Lauren Leister (formerly Freeman) serves as deputy athletics director and chief operating officer / senior woman administrator (SWA). She oversees internal operations of FGCU Athletics, including finance, gameday operations, facilities, equipment, ticketing and human resources. She is the department’s liaison to marketing, communications, academics, compliance and financial aid. 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 athletics director for Internal Affairs / SWA and as assistant athletics director for financial operations. 
 
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. Prior to that, she served as the volleyball operations coordinator for two years.

Leister earned a bachelor's degree in sport management (2014) and a master's degree in organization development (2019) at the University of Georgia.
 
Leister has been selected for a number of honors and development programs throughout her career:

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

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Lauren lives in Fort Myers with her husband, Casey.

Last updated 6/23/23