Left is Lindy La Rocque with other honorees.
Photography by Josh Line Photography
On October 30, Women in Sports and Events (WISE Las Vegas) brought its signature Women of Inspiration event to life at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, delivering on its promise of a night filled with empowerment, elegance, and entertainment. With close to 400 attendees, the “Winter Glam: Fierce, Frosted & Fabulous” celebration honored trailblazing women in sports, entertainment, and gaming, creating an unforgettable experience for all.
One of the distinguished honorees included Lindy La Rocque, Woman of Inspiration in Sports – Head Coach, UNLV Women’s Basketball. Lindy is an accomplished basketball coach and former player known for her leadership, strategic acumen, and deep roots in Las Vegas athletics. A Las Vegas native and Stanford University alumna, La Rocque made her mark as a standout player under Hall of Fame coach Tara VanDerveer before transitioning into coaching. She returned home in 2020 to take the helm as head coach of the UNLV Lady Rebels, where she quickly revitalized the program. Under her direction, the Lady Rebels have secured multiple Mountain West championships and NCAA Tournament appearances, earning La Rocque recognition as one of the brightest young coaches in college basketball. Her blend of discipline, passion, and community pride continues to inspire both her players and the Las Vegas sports community.
This year’s other distinguished honorees included:
- Kim Frank, Woman of Inspiration of the Year – President, Vegas Golden Knights Foundation & Chief Community Officer, Vegas Golden Knights
- Ivette Fernandez, Woman of Inspiration Global Impact – VP, Government Relations, TKO (UFC, WWE, PBR)
- Stephanie Bruckner, Woman of Inspiration Connecting Gaming with Sports – Vice President, Global Portfolio Strategy, Light & Wonder
- Brette Sadler, Woman of Inspiration Legacy Award – Founder, WISE Las Vegas & Senior Director of Marketing, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Diana Bennett, Las Vegas Trailblazer – Chairman & Co-Founder, Paragon Gaming; Founder, Rebels EmpowHer
- Lori Nelson-Kraft, Woman of Inspiration in Events – SVP, Corporate Affairs, Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix
The evening featured electrifying performances by Alli Starr and DJ Kelly J. At the same time, Jennifer “Jaybee” Beasley captivated the audience with a powerful rendition of the National Anthem and served as the red-carpet host. The event was emceed by the dynamic Sibley Scoles, whose energy and charisma elevated the night.
Thanks to event sponsors, including MGM Resorts International, Athletics, and F1 Arcade, whose support helped amplify the celebration’s impact.
The WISE mission is to empower women in the sports and events industry with the tools to achieve their career goals at every stage of their professional journey, including students and the next generation of leaders. This year, WISE Las Vegas launched the DivHERsity Book Scholarship Fund, providing support to help cover the cost of academic books for the Fall semester. The inaugural student scholarship recipients, Ivana Hernandez and Aolani Pitts, were honored on stage during the event. Each student was awarded a $500 scholarship in recognition of their achievements.
From inspiring stories to glamorous moments, the 2025 Women of Inspiration event was a true reflection of WISE Las Vegas’ commitment to celebrating the achievements of women who are shaping the future of sports and entertainment.
WISE Las Vegas is the leading voice and resource for women in the sports and events industry, committed to empowering women through professional development, mentorship, and recognition of excellence.
For more information, visit WISELasvegas.org.
