Edition #55
August 2, 2026
Welcome to The W Profile, a study of the women leading at the intersection of sports, media, and global business. As college athletics adopts professional structures, it is instructive to look to the visionaries who have already mastered the complexities of the corporate world. By bringing C-Suite lessons to the athletics community, this series will provide leaders with the insights necessary to build a lasting legacy.
Check out the new opportunities at Arizona and Army West Point below.
Post HERE to maximize the reach of your job openings, while enjoying the most affordable posting price offered in the industry. More bang, less bucks.
Introduction
The standard corporate playbook dictates that following the tragic, unexpected death of a co-founder, a massive private company should seek a swift sale to private equity or transition to a caretaker CEO. Diane Hendricks completely rejected this premise. After her husband and business partner, Ken, passed away in 2007, she refused to step back from American Builders and Contractors Supply (ABC Supply). Instead, she assumed sole ownership and orchestrated an unprecedented era of expansion, aggressively acquiring rivals and pushing revenues well past the $20 billion mark, earning the number 1 spot on Forbes’ 2026 America’s Richest Self-Made Women.
She is responsible for overseeing the largest wholesale distributor of roofing, siding, and windows in North America. Her leadership is defined by a fierce commitment to private ownership, a relentless focus on dignifying the American contractor, and a masterclass in utilizing massive corporate wealth to unilaterally revitalize the civic infrastructure of her Midwest hometown.
From the Dairy Farm to the Fortune 500
Hendricks’ executive DNA was forged far from the traditional Ivy League pipeline. Growing up as one of nine sisters on a Wisconsin dairy farm, she learned the realities of hard labor early on, though she was famously barred from working in the fields—a restriction that only fueled her fierce independence. She earned her real estate broker's license in her early 20s before partnering with her late husband, Ken, a roofing contractor.
In 1982, they identified a massive inefficiency in the building materials supply chain: independent contractors were treated poorly and lacked a centralized, professional distribution network. They launched ABC Supply to solve this, turning a highly fragmented, blue-collar commodity into a streamlined corporate empire. When she took the helm as Chairman in 2007, she possessed a gritty, ground-level understanding of the industry. Rather than playing it safe, she leaned into risk, executing the two largest acquisitions in the company's history—Bradco Supply in 2010 and L&W Supply in 2016. Today, her track record has cemented her status as America’s richest self-made woman.
The ABC Supply Playbook
Hendricks approaches the distribution business with a strategy that treats blue-collar professionals with white-collar respect. Her operating playbook encompasses three critical pillars:
➤ Dignifying the Customer: ABC Supply was built on the foundational premise that the contractor is the most important person in the building ecosystem. By elevating the purchasing experience and treating roofers and builders as elite business partners rather than just laborers, she built a fiercely loyal customer base.
➤ The Power of Private Agility: By keeping ABC Supply 100% privately owned, she operates free from the tyranny of 90-day earnings cycles. This structural independence allows her to aggressively invest in her workforce—earning the company nearly two decades of Gallup Exceptional Workplace Awards—and absorb short-term market shocks to secure long-term market share.
➤ Community Capitalism: She understands that true executive power extends beyond the boardroom and into the community. Hendricks treats her headquarters in Beloit, Wisconsin, as an extension of her corporate portfolio. She has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into local economic development, rebuilding entire downtown blocks and recruiting new industries to the region, proving that corporate success and civic revival can be deeply intertwined.
Lessons on Instinct and Resilience
Hendricks is known for making independent, long-term decisions without the pressure of public shareholders. Colleagues and observers have often credited her willingness to act decisively, combine firsthand knowledge of the business with careful analysis, and pursue opportunities that others might consider too ambitious.
She operates with the belief that failure is simply a logistical detour, not a final destination. Having survived cancer twice and navigated profound personal loss while running a sprawling enterprise, she leads with a deeply pragmatic resilience. Her success proves that the most formidable executives don't rigidly cling to a broken plan; they immediately find a second or third path without ever losing sight of the ultimate goal.
