Minnesota Lynx Launch Changemakers Platform to Build Next Gen of Women Leaders
December 1, 2023
The WNBA's Minnesota Lynx recently launched the Lynx Changemakers platform – a local first-of-its-kind venture focused on building the next generation of women leaders and growing women’s sport throughout the state. The team-level initiative is modeled after the WNBA’s successful league-level Changemakers platform created in 2020 to bring together businesses that are driving positive change for the WNBA, women's sports and women in society. Initiatives like this align to the league's aim to "rethink the way partners, fans and athletes can - and should - show up for women's sports."
Lynx Changemakers is designed to go beyond traditional sponsorship models and pave the way for major local companies to invest in women’s sports in a new way. By combining purpose-driven activation with direct financial support of local organizations, the Minnesota business community will get a chance to collectively showcase their commitment to fostering gender equity and women’s leadership through the power of sports.
Financial support will benefit local Minneapolis organizations that are actively engaged in using sports to drive change and mobilizing their communities to invest in young girls. Girls Taking Action™, whose mission to motivate, empower and educate girls on how to succeed in school and life, was named as the first beneficiary. Retail leader and longstanding Minnesota Lynx partner, Target, was announced as the inaugural Lynx Changemaker partner.
In addition to unique team access and Executive Roundtables, the initiative also includes an annual Lynx Changemaker Summit which will take place in Minneapolis around a celebratory date. The Summit will bring together executives, employee resource groups and athletes to collaborate, share inspirational stories and discuss actionable steps necessary for the future development of women leaders. It will be live-streamed for the employee networks of each Lynx Changemaker.
“Congratulations to the Minnesota Lynx and Target on this groundbreaking collaboration that signals a powerful commitment to advancing the growth and impact of women’s basketball,” said Colie Edison, WNBA Chief Growth Officer. “This partnership will transcend beyond the court, extending into the local communities to help create positive change and further elevate the status of women in sports.”
The Lynx and Target will look to expand the platform and bring on more Changemakers who are investing in women’s sports, opening access to more inclusive and equitable pathways in business and driving positive change throughout the community.
In 2020, WNBA announced the WNBA Changemakers collective with founding partners AT&T, Deloitte and Nike. It provides direct support to the WNBA through business, marketing, branding, and player and fan experience investment and opportunities. Since then, partners CarMax, Google and US Bank have joined to provide financial investment and lift the league and players through marketing amplification and close strategic collaboration. This collective intends to redefine what it means to live values through business partnerships.
Source: Minnesota Lynx