Washington Spirit

Washington Spirit Names FC Barcelona Femení’s Jonatan Giráldez Costas New Head Coach

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Washington, D.C., Jan. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Washington Spirit announced today that FC Barcelona Femení’s Jonatan Giráldez Costas will join as the club’s new head coach.

Key Points: 
  • Washington, D.C., Jan. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Washington Spirit announced today that FC Barcelona Femení’s Jonatan Giráldez Costas will join as the club’s new head coach.
  • “We conducted an extensive global, data-driven search and found that Jona is the best choice to lead our players.
  • Giráldez joined FC Barcelona Femení in 2019 where he started as an assistant coach helping the team to win its first UEFA Champions League after a great 2020-21 season.
  • Giráldez will join the Spirit in Washington, DC at the conclusion of the FC Barcelona Femení season.

The Women's Sports Foundation Welcomes New President and Six Board of Trustees Members, as it Celebrates its 50th Anniversary

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 11, 2024

NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As of January 1, the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) is pleased to welcome Paralympian and world record holder in Track & Field, Scout Bassett, as its new president, and also welcomes six members to its Board of Trustees. The new trustees include: Andrea Brimmer, Ally Financial's chief marketing and public relations officer who spearheaded the creation of the Ally brand; Arielle Chambers, mixed-media journalist and founder of Warner Bros. Discovery's HighlightHer who uses her platforms to amplify the voices of women athletes; Ashlyn Harris, two-time Women's World Cup champion who currently serves as global creative advisor for Gotham FC; Katy Knox, former NCAA athlete and president of Bank of America Private Bank who has more than 35 years of financial services experience; Kathleen Kunkler, recently retired Morgan Stanley executive who served as senior vice president, Global Sports and Entertainment director for more than 34 years; and Nicole Jeter West, co-founder of Vanguard Maven Group who has more than 20 years of experience in the sports and entertainment industry. This innovative group of cross-sector professionals join WSF in time for the Foundation's 50th anniversary in 2024 – a year that will honor WSF's role as one of the first organizations to recognize that equality in sport leads to equality in life.

Key Points: 
  • "Scout is a longtime, valued member of the WSF family, and we are thrilled she is taking over as president," said WSF CEO Danette Leighton.
  • "We are also delighted to welcome Andrea, Arielle, Ashlyn, Katy, Kathleen and Nicole to our board.
  • Together, our WSF family will honor our legacy while deepening our impact as we mark this special, 50th anniversary year.
  • For a complete list of the Women's Sports Foundation's Board of Trustees, please click here .

Continuing to Serve and Warrior Rising Team Up to Support Women Veteran Entrepreneurs

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 12, 2023

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing to Serve, the new non-profit venture committed to improving the quality of life for Veterans founded by Dawn Halfaker (previously of Halfaker and Associates), sponsored and cohosted this week's powerhouse fundraising event, Saluting Her Service: Honoring Women Veteran Entrepreneurs, held at the Military Women's Memorial. The event was a veritable who's-who of DC-area VIPs, as high-level Government, Military, and private sector leaders gathered to support women veteran entrepreneurs while listening to an inspirational group of keynote speakers.

Key Points: 
  • The event was a veritable who's-who of DC-area VIPs, as high-level Government, Military, and private sector leaders gathered to support women veteran entrepreneurs while listening to an inspirational group of keynote speakers.
  • It was great to see so many leaders all come together in support of women Veterans!"
  • Halfaker, a fierce advocate for Veterans, had this to say about Continuing to Serve's first event: "I'm so pleased to have been part of this wonderful event supporting women Veteran entrepreneurs.
  • I founded Continuing to Serve with the purpose of providing Veteran entrepreneurs with the support they need to start and grow their business, and I am in awe of the amount of support we received during Saluting Her Service.

September Declared Washington Spirits Month™

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Other distillers joining in the inaugural launch of Washington Spirits Month™ include Browne Family Spirits, Westland Distillery, The Distillarium, Unicorn Distillery, and Big Gin.

Key Points: 
  • Other distillers joining in the inaugural launch of Washington Spirits Month™ include Browne Family Spirits, Westland Distillery, The Distillarium, Unicorn Distillery, and Big Gin.
  • "Washington Spirits Month is a month-long, groundbreaking initiative that shines a spotlight on the incredible variety of distilled spirits that our state has to offer.
  • “Browne Family Spirts is elated to see major retailers, independent liquor stores and restaurants agreeing to join Washington Spirits Month,” said Andrew Browne of Browne Family Spirits.
  • He added, “This inaugural Washington Spirits Month offers a great message to all who choose to raise a glass of spirits: please do so responsibly, and with a high-quality spirit produced right here in Washington.”
    For more information about Washington Spirits Month, or to see the list of participating distillers, retailers, restaurants, bars, hotels and trade associations please visit https://www.washingtonspiritsmonth.com .

Warrior Rising Announces "Saluting Her Service: Honoring Women Veteran Entrepreneurs"

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 21, 2023

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Warrior Rising, the premier non-profit organization serving Veteran entrepreneurs, is hosting an inspirational evening event, Saluting Her Service: Honoring Women Veteran Entrepreneurs on September 20, 2023. This exclusive fundraising event is unlike any other, as notable Veterans and DMV-based VIPs gather to celebrate women Veterans and the endless possibilities that await them when given the tools to succeed.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Warrior Rising, the premier non-profit organization serving Veteran entrepreneurs, is hosting an inspirational evening event, Saluting Her Service: Honoring Women Veteran Entrepreneurs on September 20, 2023.
  • Warrior Rising presents exclusive event celebrating women veteran entrepreneurs with notable guests at DC venue.
  • Attendees will be able to witness firsthand the transformative power of Warrior Rising's mission, as this prestigious $20,000 grant is bestowed upon the Veteran and her family.
  • "Supporting our Veterans, and particularly women Veteran Entrepreneurs, is a deeply personal and fulfilling endeavor for me.

