RECOGNIZING KATLYN GAO, STACY JOHNS, MARTHA SAUCEDO AND ALI RILEY FOR EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP
Los Angeles, California: The Los Angeles Chapter of Women in Sports and Events (WISE LA) proudly unveils its 2025 Women of Inspiration honorees: Katlyn Gao, Co-Founder, Founding CEO and Board Member, LOVB; Stacy Johns, Chief Business Officer, Los Angeles Football Club; and Martha Saucedo, Chief External Affairs Officer, AEG; with special recognition for Ali Riley, Retired Team Captain, Angel City Football Club and New Zealand Women’s National Team, for their outstanding leadership, impact and contributions to the sports industry.
WISE LA will honor these remarkable women during its 14th Annual Women of Inspiration event on Thursday, November 13, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. PT at LA’s iconic Peacock Theater.
The Women of Inspiration series celebrates members of the sports and entertainment community who break barriers, create opportunities and embody professional excellence. Each honoree represents the power of leadership, collaboration and vision — inspiring the next generation of women to rise, lead and thrive.
Limited general admission tickets are available — secure your spot and be part of this inspiring evening.
Members: $100, Non-Member: $125
Deadline to purchase GA tickets is Friday, November 7 at 5:00PM.
INTRODUCING THE 2025 WOMEN OF INSPIRATION
Katlyn Gao
Co-Founder & Founding CEO, League One Volleyball (LOVB)
Katlyn Gao is Co-Founder, Founding CEO and Board Member for League One Volleyball, whose mission is to reimagine the future of volleyball. With a unique community up approach, LOVB is one holistic ecosystem - from club to pro. The only youth-to-pro league in American sports, LOVB is the largest community of youth clubs in the country, and its professional league features some of the world’s most elite players, including Olympic Medalists from Team USA.
Under Katlyn's leadership, LOVB was built to not only address the significant market opportunity in volleyball, the #1 girls team sport in the country, but also to build the type of league women athletes deserve, and expand possibilities for women through how volleyball is played, promoted and expressed. Applying her unique brand and strategic insights from Lululemon, Sephora, Coach, Bain and Harvard Business School, Katlyn is setting a new standard for building a modern league, from youth to pro. LOVB’s investors include Atwater Capital, Ares Management, Billie Jean King, Mellody Hobson, Kevin Durant, Candace Parker and Chelsea Handler.
Stacy Johns
Chief Business Officer, Los Angeles Football Club
Stacy Johns serves as Chief Business Officer of LAFC Partners, LLLP (LAFC), which owns and operates the Los Angeles Football Club of Major League Soccer, winners of the 2024 U.S. Open Cup, 2022 MLS Cup and multiple Supporters’ Shields. She oversees all operations and events at BMO Stadium, a premier Los Angeles venue, guiding LAFC’s growth into the most valuable club in MLS, with a valuation rise from $475M to $1.2B. Recognized as a 2023 Game Changer by Sports Business Journal and 2024 CFO of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal, Stacy leads business strategy, operations and partnerships that drive the club’s continued success.
She also manages LAFC’s international operations as President of the Board of Directors of Grasshopper Club Zurich, Managing Director of FC Wacker Innsbruck and a key leader in Red & Gold Football, the club’s joint venture with FC Bayern Munich. Before joining LAFC, Stacy served as Vice President of Finance and Human Resources for the Indianapolis Colts and began her career as a Certified Public Accountant with Ernst & Young and Eli Lilly. She serves on several boards, including European Football Clubs (EFC) alongside leaders from some of the biggest clubs across Europe, the LA Sports Council, Pro Sports Assembly and USC Marshall School of Business, and holds a B.S. in Accounting from Butler University. She has three children, Vivian, Camille and Charlie.
Martha Saucedo
Chief External Affairs Officer, AEG
Martha Saucedo serves as Chief External Affairs Officer for AEG, which owns and operates the L.A. Galaxy, MLS Cup 2024 Champions and the L.A. Kings, winners of the NHL Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014, as well as other diversified holdings. She oversees corporate communications, public and community affairs, government relations, sustainability, external inclusion efforts, and AEG’s philanthropic initiatives.
Recognized by Sports Business Journal as a “40 under 40” honoree, she has played a key role in the approval and growth of important real estate development initiatives, including Dignity Health Sports Park and the L.A. Live Sports and Entertainment District. A strong advocate for supporting the development of women professionals in sports and entertainment, Martha co-founded AEG’s Women’s Leadership Council. Martha has served in leadership roles supporting greater educational access for youth throughout her career, including as past Chair of the Board of the CA Science Center Foundation and as a member of the UCLA Foundation Board of Directors. She is a proud native Angelino, with a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA and an M.B.A. from the UCLA Anderson School of Business.
Ali Riley
Retired Team Captain, Angel City Football Club & New Zealand Women’s National Team
Ali Riley is one of the most decorated and influential figures in women’s soccer, celebrated for her achievements on the field and the leadership and visibility she has brought to the game. A veteran of five FIFA Women’s World Cups and four Olympic Games, she earned more than 160 international caps and captained the New Zealand Women’s National Team for nearly two decades. Her club career spanned top leagues around the world, including FC Bayern Munich, Chelsea FC and FC Rosengård, before returning to the NWSL with Orlando Pride and later becoming the first-ever captain of Angel City FC, where she helped shape the club’s vision for equity, representation and community impact.
Beyond the pitch, Riley has become a dynamic storyteller and media personality, hosting shows, creating original content and bringing her authenticity and energy to live events and red carpets. One of the few Asian American women to compete at the highest levels of global football, she is a powerful advocate for inclusivity and representation. She is also the author of Girls Gone Veg: Plant-Based Recipes by Athletes, for Everyone, showcasing her creativity and commitment to healthy living. Riley’s legacy extends beyond sport, defined by purpose, joy and a drive to inspire others.
PURCHASING TICKETS
You must have a WISE account to purchase a GA ticket for this event. If you do not have a WISE account, please create one before you purchase a GA ticket — become a member or subscriber.
Members and Subscribers: Please log in to your WISE account before purchasing a GA ticket. Need help? Go to our "Forgot Password" form, contact us or call us at 212-726-8282 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET).
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ABOUT WISE LOS ANGELES
Women in Sports and Events Los Angeles (WISE LA) is a dynamic community of professionals in the business of sports. WISE LA members connect through events, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities across Los Angeles and online at losangeles.wiseworks.org. To learn more about becoming a member of WISE LA, visit wiseworks.org/about/membership.
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