Power move: SIGA unveils elite council to shake up gender equity in sports

The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) has launched the SIGAWomen Council, a powerful new initiative aimed at reshaping the landscape of sports governance. This elite advisory body is dedicated to driving gender equity, empowering female leadership, and strengthening integrity in decision-making across global sports organizations.

- Aligned with SIGA’s Universal Standards on Good Governance in Sport, the council is committed to:

- Advancing SIGA’s mission and vision for a fairer, more inclusive sports industry.

- Providing strategic insights on emerging trends and integrity challenges in sport.

- Championing best practices in governance and inclusion at every level.

Bringing together a diverse, high-profile team of leaders from every continent, the SIGAWomen Council is set to make a lasting impact on the future of sport.

The members include:

Chair

Katie Simmonds – Global Chief Commercial Officer, SIGA; Chair, SIGAWomen Council (UK)

Members

Amanda Vandervort – President, USL Super League / SIGAWomen Global Mentor (USA)

Athena Constantinou – Director, The Sports Financial Literacy Academy / SIGAWomen Global Mentor (Cyprus)

Audrey Mothupi-Palmstierna – CEO, SystemicLogic Group (South Africa)

Cecilia Perez Rivas – Former Justice Minister, Paraguay; Member, Permanent Mission of the Paraguayan Republic, OEA (Paraguay)

Chantal Pillet – Director, Kroll Associates (Brazil)

Jennifer Ziemer – Director of Global Sponsorships, Mastercard / SIGAWomen Global Mentor (USA)

Jessica Smith – Paralympian / SIGA Global Mentor (Australia)

Priti Srivastava – Founder, DayaRani Welness; Senior Vice President, Reliance Industries Limited (India)

Renee Montgomery – Co-Owner and Vice-President, Atlanta Dream, WNBA (USA)

Viktoria Slavkova – Member, SIGA EUROPE Advisory Board (Bulgaria)

New SIGAWomen council

Katie Simmonds, Chair, said of the newly formed SIGAWomen Council:

“I am thrilled that the members of the newly formed SIGAWomen Council, consisting of female leaders from all sides of the sports industry with representation from each continent, have said yes! They play a key role in the global expansion of our mission and on behalf of SIGA, I thank them for accepting our invitation and being agents of change. SIGAWomen’s mission is unstoppable, and I invite you to join us as we make 2025 our biggest and best mentorship programme to date!”

Other Council members also gave their opinions:

Amanda Vandervort, President, USL Super League, USA

“I’m always delighted to walk into a boardroom with other women! And I’m proud to be part of the SIGAWomen Council, working to bridge the gender gap in sports boardrooms globally. Diverse thought leadership creates opportunity for fresh ideas, effective communication, and more successful business outcomes.”

Athena Constantinou, Director, The Sports Financial Literacy Academy, Cyprus

“I am honored to be part of the SIGAWomen Council and contribute to its mission of fostering female empowerment and leadership in sports. Ensuring that women have equal opportunities to lead, influence, and shape the future of the sports industry is essential for its integrity and growth. A key aspect of this empowerment is financial literacy, equipping women with the knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions throughout their careers and beyond. By championing education, mentorship, and good governance, I look forward to helping create a more inclusive and financially empowered future for women in sports.”

Audrey Mothupi-Palmstierna, CEO, SystemicLogic Group, South Africa

“I am honoured to join the SIGAWomen Council, an initiative that aligns with my deep commitment to integrity, innovation, and transformation. As a member of the SIGAWomen Council, I will leverage my expertise in digital transformation, governance, and data-driven decision-making to champion integrity and accountability in sport.”

Cecilia Perez Rivas, Former Minister of Justice, Paraguay; Member of the Paraguayan Permanent Mission, Organization of American States, Paraguay

“We must continue to work actively to remove all the obstacles that women face in sport, mainly in those where women have only recently entered the sport, as well as other difficulties that women face in other areas of life, and which are replicated in sport. To do this, it is necessary to have the will and to put all the knowledge acquired in all possible areas at the service of our fellow women. For this, you can count on me.”

Chantal Pillet, Director, Kroll Associates, Brazil

“As a professional in the field of integrity, as a citizen, as a woman, as a mother, and as someone who believes that Sport is a powerful tool for well-being and social development, it is a joy to be part of such a strong team as SIGAWomen, among so many impactful leaders both in and out of sports. Just like sports practice, the themes of integrity must be cultivated and executed with great strategy and resilience.”

Jennifer Ziemer, Director, Global Sponsorships, Mastercard, USA

“I’m honoured to join the SIGA Women Council alongside such accomplished female leaders. The work SIGA is doing is truly helping shape the future of the sport, ensuring there are high standards and proper governance in place. I have long supported these principles and look forward to contributing to this important work.”

Jessica Smith OAM PLY, Paralympian

“As a former athlete, it is my honour and privilege to work alongside esteemed female leaders in the sporting world, where together, we are striving to create a more inclusive future for women in Sport.”

Priti Srivastava, Founder, DayaRani Welness; Senior Vice President, Reliance Industries Limited

“I am honoured to be appointed as a SIGA Council Member and to contribute to the important mission of promoting integrity, equality and excellence in sports governance. This role is not just a responsibility but a platform to advocate for mentorship and the power of women supporting women, breaking barriers and creating opportunities for the next generation of female leaders”

Renee Montgomery, Co-Owner/Vice-President, Atlanta Dream (WNBA)

“As a former WNBA player, the importance of equity and integrity has always been at the forefront of our why. I’m honored to join the SIGAWomen Council alongside power women from all walks of Sport. The goal for me is to continue to help grow the game globally, further creating inclusive opportunities in sports that are ethically grounded. From athlete to the C-suite, women are limitless.”

Viktoria Slavkova, Member, SIGA EUROPE Advisory Board

“I am eager to contribute to the SIGA Women Council, driven by my passion for promoting gender equality and integrity in sports. With a background in sports management and a proven track record of advocating for women’s participation at all levels, I am committed to fostering inclusive environments where female athletes can thrive”