The Medal of Leadership celebration recognizes leaders who embody the spirit of inclusive leadership and have leveraged their influence to impact the professional sports industry.
Join us on June 17, 2025, for an evening of celebration at The Assembly 2025. The Welcome Reception, presented by Oak View Group Arena Alliance, kicks off at 6:00 PM, followed by the 2025 Medal of Leadership Celebration at 7:00 PM. If you're already registered for The Assembly, your ticket includes access to both events. If you're not attending The Assembly but would like to attend the Medal of Leadership Celebration, you can purchase a ticket separately here.
Meet The 2025 Honorees
Pam Frasco - Jason Jenkins "Victory for Humanity" Award
Pam Frasco is the Vice President of Social Impact for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Executive Director of the Cavaliers Community Foundation. A 20-year veteran of Rock Entertainment Group, she leads the organization’s philanthropic and community strategy, focused on youth development, education, food security, wellness, and equity. Under her leadership, the Cavaliers' Social Impact and Equity team has become one of the largest in the NBA, delivering initiatives like basketball court renovations, STEM Labs, and Mindfulness Learning Spaces across Northeast Ohio and Pittsburgh.
Pam’s work has earned national and international recognition, including back-to-back NBA International Strategy Awards and the NBA Values of the Game Award in 2025. She is also the Founder and President of Project NICU, a nonprofit that supports families with babies in neonatal intensive care. Pam lives in Cleveland with her husband Nick and their sons, Santino and Salvatore.
Chris Granger is the President of OVG 360 for Oak View Group. He is a leader of Oak View Group’s venue management, services, and hospitality division, overseeing a global portfolio of more than 400 clients including arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, and cultural institutions. With over 30 years of industry experience, Chris has been instrumental in developing OVG360, a comprehensive, client-focused service model designed to elevate the fan experience through operational excellence, innovation, and sustainability. He also led the creation of GOAL (Green Operations & Advanced Leadership) and has championed major DEI initiatives such as OVG’s Supplier Diversity Program and Ascend Program for underrepresented talent.
Prior to joining OVG in 2021, Chris held executive leadership roles with Ilitch Holdings, the Sacramento Kings, and the NBA. His work has earned recognition including Sacramento Businessperson of the Year and a Sports Business Journal Forty Under 40 honor. He holds degrees from Cornell University and Yale, and is active in community and philanthropic efforts in Detroit, where he lives with his wife and two daughters.
Todd Taylor is in his 13th year with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and is currently the organization’s President, Business Operations. Prior to joining PS&E, Taylor held executive level positions with the Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Columbus Blue Jackets. Over the course of his career, Taylor has created and developed several notable sales and marketing initiatives including the “Loyalty Reward” platform in Portland and the “Stock Split” and “Stock Split Vesting” programs in Columbus.
In 2011, Taylor was named to the SportsBusiness Journal’s “Forty Under 40” list which identifies and recognizes influential sports executives under the age of 40. Taylor is a native of Sidney, Ohio and a 1995 graduate of The Ohio State University.
Sheila Sickau is the Senior Marketing Manager – Football Development for the Kansas City Chiefs and a passionate leader in youth and women’s sports. She has been instrumental in growing Girls Flag Football across Kansas and Missouri—advocating for school programs, launching pilot leagues, and shaping inclusive, values-driven youth sports experiences.
Beyond her work with the Chiefs, Sheila serves as President of the Kansas City Glory (WNFC) and has helped build a full development pipeline for female football players. She played a key role in launching Ottawa University’s NAIA championship-winning women’s flag program and directed the award-winning Girls Play Flag Football league. A decorated athlete herself, Sheila was named 2024 WNFC Woman of the Year, a multi-time All-Pro, and the 2022 WNFC Special Teams Player of the Year. She also volunteers with Always & Furever Animal Rescue and coaches with Win for KC/Camp Win.
