Kim Stone Named Washington Business Journal Sports Leader of the Year

October 27, 2026 - 11:10

Washington, D.C. (10/27/2026) - Washington Spirit CEO Kim Stone has been named the 2026 Sports Leader of the Year by the Washington Business Journal. Stone is one of only eight honorees in WBJ's 2026 CEO Awards and will be recognized Dec. 9 at The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C., and featured in WBJ's print and online editions.

The recognition places Stone among a select group of executives being honored for their leadership across the Washington region's business community. As CEO of the Washington Spirit, Stone has guided the National Women's Soccer League club through a period of growth and increased visibility for women's professional sports in the nation's capital.

The CEO Awards spotlight leaders who have demonstrated measurable impact within their organizations and the broader community. Stone's selection as Sports Leader of the Year reflects her role in steering the Spirit during a transformative era for the club and the league. Her leadership has coincided with rising attendance, expanded corporate partnerships, and growing fan engagement around women's soccer.

The Dec. 9 ceremony at The Ritz-Carlton will bring together honorees from a range of industries, with Stone representing the sports sector among the eight executives selected for the 2026 class. WBJ's coverage of the awards will appear in both its print and online editions, giving the honorees additional reach across the regional business audience.

Stone's recognition adds to a growing list of accolades for leaders in women's sports, a sector that has drawn increasing investment and attention in recent years. For the Spirit, the award highlights the club's rising profile under Stone's direction as it continues to build its presence in Washington, D.C.