Featured Honorees included NFL Ambassador Diana Flores; Julie Young, Mother of NFL Quarterback Bryce Young; Former House DJ for the Los Angeles Chargers, Esther Anaya; and more
On Wednesday, February 4th, 2026, Women Raise The Game’s CHAMPIONS Super Bowl Celebration returned for its third year, honoring women who are breaking barriers in sports, media, and entertainment. This year’s event took place at The Proper Hotel in San Francisco, and honorees included athletes and creators shaping the future of sports.
NFL Global Ambassador and 2X World Games Champion, Diana Flores, was presented with the Woman of the Year award. Flores’ journey with flag football began as a child, and she went on to compete at the highest level — serving as the captain and quarterback for Mexico’s gold medal-winning Women’s Flag Football National Team. This honor came just as the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics announced flag football would be included as a medal sport for the first time in Olympic history. Flores was presented the award by Kamal Bhandal, Senior Vice President of Brand and Americas Marketing at Align Technologies, whose Invisalign brand has made long-term investments in confidence, performance, and visibility in sports.
(L-R): Tish Galindo, Kamal Bhandal, Diana Flores, Tamala Barksdale
Diana Flores, Woman of the Year awardee
“When women rise, we don’t just play the game — we change it. And we make space for the next generation to rise with us. This recognition is about more than me; it’s about what’s possible when women are supported, visible, and confident,” said Diana Flores.
Each year, Women Raise the Game has allowed male athletes to honor the women in their lives who helped make their dreams possible. This year, NFL Quarterback Bryce Young presented his mother, Julie Young, with the Legacy Award for her support of his career. Julie Young spoke to attendees about her own journey as a college athlete, giving her the understanding of what it means to raise a professional athlete. She discussed her pride as a mother for Bryce’s career, both on and off the field, through their organization, the Young 9 Foundation’s work.
Bryce Young (R) presented the Legacy Award to his mother, Julie Young (L)
The CHAMPIONS celebration prides itself on bringing together an elite gathering of women who are breaking barriers in their careers. This year, Women Raise the Game also honored creators, including:
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Esther Anaya, House DJ for the Los Angeles Rams, received the Entertainment Creator of the Year award presented by Carron Joan Mitchell, Partner at Nixon Peabody LLC
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Inés Sainz, a sports journalist, received the Media Impact Award
Inés Sainz and Tish Galindo
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Monica Veloz, lifestyle & digital creator, received the Content Creator of the Year Award
(L-R): Tamala Barksdale, Monica Veloz, Tish Galindo
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Brittney Elena, Creator, TV host, model/actress, received the Beauty Creator of the Year Award
