Sports remains one of the greatest socialization mechanisms in the world it communicates values without relying on any one language, and its most successful participants are known and respected globally. And yet, an entire community of people remain systematically excluded from sport.
Athlete Ally believes that everyone should have equal access, opportunity, and experience in sports regardless of your sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Our mission is to end homophobia and transphobia in sport and to activate the athletic community to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQI+ equality.
WHAT WE DO
EDUCATION
We educate individuals and institutions to understand the obstacles to inclusion for LGBTQI+ people and how they can build an inclusive culture within their athletic communities
POLICY
We work to ensure sport governing bodies, teams and leagues adopt policies that reflect the diversity of their constituents
The Action Awards are Athlete Ally's annual awards celebration to honor LGBTQI+ athletes, allies, and organizations that are making a difference in LGBTQI+ inclusion on and off the field.
Tonight will be the perfect opportunity to:
Listen and gain insights from professional athletes, corporate leaders, collegiate student-athletes, Athlete Ally staff, and LGBTQI+ activists.
Engage - Participate in the auction, the live paddle raise, and connect with fellow Athlete Ally supporters.
Party - The Action Awards are a joyful and pride-filled celebration, even as we face significant challenges together.
TONIGHT’S LINE-UP
6:00 PM |
7:20 PM |
7:25 PM |
7:40 PM |
8:20 PM | 8:45 PM | 9:30 PM | 9:40 PM |
10:00 PM | 10:30 PM |
Action Awards Kickoff with an Elegant Cocktail Reception
Guests are invited to take their seats for an exquisite three-course dinner
The evening’s program officially begins
Discover Athlete Ally
An inspiring showcase of its impactful programs
Gourmet entrées are served
The Action Awards ceremony begins
Paddle Raise
Join us in supporting Athlete Ally’s mission
Closing Remarks
Live entertainment begins
Cap off the evening with a post-event drink at the after-party!
THE MENU
FIRST COURSE
Grilled White Asparagus and Baby Arugula
WITH TOASTED PINE NUTS , SHAVED AGED MANCHEGO, AND WHITE
BRUNOISE OF ROOT VEGETABLES, GOLDEN RAISINS, TURMERIC GLACÈ
DESSERT
Molten Chocolate Lava Cake
*Assorted sweet treats will be served at the tables
*Coffee station will be available
O U R H O S T
MATTY MAGGIACOMO
Matty Maggiacomo is a wellknown fitness instructor and a Peloton Tread coach, specializing in running, walking, and boot camp classes. He is popular for his energetic teaching style and engaging personality. His coaching style is often praised for blending motivation, humor, and storytelling, making his classes enjoyable for Peloton members of various fitness levels.
Before his career in fitness, Maggiacomo had a background in broadcast journalism, working in television news. He eventually transitioned into the fitness industry and joined Peloton, where he became a key figure in their Tread team.
In addition to his fitness career, Matty is openly LGBTQ+ and has been vocal about the importance of diversity, inclusivity, and representation within the fitness world. He often shares personal stories with his class participants, creating a relatable and supportive atmosphere.
H O N O R i n g
R.K. RUSSELL
R.K. Russell is a former NFL football player, writer, published author, social justice advocate, and artist. In August of 2019, Russell made history by becoming the first out active NFL player to identify as bisexual. A decorated defensive end who has played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he has sacked Hall of Famers and gone up against the fiercest competitors at the height of their game. Since coming out, he has written about his experience as a Black queer man in sports for The New York Times, The Guardian, the Los Angeles Times, Out Magazine, and Queer Majority, amongothers. Russell has been advocating for the LGBTQ+community in professional sports, spearheading multiple NFL Pride initiatives such as the NFL Pride panel and the NFL’s National Coming Out Day PS He has been honored by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) by GAY TIMES (U.K.) as Sportspersonof the Year, and he was selected to the prestigious OUT 100 List in 2019. His short documentary, Finding Free, was nominated for best short documentary at the 43rd Annual Sports Emmys and won awards at the 2022 Webby Awards, the 60th New York Film Festival, and the 43rd Annual Telly Awards. His n memoir, The Yards Between Us, is available everywhere books are sold. He lives in Los Angel
First Out Bisexual NFL Player, Author, and Activist
H O N O R i n g
TUFTS CAMPUS CHAPTER
With diversity and inclusion as its foundational principles since its founding in 2021, Tufts Athlete Ally has become a thriving space for LGBTQ+ identifying and allied athletes to find community. Led by Chapter President and Founder Ryan Kane, the Tufts Chapter’s ongoing efforts each month have promoted queer visibility and encouraged engagement among individuals of diverse identities, fostering friendships across teams and backgrounds while also working collaboratively to build more inclusive athletic spaces.