Siete Foods Partners with Three U.S. Stars to Host Local Legends Watch Parties

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 11, 2023

AUSTIN, Texas, July 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Siete Family Foods, a leading provider of delicious and healthy Mexican-American food products, is proud to announce a partnership with three talented and inspiring athletes—Naomi Girma, Sofia Huerta, and Ashley Sanchez—that will be heading to Australia and New Zealand to represent the United States this summer. As part of the partnership, Siete Family Foods, in conjunction with Girma, Huerta and Sanchez, will give back to each player's hometown with community viewing parties in San Jose, Calif. (Girma), Seattle, Wash. (Huerta) and Monrovia, Calif. (Sanchez).

Key Points: 
  • As part of the partnership, Siete Family Foods, in conjunction with Girma, Huerta and Sanchez, will give back to each player's hometown with community viewing parties in San Jose, Calif. (Girma), Seattle, Wash. (Huerta) and Monrovia, Calif. (Sanchez).
  • As part of these partnerships, Siete Family Foods will collaborate with Girma, Huerta, and Sanchez to further inspire young athletes and promote a healthy lifestyle.
  • Siete will also support the family and friends that have supported these athletes through a series of Local Legends watch parties in the hometowns of each player.
  • These athlete partnerships are the latest initiative for Siete Family Foods as they look to engage and uplift soccer supporters across the country.

OL Groupe and Michele Kang Form Global Multi-Team Women’s Football Group

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 16, 2023

OL Groupe, owner of Olympique Lyonnais, Eagle Football Holdings, majority owner of OL Groupe and Michele Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit, announced today the signing of an agreement to create the first of its kind global multi-team women's football organization.

Key Points: 
  • OL Groupe, owner of Olympique Lyonnais, Eagle Football Holdings, majority owner of OL Groupe and Michele Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit, announced today the signing of an agreement to create the first of its kind global multi-team women's football organization.
  • OL Groupe will continue to support the new entity through the provision of services including the use of Groupama Stadium, Groupama OL Training Center, and OL Academy.
  • “This deal represents a major step forward in the history of women’s professional football,” said Michele Kang.
  • The financial information relating to this transaction between OL Groupe and YMK Holdings and which may impact OL Groupe valuation will be communicated to the independent expert mandated by OL Groupe in the context of the public tender offer.

Soccer Icon Ali Krieger Announces Plans to Retire after Gotham FC's 2023 NWSL Season

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 23, 2023

HARRISON, N.J., March 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The iconic, long-time U.S. Women's National Team and National Women's Soccer League defender Ali Krieger, who is revered by fans and players for her work on and off the pitch, announced today that the 2023 NWSL season with Gotham FC will be the final chapter of her legendary playing career.

Key Points: 
  • "I see the 2023 season as an opportunity to celebrate with our fans and my fellow players, but make no mistake – my entire focus is on winning the NWSL championship with Gotham FC," said Krieger.
  • "In a career filled with blessings, the NWSL title is one of the only trophies I still have yet to win.
  • To achieve this before our incredible Gotham FC fans will motivate me every day this season."
  • In her third season as Washington's captain in 2016, Krieger led the Spirit to the NWSL championship game.

Toll Brothers Apartment Living® Breaks Ground on Vermeer, a Luxury Multifamily Rental Community in Buzzard Point Overlooking Audi Field

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 15, 2023

“We are excited to add Vermeer to our growing portfolio of luxury rental communities in Washington, DC,” said Michael Skena, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director of Acquisitions and Development for Toll Brothers Apartment Living.

Key Points: 
  • “We are excited to add Vermeer to our growing portfolio of luxury rental communities in Washington, DC,” said Michael Skena, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director of Acquisitions and Development for Toll Brothers Apartment Living.
  • “Toll Brothers has been building homes in this market for nearly thirty years.
  • Vermeer is Toll Brothers Apartment Living’s fourth transit-oriented development within Washington, DC, located within easy walking distance of both the Navy Yard and Waterfront Metro Stations.
  • With sumptuous living spaces, welcoming hospitality offerings, and brilliant experiences to explore, Vermeer is a connected, expressive community at the forefront of southwest Washington’s emerging Buzzard Point neighborhood.

Michele Y. Kang, Owner of the Washington Spirit, Founder and CEO of Cognosante, to Receive 2023 Horatio Alger Award

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 2, 2023

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, announced that Michele Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit, and founder and CEO of Cognosante, has been selected for membership in this prestigious organization. Ms. Kang joins 12 other exceptional business, civic and cultural leaders from across North America in receiving 2023 honors. For 76 years, the Horatio Alger Award has been annually bestowed upon esteemed individuals who have succeeded despite facing adversities, and who have remained committed to education and charitable efforts in their communities. 

Key Points: 
  • Born and raised in South Korea, Ms. Kang came to the United States as a student to pursue her American dream.
  • "Each year, it is our utmost honor to present outstanding leaders who have displayed extraordinary perseverance in overcoming challenges with the Horatio Alger Award," said James F. Dicke II, chairman, Horatio Alger Association and 2015 Horatio Alger Award recipient.
  • Ms. Kang and the Member Class of 2023 will be formally inducted into the Association during the Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C. from March 30 through April 1, 2023.
  • For more information about Horatio Alger Association and its Member Class of 2023, please visit www.horatioalger.org and follow the organization on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .