A graphic with text that says Sideline The Stigma representing a button.

A graphic with text that says Mental Health Resources representing a button.

 

 

Sideline The Stigma graphic saying save the date Tuesday September 8th at 8am-3:30pm on a white and teal KC city scape background.

 

Sideline The Stigma presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City From Pressure To Power on Tuesday, September 8, 8am to 3:30PM central time. 

We are proud to welcome our 2026 Sideline The Stigma Session Facilitators and Panelists.​

Angel McGee

Angel McGee
About

Betsy Maxfield

Betsy Maxfield
About

Betty Lennox

Betty Lennox
About
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About Angel

With over 10 years of professional sports experience, Angel McGee has built a diverse background in community outreach, project management, communications, civic & social impact, and strategic partnerships including nonprofit organizations. She currently serves as the People & Community Engagement Lead at Pro Athlete managing the company’s employee experience, DE&I, and community engagement efforts.

Angel began her sports career with the Kansas City Royals in 2013 as a Mascot Assistant and also worked part-time as a member of the Game Crew. During her time with the Royals, she worked in the Event Presentation & Production department as well as with the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy before transitioning to Manager of Community Partnerships & Events in 2021. Simultaneously, she worked with the Kansas City Chiefs as a Play 60 Youth Outreach Guide and Play 60 School Assembly host. She has also served as a Field Coordinator with the Chiefs’ Game Entertainment department since 2014.

Her passion for advocating and promoting representation, especially for Black & brown youth, remains rooted in the Kansas City community through her previous and current roles. She has served on various community and civic boards, including the Big Brothers Big Sisters JEDI Board, Teach for America Kansas City, WIN for KC, Youth Guidance, PREP-KC, Parade of Hearts and as Chair of the Community Advisory Committee for the Tyrann Mathieu Foundation.

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About Betsy

Success in sports isn’t just about talent—it’s about mindset. I help athletes, teams, and coaches develop the mental skills needed to perform at their best, build confidence, and create a winning culture. Through speaking engagements, team consulting, and one-on-one coaching, I provide practical tools to do exactly this.

As a former Division I goalkeeper at the University of Kansas and mother of two youth athletes, I understand the pressure of competition firsthand. With a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Sports Management and years of experience working with organizations like U.S. Soccer, The David Beckham Academy, and Sporting KC, I’ve seen what separates good athletes from capable/prepared athletes: Performance Mindset. That’s why I became a Certified Mental Performance Coach—to help athletes break through mental barriers and unlock their full potential.

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About Betty

Betty Lennox was selected by the Minnesota Lynx as the 6th overall pick in the 2000 WNBA draft and later became the WNBA's rookie of the year in 2000. She was also the first rookie to ever play in a WNBA All-star game that same year. She also made the All WNBA 2nd team in 2000 as well.

Born and raised in Oklahoma and then relocating to the greater Kansas City area, Coach Lennox graduated from Fort Osage High-school. She attended Trinity Valley Community College, where she was named NJCAA Champion and MVP. She then transferred to Louisiana Tech, where she was named Final-Four-Sunbelt conference Player of the Year & USBWA All-American. Graduating with a Bachelors degree.

Her WNBA Career teams include:

  • Minnesota Lynx
  • Miami Sol
  • Cleveland Rockers
  • Seattle Storm
  • Atlanta Dream
  • Los Angeles Sparks
  • Tulsa Shock

Her career highlights include:

  • 2000 WNBA Rookie of the Year
  • 2000 Second Team All-WNBA
  • 2000 WNBA All-Star-only rookie participant
  • 2004 WNBA Champion
  • 2004 WNBA Finals MVP
  • 2008 WNBA Eastern Conference Leading Scorer
  • 2008 WNBA East Coast All-Star Team

As a member of the Euro League she's played Internationally in Israel, Italy, China, Poland, Greece, Russia, and Turkey.

Career highlights there include:

  • 2007 Polish Cup Winner
  • 2008 Cyprus Cup Winner
  • 2009 All Russian Super League Honorable Mention

She has served as Head Coach on the collegiate and High School levels. She's also participated in the NBA Assistant Coaches Program.

Named top 25 player-amongst the Minnesota Lynx & Seattle Storm. She was inducted into the Missouri and Kansas Hall of Fame. Recipient of the Woman of Distinction Award for Kansas City.

Founder of the Lennox 22 Foundation-She's dedicated to supporting abused and neglected youth, with opportunities to experience life with added support, love, education, and self-motivation through basketball. She was presented with the WNBA's Community Assist Award in 2006 for her charitable work, which efforts span nation wide.

Outside her foundation, Coach Lennox spends her time as an inspirational speaker, and serving her community. She's an elite trainer in the KCMO & KCK areas, specializing in Player IQ & Film Study, Speed and Agility drills, On-court skill enhancement and Mentorship & Leadership Development.

