On October 8, the Nightingale community gathered in the H. Dale Hemmerdinger Auditorium for Groundbreakers in Sports, a panel discussion and celebratory reception honoring the transformative role athletics play in the lives of girls and women. Timed to coincide with Homecoming and Nightingale’s recent groundbreaking for its new state-of-the-art athletics facility, the evening marked both a celebration and a look toward what’s next for Nightingale athletics. Through the voices of alumnae and parent leaders from across a wide range of professional paths, the program explored how athletic experiences shape confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose that endures well beyond competition.

The panel was moderated by Kathleen McCarthy Baldwin P’31 P’33, president of Nightingale’s board of trustees and former global co-head of real estate at Blackstone. A past swimmer and a Nightingale parent, Kathleen framed the conversation around athletics as both a personal and institutional priority—one deeply connected to Nightingale’s mission and its investment in a facility designed to support girls as athletes, teammates, and leaders. As she noted in her opening remarks, the new athletics facility represents “a defining opportunity to expand what is possible for our students—on the field, in the classroom, and in how they see themselves as leaders.”

Jane Simmons Bullock ’97 P’30 P’33, associate director of marketing programs at ESPN, brought the perspective of a media executive who has spent nearly two decades advancing women’s sports on a national and global stage. Drawing on her professional work with major athletic organizations and her own experience as a Nightingale alumna and parent, Jane spoke to the visibility, credibility, and momentum of women’s athletics—and the importance of investing early in spaces and programs that allow girls to see themselves as competitors
and changemakers.

As chief commercial officer of New York Road Runners, Christine Burke P’27 offered insight into the long arc of athletic participation and leadership. A lifelong endurance athlete and a Nightingale parent, Christine reflected on how sports cultivate discipline, teamwork, and motivation—qualities that carry into professional life and community leadership. Her perspective underscored the value of athletics not only as competition, but as preparation for complexity, challenge, and collaboration.

Bari Greenfield P’34 P’36, vice president of enterprise partnerships and World Cup business operations at Major League Soccer, shared a global view of sports as both industry and connector. With experience spanning professional leagues, major events, and youth athletics—and now as a parent of two Nightingale students—Bari spoke to athletics as a universal language that builds belonging, confidence, and opportunity, especially for girls navigating new environments and experiences.

Dr. Eva Hudgins Kerby ’06, an assistant attending dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and founder of the Dermatology Center for Diverse Skin Complexions, reflected on athletics as a formative force in identity and leadership. A former Nightingale team captain and athletic board leader, Eva connected her experiences on the field to her work in medicine—highlighting how teamwork, accountability, and confidence learned through sports continue to shape her professional life and service to others.

Documentary director and producer Sasha Whittle ’13 brought a creative lens to the conversation, linking the endurance, focus, and resilience required in competitive running to the demands of filmmaking. A Hall of Fame athlete at Nightingale and former collegiate team captain, Sasha spoke to athletics
as a stabilizing force—one that provided structure, confidence, and persistence during moments of challenge and transition.

Following the panel, guests gathered in the Susan Hecht Tofel ’48 Gymnasium for a festive reception, where they viewed renderings of Nightingale’s new athletics facility and engaged with the architects bringing the project to life. Together, the evening’s conversation and celebration affirmed a shared belief that athletics at Nightingale are not ancillary, but essential to how students grow, lead, and care for one another.