Power Play: The Women Behind the 2023 Men’s Final Four

The NCAA Men’s Final Four returns to Houston in 2023 and a mega-event of this scale doesn’t come together overnight.  It requires years of planning and strong team off the court to match the intensity of play on the court.  Nothing exemplifies a Power Play like the women of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Final Four!  As part of our signature event series, WISE Houston invites you to celebrate the women who will make Houston’s 2023 championship come alive.  Hear from the local team, as well as leaders from the NCAA, all at one of Houston’s four championship host institutions.

5:30 PM-Networking

6:30 PM-Program Begins

Complimentary heavy appetizers will be provided and a cash bar will be available.

 

Use the Club Entry at the Fertitta Center, University of Houston, 3875 Holman Street

Park in the Stadium Garage, Visitors’ Entrance, 3874 Holman Street

 

 

 

Moderator

Rachel Quan – Vice President, External Operations, Houston Local Organizing Committee

Rachel Quan is currently the Vice President of External Operations for the 2016 NCAA Men’s Final Four Houston Local Organizing Committee, having previously served in this role for the 2011 Final Four. Her background is primarily in event production, event operations and experiential marketing.  Rachel’s early years in the event business were spent as a Festival Director and then as the National Director of Production and Arrangements for an international non-profit, first overseeing one of their largest festivals to date in Houston and then going on to manage their festival production in other U.S. cities.  She ran the Houston office for a national experiential marketing firm (Mowalla Productions) and was their expert on non-profit and faith-based events, as well as working with the team on national events for various clients throughout the United States.  In addition to her current role with the Final Four, Rachel continues to produce and execute various events nationally as co-owner of event company, SBHH.

 

Panel

JoAn Scott – Managing Director, Men’s Basketball Championship, NCAA

Noting it as one of the most memorable sporting events she ever attended, JoAn Scott served as an assistant to the head of USA Basketball, Dan Gavitt for the 1992 Dream Team.  That was just 1 unimaginable run as part her near decade-long tenure with USA Basketball that led her to Nike where she built a 17-year successful career working across Sports Entertainment, Basketball, College Sports Marketing and Olympic Sports Marketing.  One of her biggest risks at Nike was signing 3 powerhouse female Olympians – Gabby Douglas, Shawn Johnson & Misty May-Treanor – even though none of them wore footwear during competition.  But her love was always in college basketball.  JoAn reconnected with Dan Gavitt and joined the NCAA in 2013 where she now oversees all operations of NCAA March Madness and the Men’s Final Four.  Widely viewed as the leader who makes it all happen, JoAn is one of the most highly respected professionals in college basketball, male or female.

 

 

Ellen Lucey – Director, Championships & Alliances, Corporate Relations, Marketing & Branding, NCAA

 

Ellen Lucey joined the NCAA in 2018 to oversee sponsorships, partnerships, marketing and branding for all NCAA championships. Calling it her “dream job,” Ellen gets to combine two of her passions, sports marketing and collegiate athletics, daily.  Serving as 2x captain of her swim team at Indiana University, Ellen was known for her competitive spirit that led her well into her long-time tenure at The Coca-Cola Company.  It was there Ellen worked with Super Bowl host cities to drive Coke’s presence, partnered with ESPN on various programming, helped to launch the Coca-Cola Racing Family with NASCAR, and helped recruit LeBron James as the spokesman for Sprite and POWERade before he had even played his first NBA game.

 

 

 

Holly Kesterson – President, Houston Local Organizing Committee

Holly Kesterson is serving as President of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Final Four Houston Local Organizing Committee but has been part of the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority team for since 2015 focusing on sales and event execution. During her time with HCHSA, Holly has led many successful events and initiatives including many youth, collegiate, professional, and international events. She is an active member of the National Association of Sports Commissions and was honored with the 2018 Game Changer Award for her invaluable contributions to the industry and her organization. Holly is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University with a bachelor’s degree in Sports, Entertainment and Event Management, where she was a student athlete as a member of the University’s Women’s Basketball team. In addition, Holly has a master’s degree in Sports Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. Prior to her move to Houston, she held positions with the United States Olympic Committee as well as USA Boxing.

 

Carla Gomez – Director, Marketing & Communications, Houston Local Organizing Committee

A graduate of St. Edward’s University, Carla Gomez has built her career as a social media and public relations pro.  With a passion for telling stories to move business forward, Carla first worked with the NCAA Men’s Final Four Houston Local Organizing in 2016 as part of the Lopez Negrete Communications / Professional Sports Partners family leading the PR efforts for the agency.  That was quickly followed by collaborating on Hispanic PR efforts with the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee.  In her current role as Director of Marketing & Communications for the 2023 Men’s Final Four Houston Local Organizing Committee, Carla serves as the liaison between the NCAA, the HLOC, and Houston stakeholders as it relates to the development of strategic marketing & communications support.