Women’s Sports Museum Appoints its First-Ever CEO

The first-of-its kind museum dedicated solely to women in sports has hired Christina Unkel to be its first Chief Executive Officer. Unkel brings more than 20 years of experience in the business and sports arena, serving dual roles as a complex litigation and sports law attorney and professional and past FIFA-licensed soccer referee for the United States Soccer Federation.

“As WSM continues to grow and evolve, it became apparent that we needed someone at the helm fulltime to move the organization forward,” said Beth Green, president of WSM’s all-volunteer board. “The Board unanimously agreed that Christina was the right person at the very right time. We are excited to see this vision for a one-of-a-kind women’s museum become a reality under her leadership and direction.” 

As CEO, Unkel will lead the museum’s mission to become a permanent attraction through fundraising efforts, strategic partnerships and community outreach. Her first step will be directing the development of the WSM Preview Center in the Mall at University Town Center. Scheduled to open fall 2020, the 2,000-square-foot space will share the history of women in sports and spotlight influential female athletes, coaches, broadcasters, referees and business leaders who have broken barriers to achieve success in sports. The Preview Center will feature interactive, state-of-the-art exhibits, historical documents, artifacts and personal recollections from women in sport to inspire the next generation. To garner funds and support for a permanent museum, the Preview Center will be open for three years. 

“I look forward to breaking boundaries by bringing to life this much-anticipated and much-needed Women’s Sports Museum,” said Unkel. “As an athlete and first-generation American, I’ve always embraced a core value that you can accomplish anything through hard work, and that’s what I intend to do for this museum. The trailblazing women in sport have stories that deserve to be told and known. I am honored to use my talents, experience and passion to bring those stories to light and honor the past, inspire the present and change the future for women in sports.”

The Women’s Sports Museum is entering its second phase with the opening of the Preview Center. It is working with founding partners on a local, regional, national and international level to bring the Museum to life and establish its long-term success. To donate or learn more about the Museum, partnership opportunities and the upcoming “Build for Her” Campaign, contact Christina Unkel at cunkel@womenssportsmuseum.org.

Visit the Womens Sports Museum at womenssportsmuseum.org and follow the organization on Facebook @womenssportsmuseum, Twitter @womensSmuseum, Instagram @womenssportsmuseum and LinkedIn.