Main Stage
Wed • Sep 16 • 12:30pm – 1:00pm ET • Main Stage
Building the Brand Before the Breakthrough
The New York Liberty’s rise didn’t start with the 2024 WNBA Championship. It started years earlier with a deliberate decision to invest in community, build cultural relevance and earn trust before the spotlight arrived. Shana Stephenson, chief brand officer, shares how the Liberty created a blueprint for modern marketing that translated into partnerships with brands like Liberty Mutual, Pinterest, Spotify, and Sunglasses Hut. A case study in being prepared to meet the moment - and turning brand equity into real business impact.
Session Speakers:
- Shana Stephenson
Chief Branding Officer @ New York Liberty
Shana Stephenson is Chief Brand Officer of the New York Liberty, where she oversees branding, marketing, creative, and digital content strategy. Now in her ninth season with the organization, her leadership has positioned the Liberty as a culturally influential force in New York City and a globally recognized brand at… - Shira Springer
Senior Lecturer in Managerial Communication @ MIT Sloan
Shira Springer is a teacher, researcher, and storyteller. Her work focuses on leadership communication, media and sports strategy, and stories that create connection. She believes storytelling is a critical leadership capability. Prior to joining the Sloan faculty, Shira was a sports journalist, earning national recogn…

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