Donna de Varona has never been one to wait for doors to open. At 13, she became the youngest member of the U.S. Olympic swimming team. By 17, she had won two Olympic gold medals and set 18 world records. Then, in an era when women were rarely seen behind the microphone, she became one of the first female sportscasters on national television. Beyond the pool and the broadcast booth, she fought to reshape the landscape of women’s sports, playing a critical role in advancing Title IX, helping pass the Amateur Sports Act, and cofounding the Women’s Sports Foundation with Billie Jean King.
On February 27, de Varona headlined the 5th Annual Girls With Impact Trailblazer Gala, an event dedicated to equipping the next generation of female leaders. Girls With Impact, the nonprofit behind the event, provides tuition-free business and leadership training to young women, helping them develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive in industries still dominated by men. The sold-out gala gathered business executives, entrepreneurs, and young women eager to follow in the footsteps of trailblazers like de Varona.
“Donna is a global force in advancing opportunities for women,” said Jennifer Openshaw, CEO & Chairman of Girls With Impact. “She shattered barriers in sports and media, and her story is exactly the kind of inspiration young women need as they step into leadership.”
De Varona’s influence extends far beyond athletics. She served five times on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, played a key role in securing the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and was instrumental in bringing the 2028 Olympic Games to Los Angeles. Today, she sits on the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Board and the International Olympic Committee, where she continues to shape global sports policy.
“Sports is big business,” de Varona said. “I won’t rest until women have the same opportunities to achieve their full potential—whether on the field, in the pool, or in the corner office. That’s why the work Girls With Impact is doing is so vital.” The numbers underscore the challenge. The sports industry is projected to exceed $52 billion in the U.S. by 2025 and $507 billion globally, yet women hold just 26% of executive positions in major international sports federations, according to SIGA. A Deloitte study found that 69% of women earning over $100,000 per year and holding leadership positions played competitive sports, reinforcing the connection between athletic experience and workplace success. Girls With Impact is working to close that gap—more than 90% of its graduates report increased leadership confidence and stronger communication skills.
“Donna’s achievement s exemplify the power of investing in opportunities that drive change,” said Thomas Majewski, Founder and Managing Partner of Eagle Point Credit, the event’s presenting sponsor. “Her story proves what’s possible when talent is nurtured and barriers are broken.”
Although the gala is over, supporters still have a chance to be part of the movement.
Shop the GWI Silent Auction – Exclusive Experiences Await!
The silent auction remains open, offering bidders access to one-of-a-kind, hard-to-get experiences, with all proceeds supporting Girls With Impact’s tuition-free programs.
