U.S. Soccer Federation’s Chief Advancement Officer Leah Heister Burton Named Sports Business Journal Game Changer
Burton honored as one of 60 women leaders in sports business from around the globe, will be featured in the Sept. 21 issue of SBJ
When Leah Heister Burton graduated from Knox College, she took a gap year with the intention of continuing her education the following fall in law school. But working in philanthropy during that time awaychanged everything.
The difference Burton wanted to make through practicing law she found through philanthropy, which led to her working for over a decade in the fundraising realm and overseeing collective fundraising efforts at some of the world’s most respected institutions before joining U.S. Soccer in 2023 as the Federation’s first Chief Advancement Officer.
Her efforts led to the Sports Business Journal selecting Burton as one of 60 honorees in the Game Changers Class of 2026. The program recognizes women for their leadership, innovation and accomplishments as they make a lasting impact on sports business worldwide.
“It's an honor to be named to Sports Business Journal's 2026 Game Changers class alongside women who are reshaping this industry,” Burton said. “This recognition belongs to the team I work with every day at U.S. Soccer and to a philanthropic community that shares our conviction about what investment in the game can deliver. Our work is an invitation: help us leave this sport stronger than we found it by expanding access, opening doors and building success on and off the field.”
At U.S. Soccer, Burton leads efforts to secure and expand funding opportunities that increase the Federation’s visibility, impact and resources. Less than 5% of U.S. Soccer’s annual operating budget comes from individual philanthropic contributions, which Burton’s team has been charged with significantly expanding.
“U.S. Soccer has the opportunity to leverage philanthropy to go out and do really big things,” Burton said on the U.S. Soccer Podcast last year. “I think we’re just scratching the surface right now.”
With that mentality in mind, Burton helped U.S. Soccer publicly launch in November of 2025 its first-ever long-term philanthropic campaign. The five-year $250 million fundraising initiative is aimed at making soccer more accessible throughout the country, supporting all 27 National Teams and elevating the game through the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center. As of July 2026, the campaign had reached more than 70% of its goal by raising $178 million.
Following the success of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the upcoming major soccer tournaments over the next few years, Burton is ambitious about how the Federation can use philanthropy during such an exciting time in soccer history.
“I hope the legacy of philanthropy is one that helps propel the sport forward,” Burton said. “Philanthropy exists in service to society; U.S. Soccer exists in service to soccer. I hope that philanthropy continues to allow U.S. Soccer to do that.”
Burton and the rest of the Game Changers Class of 2026 will be featured in the Sept. 21 issue of SBJ and honored in a Sept. 30 ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Times Square.