University of Richmond Athletics
Spider Athletics Hosts Inaugural PowHER On Event
09/16/2022 | General, Spider Athletic Fund, Spider Performance
RICHMOND, Va. – The University of Richmond Spider Performance and Development and the Spider Athletic Fund hosted the inaugural PowHER On event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX. The event was held in conjunction and collaboration with Dr. Mia Reinoso Genoni, Dean of the Westhampton College, and Dr. Sandra Peart, Dean of the Jepson School of Leadership Studies.
The luncheon and panel were an opportunity to connect current and past Spider women's student-athletes to share experiences and celebrate their accomplishments. This event is part of Spider Athletics' year-long celebration of women's athletics.
"The inaugural PowHER On event provided an incredible experience to empower, inspire, and celebrate women in athletics," Senior Associate Athletic Director Lauren Wicklund said.
The panel featured Spider Athletics alumnae, Dr. Judy Hopkins '74 (Field Hockey, Basketball, Lacrosse), Amber Nichols '14 (Basketball), Meredith Ryan-Reid '98 (Lacrosse) and Nikita Thomas '10 (Basketball). The panelists shared stories and insights from their professional journeys and focused on the importance of networking, authenticity, and taking advantage of their time on campus to help prepare for life after college.
At the end of the panel, Wicklund and Associate Athletics Director for Development, Brandon Hodgins, announced Dr. Hopkins and her husband, Hop, have generously provided a $50,000 match to inspire others to join in for PowHER On Giving Week and the rest of the year to celebrate and support UR female student-athletes.
PowHER On Giving Week will take place October 3rd through 7th. All funds raised will go directly to efforts to offer a top-level experience for our female student-athletes, such as conducting women's leadership events, providing experiential and academic opportunities, and direct support for our women's sport programs. There are three distinct ways to support Spider female student-athletes, as follows:
If you would like to participate, you can do so by clicking here or via Venmo at @SpiderGiving. Please include your name, fund(s) and grad year in the notes section.
For more information about Spider Athletic Fund, please click here.
Panelist Biographies
Dr. Judy Hopkins '74
Dr. Judy Hopkins graduated from the University of Richmond in 1974 where she competed in basketball, field hockey, and lacrosse. After her time at Richmond, Hopkins earned her doctoral degree from the University of Virginia. Dr. Hopkins' clinical interests include the treatment of breast cancer, breast cancer prevention, genetics, survivorship and the treatment of leukemia.
She has served as chairwoman of the SCOR Cancer Care Delivery Research, a member of the NCI Breast Oncology Local Disease task force and a member of the NCI symptom management/quality of life steering committee. She serves on multiple committees dedicated to cancer research, symptom management and elderly populations.
Dr. Hopkins has a passion for skiing and hiking and owns a 110-acre farm in Blacksburg, South Carolina with her husband, son, and daughter-in-law.
Amber Nichols '14
Amber Nichols played four years of college basketball at the University of Richmond, where she received her bachelor's degree in sociology. The Raleigh, North Carolina native continued her education at the University of Georgia, where she received her master's in kinesiology with a concentration in Sport Management and Policy.
Nichols was named the second General Manager in franchise history before the start of the 2020-21 NBA G League season, which took place in Orlando, Florida. Nichols joined Tori Miller of the College Park Skyhawks as the only two Black female General Managers in the NBA G League. Nichols' groundbreaking career path also helped land her on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Sports in 2022.
Under Nichols' leadership, the Go-Go reached the Playoffs for the first time in 2021-22, setting a franchise record with 28 wins during the season. Capital City also earned its first-ever playoff victory, as they defeated College Park at the Entertainment and Sports Arena.
Meredith Ryan-Reid '98
Meredith Ryan-Reid serves as Chief Executive Officer at Versant Health, one of the nation's leading administrators of managed vision care and a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc.
Under her leadership, Versant Health helps people access the wonders of sight by serving more than 38.5 million of its clients' members nationwide. Versant Health solutions scale across the total eye health spectrum – from routine vision benefits to medical management.
Commercial groups, employer plans, and health plans that serve government-sponsored programs such as Medicaid and Medicare are among Versant Health's key stakeholders.
Prior to joining Versant Health, Ryan- Reid served as senior vice president and head of MetLife's Financial Wellness & Engagement organization, which focuses on voluntary benefits growth and new product development in the financial and digital wellness space, including Upwise, a financial wellness app, and Aura, an intelligent digital safety solution for families. Additionally, she led MetLife's Global Innovation team, which works with investors and entrepreneurs to source partnerships and investment opportunities in solutions that enable growth and strengthen customer lifetime value.
Nikita Thomas '10
Nikita Thomas was raised in Atlanta, GA and graduated from the University of Richmond, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2010. She was also a 4-year Women's Basketball student-athlete. After college, Nikita became a police officer for the Richmond (VA) Police Department for 5 years before transitioning to the United States Secret Service.
Today, Nikita is a Special Agent and Criminal Investigator. She began her service in the Washington (DC) Field Office During her career, she has conducted many investigations concerning criminal, employment, and intelligence matters and coordinated logistics regarding the protection of foreign Heads of State visiting the United States.
Currently, Nikita serves on the Presidential Protection Detail, where she has been for the last 2 years. In this role, she conducts domestic and foreign advance duties and logistical support for the First and Second Families and other protectees as set forth by the United States Constitution and Executive Order.