Her passion, knowledge, and love, for the game of basketball surpass any accolade, as she passes on all she has to offer to generations to come. She lives her life by the words found in Philippians 4:13--I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

 

Fabiola Riobe

Fabiola Riobe
About

Krishna Lee

Krishna Lee
About

Lindsay Kobolt

Lindsay Kobolt
About
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About Fabiola

Dr. Fabiola Riobé is an executive leadership strategist, speaker, and founder of Satis Sum Consulting, where she partners with individuals, organizations, and communities to cultivate authentic leadership, strengthen resilience, and drive meaningful impact. With more than 20 years of experience across education, business, and global engagement, she has coached executives, entrepreneurs, educators, and emerging leaders to lead with confidence, purpose, and vision.

A nationally recognized leadership expert, Dr. Riobé has served in executive leadership roles in higher education, represented the United States internationally as a Fulbright Specialist, and is a sought-after keynote speaker and facilitator on leadership, mindset, and personal growth. Her work is rooted in the belief that leadership is not defined by a title, but by the choices we make, the relationships we build, and the positive influence we have on others.

As a wife, mother, mentor, and community leader, Dr. Riobé is deeply committed to investing in the next generation. Through engaging storytelling, practical strategies, and interactive learning experiences, she equips young people with the confidence, self-awareness, and leadership skills they need to thrive in every area of life.

Whether in the classroom, the boardroom, or on the playing field, Dr. Riobé believes every young person has the capacity to become the kind of leader others are inspired to follow.

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About Lindsay

Lindsay Kobolt is an educator, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and Certified School Counselor with more than 20 years of experience supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people. Throughout her career as an early childhood teacher, school counselor, and educational leader, she has been passionate about helping youth better understand themselves, strengthen their emotional wellbeing, and develop the resilience to navigate life's challenges.

A Certified Mindfulness Informed Professional and mindfulness practitioner, Lindsay has taught mindfulness in school settings, equipping students with practical tools to manage stress, improve focus, and respond to challenges with greater awareness and self-compassion. She currently co-facilitates a Yoga for Grief series at Very Well KC, integrating mindfulness, gentle movement, reflection, and community to support healing.

Lindsay believes mindfulness is more than a stress management technique, rather it is a lifelong practice of paying attention with curiosity, compassion, and intention. Whether developing educational programs, facilitating workshops, or supporting individuals through life's challenges, she is passionate about helping people cultivate greater self-awareness, emotional resilience, and meaningful connection.

Lindsay is honored to share practical mindfulness strategies that empower teen athletes to care for their mental health both on and off the field.

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About Krishna

Krishna Lee has an extensive background in athletics as both a decorated competitor and a seasoned coach. She served as the captain of the 2022 U.S. Women's National Tackle Football Team, leading them to a gold medal victory at the IFAF World Championships in Vantaa, Finland. That same year, she was named Defensive Player of the Year and Team MVP for the Kansas City Glory Women's Tackle Football team, as well as the Defensive Player of the Year for the Women's National Football Conference (WNFC).

Before excelling in football, Lee was a standout track and field athlete at the University of Missouri, earning three All-American honors, twelve All-Big 12 accolades, and a Big 12 Championship. She went on to compete in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials and the 2009 U.S. Championships. Her achievements led to her induction into the 2024 class of the University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.

In addition to her playing career, Lee has over 25 years of coaching experience across multiple levels, including NCAA Division I, professional, and para-athlete track & field. She has also coached varsity high school track and basketball, as well as numerous youth recreational sports. Her passion for coaching and leadership extends beyond the field, as she regularly speaks to collegiate and high school athletes about strategies for success both in competition and in life. She served as the Athletic Director of Kansas City Parks & Recreation for 6 years, shaping the landscape of recreational sports in the city, and most recently served four seasons as the General Manager of the Kansas City Glory, continuing her leadership in professional women's tackle football. Lee now brings that wealth of playing and coaching experience to Park University as the program's inaugural Head Flag Football Coach, where she is building the team from the ground up in its first season.

 

Meredith Rose

Merideth Rose
About

Tiffani McReynolds

Tiffani McReynolds
About
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About Merideth

President & CEO Cornerstones of Care

Merideth Rose is a lifelong advocate for young people, a nationally recognized nonprofit leader, and President and CEO of Cornerstones of Care, one of the Midwest's largest behavioral health organizations serving children, youth, and families.

Long before she became a CEO, however, Merideth was a student athlete.

Beginning in fifth grade, athletics became one of the greatest influences in shaping her character, resilience, and leadership. A graduate of a small 1A Lutheran high school in Kansas City, she earned All State honors in volleyball, basketball, and track, graduating as a two time state champion. More importantly, she experienced firsthand the profound impact coaches can have, not just on performance, but on confidence, identity, and the trajectory of a young person's life.

