The fifth edition of the Pursuit of Excellence Summit, held February 12 - 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California during the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend.
BY THE NUMBERS
1
Powerful
Experience
9
Curated Panels & Activations
250
Attendees & Change-Makers
3
Connection & Opportunity Feb 12, 13 & 15
2026 ANNOUNCED PRESENTERS
Deandra Duggans
Chief Marketing Officer
WNBA Las Vegas Aces
Spencer Jones
Professional Athlete
Denver Nuggets. NBA
Joe Briggs, Esq.
Global Head of Executive Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, Amazon
Maxwell Pearce
Harlem Globetrotter
Mixed Media Artist
Ashima Chopra
Founder & CEO, FanVerse, Attorney
Damien Wilkins
Former NBA player, and basketball executive, NBA GLeague Advisory Board Member
Cheryl Stallings
Vice President-International Content and Programming at National Basketball Association (NBA)| NBA Asia and India
Samyr Laine
Founder & Managing Partner
Freedom Trail Capital
2012 Olympic Triple Jumper (Haiti)
Daryl Hammett
Director, Global Delivery, Al Platforms & Security | AWS ProServe
Alyx Wynn
Vice President of Marketing, Dallas Trinity FC
Previously U.S. Soccer Federation, Sr. Marketing Director / Nike, Brand Director
Matthew Verden
Director of Grassroots Scouting & Intelligence, Detroit Pistons
Marianne Schroer
Director of Marketing; Sports & Sponsorship Strategy Leader; EMBA at Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management
Ashley France
CEO, ANF Consulting, Personal Branding Workshop Facilitator, Athlete Marketing and Partnerships Consultant, Professor of Marketing
Derrick C. Westbrook
Michelin Starred Sommelier & Cultural Architect - Samples & Samples
Pranav Iyer
Founder & CEO of AMAZN HQ
India Alston
Account Director | Google Gemini at Wasserman; Founder, BRND BLZR
Sabrina “Bri” Hamilton
CAA Sports, Executive Brand Consulting - Account Manager
Andre Ingram
Andre Ingram embodies perseverance at the highest level. After spending more than a decade grinding in the NBA G League, Andre earned his place with the Los Angeles Lakers, turning years of discipline, belief, and resilience into two NBA seasons that inspired fans around the world.
Beyond the court, he served as President of the NBA G League Players Association, advocating for players and leadership off the floor.
His story is a powerful reminder that persistence, preparation, and purpose create opportunity.
Andre will join us at the Pursuit of Excellence Summit to share his journey as a professional athlete, his approach to financial discipline on the “Pay Yourself First” panel (Friday, Feb 13), and his expanding work in storytelling and film, including his involvement in the upcoming indie feature 7 Spurs at our Executive Brunch (Sunday, Feb 15).
Dr. William A. Keyes IV
Founder, The Institute For Responsible Citizenship
Author, The Stories They Hear
LIVE AT THE SUMMIT
Dr. William Keyes
Author of The Stories They Hear
A featured talk and book experience on leadership, resilience, and purpose.
Book Summary
The Stories They Hear offers readers an intimate glimpse into the Institute’s life-changing experiences.
Each chapter is filled with personal stories and valuable lessons shared by Dr. Keyes with his scholars over two decades. Key insights include identifying one’s gifts, using influence responsibly, and practicing resilience in the face of adversity.
These stories, once shared in a Washington DC conference room, now invite readers to be inspired by the guidance that has shaped these young men into leaders and role models.
The Stories They Hear is an inspiring guide for mentors, educators, and anyone invested in helping young people unlock their potential to create a legacy that empowers future generations.
