Horse Racing Women’s Alliance announced its fourth annual HRWA Conference will take place October 8-9 in Lexington, Kentucky. The two-day event features keynote speaker Molly Fletcher, sportscaster Lindsay Czarniak, and three industry panel discussions.
FanDuel TV racing reporter and analyst Andie Biancone will serve as emcee for the conference, which includes a welcome reception and presentation of the Jane Goldstein Award.
Fletcher, recognized as one of the first female sports agents, negotiated over $500 million in contracts and represented more than 300 prominent sports figures during her nearly two-decade career. The World’s Top 50 Keynote Speaker is also an author and founder/host of the podcast Game Changers with Molly Fletcher.
“I’m honored to join this incredible community of game-changing women who are shaping the future of the industry,” said Fletcher.
EMMY-Award-winning sportscaster Lindsay Czarniak will deliver the featured afternoon address. Czarniak brings more than 20 years of experience in sports journalism as an accomplished media personality, host, speaker, and storyteller.
The conference will showcase three specialized panel discussions featuring prominent industry professionals:
Panel 1 – “Roadblocks to Relationships: Building Networks That Change the Game” will be moderated by Jessica Paquette, Track Announcer at Parx Racing. Panelists include Caton Bredar, Analyst, Writer and Handicapper for FanDuel TV; Kate Galvin, Sales and Communications Manager of Godolphin USA; Lesley Howard, CEO of Stonestreet Farm; and Sheri Holmes Sterling, Vice President of Administration at Gulfstream Park.
Panel 2 – “Fueling the Fire Without Burning Out” will be moderated by Shannon Kelly, Executive Director of The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation. Panelists include Melanie Case, Director of Women’s Ministry at the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy; Erin Halliwell, Executive Director of the Thoroughbred Charities of America; Brittany Middlebrooks, a Fertility Vet at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute; and Kelley Stobie, Co-Founder of Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare.
Panel 3 – “Horse Racing Ecosystems: Markets, Models, and Money” will be moderated by Alison Zeitlin, Equine Law Lawyer at Stites & Harbison. Panelists include Anna Seitz Ciannello, Director of Client Relations at Fasig-Tipton; Kelly Kraeszig, Senior Vice President of Business Operations & Administration at Equibase; Maggi Moss, an Attorney, Racehorse Owner and Advocate; and Katy Ross, Senior Director of Gaming Operations of Exacta Systems, LLC.
“We are thrilled to bring the [HRWA] Conference to Kentucky for the first time, following three inspiring years in California,” said Jodie Vella-Gregory, HRWA Head of Logistics. “This event offers a unique and welcoming opportunity for everyone in the horse racing industry, from seasoned professionals and established leaders to emerging voices, to connect, share insights, and empower one another. It’s a space where attendees are encouraged to invest in themselves and in the future of the sport.”
Tickets are now available for the 2025 HRWA calendar’s featured event. Early bird pricing, valid through September 7, offers individual tickets at $395 (non-HRWA members) or $350 (HRWA members). After September 7, prices increase to $495 (non-HRWA members) or $450 (HRWA members).
Limited tables of eight are available for purchase until September 7 for $2,900.
