May 02, 2025 -- Mary Shepro, general counsel for the Columbus Crew, always knew she wanted to be a lawyer, but not in a courtroom or a bank—her passion for sports made sports law the ideal path for her.
“Anything that interests you can be tied to the legal profession, government or political science,” Shepro told students at Columbus City Preparatory School for Girls during its first-ever Women’s Career Expo in March.
Shepro was part of a Women in Leadership panel featuring Columbus Crew employees who worked in social media marketing, community engagement, and athletic training. Outside of the panel, CCPSG students visited hands-on stations featuring social media marketing, budgeting, career planning and science, as well as an exhibitor hall, giving students insight into career paths beyond sports. Students were encouraged to connect with people in their desired careers.
CCPSG Leadership Intern Marian Bryant said the idea for the expo came from a conversation with the Columbus Crew and emphasized the value of representation. Many community partners at the event were Columbus City Schools alumni.
“It takes one caring adult to make a positive impact on our girls’ lives,” Bryant said. “They need to see women who look and sound like them and come from the same neighborhoods.”
Principal Shannon Tucker said the expo aligns with the school’s mission to expose students to “limitless possibilities.” With CCPSG planning to expand its sports offerings and the Columbus Crew serving as a school partner, focusing on sports careers made sense.
“It takes a lot to put on a soccer, football or basketball game,” Tucker said. “We want our girls to know they don’t have to play the game to have a place in the industry.”
Eighth grader Robyn Hughes left the event feeling empowered.
“They work in a male-dominated field, and the fact that they’re confident women succeeding in it is pretty inspiring,” she said.
The CCPSG Women’s Expo was so inspiring that Ke Marah Starks, a senior at Linden-McKinley STEM Academy attending through Columbus Downtown High School’s public safety program, said she wished she had experienced something like it back in middle school. For Starks, the women’s determination and the different careers she learned of struck a chord.
“There’s nothing like seeing women and girls come together showing they can accomplish great things,” Starks said.
