Changing the Game: Renata Simril ’93 and Julie Uhrman on Leadership, Equity, and Building Community

Two of Los Angeles' most influential leaders in sports visited LMU College of Business Administration for a Leadership in the C-Suite/Hilton Distinguished Entrepreneur event, engaging students, faculty, staff, and alumni in a candid conversation about purpose-driven leadership and the evolving business of sports.

In a fireside chat moderated by Dean Dayle Smith, Renata Simril '93, president and CEO of the LA84 Foundation, and Julie Uhrman, president and co-founder of Angel City Football Club, shared insights into their entrepreneurial journeys, the challenges they've navigated, and the lessons that have shaped their leadership.

Before the program, Simril and Uhrman met with 20 LMU students for an intimate dinner that fostered meaningful dialogue and connection. The informal setting gave students a rare opportunity to ask questions and hear firsthand about the realities - both the successes and setbacks - of building mission-driven organizations.

"A cornerstone of the LMU experience is providing students access to industry icons like Renata and Julie," said David Choi, Conrad N. Hilton Chair of Entrepreneurship at LMU. "Every entrepreneur's path is unique. Hearing their stories and wisdom simply can't be replicated in a textbook."

Simril has led the LA84 Foundation since 2016, advancing its mission to leverage Los Angeles' Olympic legacy to expand access to youth sports and recreation across Southern California. She previously served as senior vice president and chief of staff to the Los Angeles Times publisher and as senior vice president of external affairs for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Uhrman co-founded Angel City FC in 2020 alongside venture capitalist Kara Nortman and actor and activist Natalie Portman, launching the National Women's Soccer League team in Los Angeles in 2022. A respected media and gaming executive, she has been recognized by Fast Company's "100 Most Creative People in Business" and Ad Age's "Creative 50."

"Renata and Julie exemplify how leading with purpose and staying true to your values can drive extraordinary success and meaningful change," said Smith. "I am continually blown away by their commitment to social impact and ability to flip the script."

During the conversation, the two leaders reflected on their long-standing friendship and shared passion for expanding access and opportunity. Uhrman spoke candidly about launching Angel City FC during a period of uncertainty for the National Women's Soccer League. Without a traditional sports background, she approached the challenge with curiosity and a willingness to question industry norms.

"We were curious and asked 'why' and 'why not' a lot," she said. "We had to get people to think differently."

From the start, Angel City FC was built with a vision beyond wins and losses. "I knew that by building a women's sports team that was profitable, it would change the narrative," Uhrman explained. "We set out to build a global brand - using the team as a platform to drive equity. Ten percent of sponsorship dollars go back to the community. We don't think of fans as consumers - we think of them as family. Our fans are creating their own communities, and that's the legacy."

That model has helped make Angel City FC the most profitable women's soccer team in the world - though the journey has not been without challenges. Reflecting on some of the biggest obstacles she's faced - from media visibility for women's sports to maintaining momentum - Uhrman shared a personal lesson: "One of my biggest mistakes was not trusting myself. Always trust your gut."

Part of being a great leader is knowing when it's time to make a change. It was recently announced that Uhrman will step down as CEO at the end of March to become principal advisor to team ownership while continuing to serve on the club's board. Like many entrepreneurs, Uhrman is passionate about building and knew it was the right time to move on to new projects.

Simril shared her own leadership journey, beginning with a formative experience as a Military Police Officer in the U.S. Army, which allowed her to travel throughout Europe. "I didn't wait for permission," she said. "I stayed curious and took advantage of every opportunity to expand my knowledge and skills." She also credits her LMU education for shaping her values. "I like to say the Jesuits raised me," she noted. "You can do well and do good at the same time."

Simril stressed the importance of building mission-aligned teams and listening closely to community needs. At LA84, she has advanced initiatives focused on equity and inclusion, including trademarking the term "Play Equity" to promote equal access to sports for young people. "Sports have the ability to bring communities together, allow people to try new things without judgment, and discover their true selves," Simril said.

Both leaders emphasized that sustaining long-term impact requires staying focused on the future while remaining grounded in core values. Surrounding yourself with strong teams and a shared sense of purpose, they agreed, is essential to continued growth. They also stressed the importance of not letting systemic barriers stand in the way of broader goals.

"We're both great leaders," said Simril. "And we happen to be women."