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See It in Action
Two days of connection, development, opportunity and a community that continues long after the event ends.
Shaping the Next Generation of Leaders
Partner with the McLendon Foundation to develop the next generation of sports leaders through scholarships, fellowships, signature events and year-round talent access.
Founded in 1999, the McLendon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to developing the next generation of sports and entertainment leaders. Through scholarships, fellowships and year-round programming, we connect emerging talent with the education, career opportunities and professional networks that turn potential into possibility.
170+
Scholarship Recipients Since 1999
350+
Fellows Hired Across Organizations
$1.85M+
Awarded Through Scholarships
$10M+
Raised to Fund Experiential Learning
The McLendon Foundation allows people like me to have access to opportunities that I may not have had in the past. It opens doors, builds bridges, and forges connections.
Diana Camarillo
Change Management Manager, Wilson Sporting Goods Co., McLendon Scholar '22
Read Diana's storyAs a McLendon Scholar, I got the opportunity to be a part of a community of young leaders, change makers, and culture shifters. Having this community of future game-changers to lean on has been invaluable.
The McLendon Fellowship Changed my life. It gave me the opportunity to prove myself, but even more important, it gave me people who believed in
Sofiia Briantseva
Creative Content & Branding Lead, Women's Basketball, Miami Hurricanes Athletics, McLendon Fellow 2025-26
Read Sofiia's story100% of sponsorship dollars and donations go into developing our programs and supporting the next generation of sports and entertainment industry leaders.
Talent Is Everywhere. Opportunity Isn’t.
66%
of managers say recent hires are not fully prepared for their roles.
Deloitte, 2025 Global Human Capital Trends
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Leadership pipelines are under pressure.
Organizations are struggling to find emerging leaders who bring both career readiness and diverse perspectives.
Odgers Berndtson, 2024
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Opportunity still depends too heavily on who you know.
Hiring and advancement remain relationship-driven, leaving high-potential professionals without consistent access to the networks and opportunities that can move their careers forward.
The Answer
The McLendon Talent Exchange
The McLendon Talent Exchange closes these gaps by creating a year-round ecosystem where emerging talent can develop the skills, relationships and industry access they need, while employers connect with a stronger, more prepared pipeline of future leaders.
Talent is everywhere.
McLendon helps the industry find it.
People enter looking for a way in. Organizations enter looking for vetted talent. The Exchange is the connective tissue between them.
Emerging talent
Students, scholars and fellows arrive with ambition and leave with skills, mentors and a résumé the industry recognizes.
MTX
The Exchange
Organizations
Teams, leagues, agencies and athletic departments post roles, meet candidates in person and hire from a pipeline they helped build.
OpportunitiesRelationshipsSkillsCareers
Whether you need your next opportunity or your next great hire The Exchange is where it starts.
Our Programs
Postgraduate Scholarship
Eight annual $10,000 grants for emerging leaders pursuing postgraduate studies in athletics administration, plus fully funded master's opportunities through the McCormack–McLendon partnership and the Fiesta Bowl endowment.
$1.85M+
Awarded Since 1999
Leadership Initiative
A year-long immersion that places fellows inside athletic departments and sports organizations, accelerating their path from classroom to career.
350+
Fellows Hired Across Organizations
The McLendon Huddle
A year-round community for McLendon scholars, fellows and alumni with monthly virtual level up sessions, skill building sessions, opportunities to build relationships and sharpen professional skills.
200+
PARTICIPANTS
Where the Community Comes Together
Two carefully and intentionally curated experiences bring the McLendon Foundation community and partners together. Looking for something different? We can also create a new, custom event from the ground up around your organization’s goals, audience, and needs.
Unite
Two powerful days that bring together ambitious students, rising young professionals and seasoned industry leaders in one room.
Uplift
Hard skills, soft skills and honest coaching from the people doing the work so talent leaves ready, not hopeful.
Unleash
27+ years of igniting dreams into careers, powered by a network that keeps opening doors long after the event ends.
Igniting Dreams Award
Presented at The McLendon Experience, the Igniting Dreams Award honors a leader whose work helps turn the dreams of young talent into careers. Inaugural recipient: Jon Patricof ’26.
McLendon Honors
Formerly the Secret Summit, McLendon Honors is the McLendon Foundation Legacy of Impact Awards. Join us Thursday, April 1, 2027 at the JW Marriott Detroit Water Square during NCAA Men's Final Four week.
Legacy of Impact Award
The Legacy of Impact Awards honor leaders whose impact advances the values and vision of Coach John McLendon. Past awards were presented at the Secret Summit. Past honorees include Coach John Calipari ’26 and Wade Houston ’25.
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Off-the-Record Dialogue
Confidential setting for honest conversations on the challenges and opportunities shaping the sports industry.
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Curated Attendance
Every seat is intentional. Participants are selected for their influence, leadership, and commitment to advancing sports.
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Who's in the Room
Athletics Directors & Deputy ADs, Professional Sports Executives, Conference & League Commissioners, C-Suite Sports Industry Leaders.
Why Partner With the McLendon Foundation
Partnership with the McLendon Foundation creates value well beyond recruiting. Explore the ways partners can engage, connect, and make an impact.
Let's develop the Next Generation of Playmakers
Every Partnership Starts Somewhere
Whether you lead an organization, give personally, share your time or contribute goods and services, there is a place for you in this work.
Corporate Sponsorship
Align your organization with a 25-year mission, reach vetted early-career talent and activate at our signature events.
Start a ConversationIndividual Gifts
One-time or monthly gifts fund scholarships, fellowships and the mentorship that turns potential into placement.
Make a GiftGive Your Time
Mentor, speak on a panel or review resumes. See every way to share your time.
See Volunteer OptionsIn-Kind Support
Travel, lodging, venue space, media production, technology or professional services that stretch every dollar further.
Offer SupportLet's Have a Conversation
We don’t offer cookie-cutter sponsorship packages. Every McLendon Foundation partnership is built around your goals. Let's hop on a call!
Adrien Harraway
Executive Director, McLendon Foundation
Ishita Tibrewal
Director, McLendon Foundation