2023 | Katie Sowers

Katie Sowers, the first woman to coach on an NFL staff in a Super Bowl, will sit for an interview at the sixth Elizabeth Dole Women in Leadership Lecture, which features women who break barriers, make significant contributions to their fields, and reach positions of leadership.

This series is named after former U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole, in honor of her long career in public service. Dole served as commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Secretary of Labor, President of the American Red Cross, and U.S. Senator representing the state of North Carolina. The Elizabeth Dole Women in Leadership Lecture series serves as a tribute to her dedication and contributions to the nation through her public service.

Katie Sowers is in her third year as Director of Strategic Initiatives at Ottawa University (OU). She also coached the 2021 and 2022 National Champion OU Women’s Flag Football team and now serves as the Director of Operations and Defensive Coordinator. As a result of her extensive career, she has a large influence in the sports world and uses it to open various doors of opportunity for women’s athletics.

She is responsible for leading the development and fundraising efforts geared toward building a state-of-the-art facility for the women’s flag football and other OU athletic teams. Sowers continues to focus on the growth of female athletes and bringing these programs into the spotlight.

In the summer of 2021, Sowers served on the coaching staff of the Kansas City Chiefs through the Bill Walsh Diversity Fellowship where she had the opportunity to coach alongside coach Andy Reid, one of the most accomplished coaches in NFL history.

Before arriving at Ottawa, Sowers was an offensive assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers from 2017 to 2021. She made history becoming the first female coach on an NFL staff to coach in a Super Bowl. Prior to her time with the 49ers, Sowers was a wide receivers’ coaching intern with the Atlanta Falcons.

A native of Hesston, Kan., Sowers played football in the Women’s Football Alliance for the West Michigan Mayhem and her hometown team, the Kansas City Titans. She was also selected to play on the USA Women’s National Football team in 2013 which won the IFAF World Championship defeating Team Canada.