Female high school student-athletes are invited to the UC Merced campus on March 8 for Together We Will, a first-of-its-kind conference designed to inspire connection, confidence and leadership.
The one-day event will bring together speakers, mentors and health experts to provide a platform for young women to build skills for success in both competition and life.
The conference is focused on creating a safe and supportive space for teen girls to talk openly about leadership, confidence, body image and mental health — topics organizers say are critical to the long-term well-being of student-athletes.
The speaker lineup includes:
-Victoria Garrick Browne, founder of The Hidden Opponent, speaker and mental health advocate
-Danielle Slaton, Olympic medalist, broadcaster and co-founder of Bay Football Club
-Heidi Strickler, sports dietitian and wellness advocate
-Casey Watkins, educator and researcher in human performance
-Amy Sekhon Atwal, physician leader and campus health strategist
-Jessie Anderson, Falcon senior structures production and engineering manager at SpaceX and a UC Merced alumna
“I hope participants leave with greater confidence in themselves, a stronger sense of belonging and relationships that can last a lifetime,” said Lesley Slaton Brown, a UC Merced Foundation Board of Trustees member, Merced High School graduate and former senior vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the NBA. “More than anything, I want them to believe their dreams in sports — and in life — are possible, and that the Valley needs their leadership.”
Slaton Brown said her involvement is a way to give back to the Valley that raised her and to help create the kind of opportunities she wishes she had when she was young.
“Growing up in Merced, sports weren’t just something I did — it shaped who I am. It taught me discipline, resilience, teamwork and how to lead with heart,” she said. “I’ve carried those lessons with me into every space I’ve entered. I want the girls who attend this summit to feel seen, valued and capable, because I know how transformative it can be when someone believes in you.”
Nancye Rahn, assistant director of athletics and senior woman administrator at UC Merced and co-chair of the conference, said the event is designed to help girls invest in themselves.
“To the girls who are thinking about attending: This day is for you,” Rahn said. “It’s an opportunity to build confidence, learn new strategies for performance and well-being and connect with other athletes who share your passion. From leadership development to mental wellness and performance strategies, everything is designed to help you grow.”
The idea for Together We Will grew from conversations about the unique pressures facing teen girls in sports and the need for more intentional support systems.
Lisa Pollard Carlson, UC Merced’s associate vice chancellor of philanthropy and strategic partnerships and one of the event’s organizers, said she sees the conference as more than a single day of programming. As a parent of a teenage athlete who will attend the event, she brings both a professional and personal perspective to the effort.
“We see the ripple effect of a program like Together We Will,” Pollard Carlson said. “The girl who attends will go back into her community, her school and her team with resources that will not only help her but those around her. It’s not only a starting point — it is a launching point. It’s about the power of connection, the power of being together. Together, we will thrive. Together, we will lift each other up. Together, we will create change.”
Organizers hope the conference will become an annual tradition at UC Merced, reinforcing the university’s commitment to leadership development, student well-being and community engagement throughout the Central Valley.
The conference is free to attend, though registration is required. Together We Will takes place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the UC Merced campus. Lunch will be provided for participants. For more information, visit together.ucmerced.edu.
Public Information Officer
