Awards & Recognitions
PNC Bank is proud to sponsor the BAHC Impact Awards, a prestigious recognition program celebrating the achievements of people and organizations in sports and business who are driving change in their communities and industries in the Bay Area.
As part of PNC Bank’s commitment to fostering leadership and opportunity, these awards could honor extraordinary members of our region across 5 categories.
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This award celebrates a coach or executive who has inspired leadership and positive change in the Bay Area.
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Recognizing someone using sports as a platform for innovation and economic progress.
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Celebrating an individual who challenges the status quo and leads with courage and conviction despite what is traditionally expected.
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Honoring a woman who leads with confidence, boldness, and a commitment to uplifting others.
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Celebrating an organization making meaningful contributions to their local community.
Congrats to our 2026 Winners!
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Stephanie is co-founder and team president of San Francisco Signal Volleyball, the Bay Area’s professional women’s indoor volleyball team launching in January 2027. Previously, she was the founding Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at League One Volleyball (LOVB), and she brings extensive experience building brands, businesses and fan engagement across sports and Fortune 500 companies. Her career includes leadership roles at Meta, The Home Depot, Avery Dennison and Albertsons, as well as major sporting events including Super Bowl 50, the 34th America’s Cup and Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018.
A frequent speaker and moderator, Stephanie spent more than a decade as an adjunct professor in the University of San Francisco’s Sports Management Master’s program and previously co-founded athlete brand strategy consultancy BFWD. She is also co-author of Big Game, Bigger Impact: How the Bay Area Redefined the Super Bowl and the Lessons Learned that Can Apply to Any Business. A former Tufts University student-athlete and member of its national championship-winning sailing team, she holds a B.A. in English from Tufts and an M.A. in Communication Management from USC.
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Charmin Smith is an award-winning coach, former professional player and trailblazer who has dedicated her career to advancing equity and opportunity through sport. As the first Black head coach of Cal women's basketball, she has led the Golden Bears to three consecutive postseason appearances, including the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth since 2019 and its first 25-win season in more than a decade. In 2026, she also helped lead the USA Women’s U18 National Team to a gold medal at the FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup.
Beyond the court, Smith is a respected leader and advocate for representation and racial equity in sports. A three-time Silver Waves Media Top 100 Most Influential Figure in Women’s College Basketball, she created one of the most unique women’s college basketball tournaments in the country – the Raising The B.A.R. (basketball, activism, representation) Invitational. The annual tournament features only teams led by Black female head coaches and shines a light on the lack of diversity in WBB college coaching.
A former Stanford standout and WNBA player, Smith holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University and continues to use her platform to inspire the next generation of leaders in sports and beyond.
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Natalie Nakase made history as the first Asian American head coach in WNBA history and was named the 2025 WNBA Coach of the Year after leading the Golden State Valkyries to 23 regular-season wins in their inaugural campaign — the most ever by a WNBA expansion team. Under her leadership, the Valkyries also became the first expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in its debut season, and most recently led the Valkyries to a postseason berth this year for the second consecutive season.
Nakase joined the Valkyries after more than 16 years coaching professional basketball, including three seasons as first assistant coach with the Las Vegas Aces, where she helped guide the team to back-to-back WNBA Championships in 2022 and 2023. Previously, she spent 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers organization and began her coaching career overseas, becoming the first woman to serve as a head coach in Japan’s professional men’s basketball league. A former UCLA player and team captain, Nakase holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCLA and continues to break barriers for women and Asian Americans in professional sports.
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Zac Brown is the Executive Director of Pride House San Francisco, where he champions LGBTQ+ inclusion within the sports community. A former Division I soccer player and coach who publicly came out as gay in 2021, Brown previously sustained unprecedented growth as Vice President of the San Francisco Spikes, LGBT soccer club, before helping found Pride House SF, a joint initiative of the SF LGBT Center and the Spikes. Under his leadership during the Super Bowl and 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, he mobilized an all-volunteer team to host over 30 inclusive events, reaching more than 3,000 community members. Pride House SF established a new blueprint for LGBTQ+ inclusion at major sporting events in the Bay Area.
