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A Conversation
with Washington Spirit CEO, Kim Stone.
Only at AU.
An Alan Meltzer speaker series event
A Conversation on Leadership, Growth, and the Business of Professional Sports.
Kim Stone, CEO of the Washington Spirit. Stone will share insights on leading a top-tier professional sports organization, navigating the evolving business of women’s sports, and building a culture that drives both competitive success and long-term organizational impact—at the intersection of leadership, strategy, and community engagement.
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 11 AM ET
AU's Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship, DMTI 221 and Livestream
Join Kogod for an AI Masterclass!
Discover how tools like ChatGPT can enhance daily tasks. Find local coffee shops tailored to your preferences, draft professional emails, or automate to-do lists.
Dive into persona-driven interactions where AI adapts to your goals, like helping you manage time more effectively or refine job applications based on your experience.
See demonstrations of AI-powered platforms that personalize financial planning, simulate career outcomes, or build predictive models for financial growth.
Register to Attend
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Kim Stone
CEO, Washington Spirit
Kim Stone is the Chief Executive Officer of the Washington Spirit, bringing nearly 30 years of leadership in professional sports and arena management. Stone joined the Spirit in January 2024 as the first CEO in the club’s history, overseeing all business operations and working alongside Owner Michele Kang to establish the Spirit as the preeminent sports organization in the world.
Since stepping into the role, Stone has led the Spirit through record-breaking growth. The 2025 home opener marked the club’s third consecutive sellout at Audi Field and the largest home opener in team history, drawing 19,254 fans. Under her leadership, the Spirit achieved a more than 70% year-over-year increase in full season ticket memberships and a 90% renewal rate — demonstrating rising fan interest loyalty. The club also saw nearly 20% year-over-year growth in corporate partnerships revenue, reflecting strong momentum across the business.
Before joining the Spirit, Stone served as President of UBS Arena and Executive Vice President of Oak View Group East, where she led all business operations, including corporate partnerships and premium ticketing.
Stone’s impressive career includes a 23-year tenure with the NBA’s Miami HEAT, where she managed American Airlines Arena (now Kaseya Center) and led the venue to become the world’s first LEED Gold-certified sports and entertainment facility. During her time with the HEAT, she also helped host four consecutive NBA Finals and earned recognition for the arena as the NBA’s Best Arena Experience in 2017.
In 2019, Stone was named General Manager of Chase Center in San Francisco, overseeing its successful launch. Under her leadership, the venue hosted 14 events in its first 25 days and was named 2019 Venue of the Year by Sports Business Journal. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, she led Chase Center to become one of the first sports venues to earn Star facility accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC).
Throughout her career, Stone has earned numerous accolades, including being named to
Billboard’s Women in Music Top Executives, Pollstar, and Venues Now’s Women of Live in 2023. She has also been recognized as a Sports Business Journal (SBJ) Power Player in Facility Management, a Woman of the Year by Women in Sports and Events (WISE), and an SBJ Game Changer.