Merideth's journey has also included overcoming significant adversity. As a former foster youth, adoptee, teenage mother, and most recently a stroke survivor, she understands the importance of mental wellness, perseverance, and surrounding yourself with people who believe in you when you struggle to believe in yourself.

Today, she speaks nationally on leadership, resilience, community, and trauma informed care, blending authentic storytelling with practical strategies that inspire people to grow both personally and professionally.

Merideth believes the strongest athletes are not simply those who train their bodies. They are those who learn to understand their hearts, strengthen their minds, and discover who they are beyond the scoreboard. She is honored to spend time investing in the next generation of female athletes and leaders.

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About Tiffani

Tiffani McReynolds made her first USA Team in 2019 competing in the 100 meter hurdles during USA v. Europe; The Match. She is a 3x Olympic Trials contender, 2x USA Indoor Championships Bronze medallist and 2026 Baylor Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee. Still actively competing and training, McReynolds is preparing for the 2027 World Championships in Beijing, China, as well as the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, CA.

A KC native, McReynolds actively works to give back to both Kansas City, Kansas and Missouri youth in the form of her non-profit initiative, HappilyEverFaster. This emerging initiative is built upon a belief that one does not have to be the best, or the most known to make a difference.

The initiative is most well-known for its Summer Track Camp Series, which focuses on building well-rounded athletes through elite-level coaching, mentorship, and back-to-school readiness.

Off the track, McReynolds enjoys teaching pilates at her studio, Selah Pilates, and participating in the arts as both a visual artist and actor.

 

2025 Event Recap

Empowering the Confidence, Resilience, and Well-Being of Young Female Athletes.

In its fourth year, Sideline the Stigma—a Kansas City Current and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City initiative—continued its mission to support the mental health and well-being of female high school athletes across the metro.

This year’s theme, Beyond the Game, was dedicated to building confidence, resilience, and strength—while equipping athletes with tools to manage the unique pressures they face, from navigating social media to practicing mindfulness through yoga.

Hosted at CPKC Stadium, the world’s first purpose-built stadium for a women’s professional sports team, the symposium brought together more than 100 female athletes for a powerful day of awareness, support, and empowerment.

Event Highlights

  • Featured Keynote: 2X Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion Briana Scurry

  • Interactive Workshops: Led by local civic leaders focused on resilience, confidence, and mental well-being

  • Player Panel: Insight and inspiration from KC Current stars Izzy Rodriguez and Rocky Rodríguez

These high school female athletes left empowered with practical tools and a renewed sense of confidence to thrive both on and off the field.

Featured Article by Amina K.
Amina K. is a sophomore at Park Hill High School and an aspiring sports journalist.

READ NOW

Recap Video

 

 

Mindful moment

KC Current and Blue KC go all access with the team, taking you inside the huddle, and behind our season's big moments to see and hear how important behavioral health is for professional athletes.

INSPIRING HOPE

The good news:  There are many ways to find help if you are someone living with a behavioral health condition.  There are different types of treatments available for behavioral health and substance use conditions.  Most people who receive treatment for behavioral health conditions can recover fully and live a symptom-free and purposeful life.

We each have a role to play.  By educating ourselves about the signs and symptoms of common behavioral health conditions, we can help a friend or loved one who may be experiencing a behavioral health challenge.

People are more likely to seek help if someone close to them suggests it.  Helping someone get help early, when symptoms start, can prevent a behavioral health crisis, job loss, school problems, relationship trouble, or other negative consequences. 

WHAT EACH OF US CAN DO

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WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID®?

Mental Health First Aid® (MHFA) is the initial help offered to a person developing a mental health or substance use challenge or experiencing a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves.

Those who complete MHFA training and become MHFA will be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA Action Plan when a person shows early or worsening signs of a mental health challenge, and apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA Action Plan in crisis situations.

There are people living with mental health conditions in every community where you live, work, and play.  Knowing how to reach out and provide that initial help and support to someone in need helps to create a happier, healthier, and safer community for all.  That's why teachers, supervisors, first responders, caretakers, co-workers, journalists, parents, and even celebrities have joined the Mental Health First Aid® movement. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is also offering Mental Health First Aid® to Blue KC’s school district partners.

Resources

Kansas City Area

Johnson County Mental Health Crisis Line — Johnson County, Kansas

Wyandot Center Mental Health Crisis Line — Wyandotte County, Kansas

Heartland RADAC  (alcohol and substance use) — Kansas 

CommCare Mental Health Crisis Line — Kansas City, Missouri

First Call (alcohol and substance use) — Missouri

Kansas City Center for Inclusion: Kansas City’s LGBTQ+ Community Center & Resource Hub—KC Metro

National Bahvioral Health Resources

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline  

 

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