Sparked by FC Tucson’s hiring of Amanda Powers as its inaugural club president just over two years ago, three additional clubs have appointed women as their presidents in Cindy Chipman at USL to Spokane, Francie Gottsegen at North Carolina FC and the aforementioned Aguilera at Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC.

Joining FC Tucson after a successful stint as Chief Operating Officer with then USL Championship expansion club New Mexico United, Amanda Powers was tabbed as the club’s first-ever President on Jan. 21, 2020, making her just the second woman hold the title of president of a men's professional soccer team in the United States.

“I love this game, I love this city, and I’m honored and excited to use soccer as a vehicle to build community and to honor the unique heritage that makes Tucson special,” Powers said of her new role following her hiring. “We’re not trying to recreate the success of New Mexico United. We’re trying to find that same authentic spirit and build a team and game experience around that, for us, by us.”

On the expansion front, Washington-native Cindy Chipman was named president of USL to Spokane in June 2021 ahead of the expansion club’s 2023 League One debut. Chipman joins the USL to Spokane team after previously working with Spokane County’s CARES Act grant programs and various community initiatives. In addition to being a vocal leader in bringing soccer to Spokane, Chipman also serves on the Northeast Public Development Authority and Family Promise.

“Soccer is an international passion—it bridges cultural, economic and regional boundaries, to enjoy a match day experience like no other sport can offer,” said Chipman. “As a mom to three boys, who all participated in youth soccer, I understand how fast the game is growing and the opportunity we have as a club to better the lives of all youth in our community. I was raised in a college town, where athletic teams and players were a central part of the community. I look forward to helping build that same type of relationship, as well as utilizing our club as a catalyst to boost business for our local economy and our entire region.”

Within the past month a duo of trailblazers were tasked with leading their respective League One clubs in Francie Gottsegen with North Carolina FC and Rosie Aguilera with Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC.

Gottsegen joined NCFC as club president in January 2022 after spending time with a myriad of business development and sports marketing entities including JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, PGA of America, the National Basketball Association and Major League Soccer.

“I’m thrilled to join the North Carolina Football Club and lead the growth of this best-in-class organization,” Gottsegen said following her hiring in January.

“It is an honor to guide the club’s front office in elevating the experience for our players, fans and partners. I’m also looking forward to further strengthening the club ties to our community and to our successes ahead.”

The former Cal and UC Irvine goalkeeper has recently been based in Cape Town, South Africa where in 2017 she founded and served as Managing Director of RV United, a women’s football club that utilizes the sport to build self-esteem, encourage physical health and promote academic development among young women in South Africa.

“This is a thrilling opportunity for me to take everything I’ve learned and apply it as an executive at a professional level,” said Aguilera. “It’s exciting to be part of new franchises and build championship-contending teams made up of players who are good humans on and off the pitch.

“I’m excited to be able to make an impact, and to blaze a trail for other women who may want to become executives at professional franchises.”