--UR--
The luncheon and panel were an opportunity to connect current and past Spider women's student-athletes to share experiences and celebrate their accomplishments. This event is part of Spider Athletics' year-long celebration of women's athletics.
"The inaugural PowHER On event provided an incredible experience to empower, inspire, and celebrate women in athletics," Senior Associate Athletic Director Lauren Wicklund said.
The panel featured Spider Athletics alumnae, Dr. Judy Hopkins '74 (Field Hockey, Basketball, Lacrosse), Amber Nichols '14 (Basketball), Meredith Ryan-Reid '98 (Lacrosse) and Nikita Thomas '10 (Basketball). The panelists shared stories and insights from their professional journeys and focused on the importance of networking, authenticity, and taking advantage of their time on campus to help prepare for life after college.
At the end of the panel, Wicklund and Associate Athletics Director for Development, Brandon Hodgins, announced Dr. Hopkins and her husband, Hop, have generously provided a $50,000 match to inspire others to join in for PowHER On Giving Week and the rest of the year to celebrate and support UR female student-athletes.
PowHER On Giving Week will take place October 3rd through 7th. All funds raised will go directly to efforts to offer a top-level experience for our female student-athletes, such as conducting women's leadership events, providing experiential and academic opportunities, and direct support for our women's sport programs. There are three distinct ways to support Spider female student-athletes, as follows:
- Women's Athletic Fund
- Sport-specific giving
- Spider Performance and Development program.
If you would like to participate, you can do so by clicking here or via Venmo at @SpiderGiving. Please include your name, fund(s) and grad year in the notes section.
For more information about Spider Athletic Fund, please click here.
Panelist Biographies
Dr. Judy Hopkins '74
Dr. Judy Hopkins graduated from the University of Richmond in 1974 where she competed in basketball, field hockey, and lacrosse. After her time at Richmond, Hopkins earned her doctoral degree from the University of Virginia. Dr. Hopkins' clinical interests include the treatment of breast cancer, breast cancer prevention, genetics, survivorship and the treatment of leukemia.
She has served as chairwoman of the SCOR Cancer Care Delivery Research, a member of the NCI Breast Oncology Local Disease task force and a member of the NCI symptom management/quality of life steering committee. She serves on multiple committees dedicated to cancer research, symptom management and elderly populations.
Dr. Hopkins has a passion for skiing and hiking and owns a 110-acre farm in Blacksburg, South Carolina with her husband, son, and daughter-in-law.
Amber Nichols '14
Amber Nichols played four years of college basketball at the University of Richmond, where she received her bachelor's degree in sociology. The Raleigh, North Carolina native continued her education at the University of Georgia, where she received her master's in kinesiology with a concentration in Sport Management and Policy.
Nichols was named the second General Manager in franchise history before the start of the 2020-21 NBA G League season, which took place in Orlando, Florida. Nichols joined Tori Miller of the College Park Skyhawks as the only two Black female General Managers in the NBA G League. Nichols' groundbreaking career path also helped land her on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Sports in 2022.
Under Nichols' leadership, the Go-Go reached the Playoffs for the first time in 2021-22, setting a franchise record with 28 wins during the season. Capital City also earned its first-ever playoff victory, as they defeated College Park at the Entertainment and Sports Arena.
Meredith Ryan-Reid '98
Meredith Ryan-Reid serves as Chief Executive Officer at Versant Health, one of the nation's leading administrators of managed vision care and a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc.
Under her leadership, Versant Health helps people access the wonders of sight by serving more than 38.5 million of its clients' members nationwide. Versant Health solutions scale across the total eye health spectrum – from routine vision benefits to medical management.
Commercial groups, employer plans, and health plans that serve government-sponsored programs such as Medicaid and Medicare are among Versant Health's key stakeholders.
Prior to joining Versant Health, Ryan- Reid served as senior vice president and head of MetLife's Financial Wellness & Engagement organization, which focuses on voluntary benefits growth and new product development in the financial and digital wellness space, including Upwise, a financial wellness app, and Aura, an intelligent digital safety solution for families. Additionally, she led MetLife's Global Innovation team, which works with investors and entrepreneurs to source partnerships and investment opportunities in solutions that enable growth and strengthen customer lifetime value.
Nikita Thomas '10
Nikita Thomas was raised in Atlanta, GA and graduated from the University of Richmond, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2010. She was also a 4-year Women's Basketball student-athlete. After college, Nikita became a police officer for the Richmond (VA) Police Department for 5 years before transitioning to the United States Secret Service.
Today, Nikita is a Special Agent and Criminal Investigator. She began her service in the Washington (DC) Field Office During her career, she has conducted many investigations concerning criminal, employment, and intelligence matters and coordinated logistics regarding the protection of foreign Heads of State visiting the United States.
Currently, Nikita serves on the Presidential Protection Detail, where she has been for the last 2 years. In this role, she conducts domestic and foreign advance duties and logistical support for the First and Second Families and other protectees as set forth by the United States Constitution and Executive Order.
--UR--
Saint Louis Postgame - Mooney & Harper III
Sunday, January 18
Mooney, Roussell Press Conference - January 16
Friday, January 16
Men's Basketball Highlights vs. La Salle
Thursday, January 15
Men's Basketball Postgame - La Salle
Thursday, January 15