On March 8, as the world celebrates International Women’s Day, I am proud to join the movement to commemorate the extraordinary achievements and resilience of women everywhere. Alongside my husband Bob, via our personal endeavors, within PXG, and through The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, we are deeply committed to championing and supporting women and girls, not just today, but every day.
As an entrepreneur and business executive, I am privileged to have met remarkable women from around the globe, whose stories of resilience and determination continuously inspire me. In celebration of International Women’s Day, I am excited to #InspireInclusion by spotlighting ten exceptional women who are experts in their respective fields, challenge gender norms, shatter glass ceilings, and uplift those around them. These women are paving the way for future generations and their stories serve as a testament to the power of perseverance and collective action in advancing gender equality.
Renée Brinkerhoff is racecar team owner and driver turned philanthropist. She founded Valkyrie racing team in 2013 and subsequently Valkyrie Gives, a not-for-profit organization combating child trafficking, in 2017.
Renée won her first race, La Carrera Panamericana at the age of 57 with no background in racing and went on to make history as the only woman since the inception of the race to achieve 4 winning titles. In 2017, Renée Brinkerhoff, sponsored by PXG, rallied her Porsche 356 around the world to raise awareness and funds to combat child trafficking. She has raised nearly $800,000 for the cause.
Renée’s incredible tenacity, spirit, and motto: conquer your fears and find what you’re made of, reminds women of all ages that they are capable of anything if they set their minds to.
Wanda French-Brown is an accomplished trial attorney. As a Partner at the national Fox Rothschild law firm, Wanda specializes in biotechnology and pharmaceutical patent litigation. Her clients have included some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies as well as multinational technology companies.
In a male-dominated industry, Wanda has emerged as a powerhouse, breaking barriers, and paving the way for other women to excel. Named one of the “Most Influential Black Lawyers” list by Savoy Magazine, Wanda’s dedication, skill, and trailblazing spirit serve as an inspiration to aspiring attorneys, particularly women and minorities, highlighting the importance of representation and diversity in the legal field and beyond.
Laura Baugh started her career at the age of 16, where she quickly rose to prominence winning the 1971 Women’s United States Amateur Golf Championship. She subsequently represented the U.S.A on victorious World Cup and Curtis Cup teams. Laura then went on to earn Rookie of the Year on the LPGA Tour, kicking off what would become a highly successful 25-year career as a professional golfer.
Today, Laura continues to make an impact as a teaching professional, motivational speaker, PXG Ambassador and mother to seven children, including PXG PGA TOUR Pro Eric Cole, 2023 Rookie of the Year. Her multifaceted career journey demonstrates resilience, determination, and a deep love for the game of golf, inspiring countless women and girls to pursue their dreams within the sport.
Dr. Maxine Cain is a visionary leader and advocate for inclusivity in STEM education and training. As the Founder of STEM Atlanta Women, Inc. her mission is simple: to change the face of STEM and create a more inclusive, equitable, and innovative future. Her profound professional mark further extends into founding an emerging tech firm, Mathis, Griffin, Cain Consulting, as well as serving as the Community Development Leader for OneTen Atlanta.
Dr. Cain’s humanitarian efforts serve as an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the importance of advocating for gender equality and empowering individuals to pursue their passions regardless of gender. Her exceptional work has rightfully earned her recognition, including prestigious awards such as President Biden’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Outstanding Georgia Citizen Award.
Rachel Everett is the Co-Founder of Everett Sports Marketing, a leading sports marketing agency. Rachel & ESM Sports’ diverse portfolio includes stars like Jalen Hurts and Nick Chubb, as well as top LPGA golfers Ally Ewing and Austin Ernst. Rachel’s unique approach to her business integrates philanthropy, emphasizing a positive societal impact beyond financial gains.
Rachel pioneered the SupHER Bowl in 2023, an exclusive event spotlighting women in sports during Super Bowl week. As she continues to reshape the narrative of sports, championing inclusivity, and fostering opportunities, Rachel remains dedicated to her most cherished client, her son Easton, who turns three in September.
Christina Kim is a professional golfer, celebrating her 22nd year on the LPGA Tour. Her career has been marked by three LPGA Tour victories and going undefeated in singles in her three Solheim Cup appearances. Christina maintains a fierce (and fun) competitive spirit on the golf course and more recently in the booth, serving as a golf commentator for ESPN+. In February of 2024, Christina was the first woman to serve as a commentator for Capital One’s The Match, alongside TNT’s Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Masters Champion Trevor Immelman.
A proud PXG Ambassador since 2017, Christina champions and motivates women within the golf industry and beyond and boldly uses her platform to publicly tackle important conversations about mental health.
Kimber Lanning is the Founder and CEO of Local First Arizona, an organization focused on unleashing economic opportunity for all through entrepreneurial education, increasing access to capital, and systems change work. Over the span of 20 years, Local First has played a pivotal role in developing thousands of successful small businesses, which in turn, have contributed to job growth, revenue retention, and community enrichment, particularly in underserved areas.
Kimber’s incredible entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen have been the foundation for helping cultivate strong self-reliant communities that enable a higher quality of life for people across Arizona.
Tamala McBath is the Chief Executive Officer of Dress for Success Phoenix and is responsible for guiding the organization’s mission of empowering women to achieve financial independence through education, support and viable employment.
Tamala is a dedicated service member within her community, extending her humanitarian efforts beyond Dress for Success into volunteering her time on both the City of Phoenix’s Human Services Commission and its Community Development Review Committee. Tamala is an integral part of the Phoenix community and continues to inspire positive change and inclusivity throughout the valley area.
Anna Rawson is a golfer, mother, and entrepreneur. From her collegiate golfing days at the University of Southern California to a dynamic professional career on the LPGA and Ladies European Tours, Anna’s journey is defined by remarkable achievements, including continuing her education following her golf career and receiving an MBA from Columbia University.
Today, Anna continues to enjoy playing golf as a PXG Ambassador. As mother of two children and a professional athlete, Anna has worked with some of the leading health and nutrition experts to help maximize performance and wellness both on and off the golf course. Anna applied this knowledge to Co-Found a female focused company, Seedlyfe, which offers superfood blends and powdered vitamins tailored to women’s holistic well-being throughout their reproductive journeys. Anna’s commitment to inclusivity and women’s health reminds us of the boundless possibilities when passion meets purpose.
Grace Wilson is a Research and Development Engineer at PXG, designing automated systems for PXG’s production floor, as well as testing equipment for the R&D team and specialty soft goods products. Growing up, Grace was a standout scholar and multi-sport athlete. She achieved her BS in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University in 2021 and was offered a job at PXG on graduating.
As a young professional, Grace set out to pursue a career that married her passion for engineering and the game of golf. We could not be more honored to have such an intelligent, talented team member helping pave the way for other women in engineering and sports on the team at PXG
To learn more about International Women’s Day and join the movement to #InspireInclusion, visit the official IWD website: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/.
For further insight into the work of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation and the organizations we support, please visit: www.TBRPF.com
