan Wilking
Jan Wilking is a well-known and highly respected former athletic director in Ohio. In 2021, Wilking became a partner in an innovative startup organization called Coaches’ Tool Chest, an online certification and professional development platform serving more than 40,000 coaches nationwide.
Prior to launching Coaches’ Tool Chest, Wilking spent more than 18 years transforming high school athletic programs at several Ohio schools. With experience in business management and high school athletics, she oversaw facilities, operations, and dozens of sports programs at St. Ursula Academy, Oak Hills High School, and Wyoming City Schools in Cincinnati. She successfully earned the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Award of Merit, the National Federation of High Schools Citation Award, the Ohio High School Athletic Association Award of Excellence and was named Athletic Director of the Year by the Southwest District Athletic Board and Cincinnati.com. She is a graduate of the University of Charleston in West Virginia.
To Wilking, joining the Global Community of Women in High School Sports means participating in a community where members inspire and support one another, offer innovative solutions to challenges in sports, and champion equal opportunities for women. It’s an opportunity to honor and build upon a foundation set by female administrators who came before her in this profession.
Dr. Jacob Yorg
Become a Global Community State Leader!
Are you passionate about advancing women in high school sports and building a stronger, more connected community of Athletic Administrators and Coaches? As a Global Community State Leader, you’ll play a vital role in shaping the future of our movement in your state.
What does being a State Leader involve?
- Expand Our Network: Use your connections and influence to invite Athletic Directors, Coaches, aspiring leaders, and allies—both men and women—to join the Global Community. Your efforts will help grow our membership and amplify our mission.
- Be the Voice for Your State: Serve as the primary liaison between your state and the Global Community. Share key updates, highlight needs, and keep the Executive Council informed of what’s happening in your region.
- Innovate and Inspire: Bring fresh ideas to the table! Whether it’s creative recruitment strategies, collaboration opportunities, or ways to better serve our members, your input will help us continually improve and expand our reach.
Why become a State Leader?
- Make a Difference: Help create meaningful connections and provide opportunities for others to grow and thrive in their careers.
- Gain Recognition: Represent your state on a national level as a key advocate for the Global Community’s mission.
- Join a Supportive Network: Work alongside a passionate team of leaders and gain access to unique resources, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities.
We believe every idea has value, and together, we can create lasting change. Ready to lead the way for your state? Join us as a State Leader today and help shape the future of women in high school sports!
Meet our State Leaders
Alabama
Katasha Turner
kdaturner.79@gmail.com
Alaska
Arizona
Joni Pabst
jp0808@aol.com
Arkansas
Julie Kelly
AD@providence-academy.com
California
Renee Regoli
rlregoli@mpsaz.org
Elena De Santis
elena.desantis@sacredsf.org
Colorado
Connecticut
Tammy Schondelmayer
tschondy23@cox.net
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Ashlee Anderson
amasports23@gmail.com
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Pamela Thornton
pamelajthornton15@gmail.com
Massachusetts
Michigan
Meg Seng
megseng@gmail.com
Minnesota
Mississippi
Tabitha Beard
tgbeard@oxfordsd.org
Missouri
Jen Brooks
jen@globalcommunityofwomeninsports.com
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
Lori Lotts
lorilotts@gmail.com
New Hampshire
New Jersey
MaryColleen Foley
marycolleen.foley@gmail.com
New Mexico
Jeaney Garcia
jeaney.garcia@bosqueschool.org
New York
Kelsey McCormack
North Carolina
Dena Floyd
dfloyd@woodscharter.org
North Dakota
Ohio
Pam Bosser
p_bosser@lcsschools.net
Oklahoma
Lyndsay Watts
llwatts@enidk12.org
Oregon
Shelby Bumpus
sbumpus@tuttleschools.org
Pennsylvania
Serena Henry
shenry@jsasd.org
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Kelly Fish
kelly.fish@curreyingram.org
Texas
Utah
Andrea Bouwhuis
abouwhuis@tooeleschools.org
Vermont
Geri Witalec-Krupa
gwitalec@fwsu.org
Virginia
Julie Dayton
jdayton@st.catherines.org
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
International
Kelly Lang
langk@taism.com