Brianna Ruff

Brianna Ruff is a sports professional and former Division I head coach whose experience spans collegiate athletics and professional women’s sports, with a focus on community engagement, brand growth, and organizational impact.

Brianna served as the Head Cheerleading Coach at Hampton University for five years, where she led and developed a competitive program grounded in discipline, accountability, and performance excellence. Under her leadership, the program emphasized technical precision, team cohesion, and the holistic development of student-athletes as leaders both on and off the mat.

She expanded her impact into professional sports with the North Carolina Courage, where she initially served as a Creative Project Manager, leading the execution of cross-functional campaigns and creative initiatives that elevated brand presence and fan engagement. She later advanced to Director of Community Relations and Grassroots Marketing, where she led strategic efforts to deepen community connection, grow the club’s regional footprint, and drive engagement through intentional outreach and partnership development. In this role, she oversaw grassroots programming, community initiatives, and marketing strategies designed to expand access, visibility, and support for women’s sports.

With a background in psychology and counseling, Brianna brings a people-centered approach to sports leadership, integrating emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and strategic thinking into her work. Currently pursuing her Doctorate in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Change Management at Pepperdine University, she is passionate about advancing women’s sports through innovative strategy, strong community alignment, and transformational leadership.