Program Description
Philadelphia's successful bid for a WNBA expansion franchise has energized the region and marked a watershed moment for women's professional sports. When the team begins play in 2030, it will take the court in the new South Philadelphia arena alongside the 76ers and Flyers—a powerful signal that women's sports have secured a place on one of the country's biggest stages.
But this announcement raises larger questions. What will it take to build a loyal fan base before the first tipoff? How might a WNBA franchise reshape the city's sports culture, inspire the next generation of athletes, and create new opportunities for investment, media coverage, and sponsorship? And what does Philadelphia's momentum tell us about the future of women's professional sports nationwide? Two fierce athletes and supporters of femal sports will offer their take and passion on the subject: Ashley Lunkenheimer of The Philadelphia Sisters, and entrepreneur Cole Woods.
Speaker Bios
Ashley K. Lunkenheimer is a distinguished attorney and public servant whose career spans federal prosecution, health care law and civic leadership. She serves as general counsel and chief compliance officer at Ennoble Care, prior to which she served as vice president and deputy general counsel at AmeriHealth Caritas. Previously, she dedicated nearly a decade as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where she prosecuted a wide range of federal crimes. Lunkenheimer’s contributions earned her the 2024 Female Champion of Change POWER Advocate Award.
In addition to her legal career, Lunkenheimer serves as chair of the Delaware County Board of Elections and is a member of the Philly Sisters, a group dedicated to bringing women’s professional sports to Philadelphia. Through her work with The Philadelphia Sisters, she has helped advance major women’s sports initiatives in the region, including bringing Unrivaled to Philadelphia and contributing to the city’s successful Women's National Basketball Association expansion effort. Most recently, she and the Sisters played a key role in bringing professional women’s tennis back to the city through the Ennoble Care Philly Open, taking place August 22–29.
Lunkenheimer holds a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College, a Master of Social Work from Columbia University, and a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where she was a member of the Law Review. A standout athlete, she was twice named a women’s rugby Division I Club All-American and served as the first-ever captain of the U.S. Women’s Under-23 National Rugby Team.
Cole Woods is a former professional basketball player, strategic advisor, and founder of Beauty, Brain & Brawn, a media and education platform exploring the intersections of business, culture, technology, identity, and opportunity.
Drawing on a career that has spanned professional sports, international fashion, technology, media, and entrepreneurship, she brings a multidisciplinary perspective to conversations about the growth of women’s sports, athlete identity, branding, and the business and culture surrounding modern athletes.