Franchise
Power
Accomplished women examining how influence becomes scale.
Accomplished women examining how influence becomes scale.
Women leaders are expected to translate expertise, visibility, and values into scalable impact — across business, media, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship. Yet most leadership forums are narrowly focused on outdated norms, venture-backed tech, or abstract theory.
We are creating a space for real-world strategy, collaboration, and cross-industry insight — grounded in the belief that, in an AI-everything world, good ideas still matter.
Prodigious Advisors has partnered with Pepperdine's Graziadio Business School to host a half-day gathering of women leaders in media, sports, consumer, tech, and business services, focused on women in business and entrepreneurship, broadly defined.
Three winning teams will direct a cash prize to one of several mission-aligned charities.
Very Important: Enter the campus from John Tyler Drive off of PCH — not Seaver Drive off of Malibu Canyon Road.
Entry: Stop at the Guard Gate and indicate you are there for the Franchise Power Event at the Wilburn Auditorium.
Parking: Park in the lot near the electric car charging stations. An attendant will guide you. You can leave your car parked all day — shuttle service runs to and from the cocktail reception.
For any questions, email lindsay@prodigious.works or text 1-347-882-7099.
The Post-Podium Pivot
Why a case study?
More interactive than a traditional panel. More practical than theoretical discussion. Designed to activate expertise, not just share it.
Case studies are designed to simulate real-world decision-making — requiring judgment, prioritization, and action under constraint. A core tool in business schools and executive settings, they are used to navigate complex situations, pressure-test ideas, and draw on diverse perspectives.
This is a live exchange — not a spectator event.
The case follows "Maya," a professional soccer player approaching retirement, navigating limited savings, constrained visibility, and a lack of access to traditional capital networks — challenges that are structurally different from those faced by her male counterparts.
You will work in teams to develop strategic recommendations across three areas:
The goal is to move beyond theory and into practical, actionable frameworks for building enduring enterprise value. We encourage you to review the case in advance to maximize your experience. Time will be allocated on the day to revisit key materials before the session begins.
As Commissioner of Unrivaled, one of the fastest growing sports leagues in the world, Micky Lawler oversees league strategy, operations, partnerships, and revenue growth. She joined in 2024 following a distinguished career leading global sports organizations and advancing gender equity in athletics.
Previously President of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), where she expanded the global reach and commercial value of women's tennis, delivering record growth in sponsorship, media rights, and international investment.
Dr. Ledbetter is the founding director of the Center for Women in Leadership at Pepperdine's Graziadio Business School, where she previously served as Dean of Student Affairs for seven years. A practitioner faculty member in organizational theory and leadership, she teaches graduate courses focused on leadership development and advancing women in leadership.
An award-winning educator, Dr. Ledbetter has received the Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence, the George Award for Outstanding Faculty Member, and Leadership California's TrailBlazer Award.
Monica Shilling is a transactional partner in the Los Angeles office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. She advises asset managers, private equity funds, and their portfolio companies across the full lifecycle of transactions, and represents public companies, financial advisors, investment banks, and issuers.
Her practice includes M&A, capital markets, leveraged buyouts, corporate governance, and securities compliance. Recognized by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 since 2010.
Founded in 2008 and inspired by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, Grameen America empowers women in underserved communities through small business loans, financial education, and credit-building programs — enabling women excluded from the traditional financial system to build businesses and achieve long-term stability.
Building a pipeline to growth for thousands of Black-owned businesses, many of which are women-owned. Together with more than 35 corporate partners, they have built a pipeline to shift almost $14 billion of revenue to Black-owned businesses through curated inclusion programs.
A global nonprofit established in 2010 to accelerate gender and racial diversity in corporate governance. With a goal of achieving 50% women and 20% women of color on corporate boards, the organization directs the majority of its funding toward education and advocacy that prepare women for board leadership.
Prodigious Advisors is an operating partner to high growth companies and category defining brands.
Our work goes beyond advice. We assemble teams of experienced operators who embed with founders and the C-suite to solve complex problems and execute step-change initiatives.
Our clients span consumer, media, sports, hospitality, food and beverage, and ecommerce. They are raising capital, launching new products and ventures, and scaling innovative businesses. Together they represent a new generation of companies reshaping how businesses are built and operated.
Visit ProdigiousThe Center for Women in Leadership at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School is dedicated to advancing women as leaders in business and society. Through research, graduate education, and curated programs, the Center brings together executives, scholars, and students to explore modern leadership challenges and expand pathways for women to lead organizations and ventures.
Visit PepperdineWhy do the guys (still) have all the fun.
This event was partly inspired by thrice attending an annual winter trip hosted by a venerated bank for leaders in sports, media, and entertainment. Most of the guests are men. No one is expected to have any ideas, although they flow organically. It is a wonderful event, organized for the pure goals of appreciation and relaxation.
Yet to our knowledge, nothing like it exists for women leaders — nor is there something similar with a balanced audience. We'd be thrilled with either.
This year, the case study is a mix of intellectual rigor and fun. In the future, we hope to emulate that winter trip — in Mexico. Until then, we'd like to see you in Malibu and thank you for your consideration.
Presented in partnership with
