Speaker Profile

Women in sports – as participants, fans and consumers – face inequities that demand new solutions from all angles of the industry. Laura Waters-Brown works daily to connect challenges to solutions, building a career around tangible, positive change. Laura is responsible for the day-to-day relationship development, strategic planning, and project coordination of The Collective Think Tank: a global consortium of academics, brands, and properties committed to using research to make sustainable progress for women and athletes in women’s sports.

Laura supports The Collective at Wasserman in its mission to create equity and fairness for women and athlete's in women's sports, music and culture. Prior to joining Wasserman, Laura worked for the PGA TOUR from 2016 to 2020. During those five years, her responsibilities included: identifying and monitoring digital trends and social media platforms to increase tournament ticket sales and revenue; and overseeing website communications, social media presence, and digital advertising for the TOUR’s flagship tournament, THE PLAYERS Championship. She also spent three years with the Cleveland Browns as a Digital Business Coordinator, where she oversaw website and social communications, as well as sponsorship development and digital revenue generation. Recognized as a digitally savvy professional – fluent in multiple media and social platforms – Laura has earned the trust of her peers, colleagues, and teams based on her ability to reimagine and energize engagement levels within global environments and communities.

Fueled by her mother’s involvement in public service and civic engagement, Laura has a strong faith and passion for equity and inclusion. She’s involved in several professional and community groups and associations, including her Chair duties on the National Sports Forum’s Business of Diversity in Sports and Entertainment (BDSE), of which she has been a member since 2013.

An Ohio native, Laura received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing from South Carolina State University and a MBA and Master’s degree in Sport Administration from Ohio University. She enjoys music, and sharing love and laughter with family, friends, and her dog E-Z. Laura, inspired by the scripture Mark 9:23, believes that anything is possible to those who believe.