Takeaways
➤ Own the Pivot: Hendricks’ philosophy of the "detour" highlights that when a primary strategy fails, elite leaders change the path immediately without altering the ultimate mission.
➤ Respect is a Competitive Moat: By building a business model entirely around elevating and respecting the blue-collar contractor, she proved that customer dignity is a highly profitable, unbreachable competitive advantage.
➤ Independence Unlocks Strategy: Her refusal to sell or take the company public demonstrates that retaining private control is the ultimate executive luxury, allowing for rapid acquisitions and employee-first investments.
➤ Invest in the Foundation: Her massive investments in the city of Beloit show that modern legacy is built not just by extracting wealth from an industry, but by anchoring it back into the local community.
Read. Watch. Listen.
READ: Forbes cover stories detailing her reign at the top of the "America's Richest Self-Made Women" list, focusing on how she tripled her net worth by ignoring industry skepticism and executing massive, counter-cyclical acquisitions. (link)
WATCH: Her interviews at the Forbes 50 Over 50 summit, where she discusses finding immense career success and taking massive corporate risks later in life, proving that executive prime is not limited by age. (link)
WATCH: Watch Hendricks on Betting on Beloit, an A&E series that chronicles the billionaire entrepreneur and her driven, accomplished daughter Konya Hendricks Schuh’s mission to revitalize Beloit, Wisconsin. (link)
Quote to Remember
Life happens, things get in the way of your goal and your mission and your plan, and you got to take a detour. Number one doesn't work, how are we going to get there? Second way. If the second way doesn't work, can we still accomplish the mission by getting there another way? You don't have to change your goal. Change your path, be willing to, and don't see that as a failure.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Allyson Witherspoon – Chief Marketing Officer, General Motors
Publication Date: Wednesday, July 29
Amy Taylor – Chief Executive Officer, Angel City Football Club
Publication Date: Sunday, July 26
Kathy Nelson – President and CEO, Visit KC and the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation
Publication Date: Wednesday, July 22
W Jobs is a dedicated distribution channel that highlights leadership and professional opportunities in college athletics for women who want greater visibility into the full range of roles across the industry.
Positions featured here are also posted on the comprehensive CollegeSports.jobs site and are open to all qualified candidates. W Jobs exists to expand awareness, not define who a role is for, because every job in college athletics should be accessible to women. Employers choose to amplify their postings through W Jobs to reach a broader audience and demonstrate their commitment to equitable access to opportunity.
Interested in expanding your reach by promoting your job to women subscribed to College.town publications? Submit your position here.
(Posted from most recent over the last 15 days)
(NEW!) Strength & Conditioning Coach (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Directly supervise the performance training program of Olympic sports assigned teams. Contributing to the wellness of cadet-athletes, assisting cadet-athletes in optimizing competitive performance. More details HERE.
(NEW!) Executive Associate / Assistant Director of Administration (University of Arizona / Tucson, AZ): Support executive leadership at Arizona Athletics by managing high-level operations, confidential communications, and the daily functions of the Director of Athletics' office. More details HERE.
Athletic Strategic Communications Specialist (California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo / San Luis Obispo, CA): Cal Poly is looking for an experienced Sports Information Professional to join our team. More details HERE.
Strength & Conditioning Intern (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Gain exposure to Division I athletics and military/tactical training, continuing professional education, the opportunity to further develop as coaches in a practical setting. More details HERE.
Director of NIL Creative & Strategy - Creative Services (University Athletic Association, Inc. at the University of Florida / Gainesville, FL): Develop innovative strategies to increase athlete NIL value, generate revenue opportunities, strengthen recruiting efforts, and position Florida Athletics as a national leader in athlete branding. More details HERE.
