Lesa France Kennedy, (born Lesa Dawn France on May 24, 1961) is an American businesswoman and Executive Vice Chair of NASCAR.[1]
Lesa France Kennedy | |
|---|---|
| Born | Lesa Dawn France May 24, 1961 |
| Education | Duke University (BA) |
| Occupation | Executive Vice Chair of NASCAR |
| Spouses | Bruce Kennedy (m. 1988; died 2007)Bill Christy (m. 2019) |
| Children | Ben |
| Relatives | Bill France Jr. (Father) |
Education and career
Kennedy received a B.A. in Economics and a B.A. in Psychology from Duke University in 1983.[2]
Kennedy joined ISC in 1983 and was named to the board of directors one year later. She served as ISC's secretary from 1987–96 and as its treasurer from 1989-96.[3] From that point until April 2003, Kennedy was the company's executive vice president.[4] She was then appointed president of ISC after her father, Bill France Jr. stepped down. Most recently, Kennedy was named chief executive officer in April 2009.[5]
Kennedy has been ranked as one of the most influential women in sports by numerous publications.[6] Forbes called her "The Most Powerful Woman in Sports" in 2009.[7] In 2006, she was listed as one of the "25 Most Influential People in NASCAR" by the Charlotte Observer, "Most Influential Woman in Sports Business" by Volusia Flagler Business Report,[8] and was "Female Sports Executive of the Year" according to SportsBusiness Journal.[9] In 2016, Adweek named her one of the "30 Most Powerful Women in Sports".[10] In 2022, she was named one of Sports Business Journal's "Most Influential Property Pacesetters."[11]
Personal life
Kennedy is married to Bill Christy, CEO of CLASH Endurance, an event endurance sports media company. [12]
Kennedy's first husband, Dr. Bruce Kennedy, was killed in a plane in Sanford, Florida on July 10, 2007.[13] Five people were killed, including two small children.
She is the mother of former NASCAR driver and current SVP of Racing Development & Strategy Ben Kennedy.