Katie Sowers will give 2023 Elizabeth Dole Women in Leadership Lecture

LAWRENCE — The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas will recognize Katie Sowers at the 2023 Elizabeth Dole Women in Leadership Lecture next month. Sowers will give a talk at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 discuss her exceptional career as a trailblazer for women in the sports world.

Sowers, a native Kansan, made history in 2020 when she became the first woman to coach on an NFL staff in a Super Bowl. Throughout her career, she has been a part of the coaching staff for the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons.

"Katie Sowers has blazed new trails for women in sports by rising above the expectations of others to reach the heights of her extraordinary potential. With determination, she committed herself to professional excellence and is showing the rising generation of women that there are no limits to what they can accomplish," said former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

Currently, Sowers is in her third year as director of strategic initiatives at Ottawa University. She also coached the 2021 and 2022 National Champion OU Women’s Flag Football team and now serves as the director of operations and defensive coordinator. As a result of her career, she uses her influence in the sports world to open various doors of opportunity for women’s athletics.

She is responsible for leading the development and fundraising efforts for a state-of-the-art facility for women’s flag football and other OU athletic teams. Sowers will continue to focus on the growth of female athletes and bringing these programs into the spotlight.

“We are excited to recognize our fellow Kansan Katie Sowers at our annual Elizabeth Dole Women in Leadership Lecture,” said Audrey Coleman, director of the Dole Institute. “This signature occasion amplifies the game-changing impact of woman in leadership and distinguishes the Dole Institute as a unique, much-needed platform for discussing meaningful topics on politics, policy and leadership.”

The program is an annual event featuring women in positions of leadership who break down barriers and make a remarkable impact in their fields. The women exemplify perseverance, innovative thinking and resilience and amplify the need for creating a meaningful dialogue about the importance of women in leadership. Some of the past speakers include Elizabeth Dole, military and veteran caregivers, and U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids.

This series is named after former the U.S. lawmaker in honor of her long career in public service. Elizabeth Dole served as commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Secretary of Labor, president of the American Red Cross and U.S. senator representing the state of North Carolina. The Elizabeth Dole Women in Leadership Lecture series serves as a tribute to her dedication and contributions to the nation through her public service.