About The Medal of Leadership
Pro Sports Assembly strives to elevate members who are building strong, healthy and fair organizations and communities. The Medal of Leadership celebration was inspired by two leaders who lifted inclusive leadership to new heights: Jason Jenkins and Cynt Marshall. They leveraged their positions of influence to benefit the greater good and epitomize what it means to be a PRO.
The "Victory for Humanity Award" was created in honor of Jason Jenkins, the late Senior Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs for the Miami Dolphins and a founding member of PRO, serving on the Governing Board as Chair of Communications. Jason was an exceptional leader - a unifier of people and a champion in the community. The Jason Jenkins "Victory for Humanity" Award is presented to a Pro Sports Assembly member for significantly leveraging their position of influence to create lasting impact in the community.
Be employed full-time at a professional team, league, union, or venue at the time of nomination
Demonstrate commitment to serving in the community
Serve as a positive role model
Demonstrate leadership and vision to unify people across all backgrounds
The Marshall Award for Values in Sports was created in honor of Cynthia "Cynt" Marshall, former CEO of the Dallas Mavericks. As the first Black female CEO in the NBA, Cynt represents strength and impact for the organization, its greater community and the professional sports ecosystem. The Marshall Award for Values in Sports is presented to a trailblazing Pro Sports Assembly member who exemplifies Character, Respect, Authenticity, Fairness, Teamwork and Safety.
Be employed full-time as a senior-level executive at a professional team, league, union, or venue at the time of nomination
Be an advocate for inclusive leadership and equity within their organization and in the broader community
Demonstrate commitment, cooperation, and allegiance in promoting excellence in the professional sports industry
Demonstrate leadership and vision in their organization and the industry
The Rising Leader Award recognizes a full-time pro sports executive (0-10 years of experience) who has made an exemplary impact early in their career. This award calls attention to an individual with an outstanding commitment to excellence.
Possess 0-10 years of professional sports experience at a team, league, union, or venue
Nominee must exhibit effective leadership skills at their organization;
Demonstrate involvement in the community (specific examples should be provided);
Show a clear sense of growth and success in their role (specific examples outlining skills, responsibilities, and accomplishments should be provided)
The Visionary Leadership Award is presented to a senior-level (director and above) professional sports leader. Throughout their career, this individual has shown excellence inside their organization, in their community, and is dedicated to building the next generation of leaders.
Be employed full-time as a senior-level executive at a professional team, league, union, or venue at the time of nomination
Have 11+ years of professional sports experience
Be committed to inclusive leadership and equity;
Demonstrate a commitment to professional development and mentorship;
Demonstrate leadership and vision in their organization and the professional sports industry
Jessica Yavitz Vice President of Community Relations at Chicago Fire FC and Executive Director of the Chicago Fire Foundation
Kevin Demoff Co-founder and Executive Sponsor of the Black Sports Business Symposium and Los Angeles Rams President and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment President, Team & Media Operations
Morgan Cato Executive Vice President of Player Operations for the National Basketball Players Association
Alexandria Hill Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer for Klutch Sports Group
2023 Honorees
About The Medal
The hand holding the torch symbolizes the passing of the torch to the next set of pro sports leaders. The PRO letters are included in the torch to show the strength of the community that we have in the PRO Sports Assembly organization. The laurel wreath represents the triumph and success that leaders in pro sports have and show daily. The rays in the background represent the rays of light and power that each individual holds to create a positive change in their organizations and communities. The people and stars in the outer circle represent all individuals in pro sports and the Pro Sports Assembly.
Meet the Designer Emilio Cortez is a member of Pro Sports Assembly with a background in visual arts. In 2023, Emilio designed the inaugural Medal of Leadership design. He currently works for the San Francisco 49ers as a coordinator in the 49ers EDU program. He is also a founding member of the 49ers L.E.A.D (Latinx Empowerment, Advancement & Development) ERG.
Jason Jenkins "Victory for Humanity" Award 