Head Cross Country Coach/Assistant Coach for Men’s and Women’s Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field/Physical Education & Wellness Instructor (Massachusetts Institute of Technology – MIT / Cambridge, MA): This is a full-time (10-month appointment) benefits eligible position with full oversight of Men's & Women's Cross Country teams, assist with Indoor & Outdoor Track & Field. More details HERE.
Assistant Athletics Director, Athletic Communications (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Provides strategic leadership for all athletic communications, media relations, storytelling, and public relations efforts across 30 NCAA D1 programs. More details HERE.
Athletic Trainer (Missouri State University / Springfield, MO): To assist with the health and safety of student athletes. Assist with the coverage of athletic training services, sport coverage and rehabilitation and treatment of student athletes. More details HERE.
Athletic Trainer (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Provides care, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries and related problems in cadet-athletes. Assumes primary responsibility for an assigned athletic team(s). More details HERE.
Assistant Director, Event Management & Championships (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Contributing in the following areas: event management, football gameday operations, the planning & execution of NCAA & conference championships, game & facility scheduling, game contracts, camps, etc. More details HERE.
Senior Associate Commissioner, Brand Strategy & Engagement (Southland Conference / Frisco, TX): Join the Southland Conference senior leadership team to advance brand strategy, sponsorships, external engagement, media relations, & initiatives that create greater value for our member institutions More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Frisco? Click HERE.
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach (Juniata College / Huntingdon, PA): Juniata College seeks a dynamic Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach to lead, mentor, and build a culture of excellence on and off the field. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Huntingdon? Click HERE
Head Football Equipment Manager (Florida International University / Miami, FL): Oversee all football equipment operations, including oversight of equipment staff and volunteers, inventory control, equipment reconditioning, communication systems, and the procurement and ordering. More details HERE.
Assistant Director of Compliance (Syracuse University / Syracuse, NY): Responsibilities include but are not limited to coordination of day-to-day compliance activities; primary contact for 4 sports. More details HERE.
Manager, Partnership Marketing (University of Arizona / Tucson, AZ): Join Arizona Sports Enterprises to execute sponsorship activations, strengthen partner relationships, and bring innovative marketing campaigns to life for Arizona Athletics. More details HERE.
Coordinator, Major Gifts (University of Arizona / Tucson, AZ): Join Arizona Athletics as Coordinator of Major Gifts, creating meaningful donor recognition experiences and strengthening relationships that fuel championship excellence. More details HERE.
Director, Major Gifts (University of Arizona / Tucson, AZ): Build meaningful donor relationships and inspire philanthropic investment in Arizona Athletics through strategic stewardship, engagement, and fundraising that fuels Wildcat success. More details HERE.
Compliance Intern (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Interns in Athletics Compliance will gain experience in NCAA bylaw regulation, federal Title IX regulation, legislative affairs, and data analytics and reporting. More details HERE.
Video Coordinator - Athletics (Missouri State University / Springfield, MO): The Video Coordinator will plan, shoot, edit, and produce all video content used by the Athletics department in support of the promotion and success of its intercollegiate athletics programs. More details HERE.
Marketing Coordinator (College Coaches Skills Camp (CCSC) / Remote): You’ll work directly with the CEO to execute the company’s marketing vision while owning the day-to-day execution of the marketing engine that drives athlete registrations. More details HERE.
Assistant Director of Development, Leadership Giving (University of Texas – Austin / Austin, TX): This position is in charge of maximizing revenues from leadership fundraising initiatives, including capital, DeLoss Dodds Leadership Team, the United Texas Circle, and endowed giving opportunities. More details HERE.
Assoc. Head Women's Swimming & Diving Coach (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Coaching Cadet-athletes, recruiting, monitoring Cadet-athletes’ academic progress, scheduling, managing travel, overseeing the discipline and conduct of the Cadet-athletes. More details HERE.
Assistant Athletic Director, Major Gifts (University of Arizona / Tucson, AZ): Join Arizona Athletics and help fuel championship excellence by building meaningful donor relationships and securing major gifts that support scholarships, programs, and facilities. More details HERE.
