KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Assistant Athletic Director for Development Dr. Tayler Onion represented Western Illinois University and Leatherneck Athletics last week in Kansas City, Missouri, at the Women Leaders in Sports Leadership Enhancement Institute. The application-based biennial event, which took place June 25-27, is the premier "level two" leadership development program for women working in sports.

"Women Leaders in Sports is a premier organization for women in sports, and I'm so grateful to have been selected to attend this year's Leadership Enhancement Institute," said Onion. "It was an impactful experience, specifically made possible for me by the Brenda Weare LEI Scholarship, and it was an honor to be surrounded by so many influential women in sports."

The event is held every other year and is open to mid-to-senior-level Women Leaders in Sports members. The Institute provides in-depth leadership training, career coaching, and advanced professional development for those accepted to the program. Participants engage in an immersive leadership training experience, facilitated by an engaging faculty of industry professionals. This year's event was organized in partnership with presenting sponsor, the NCAA, and supporting sponsor, Learfield. 

Onion, who has more than a decade of experience in higher education and college athletics, joined the Leathernecks in July of 2023. In addition to being accepted to LEI this year, Onion also earned the Brenda Weare LEI Scholarship, which is awarded to a current Women Leaders in Sports member in need of financial assistance, who demonstrates one or more of the qualities of Brenda Weare: courage, fearlessness, a strong work ethic, conviction, integrity, perseverance, sincerity, vision, and outstanding leadership. The scholarship covers program tuition, program materials, training, and two and a half days of dynamic programming. 

Founded in 1979, Women Leaders in Sports is the only nationally recognized collegiate professional membership organization whose mission is to develop, connect and advance women leaders working in intercollegiate athletics and beyond. More than 5,000 members strong, Women Leaders promotes the growth, leadership and success of women as athletics administrators, conference commissioners, professional staff, coaches and student-athletes.