Beyond hosting signature watch parties with prominent local partners, Brown ensured Pride House SF delivered lasting grassroots impact. He spearheaded legacy initiatives that included a speaker series, wellness programming and specialized coaching clinics to ensure the next generation feels welcome in sport. His team successfully raised over $100,000 to support these inclusive spaces, reinvesting funds back into local nonprofits. Alongside his community advocacy, Brown brings his commitment to authentic, inclusive leadership to his career as the Vice President of Scholastic Sales at the sports technology company Spiideo.
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For more than 20 years, the Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative (BAWSI) has harnessed the power of sport to create healthier, more confident and more connected communities. BAWSI delivers free, school-based sports and leadership programs for girls from under-resourced neighborhoods and children with disabilities, removing barriers to participation and ensuring every child has the opportunity to play, lead, and succeed. Since 2005, BAWSI has served more than 29,500 children and youth with the support of 9,800+ volunteers and 80+ coaches. This past year, BAWSI reached more than 2,100 children and youth across 22 schools.
Founded by sports executive Marlene Bjornsrud alongside women’s soccer legends Brandi Chastain, and Julie Foudy, BAWSI has become a nationally recognized model for using sport to advance equity, youth development, and community well-being. Its programs extend from elementary through high school, helping participants experience the physical and mental health benefits of sport while building confidence, leadership skills, and a deeper sense of belonging. Through its sustained impact, BAWSI demonstrates how investing in young people through sport can create lifelong leaders and strengthen Bay Area communities for generations to come.
Congrats to our 2025 Winners!
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Lindsay Kauffman is the founder of Girls Unite, an organization dedicated to empowering young girls through soccer. By fostering teamwork, confidence, and leadership through play, Girls Unite has grown from a local initiative into a powerful movement across the Bay Area—creating spaces where girls can belong, compete, and lead. Lindsay’s commitment to expanding opportunities, increasing visibility, and championing the next generation of women in soccer embodies the spirit of this award and the ongoing pursuit of building stronger, more inclusive communities.
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Faatimah Amen-Ra A. is a visionary leader who is redefining what’s possible for women in sports. As the founder of the Women’s Premier Basketball Association, she is building new pathways for female athletes—expanding opportunities, amplifying voices, and helping shape the future of the game. Her leadership is rooted in courage and action, consistently pushing boundaries while creating space for others to rise alongside her. Faatimah’s work is a powerful reminder that true trailblazing isn’t just about being first—it’s about opening doors and ensuring that future generations have the access, visibility, and support they deserve.
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Steve Kerr is widely recognized as one of the most impactful leaders in sports, known for his success, character, and influence beyond the game.
As head coach of the Golden State Warriors, he has led the team to six NBA Finals appearances and four championships, marking the most successful era in franchise history. In 2024, he also guided United States men's national basketball team to Olympic Gold in Paris. Beyond the court, Kerr is deeply committed to community impact across the Bay Area and is respected for using his platform to uplift others. His leadership reflects a belief that true success is defined not just by wins, but by the impact made off the court.
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Cathy Adams has built her career on uplifting others, leading with purpose, and creating space for more women to step forward with confidence.
Through her leadership at the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce, she has been a champion for equity, opportunity, and empowerment—supporting local businesses while strengthening the communities they serve.
Cathy’s work reflects confidence in action: building bridges, expanding access, and demonstrating what’s possible when women lead boldly and with intention.
Her impact continues to inspire the next generation of leaders to use their voice, step into leadership, and create meaningful change in their communities.
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10,000 Degrees is dedicated to transforming lives by helping students from low-income backgrounds access and succeed in higher education.
Through a comprehensive approach that includes mentorship, financial support, and strong community partnerships, the organization supports students from college acceptance through graduation—breaking cycles of poverty and creating lasting pathways to success. By making higher education both accessible and achievable, 10,000 Degrees is investing in the potential of the next generation and strengthening the communities they come from. Their work is a powerful reminder that when we invest in people and expand opportunity, we create a future where everyone has the chance to rise and thrive.