Leadership, Empowerment, & Athletic Development

Empowering Female Athletes to Lead In Sport and In Life

Our Goals

  • Lead Sports Co. exists to elevate and empower female athletes through Leadership, Empowerment, & Athletic Development.

  • We connect teen athletes with Olympians and elite athletes, and other accomplished experts, coaches, and peers, who help them build the skills and confidence to succeed in sport and beyond.

  • Our goal is not simply to help athletes become better competitors. It is to help them become more confident teammates, stronger communicators, resilient individuals, and leaders in their lives.

What We Help Athletes Do

  • We give athletes practical tools to trust themselves, handle challenges, and recognize their strengths.

  • We support growth in leadership, mental performance, nutrition, communication, and personal development, not just athletic performance.

  • We create meaningful opportunities to learn from Olympians, accomplished athletes, industry specialists, and women from different backgrounds.

  • We bring together female athletes who understand the dedication, challenges, and rewards of pursuing ambitious goals.

  • We help athletes develop skills that serve them in sport, school, relationships, careers, and life.

Built by an athlete who understands the journey

Lead Sports Co. was founded by three-time Olympian Kara Lynn Joyce, who competed for Team USA at the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympic Games and won four Olympic medals.

After experiencing the highs and challenges of elite competition, Kara recognized the importance of helping the next generation of female athletes develop more than physical skill. They also need confidence, perspective, support, strong mentors, and a community that believes in them.

She founded the Lead Summit in 2017 to connect female athletes with accomplished women in sports. Today, Lead Sports Co. includes both the Lead Summit and Lead Academy, providing experiences and educational resources for athletes, parents, and coaches.

Black and white photograph of Olympian Kara Lynn Joyce with wavy hair holding two Olympic medals in her hand.
A woman speaking into a microphone, with a colorful backdrop featuring the words 'Lead Summit' and an illustration of a city skyline. She is wearing a maroon t-shirt and white pants, standing on a stage with chairs and potted plants nearby.
Group of young female swimmers in black swimsuits and swimming caps, posing together at a swimming pool.

A growing community

Since 2017, Lead Sports Co. has grown from an annual summit into a broader community dedicated to the development of female athletes.

What began as a platform for connection and inspiration now includes:

  • The Lead Summit

  • Lead Academy online courses

  • Resources for parents and coaches

  • Mentorship and community-building opportunities

  • Programming focused on leadership, confidence, mental performance, nutrition, and more

Through this work, Lead has supported 1,000+ female athletes and welcomed Olympians, elite athletes, coaches, experts, and community partners who share the belief that athletes deserve opportunities to grow both in sport and in life.

Photo: Founders Kara Lynn Joyce (left) and Courtney Randolph (right)

Two women sitting on a white leather couch in front of a blue and teal abstract background with a large illuminated 'LEAD' sign. They are smiling and looking at the camera.

The Lead Team

  • A smiling woman holding silver Olympic medals, wearing a medal ribbon around her neck.

    Kara Lynn Joyce

    FOUNDER/CEO

  • A woman with long red hair smiling outdoors, wearing a plaid blazer over a navy lace top, standing near a white railing with a blurred cityscape in the background.

    Courtney Randolph

    OPERATIONS/COMMUNICATIONS

  • A young swimmer in a black swimsuit with yellow straps, smiling with arms raised, standing in front of a large black flag with a white and yellow logo.

    Ellie Friedlander

    CONTENT CREATOR/SOCIAL MEDIA

  • A young man with dark hair and a smile wearing a blue collared shirt, standing outdoors against a background of a wooden fence and beige stucco wall.

    Cejih 'CG' Yung

    PARTNERSHIPS/SALES

There’s a Place for You in the Lead Community.

Whether you are an athlete, parent, coach, or sports fan, we have something for you rooted in our Lead mission.

Explore the Lead Summit.
Explore the Lead Academy.
Join the Lead Community.