We have a passion for athletes and their potential
The Next Play is founded by former women athletes with expertise in key areas: the sports industry, higher education, learning products, leadership coaching, and adult development. We hold a belief in rigorous standards and regulations for professional coaching and that women athletes, when nurtured, can make amazing contributions to the world.
Sharlene Sones
Co-Founder and President
Sharlene understands the power of a story to sell your product, advance an idea, communicate your value and build your brand. As founder and brand strategist for Brandstoria, she connects traditional branding practices with new approaches to delight customers in ways that matter. She’s worked with a wide range of global brands using this approach including Benetton Sportsystem, Spalding Sports, University of Pennsylvania, National Association of College Stores, Forefront Records, LPGA, and Womens Sports Foundation. Sharlene is the author of Storyworks, How Stories Can Advance Your Business, Cause and Career. She earned her M.S. in organizational dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania and holds a B.S. in management from Babson College.
Bethany Dufour
Co-Founder and Vice President, Education
The Next Play Coach’s Coach. A leadership and executive coach, facilitator, entrepreneur, and lover of people, Bethany brings a career rooted in learning and development, supporting people and organizations on their paths to greatness. Bethany founded and operates Maley Group as a leadership development practice that brings simplicity to leadership. A graduate of Georgetown University’s International Coach Federation (ICF)-Accredited Leadership Coaching Program , she holds her Associate Certified Coach (ACC) Credential, and is certified in the comprehensive 360 tool The Leadership Circle Profile. Bethany earned her BS in Business Management from Babson College.
Barbara Kauffman
Advisory Board Member, Strategic Partner
A visionary marketer and business consultant, Barb advises The Next Play on business development, growth strategies and select coaching assignments. Her knowledge of the consumer packaged goods industry has enabled her to lead and consult on strategic, new product and consumer/fan development efforts with the world’s most renowned sports brands including Maxfli Golf, Nike Golf, Callaway Golf, Judy Rankin Enterprises, TaylorMade-adidas Golf, Spalding Sports, LPGA, PGA TOUR, NHL, Women’s Sports Foundation, Executive Women’s Golf Association and more. Barb is the founder of Kauffman & Associates as well as creator of What’s Your Win?, a transition planning program that assists athletes on their personal journey. Barb received her B.A. in Marketing/Advertising from Purdue University, and completed Executive Coaching at the University of Central Florida.
Mike McGinley
Advisory Board Member, Next Play Coach
Mike is an executive coach and leadership development consultant whose passion is helping leaders and their organizations become the largest possible versions of themselves. A former corporate executive himself, with a celebrated 20-year career at Capital One, Johnson & Johnson, and Bank of America, Mike advises The Next Play on coaching best practices as well as sound advice for building and scaling a successful coaching program. He is currently managing director of Element North and serves as Co-Director of the Leadership Coaching program at Georgetown University, where he is also a graduate. He’s ICF credentialed at the PCC level, holds an MBA from The University of Virginia and a BS in Finance from California State University, Northridge.
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