Assistant Baseball Coach (Loras College / Dubuque, IA): Performs baseball coaching and management activities, including recruitment of student-athletes in a National Collegiate Athletic Association--Division III intercollegiate baseball program. More details HERE.
Compliance Coordinator (Florida International University / Miami, FL): Assists with daily responsibilities within the Athletic Compliance Department. Supports FIU's system-wide compliance program and is instrumental in promoting a culture of ethical behavior, etc... More details HERE.
Account Executive, Ticket Sales (University of Arizona / Tucson, AZ): Fuel the future of Arizona Athletics by driving ticket sales, growing fan engagement, and delivering exceptional service from first contact to game day. More details HERE.
Athletics Director of Business Operations and Finance (Wichita State University / Wichita, KS): Responsible for leading revenue generation, partnerships, and operational strategy to maximize performance, strengthen collaboration, & align execution with the Athletics Department’s operating model. More details HERE.
Assistant Director, Marketing & Fan Engagement (University of Arizona / Tucson, AZ): Be the driving force behind game day energy! Lead marketing and promotions for assigned sports, collaborating across teams to create unforgettable fan experiences and grow the Wildcat fan base. More details HERE.
Assistant Coach Men's Heavyweight Crew (Massachusetts Institute of Technology – MIT / Cambridge, MA): This is a full-time assistant coaching position assisting the Head Coach of Heavyweight Men’s Crew with all aspects of conducting a successful crew program (Division 1). More details HERE.
Associate Director, Strategic Communications (University of Arizona / Tucson, AZ): Join Arizona Athletics to craft impactful stories, lead media relations, and bring championship moments to life through strategic communications and digital media. (Baseball & Assigned Olympic Sports) More details HERE.
Assistant Athletic Trainer (Gymnastics, Spirit Squad) - Sports Health Performance (University Athletic Association, Inc. at the University of Florida / Gainesville, FL): Assist in delivering athletic training services to student athletes. Provide coverage for training facility. Transition-to practice position that provides a high level of mentorship and support. More details HERE.
Senior Director of Gators VIP Experience - Gators VIP Experience (University Athletic Association, Inc. at the University of Florida / Gainesville, FL): Elevate the end-to-end experience for donors/partners/premium clients across all Gators Athletics programs. Oversees hospitality, gifting, procurement, and experience strategy to ensure excellence. More details HERE.
Assistant Coach Softball - Pitching Coach (Florida International University / Miami, FL): Provides assistance to the Head Coach with activities associated with the Softball program and student athletes, including recruitment, monitoring academic performance and social development, etc... More details HERE.
Performance Dietitian - Nutrition (University Athletic Association, Inc. at the University of Florida / Gainesville, FL): Responsible for all aspects of nutrition related to wellness/performance for assigned sports. Educates student-athletes on appropriate nutrition for optimum health and superior athletic performance. More details HERE.
Scholastic Supervisor (Texas A&M University / College Station, TX): Texas A&M Athletics seeks a Scholastic Supervisor (WBB & Equestrian) to provide academic support, mentorship, and eligibility oversight for student-athletes. Apply today. More details HERE.
Assistant Swimming & Diving Coach (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Recruiting, monitoring Cadet-athletes’ academic progress, scheduling, managing travel, and overseeing the discipline and conduct of the Cadet-athletes. More details HERE.
Assistant Swimming & Diving Coach (Ops) (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Coaching & recruiting Cadet-athletes, monitoring academic progress, and fostering their development, discipline, and conduct, overseeing the planning and execution of team operations and logistics. More details HERE.
Vice President and Director of Athletics (Florida Atlantic University / Boca Raton, FL): Visionary leader to oversee FAU Athletics, driving competitive success, revenue growth, student-athlete excellence, and strategic leadership while serving on the President's Executive Leadership Team. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Boca Raton? Click HERE.
