Speakers

OUR 2025 CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Chris Adams

Chris Adams is the Manager of Fan Development for the Philadelphia 76ers. In this role, he helps engage youth fans and creates opportunities for kids within the game of basketball. Since he started with the 76ers, Chris has positively impacted over 75,000 children in the Philadelphia, Camden and Delaware communities. Before his time at the 76ers, Chris served as an In-Arena Host for the Delaware Blue Coats. Chris is an alumnus of Rutgers University - New Brunswick and graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and Africana studies.

 Dr. Lauren Bullock 

Lauren Bullock, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at Temple University, where she directs the B.A. in Sports Media program and teaches courses on leadership, civic engagement, and media. With over 15 years of experience in leadership and athletics education, she previously led student programs at Temple’s Division of Student Affairs. Lauren has a strong background in sports leadership, holding degrees from Temple and Florida State University, with experience in sports media at Disney, Florida State, and the University of Texas. Her research focuses on leadership communication and she hosts The Leadership Educator Podcast. She also holds multiple certifications.

Katie Kizitaff

Kate Kizitaff is now in her fourth season with the Flyers organization since joining Comcast Spectacor in May 2021. Over her tenure on the communications team, she has served in a range of positions before becoming Manager of Team Publicity for the Flyers in June 2024. In her current role, Kizitaff leads publicity efforts for the Flyers with a focus on off-ice team news, community relations programs and Flyers Charities and Flyers Alumni initiatives. Prior to joining hockey communications, Kizitaff played an instrumental role in managing media relations and executing successful communications campaigns for Wells Fargo Center, Flyers business initiatives and the Philadelphia Wings. A native of Sewell, N.J., Kizitaff earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Temple University in 2020.

Miyah Sizer

Miyah Sizer serves as a Social Media Coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. She first arrived at the Flock in July 2023, as Seasonal Social Media Associate and transitioned to her current position in March 2024. Prior to the Eagles, Miyah was a Social Media Intern for the Buffalo Bills. Miyah’s first sports social media gig started at the Rochester Hot Wings, as a Social Media and Marketing Intern. During this time, she became a 2022 alumnus of Nazareth University and graduated with a degree in Business Management, while playing on their women’s basketball team. 



Lauren Templin

Lauren Templin was hired as an Associate Director of Athletic Communications for The University of Pennsylvania. In this position, she serves as the primary contact for men’s soccer, wrestling, men’s lacrosse and several other Quaker varsity athletic programs. Lauren arrived at University City following a year as an assistant director at Colgate University, where she served as the first female primary football contact in Colgate history. She also covered women's basketball, softball, and swimming and diving during her time with the Raiders. Prior to Colgate, Lauren had a stint as a graduate assistant at East Tennessee State University, where she covered women’s basketball, men’s soccer, and women’s golf. Lauren graduated from Niagara University in 2021 with a degree in Sport Management.

Mia Nardone

Mia Nardone is currenlty a Development Strategist, Special Events & Operations for Ed Snider Youth Hockey & Education. She enjoys knowing she can make a difference in the lives of others every day is validation that this is the industry she belong's in. Upon graduating from Rowan University in 2018 with degrees in Public Relations and Advertising, where she was a member of the Anthony J. Fulginiti PRSSA Chapter. Mia pursued my lifelong dream of working in Walt Disney World as a Cast Member in the Disney College Program. Previously as the Administrative Department Coordinator in Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication, she assisted students with putting their best foot forward by providing them with essential tools for achieving dreams of their own. In addition to her full-time role at Temple, Mia also pursued a Master of Science in Sport Business from Temple’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management, all while working part-time for the Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Phillies & Live Nation, and interning with LEARFIELD (Temple Sports Properties).




Claire Smith

Claire Smith covered all things baseball as an award-winning reporter, columnist and content editor for 40 years before becoming the founding executive director of Claire Smith Center for Sports Media at Temple University. She is also an assistant professor of practice in Temple’s Klein College of Media and Communication. Smith was born in Philadelphia in 1953 within blocks of Temple, her alma mater. She later worked within miles of her hometown at her first newspaper employer — The Bucks County Courier Times. She soon moved on to The Philadelphia Bulletin where her dream of becoming a sports reporter became a reality. Smith went on to work for the Hartford Courant, covering the New York Yankees from 1983 to 1987, the first female to have a full-time Major League beat. She later worked as a columnist for The New York Times from 1991 to 1998, and was an editor and columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer from 1998 to 2007. She rounded out her career as a content editor at ESPN, 2007-2021. Smith traveled the world covering baseball, with assignments as wide-ranging as labor negotiations in The Oval Office to witnessing the first-ever Major League games played in Europe and Puerto Rico. She remains active in the field, as a contributing columnist, most recently with The Philadelphia Inquirer. The veteran reporter’s achievements were recognized by her peers when she voted the 2017 recipient of The Baseball Writers Association’s  Career Excellence Award; the first woman and fourth African American to be so honored. Smith has also been recognized for her pioneering efforts and career milestones by her alma mater as well as The Association for Women in Sports Media, The National Association of Black Journalists, The Jackie Robinson Foundation, The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and The Josh Gibson Foundation. She is also the recipient of the Associated Press Sports Editors’  Red Smith Award, considered the highest honor in sports journalism.

Jeanie Davey

Jeanie Davey is a Senior Communications Specialist at NRG Energy, Inc. In her role, she provides expert PR counsel to internal clients, develops proactive communication plans, and serves as a media spokesperson. Jeanie also supports NRG's community, marketing, and sales teams for NRG's partnerships - including notable sports teams. She is a 2017 alumnus of Temple University's Klein College of Media and Communication, where she received her bachelor's degree in Strategic Communication. During her time at Temple, Jeanie was involved in Temple's PRSSA chapter, The Temple News, TUTV, Campus Recreation, and other organizations.




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