At Boardroom and Chase’s brunch in Indianapolis, basketball icons, investors, and culture leaders came together to redefine what it means to be an All-Star, on and off the court.
Boardroom and Chase linked up in Indy to host a VIP brunch that celebrated the power, purpose, and rising influence of women’s basketball and the impact of being an All-Star on and off the court.
Hosted at The Library at the Bottleworks Hotel in downtown Indianapolis, the brunch served as a gathering during WNBA All-Star Weekend. The chic, book-lined venue set the perfect tone for intimate and impactful conversations. The brunch brought together a powerhouse crowd of athletes, investors, and cultural icons to spotlight the evolving identity of what a WNBA All-Star is.
The highlight of the event was a fireside chat moderated by Boardroom co-founder and co-CEO Rich Kleiman in conversation with A’ja Wilson, a three-time WNBA MVP, two-time WNBA champion, seven-time All-Star, and now a businesswoman and signature sneaker icon.
Even further, the event underscored Chase’s commitment to athletes beyond game-day glory.
“We don’t want to just be a casual participant from the sidelines,” John McMichael, Executive Director of JPMorgan Private Bank, said in his opening remarks. “We want to make sure that we are empowering you all with the tools and the resources that you all need to make an impact.”
Wilson echoed that sentiment when she discussed what meaningful brand relationships should entail.
“Dive into deeper than just the athlete. Dive into what we want to invest in. Where are our true hearts? What do we want to do for the next generation and in our communities? I think that’s what I love when it comes to Chase and Boardroom. They allow us to be different than just wearing that uniform all the time and talking hoops,” she said.
Kleiman and Wilson went on to discuss what it truly means to be an All-Star, both on and off the court, in today’s rapidly shifting sports landscape, and how that definition has evolved.
“All-Star gives people their flowers midway through the season. It kinda gives you that validation like, ‘Okay, I did my job halfway through this. I’m a star. I belong in this league,’” Wilson said. “So to do that seven times, it’s truly been a blessing.”
This wasn’t just talk. The brunch, attended by notable figures such as Lisa Leslie, JuJu Watkins, Kevin Durant, Bam Adebayo, and Chiney Ogwumike, was a strategic moment designed to shift the way women athletes are seen, celebrated, and supported. They were accompanied by executives who are crafting meaningful investment opportunities in women’s sports, such as Tara Bahkle, Executive Director, Sports & Entertainment Marketing Strategy at JPMorgan Chase and Jess Smith, President of the Golden State Valkyries.
The conversation also touched on the growth of women’s basketball culture from Wilson’s first All-Star appearance in 2018 during her rookie season to today’s full-blown production of orange carpets, tunnel fits, and brand activations.
“We’re growing together, so it’s a great space to be in right now,” she said.
Beyond the court, Wilson’s leadership has evolved, too. Once quiet and reserved, she now embraces her voice and influence. She shared that she’s moved beyond the need to please others and is focused on embracing her authentic self, both to grow personally and to empower others to do the same.
Wilson’s success on and off the court all point to a broader movement: redefining what success looks like for women athletes and ensuring that success is sustainable. For Wilson, the journey from a hesitant young player to one of the most accomplished stars in the league has been both transformative and purposeful. She sees her success as part of a larger plan and views it as something meaningful she can pass on to others.
As the brunch wrapped, it became clear that the conversation wasn’t just about individual accolades–it was about legacy, community, and lifting as you rise. Wilson emphasized the unique bond among WNBA players across generations, crediting icons like Leslie for being open, accessible, and generous with their wisdom.
“The W is a sisterhood through and through,” she said. “I’ve texted Lisa [at] times like, ‘girl, help me.’ Just having that bond is so special.”
If this brunch showed anything, it’s that power looks a lot like purpose.
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