2026 SUMMIT CHAIRS
Leading the ultimate experience
.jpg)
WHO TO EXPECT
SPORTS EXECUTIVES
ATHLETES
BUSINESS LEADERS
TECH INNOVATORS
MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT
STUDENTS & YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Four Content Tracks
Sports x Finance
Sports x Technology
Sports x Marketing
Sports x Arts
Daily Rhythm + Fresh Content
Los Angeles, California
I. Opening Reception
Registration, Food, Networking
II. Panel Discussion/Talk
Dynamic conversations examining the evolving intersections of sports, finance, marketing, technology, and the arts
III. Workshop + Activations and Exhibitors
Interactive sessions led by experts from the Summit's four content tracks
IV. Closing Reception + Awards
Food, Networking, Award Ceremony, Gift Bags
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Los Angeles, CA
Recommended Attire
Attendees: Elevated Smart Casual
Presenters: Modern Professional / Business Casual
Sports x Finance / Sports x Technology
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
Opening Reception
OPEN
ALL GUESTS
12:45 PM - 1:30 PM
[Panel Discussion]
Engineering Performance: Athletes, Innovation, and the Next Wave of Sports Technology
Sports x Technology
Spencer Jones
Professional Basketball Player
Denver Nuggets
Link Kabadyundi
Co-founder, Kintra
Daryl Hammett
Director of Global Delivery and AI Platforms, AWS
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM
[Fireside Chat]
Calling the Future: Innovation, Data & Transparency in NBA Officiating
Sports x Technology
Albert Sanders
Executive Vice President of Referee Operations, NBA
Daryl Hammett
Director of Global Delivery and AI Platforms, AWS (panelist)
Sports x Marketing / Sports x Arts
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
[Fireside Chat]
Building Global Culture Through Sport
Sports x Marketing
Cheryl Stallings
Vice President-International Content and Programming at National Basketball Association (NBA) | NBA Asia and India
Bri Hamilton
Consultant Specialist, CAA
Moderator: Ashley France, CEO, ANF Consulting, Personal Branding Workshop Facilitator, Athlete Marketing and Partnerships Consultant, Professor of Marketing
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM
[Panel Discussion]
How Creativity Changed the Game, and Is Now The Moment
Sports x Arts
Pranav Iyer
Founder & CEO, AmaznHQ
Zach Henderson
DJ, Event host & producer for NBA, WNBA, & US Open fan event, Co-Founder - Samples & Samples
Greydy Diaz
Journalist; Host; Producer
Moderator: Derrick Westbrook, Sommelier; Events Host; Co-Founder of Duo Samples & Samples
Friday, February 13, 2026
Los Angeles, CA
Recommended Attire
Attendees: Elevated Smart Casual
Presenters: Modern Professional / Business Casual
Sports x Finance / Sports x Technology
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Opening Reception
OPEN
ALL GUESTS
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
[Panel Discussion]
"Pay Yourself First"
Sports x Finance
Romóne Penny
Actor, Filmmaker, Lecturer, Kogod School of Business, American University
Founder and Co-Chair, Pursuit of Excellence Summit
Joe Briggs
Global Head of Executive Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, Amazon
Andre Ingram
Professional Basketball Player
G-League South Bay Lakers
NBA Los Angeles Lakers
NextGen Basketball Players Union, Advisory Board
Samyr Laine
2012 Olympian (Haiti)
Principal, Freedom Trail Capital
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
[Fireside Chat]
Leadership, Resilience and Purpose
Sports x Leadership
Dr. William A. Keyes
Award-winning author
President, Institute for Responsible Citizenship
Fmr. Trustee, University of North Carolina
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
[Panel Discussion]
Game Changers: The Science, Systems, and Strategy Behind Elite Performance
Sports x Technology
Matt Verden
Director of Grassroots Scouting and Intelligence, Detroit Pistons
Christien Wright
NBA Champion (2021)
Coaching Analyst and Video Coordinator, Washington Mystics
Sports x Marketing / Sports x Arts
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
[Interactive Workshop]
POES Tank - Make Waves or Wipe Out: The Brand Pitch That Makes You Think
Sports x Marketing
Sany
Litigation, Sports, and Entertainment Attorney
Agent, WNBA
Pursuit of Excellence Summit Co-Chair
Founder + CEO, Family Style Run Club
Marianne Schroer
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
[Panel Discussion]
All Eyez on “ME” - The Cultural Engine: How Sport Drives Marketing, Media, and Influence
Sports x Marketing
Deandra Duggans
CMO, Las Vegas Aces
Alyx Wynn
VP Marketing, Dallas Trinity FC
Ashima Chopra
Lawyer; Founder & CEO, FanVerse
Moderator
Marianne Schroer
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
[Firseide Chat]
Where Sport Meets Self: Creativity Beyond the Jersey
Sports x Arts
Maxwell Pearce
Harlem Globetrotter; Multidisciplinary Artist
Moderator:
India Alston
Account Director, Google Gemini
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Los Angeles, CA
Recommended Attire
Business Chic / Elevated Smart Casual
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Opening Reception
OPEN
ALL GUESTS
POE Award Presentation:
Joe Briggs
Global Head of Executive Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, Amazon
11:50 PM - 12:20 PM
[Presentation + Panel Discussion]
“7 Spurs” Feature Film Presentation
Sports x Arts
Mya Rose (Singer-Songwriter)
Romóne Penny
Actor, Filmmaker, Lecturer, Kogod School of Business, American University
Founder and Co-Chair, Pursuit of Excellence Summit
Andre Ingram
Professional Basketball Player
G-League South Bay Lakers
NBA Los Angeles Lakers
NextGen Basketball Players Union, Advisory Board
12:25 PM - 12:55 PM
[Fireside Chat]
From Performance to Purpose: Navigating Transition, Pressure, and Well-Being
Sports x Leadership
Damien Wilkins
NBA Player
Executive Leader
12:55 PM - 1:10 PM
[Interactive Activity]
From Conversation to Commitment
Sports x Leadership
ALL GUESTS
1:10 PM - 1:15 PM
[Closing Remarks]
Networking
Open
ALL GUESTS
Romóne Penny
Actor, Filmmaker, Lecturer, Kogod School of Business, American University
Founder and Co-Chair, Pursuit of Excellence Summit
PAST SUMMIT VOICES
2015 - 2025
Previous Partners
ELEVATING
EXPANDING
EMPOWERING
