Michele Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit and founder of Kynisca, received the 2026 World Football Summit Award for Best Executive in Madrid on Sept. 16, 2026. Kang became the first woman in the award’s history to receive the honor.
The award recognized Kang’s impact across men’s and women’s football in Europe and North America. The World Football Summit jury also highlighted her work to pioneer a global multi-club model built specifically for women’s football and her approach to building organizations for long-term performance and sustainability.
Michele Kang Recognized for Women’s Football Leadership
Kang accepted the award at the WFS Awards following a day of programming that brought together leaders from across the global football industry. She credited leaders who came before her and called for continued investment, ambition and long-term planning as football evolves.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition, especially knowing the extraordinary leaders who have come before me. The game is evolving quickly, on and off the pitch, and I believe its future will be shaped by leaders willing to challenge assumptions, invest with ambition and build for the long term,” said Kang. “To receive this recognition for my work across football, and to be the first woman to receive the award, is especially meaningful. I hope it also reflects the growing role women are playing in leading and shaping football at every level.”
Kang Discusses Ownership and Sustainable Growth
Earlier in the day, Kang joined Chad Biagini, president of Excel Search & Advisory, for a fireside conversation during WFS Madrid’s Governance, Ownership & Leadership program. The discussion explored Kang’s approach to leadership and ownership, the investment needed to build sustainable football organizations and the opportunity to rethink established models as the women’s game grows.
Kang launched Kynisca in 2024 as the first global multi-club organization dedicated exclusively to women’s football. Her broader work across the sport has focused on matching the talent and demand in the women’s game with the investment, leadership and infrastructure needed to realize its potential.
Previous World Football Summit Best Executive Recipients
Previous recipients of the World Football Summit Best Executive Award include Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Fernando Carro, Ferran Soriano and Aleksander Čeferin. Kang’s selection made her the first woman to receive the award.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Kang’s recognition connects her work with the Washington Spirit and Kynisca to a broader effort to develop women’s football through long-term investment and a global multi-club model. Her status as the award’s first female recipient also marks a significant milestone for leadership in the sport.
Source: Original report
