Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart is proud to host the She Leads, She Wins: Girls Athletics & Leadership Conference on Saturday, April 26, from 9 AM to 3 PM. Offered through the National Center for Girls’ Leadership at Stuart and in partnership with LaunchBreak and LetHerPlay, this event is designed to empower middle school female athletes (grades 5-8) by combining sport-specific training with leadership development.

Through expert-led clinics, mentorship from women in sports, and engaging leadership sessions, participants will develop the skills and mindset needed to lead both on and off the field. The conference will feature a keynote address by Gia Fruscione ’96, founder and executive director of LetHerPlay and member of the Stuart Athletics Hall of Fame, who will share her insights on the power of sports in shaping female leaders.

“It is critical for young girls to experience firsthand how sports participation builds leadership skills and to learn from women who have developed confidence, resilience, and teamwork through athletics,” said Marissa Muoio, director of the National Center for Girls’ Leadership at Stuart. “The link between sports and leadership is well-documented, and we are fortunate to partner with LaunchBreak and LetHerPlay to bring visibility to this path for girls. Beyond the well-being benefits of sports, we see how participation fosters discipline, collaboration, and the ability to navigate challenges—essential traits of strong leaders.”

Participants will spend the morning refining their skills in basketball, cross country, tennis, field hockey, or lacrosse, led by Stuart’s experienced coaching staff. The afternoon will feature a keynote address from Gia Fruscione ‘96 and interactive leadership development sessions designed to foster teamwork, resilience, and confidence.

About Our Partners:

LaunchBreak is a professional and shared-interest community for athletes who play/ed women’s sports at the collegiate, national team, or professional level. LaunchBreak provides mentorship, job search preparation, access to industry experts, and career development to help athletes gain the confidence and abilities needed to succeed in their future endeavors. A strong supporter of girls and women in sports, LaunchBreak is committed to empowering the next generation of female athletes.

LetHerPlay is a national 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to engaging and enrolling more girls in sports programming because of the proven life skill benefits they gain from participation. LetHerPlay believes that playing sports is integral to life success, and that girls—and their support networks—should have access to the opportunities, coaching, support, and mentorship needed to make lifelong participation a reality.

Registration is now open, with group rate opportunities as well as sponsorship options. To register or learn more, visit stuartschool.org/galc.