MERCED, Calif. - UC Merced and Bobcat Athletics is proud to announce Together We Will, a new leadership summit designed specifically to empower female high school student-athletes across the Central Valley. The one-day event will take place on March 8, 2026, at UC Merced and is free to attend with advanced registration.
Together We Will brings together accomplished speakers, mentors, and leaders for a first-of-its-kind leadership summit for female student-athletes in the Central Valley, designed to inspire and support young women in both sports and in life. The summit is intentionally designed to create a space where female student-athletes feel celebrated, supported, and connected to one another while gaining practical tools they can immediately apply in competition, the classroom, and beyond.
Featured speakers for the summit include:
- Victoria Garrick Browne, Speaker, Advocate, and Founder of The Hidden Opponent
- Danielle Slaton, Olympic medalist, Broadcaster, and Co-founder of Bay FC
The summit is co-chaired by Lesley Slaton Brown, a UC Merced Board of Trustees member and Merced High School graduate who formerly served as Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for the National Basketball Association (NBA), alongside Nancye Rahn, Assistant Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator for UC Merced Athletics.
Throughout the day, participants will engage in interactive sessions focused on building confidence, developing leadership skills, and learning how to balance sport and life. Topics covered will include mental wellness, injury prevention and recovery, nutrition for performance, managing competition stress, leadership, and personal growth.
"At the Together We Will Symposium, we're focused on giving high school female athletes practical support in leadership, mental well-being, and nutrition." said Rahn. "Strengthening these foundations – and the community around them – helps ensure girls stay engaged and continue growing in sport and life."
Attendees will leave the summit with practical tools, mentorship, and a stronger sense of belonging, both within sport and beyond.
Thanks to the generous support of event sponsors, Together We Will is free for registered participants and includes lunch, exclusive Together We Will swag sponsored by Custom Ink, and giveaways. Advanced registration is required and will close once maximum capacity is reached.
Event Information
What: Together We Will | A Leadership Summit for Girls in Sport
When: March 8, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Where: UC Merced Campus
Cost: Free
Registration: Advanced registration required at together.ucmerced.edu
Questions/Sponsorships: Contact Nolan Parks at 209.201.9069
