Lee is a Penn State Honorary Alum. Since her retirement from an impressive banking career, she serves as a trustee for the Victory Funds. Lee has served on the Executive Committees of several of the Penn State Campaigns and now volunteers as Chair for the Women’s Philanthropic Advisory Board.
Neeli is an Honorary Member of the Advisory Council in her current position as the first woman President of Penn State University.
Char is the leader, spokesperson and driving force behind Teammates For Life. Recently retired, Char is the longest-serving Penn State field hockey coach, three-time All-American Penn State field hockey player, 1984 Olympic bronze medalist and USA Women’s National Team member.
Tara is a former Penn State women’s lacrosse team captain. She was Assistant Lacrosse Coach prior to serving in her current role as an Administrative Assistant with Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.
Elizabeth most recently served as Vice President of HR Global Solutions and Services for Starbucks before her retirement in 2016. She is chairperson of the Personnel Committee and Board member for USA Volleyball and a passionate Penn State alumnus, active in the Seattle Chapter of the Alumni Association and mentor to the Penn State’s softball team.
Maura, her husband Greg and their three children are all Penn State alums. Currently a Customer Success Partner with SAP, she has spent the majority of her career in sales and consulting roles with Fortune 100 business software companies.
Susan is Director of Major Gifts for Penn State Athletics. As a member of the Penn State Women’s Basketball team from 1988 to 1992, Susan was an All-American and Wade Trophy Winner. She is a former Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Saint Francis University and Providence College, and Former Director of Athletics at Saint Francis University.
Maribeth parlayed her Penn State education into a successful public relations and management career, providing strategic and crisis communications counsel to Fortune 500 companies, privately held enterprises and nonprofits throughout the US. She currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Variety, the Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley.
Brandi is Penn State’s Deputy Athletic Director for Administration and External Operations. She oversees compliance, student-athlete development and enrichment, athletics integrity, strategic communications, creative content and branding, marketing, and video production. She also serves as liaison to the Morgan Academic Center, faculty senate, Big Ten Network and student-conduct.
Char Morett Curtiss, the legendary former Penn State Field Hockey coach, leads the force behind Teammates For Life. With her unique personal story, unparalleled success and passion for Penn State, Char is continuing to do what she does best: building a team and coaching them to victory. But this time around, her team includes alumni, past and present student-athletes, and the coaches of Penn State’s 14 women’s athletic teams.
With an illustrious career spanning over 39 years, Char has left an indelible mark on Penn State athletics. A 1979 graduate of Penn State and All-American standout, Char became Penn State's fifth head coach in 1987, and then led the field hockey team to incredible success, including eight Big Ten regular-season titles and multiple NCAA semifinal appearances.
With her limitless enthusiasm and energy, Char’s expansive personal and professional network is an example and model of fostering the deep and long-lasting relationships that will make Teammates For Life successful and empower Penn State’s the next generation of women athletes.
In her role as an advisor to Penn State Athletics, Char continues to inspire generations of Penn State women athletes through Teammates for Life.
Together, we are forging a path to empower young women, creating a community that transcends generations and celebrates the past, present, and future of Penn State female athletes.
Major: Public Relations Minor: Sports Studies Career Aspiration: Social Media Manager/Specialist for pro sports team
Major: Public Relations Minor: Digital Media Trends & Analytics Career Aspiration: Sports media & digital marketing
Major: Print & Digital Journalism Minors: Sports Studies, Digital Media Trends & Analytics Career Aspiration: Sports Communications
Major: Broadcast Journalism Career Aspiraton: Sideline reporter for pro sports team
Major: Broadcast Journalism Career Aspiration: Sideline Reporter covering college football/NHL Analyst
Major: Broadcast Journalism Career Aspiration: Sideline reporter for a major network
“Through Teammates For Life, we are committed to delivering the best student-athlete experience in the country. We aim to position Penn State as home to THE most prominent, supportive and successful collegiate women’s athletic department.” - Char Morett Curtiss
“Penn State is fully committed to supporting our student-athletes on and off the field, and Teammates for Life will reinforce the lifelong success of our female student-athletes by harnessing the incredible power of the University’s global alumni network and the critical importance of community, mentorship, and women supporting women. Throughout my own career, I have benefited from the support and mentorship of my fellow women, and I am excited for this new initiative that will support our women student-athletes to help them find success throughout their academic, athletic, and professional careers.” - Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi
“Penn State female alums are everywhere AND everything – they are coaches, doctors, lawyers, actors, community leaders, athletes, teachers, professors, politicians, writers, broadcasters, executives, scientists and more,” said Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft. “With Char’s leadership, Teammates For Life will harness that power, and share it with our female student-athletes. We want to leverage it all to connect our student-athletes with alumni in strong and meaningful ways to truly create teammates for life.” - Dr. Patrick Kraft, Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics