Bay Area Host Committee Announces Winners of 2026 BAHC Impact Awards Presented by PNC Bank
Five Extraordinary Leaders Honored for Advancing Equity, Innovation and Community Impact Through Sports and Business
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – (August 31, 2026) -- The Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC) announced today the winners of the second annual BAHC Impact Awards presented by PNC Bank, honoring five exceptional leaders and organizations who are advancing meaningful change through sports, business and community impact across the region.
The 2026 BAHC Impact Awards recognize leaders in five categories: Sports Leadership (advancing meaningful change), Sports Business Champion (building sustainable opportunities), Originators (reimagining what's possible), Women's Confidence (empowering women to lead) and Community Impact (transforming lives at scale). This year's honorees were selected from a competitive pool of nominations submitted by members of the Bay Area community.
“This year’s honorees remind us that the Bay Area’s spirit of leadership only grows stronger the more the world watches,” said BAHC President & CEO Zaileen Janmohamed. “From the sidelines of our world-class teams to the classrooms and community centers where the next generation is being developed, these five leaders show what it means to turn a moment on the world stage into lasting change. We're honored to celebrate them.”
“As the Bay Area strengthens its position as a premier global sports destination, the people and organizations behind that momentum are creating opportunities that extend far beyond the field of play,” said Megan Schoettmer, PNC Bank regional president for Northern California. “At PNC, we believe strong communities are built by people who bring others together and help them thrive. We are proud to once again support the BAHC Impact Awards and celebrate the leaders turning this moment into lasting impact across the region.”
2026 BAHC Impact Awards Winners
Sports Leadership Award Presented by PNC Bank: Charmin Smith, Head Coach, Cal Women's Basketball
Charmin Smith is an award-winning coach, former professional player and trailblazer who has dedicated her career to advancing equity and opportunity through sport. As the first Black head coach of Cal women's basketball, she has led the Golden Bears to three consecutive postseason appearances, including the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth since 2019 and its first 25-win season in more than a decade. In 2026, she also helped lead the USA Women’s U18 National Team to a gold medal at the FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup.
Beyond the court, Smith is a respected leader and advocate for representation and racial equity in sports. A three-time Silver Waves Media Top 100 Most Influential Figure in Women’s College Basketball, she created one of the most unique women’s college basketball tournaments in the country – the Raising The B.A.R. (basketball, activism, representation) Invitational. The annual tournament features only teams led by Black female head coaches and shines a light on the lack of diversity in WBB college coaching.
A former Stanford standout and WNBA player, Smith holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University and continues to use her platform to inspire the next generation of leaders in sports and beyond.
Sports Business Champion Presented by PNC Bank: Stephanie Martin, President & Co-Founder, San Francisco Signal
Stephanie is co-founder and team president of San Francisco Signal Volleyball, the Bay Area’s professional women’s indoor volleyball team launching in January 2027. Previously, she was the founding Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at League One Volleyball (LOVB), and she brings extensive experience building brands, businesses and fan engagement across sports and Fortune 500 companies. Her career includes leadership roles at Meta, The Home Depot, Avery Dennison and Albertsons, as well as major sporting events including Super Bowl 50, the 34th America’s Cup and Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018.
A frequent speaker and moderator, Stephanie spent more than a decade as an adjunct professor in the University of San Francisco’s Sports Management Master’s program and previously co-founded athlete brand strategy consultancy BFWD. She is also co-author of Big Game, Bigger Impact: How the Bay Area Redefined the Super Bowl and the Lessons Learned that Can Apply to Any Business. A former Tufts University student-athlete and member of its national championship-winning sailing team, she holds a B.A. in English from Tufts and an M.A. in Communication Management from USC.
Originators Award Presented by Genentech: Zac Brown, Executive Director, Pride House San Francisco
Zac Brown is the Executive Director of Pride House San Francisco, where he champions LGBTQ+ inclusion within the sports community. A former Division I soccer player and coach who publicly came out as gay in 2021, Brown previously sustained unprecedented growth as Vice President of the San Francisco Spikes, LGBT soccer club, before helping found Pride House SF, a joint initiative of the SF LGBT Center and the Spikes. Under his leadership during the Super Bowl and 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, he mobilized an all-volunteer team to host over 30 inclusive events, reaching more than 3,000 community members. Pride House SF established a new blueprint for LGBTQ+ inclusion at major sporting events in the Bay Area.
Beyond hosting signature watch parties with prominent local partners, Brown ensured Pride House SF delivered lasting grassroots impact. He spearheaded legacy initiatives that included a speaker series, wellness programming and specialized coaching clinics to ensure the next generation feels welcome in sport. His team successfully raised over $100,000 to support these inclusive spaces, reinvesting funds back into local nonprofits. Alongside his community advocacy, Brown brings his commitment to authentic, inclusive leadership to his career as the Vice President of Scholastic Sales at the sports technology company Spiideo.
Women’s Confidence Award Presented by Invisalign: Natalie Nakase, Head Coach, Golden State Valkyries
Natalie Nakase made history as the first Asian American head coach in WNBA history and was named the 2025 WNBA Coach of the Year after leading the Golden State Valkyries to 23 regular-season wins in their inaugural campaign — the most ever by a WNBA expansion team. Under her leadership, the Valkyries also became the first expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in its debut season, and most recently led the Valkyries to a postseason berth this year for the second consecutive season.
Nakase joined the Valkyries after more than 16 years coaching professional basketball, including three seasons as first assistant coach with the Las Vegas Aces, where she helped guide the team to back-to-back WNBA Championships in 2022 and 2023. Previously, she spent 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers organization and began her coaching career overseas, becoming the first woman to serve as a head coach in Japan’s professional men’s basketball league. A former UCLA player and team captain, Nakase holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCLA and continues to break barriers for women and Asian Americans in professional sports.
Community Impact Award Presented by Prologis: BAWSI (Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative)
For more than 20 years, the Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative (BAWSI) has harnessed the power of sport to create healthier, more confident and more connected communities. BAWSI delivers free, school-based sports and leadership programs for girls from under-resourced neighborhoods and children with disabilities, removing barriers to participation and ensuring every child has the opportunity to play, lead, and succeed. Since 2005, BAWSI has served more than 29,500 children and youth with the support of 9,800+ volunteers and 80+ coaches. This past year, BAWSI reached more than 2,100 children and youth across 22 schools.
Founded by sports executive Marlene Bjornsrud alongside women’s soccer legends Brandi Chastain, and Julie Foudy, BAWSI has become a nationally recognized model for using sport to advance equity, youth development, and community well-being. Its programs extend from elementary through high school, helping participants experience the physical and mental health benefits of sport while building confidence, leadership skills, and a deeper sense of belonging. Through its sustained impact, BAWSI demonstrates how investing in young people through sport can create lifelong leaders and strengthen Bay Area communities for generations to come.
About the Bay Area Host Committee
The Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC) is the region's first long-term sports entity, dedicated to uniting the Bay Area through sport by building pride, connecting communities, and reenergizing the region. As a nonprofit, BAHC partners with local teams, civic leaders, and businesses to bring world-class sporting events to the Bay Area—driving lasting economic, cultural, and social impact. BAHC is proud to have Boston Consulting Group (BCG), EA SPORTS, Kaiser Permanente, Genentech and other visionary organizations as founding partners, supporting its mission to bring communities together and create lasting legacies through world-class events and sports. For more information, visit www.bayareahostcommittee.com or email us at info@bayareahostcommittee.com.
About PNC Bank
PNC Bank, N.A., is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking, including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.