By establishing a culturally diverse executive board and implementing the role of team representatives, Tufts Athlete Ally has reached every athlete on campus. Now, 146 athletes representing all 28 varsity teams and many club teams are included in the team representative model. The Chapter has organized multiple Pride games, focusing on sports that often face significant challenges and hostility toward LGBTQ+ athletes (for example, they hosted the first Men’s Lacrosse Pride Game and Men’s Basketball Pride Game in The New England Small College Athletic Conference. In addition, the Chapter has hosted intercollegiate mixers with the Harvard and Boston University Athlete Ally Chapters for the past two years.
H O N O R i n g
NIKKI HILTZ
Nikki Hiltz is a nonbinary professional track and field athlete representing the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The middle-distance specialist is an Olympian, 6 time National Champion, World Indoor Silver Medalist, Pan American Games gold medalist and American Record Holder in the mile.
Nikki is also a vocal advocate for equal rights, particularly passionate about making the sport of running more inclusive and fundraising for services that support the young LGBTQIA+ community. In 2020, they founded the Pride 5K, a race which supports LGBTQIA+ nonprofits. Hiltz’s annual event has raised over $162,000 and they are currently planning the fifth iteration of the event in 2024.
“The global athletic community changes for the better when pioneers like Nikki Hiltz pave the way forward by being proudly and authentically who they are,” said Hudson Taylor, Founder and Executive Director of Athlete Ally. “Nikki is a true champion for inclusion on and off the track, and we’re thrilled to honor them at the Action Awards.
Nonbinary Track and Field Olympian specializing in the 1500m
Lindsay Berra is a freelance sports journalist based in New Jersey. She is the oldest grandchild of Carmen and Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra and served as an executive producer of IT AIN’T OVER, the documentary film chronicling her grandfather’s life and legacy. She currently creates content for Mustard, a pitching and golf biomechanics app founded by legendary coach Tom House, and contributes regularly to Men’s Health magazine. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Fast Company and The Sports Business Journal.
Previously, Lindsay was the host of the sports nutrition and training podcast Food of the Gods. From 2012 through 2018, she was a national correspondent at MLB.com and MLB Network. From 1999 through 2012, she was a senior writer at ESPN Magazine, covering everything from baseball, hockey and the Olympics to tennis, boxing and roller derby.
Lindsay received her undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she played varsity softball and men’s club ice hockey, wearing uniform No. 8. She is a board member at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center in Little Falls, NJ, and is also an avid CrossFitter, yogi, cyclist, runner, hiker and golfer.
Sean James is a graduate of Missouri Southern State University where he was a two-sport athlete. Sean followed his collegiate career as a professional football player for the Minnesota Vikings. He has since developed a successful career in business & finance. After ending his athletic career over 25 years ago, he has made a point of exploring multiple professional arenas. Maintaining his connection to the NFL, Sean currently serves as secretary for the for the NFLPA (National Football League Players Association) Sean has coupled the lessons he has taken as an athlete along with the those he has gained as a businessman with an MBA from George Washington University in order to solidify a successful career in wealth management currently serving as the CEO of Bequest Management Firm. Sean also maintains an important role in the world of philanthropy. His experiences as an athlete, a student, and a businessman give him a rare lens with which he can examine the efficacy and efficiency of a wide range of programs and corporations by focusing on the four principals of philanthropy, access, networking, and education (PANE®). Sean's first-hand knowledge, coupled with his own network (one built over three decades and encompassing the academic, athletic, corporate, and philanthropic fields) enable him to create access, opportunity, and awareness that establish and build relationships and turn them into lucrative business endeavors.
