By: Sarah Morton
As MLB All-Star Week descends on Atlanta, a groundbreaking moment for women in sports will take center stage. Major League Baseball (MLB) and Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), in partnership with Women Raise the Game, are set to host the inaugural Women Raise the Game x MLB x AUSL Honors Lunch on Monday, July 14, 2025. The invite-only event will take place at Punch Bowl Social at The Battery Atlanta, recognizing women who are shaping the future of baseball and softball from boardrooms to dugouts.
The Honors Lunch marks MLB’s first strategic investment in a professional women’s softball league, signaling a broader commitment to elevating the women’s sports ecosystem. This collaboration with AUSL is not only a historic step forward for visibility and infrastructure but also for creating meaningful career pathways within the sport. The event highlights how strategic investments can drive institutional change and help grow the business of women’s sports.
Attendees can expect an inspiring afternoon of conversation and celebration. The program features a fireside chat with MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr., AUSL Commissioner Kim Ng, and MLB Youth Softball Ambassador and AUSL Advisor Jennie Finch. The discussion will be moderated by Emmy Award-winning MLB Network analyst and former MLB All-Star Harold Reynolds. Kicking off the event will be opening remarks from Tish Galindo, Founder and CEO of Women Raise the Game.
Photo Courtesy: Forrest Smith for Women Raise The Game
The 2025 honorees represent a diverse group of women leading at the highest levels of the game. Honorees include Kim Ng, Commissioner of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League; DeRetta Rhodes, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Culture Officer of the Atlanta Braves; Olympic Medalist and AUSL Advisor Natasha Watley; Olympic Gold Medalist Jennie Finch; and Sarah Padove, Senior Manager of Baseball & Softball Development at Major League Baseball.
“Today in Atlanta, we celebrate five women whose leadership is shaping the next chapter of sport. Each of them is building infrastructure, driving growth, and redefining what’s possible in the game. I launched Women Raise the Game to move the industry forward and honoring leaders like these is part of that mission. Recognition is a marker of growth, and growth is the work.” Tish Galindo, Founder & CEO, Women Raise the Game
“This event is about legacy and leadership,” said Galindo. “We’re honoring the women whose vision and expertise are creating lasting economic and cultural impact across professional sports. Their influence is helping to scale what’s possible in baseball, softball, and beyond.”
Photo Courtesy: Forrest Smith for Women Raise The Game
With red carpet arrivals, a networking lunch, honoree presentations, and a champagne toast to close, the Women Raise the Game x MLB x AUSL Honors Lunch stands as a powerful statement: investing in women’s sports is no longer optional, it’s essential. The event also underscores the importance of institutional backing in propelling leagues, athletes, and communities forward.
Women Raise the Game is a platform led by The 360 Agency, an AI-powered creative marketing company that leverages cultural insight and modern technology to drive relevance for brands. Through partnerships like this, The 360 Agency and Women Raise the Game continue to accelerate opportunity and visibility for women in sports, delivering results for brands and communities alike.
Learn more at the360agency.com and womenraisethegame.com.