Athletics Travel Coordinator (Princeton University / Princeton, NJ): This role coordinates team and recruiting travel for up to 22 varsity sports and also business operations that include report reconciliation, departmental deposits, policy review and enforcement. More details HERE.
Assistant Coach - Women's Lacrosse (Duquesne University / Pittsburgh, PA): Reporting to the Head Coach, this position has the responsibility for assisting the head coach with all aspects of a Division I Lacrosse program. This is a full-time, 12-month position. More details HERE.
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach (Virginia Wesleyan University / Virginia Beach, VA): Virginia Wesleyan (becoming Batten University 7/1), a NCAA Division III institution and a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, is accepting applications for a Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Virginia Beach? Click HERE.
Vice President of Athletics and Recreation (St. Mary's College of Maryland / St. Mary's City, MD): Senior Cabinet leader responsible for strategic oversight of athletics and recreation, including enrollment, fundraising, and athletic excellence while supporting SMCM’s mission and long-term vision. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to St. Mary's City? Click HERE.
Head Acrobatics & Tumbling Coach (West Virginia State University / Institute, WV): Responsible for all aspects of the Acrobatics & Tumbling program. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Institute? Click HERE.
Diving Coach (Florida International University / Miami, FL): Provides assistance to the Head Coach with activities associated with the Swimming & Diving program and student athletes, including recruitment, monitoring academic performance and social development. More details HERE.
Assistant Athletic Trainer (Florida International University / Miami, FL): Florida International University's Athletics Department is seeking an Athletic Trainer to support the health, safety, and performance of student-athletes. More details HERE.
Assistant Coach, Women's Lacrosse (Kennesaw State University / Kennesaw, GA): Assists with coaching, recruiting, scheduling, budgeting, fundraising, player development, academic support & administrative duties while ensuring compliance with KSU, NCAA & conference regulations. More details HERE.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach (Florida International University / Miami, FL): Enhances the physical and mental development of student-athletes through the establishment of specific training programs and activities to increase the performance of student-athletes. More details HERE.
Sr. Assoc. AD for Revenue Generation (Southern Methodist University – SMU / Dallas, TX): The Senior Associate A.D. for Revenue Generation will assist with the implementation and execution of key strategic revenue generation initiatives across the department. More details HERE. What would it cost to move to Dallas? Click HERE.
Director, Wrestling Operations (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Manage internal team operations and logistics: team travel, team meals, on-campus recruiting, and off-campus recruiting for coaching staff. Support external efforts: designing social media strategy. More details HERE.
Director of Sports Communication (SUNY New Paltz / New Paltz, NY): Oversees all facets of athletics communications including media relations, digital strategy, website management, social media, branding, game-day operations, including live stats and event coverage. More details HERE.
Athletics Mental Health and Performance Counselor (University of Arizona / Tucson, AZ): Help Arizona student-athletes thrive. Lead mental health care, performance psychology, and wellness initiatives while shaping a championship-focused culture of growth, resilience, and success. More details HERE.
Director, Business Office, Accountant (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Focused on accounts payable, purchase orders, cash & travel advances, month end close, audits, United States Military Academy (“USMA”) and related party transactions and vendor payment processing More details HERE.
Associate Director, Development (Athletics) (Kennesaw State University / Kennesaw, GA): Join the team at Kennesaw State University and become part of a supportive and thriving community. More details HERE.
Assistant Men's Soccer Coach (Army West Point / West Point, NY): Coaching Cadet-athletes, recruiting, monitoring Cadet-athletes’ academic progress, scheduling, managing travel, overseeing the discipline and conduct of the Cadet-athletes. More details HERE.
Assistant Coach - Baseball (Missouri State University / Springfield, MO): The Assistant Coach is responsible for specifically designated aspects of the sport, exercises independent judgment in providing technical expertise in the fundamentals of the sport. More details HERE.