Rob Smith, CEO and Founder of Phluid (The Phluid Project, GET Phluid and The Phluid Phoundation) has created a brand, combining his profession, which is retail, along with his passion, a commitment to social justice. Rob began a long retail career spanning over 30 years, orchestrating multi-billion dollar businesses through merchandising, ecommerce, marketing, product development and supply chain management with Macys, Victoria’s Secret, Levi’s and Nike. Rob leads the CSR committee as a Board of Director for Steve Madden and is an Executive in Residence with Wunderkind. Rob lives in NYC with his husband, Rod Grozier, and his dog, Jackson.
ANDREW TOBIAS
In the 1960s, Andrew Tobias attended Harvard, majoring in Slavic languages but primarily managing a student business and publishing Let’s Go: The Student Guide to Europe. After graduating, he briefly worked in business, became a VP at the National Student Marketing Corporation, and wrote The Funny Money Game about its collapse.
At 23, he entered Harvard Business School, writing for New York Magazine and later joining Esquire. Tobias thored 12 books, including three New York Times best-sellers like The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need, which sold over a million copies. His memoir, The Best Little Boy in the World, about growing up gay, remains in print since 1973. early personal computing era, Tobias’s software naging Your Money became a leader in personal finance. He also led efforts in California auto ance reform and launched notable anti-smoking paigns. Over the years, he appeared on major TV ws like Today and Oprah and co-hosted the PBS ries Beyond Wall Street. He won awards such as the Gerald Loeb Award for business journalism. From 1999 to 2017, he served as Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee, gh he maintains friendships across political lines.
former defender for the U.S. Women's National Team, world cup champion, OLYMPIAN, and ATHLETE ALLY AMBASSADOR
ALI KREIGER
Ali Krieger's career in professional soccer is distinguished by her remarkable achievements and leadership on and off the field. During her collegiate years at Penn State University, she set a precedent with her versatility, earning All-American honors in two distinct positions, a testament to her exceptional skill and adaptability. Her professional career spanned several top-tier clubs, including a significant stint at FFC Frankfurt, where her contributions were crucial in securing the UEFA Women's Champions League, marking her as a key player on the international stage. Krieger's defensive prowess was instrumental in the United States Women's National Team's successes, notably participating in three FIFA Women's World Cups and securing the championship in 2015 and 2019. The 2015 victory was underscored by a defense that set a record for holding opponents scoreless for 540 minutes, showcasing Krieger's defensive mastery. Her resilience in overcoming a severe knee injury to compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics further exemplifies her dedication and commitment to soccer at the highest levels.
Culminating her illustrious career, Krieger achieved a significant milestone by captaining Gotham FC to their first-ever NWSL Championship in 2023 before announcing her retirement. This victory highlighted a career filled with perseverance, skill, and significant off the field contributions to women's soccer. Ali is currently working with ESPN as a studio analyst and is a proud mom to Sloane and Ocean.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”
Thank you to Athlete Ally for taking every shot at leveling the playing field for ALL athletes
“Not cut out for the sidelines”
-Joy Bunson
Cheryl and Michael Lexton
“Steve, Daniel and I are delighted to support the critical work of Athlete Ally - - and to count ourselves among AA's many friends who believe in the power of sport to create hope and change the world (paraphrasing Nelson Mandela)!”
-Joy Bunson
Check Out The SILENT AUCTION
DONATE TO
WHO’S WHO ON THE TEAM
ORGANIZERS OF THE ACTION AWARDS
Executive Director Hudson
Taylor Development Jordyn
Lexton | Jaspreet Bains Finance & Operations AC Dumlao
