WORCESTER—The Worcester Bravehearts and the New England Sports Summit have announced that ESPN Senior Director of Content Development Kati Fernandez has been named the keynote speaker at the 2025 New England Sports Summit.
A Holy Cross graduate, Fernandez is an Afro-Latina born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts. According to the announcement, she brings extensive experience in content creation, strategy, production, operations, and marketing.
“I’m incredibly honored to be joining this conference as the keynote speaker, especially to do so at Holy Cross, my alma mater,” Fernandez said in the press release. “Coming back here, 10 years after graduation, truly feels like a full-circle moment. So much of my career is a testament to the mentors and sponsors who believed in me—not for where I was, but for who I could become. I’m excited to be surrounded by the next generation of students and early-career professionals who are attending this conference.”
At ESPN, Fernandez oversees content development for ESPN+ Originals, ESPN Films, 30 for 30 documentaries, and special projects. She previously worked as an Associate Producer at NFL Media, contributing to segments for NFL Network, including features aired on Thursday Night Football. She also spent two years at Hulu, where she worked on multi-channel storytelling for live television.
The summit, which brings together top sports executives from the region’s most recognized sports organizations to discuss the latest trends, innovations, and career opportunities in sports management takes place on Friday, Feb. 14, at College of the Holy Cross.
“As far as someone who truly walks the walk, there is no better fit for a keynoter than Kati,” said New England Sports Summit creator and host Donny Porcaro in the announcement. “She has flown through the ranks of the industry while also dedicating so much of her time to mentorship. I know all who attend will gain valuable insight from her discussion.”
Beyond her role at ESPN, Fernandez serves as a HearstLab Scout and Advisory Board Member, evaluating investments in women-led, early-stage companies. She is also a board member at Camelback Ventures, an organization supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs, and serves as Vice President of Women in Sports & Events (WISE) Boston.
Fernandez previously participated in the 2023 Worcester Sports Summit as a panelist on the “Diverse Voices in Sports” discussion.
Tickets for the New England Sports Summit are still available. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit NewEnglandSportsSummit.com or email Donny Porcaro at Don@worcesterbravehearts.com.
