Melissa Lambert Announced as Kissick Construction Game Changer Award Honoree for the 2025 Women’s Sports Awards Presented by Burns & McDonnell

KANSAS CITY, MO (January 8, 2025) – Today, WIN for KC announced Melissa Lambert is the recipient of the Kissick Construction Game Changer Award to be presented at the 2025 Women’s Sports Awards presented by Burns & McDonnell on February 4. The annual awards program is WIN for KC’s biggest fundraiser and the largest luncheon in the country celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

Lambert is the Kansas City Royals’ Director of Behavioral Science and Major League Mental Performance. She became the first licensed mental health provider to be in an on-field role with a Major League Baseball franchise. The former collegiate soccer player is not only opening new doors for women in professional sports but for new strategies regarding mental health care for athletes.

“Her dedication to bringing the team together—mentally, emotionally, and strategically—proves that true leadership isn’t about dominance, but about the courage to serve, support, and uplift others in pursuit of a shared goal," said Ryan Maid, Director of Behavioral Science for the Kansas City Royals. “Even as the only woman on the field, she embraces her role with strength, empathy, and commitment to teamwork.”

The 2025 WIN for KC Women’s Sports Awards presented by Burns & McDonnell, which takes place this year at T-Mobile Center for the first time, kicks off by honoring local 2024 female high school state champions from Kansas and Missouri with their celebratory march across the stage. Then, throughout the luncheon, event attendees learn about the six honorees in the following categories: Children’s Mercy Kansas City Rising Star Award, Lockton Courage Award, Kissick Construction Game Changer Award, UMBFC Charitable Foundation Lifetime Sportswoman Award, Hallmark Cards Leadership Award and Forvis Mazars BE BOLD Award. Finally, the featured guest delivers remarks reflecting her challenges and triumphs in the world of sports.

“Melissa Lambert and the Kansas City Royals are great examples of a team making mental health care a priority,” says Taylor Obersteadt, Director of WIN for KC. “Access to wellness and mental health care for athletes is of utmost importance with the increased pressure to perform coupled with social media attention and soaring expectations. WIN for KC has created WIN Wellness to draw attention to this area of sports in hopes of improving the quality of life for athletes of all ages.”  

The 2025 Women’s Sports Awards presented by Burns & McDonnell will be on Tuesday, February 4. For more information, please click here.

About WIN for KC
The Women’s Intersport Network for Kansas City (WIN for KC), was established in 1994 under the umbrella of the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission, with the mission to ignite girls and women through advocating and promoting the lifetime value of sports and fitness, while providing opportunities for participation and leadership development.  WIN is a volunteer, membership-driven organization that operates as a program of the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation. For more information, visit WINforKC.org. For the latest on WIN for KC news, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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