In this inspiring episode of High Octane Leadership, Donald Thompson sits down with professional soccer player Brianna Pinto to explore how sports can break down barriers and create lasting social impact. Learn how the Pinto Futball Foundation is dismantling structural and financial obstacles in soccer while creating opportunities for underserved communities.
Whether you're an aspiring change-maker or established leader, discover powerful insights about using privilege for purpose, building inclusive spaces, and the intersection of athletic excellence with community leadership. Brianna shares her journey from collegiate athlete to professional player and nonprofit founder, offering practical wisdom on balancing multiple passions while driving meaningful change.
What You'll Learn:
- Leveraging sports to advance education, career opportunities, and personal development.
- Frameworks for creating accessible, inclusive programs that serve underserved communities and foster representation in leadership.
- Building sustainable youth programs, third spaces, and family-led initiatives that strengthen long-term community value.
- Driving systemic change in governance and athlete protection while balancing multiple career pursuits with excellence.
About the Guest(s)
Brianna Pinto is a professional soccer player with NC Courage and co-founder of the Pinto Futball Foundation, established in 2021. A former UNC-Chapel Hill athlete, she serves as the North Carolina Courage representative for the NWSL Players Association and is a member of the US Soccer Athletes Council. Her leadership extends beyond the field through her work with organizations like the Black Women's Player Collective and her role as the US youth representative for the FIFA United Bid Committee in 2018, where she helped secure hosting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In this episode, Brianna shares her mission to dismantle structural and financial barriers in soccer, particularly for black and brown youth, while discussing her vision for creating accessible spaces for future generations of athletes. Her combination of professional athleticism, community leadership, and advocacy for equity in sports makes her insights valuable for both aspiring athletes and organizational leaders committed to creating positive social impact.
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What is High Octane Leadership?
Future-proof your leadership with High Octane Leadership, a place where business leaders—whether by title or aspiration—share cheat codes for unlocking workplace excellence, lessons learned along the way, and insider tips for future generations of next-level professionals. With a career rooted in building people and businesses, Donald Thompson is an award-winning CEO, speaker, and author who empowers leaders to scale with purpose. Over the last 25 years, he has helped startups and enterprises alike drive cultural change, unlock performance, and deliver exceptional results through strategic leadership.
Find him on LinkedIn, and listen here to learn how you can become future-proof too.