EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Florida Gulf Coast's Lauren Leister was recognized Tuesday as she was named among the Top 100 Rising ADs/Future ADs according to Silver Waves Media.

Currently serving as FGCU's Interim AD, Leister was serving as Deputy Athletics Director/Chief Operating Officer/Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) for FGCU prior to her appointment in the interim role. She oversees the day-to-day operations of FGCU Athletics and participates in strategic planning for the department.

Leister also oversees several sport programs and is a key member of the department leadership team. She joined the Eagles in August 2020 and previously served as Associate Athletic Director for Internal Affairs/SWA and Assistant Athletics Director for Financial Operations.

Prior to joining the Hometown Team in Southwest Florida, Leister spent five years at the University of Georgia Athletic Association, where she worked as assistant director of business operations. She helped oversee an organization-wide operating budget of over $150 million, forecast capital facility projects and managed insurance and electronic financial operating systems.

Leister earned a bachelor's degree in sport management and a master's degree in organization development at the University of Georgia.

Tuesday's announcement adds to the growing list of honors and development programs for which she has been recognized throughout her career:

• 2025 NACDA Senior Administrators Mentoring Institute
• 2023-24 NCAA Pathway Program
• 2022-23 DI-AAA Mentor Program
• 2021 TopConnect AD Leadership Symposium
• 2019 Women Leaders in College Sports Institute for Administrative Advancement
• 2018-19 University of Georgia Athletic Association Dewey Dean Employee of the Year Award

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Leister lives in Estero with her husband, Casey, and daughter, Blakely.
 
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