With March and Women’s History Month in full swing, D.C. United continues to highlight the female pioneers who paved the way in sports while celebrating the female staff at the club who are integral to operations. Throughout the month, the club will showcase its female staff members, with nearly 50% of staff identifying as women. Led by Danita Johnson, one of the first Black female presidents in MLS history, D.C. United is dedicated to supporting and uplifting women in sports. Through internal initiatives like Women United and external partnerships with nonprofits like House of Ruth, the club fosters community and advocates for gender equality. This month, D.C. United celebrates women’s contributions to help inspire future generations of female leaders in soccer.
Our second interview features two staff members in the front office. Tamsyn Stonebarger, Project Manager, and Morgan Presley, Community Marketing Coordinator, who share their journeys, their roles at the club, and the women that have impacted their lives.
Can you give us a brief background on your role at D.C. United?
Morgan Presley: “I’m the Community Marketing Coordinator here and started with the club in July 2023. I transitioned into this role from email marketing back in February. In this position, I focus on uplifting the storytelling side of our community efforts. Day-to-day, I handle event recaps, blog posts, and look at upcoming initiatives. It’s all about connecting our community and telling those stories.”
Tamsyn Stonebarger: “I started in May 2023 as a Social Media Manager, and just this January, I transitioned to Project Manager for Marketing. My role is all about organization—keeping everything running smoothly. We have a lot of projects happening simultaneously, and right now, we’re focused on Women’s Empowerment Month and the Women's Empowerment Night Match on Saturday, March 29 against Montréal. From social media campaigns to ticketing, I help ensure everything that marketing touches stays on track from start to finish.”
Let’s talk about Women’s History Month. What does it mean to you?
Tamsyn Stonebarger “Women’s History Month is important. I went to an all-girls leadership school from seventh grade through high school, and that was a huge part of my foundation. We were surrounded by strong, empowered women, and we were always encouraged to pursue whatever we wanted, without judgment. I think Women’s History Month reminds us to keep uplifting women everywhere, not just in women-only spaces, but in every community.”
Morgan Presley: “I agree. For me, it’s about celebrating womanhood and letting our voices be heard. It’s a time to remind women that our voices matter and that we are here for a reason. Women should always be empowered and supported.”
What is D.C. United doing internally to support Women’s History Month and women’s empowerment?
Morgan Presley: “One of our signature programs is Women United, where we partner with the House of Ruth to provide support for women going through transitions in their lives. It’s all about personal and professional development. We meet monthly to offer a safe space for women to connect, share, and receive support.”
Tamsyn Stonebarger: “From a community relations standpoint, Women United is crucial. On the internal side, we also have the Women United ERG (Employee Resource Group). It’s all about creating a space where women can come together year-round—not just in March—and talk about the issues that matter to us. We want to make sure women in all aspects of our organization feel supported and that their voices are heard.”
As women in sports, you’ve likely faced challenges. What’s been the biggest challenge you've had to overcome?
Morgan Presley: “For me, it’s been finding my voice in professional settings. I’ve always been naturally reserved, especially in group discussions. But coming into my first professional job, I’ve realized that my opinions and ideas are valued. It’s been encouraging to find that I can speak up, and people are really interested in what I have to say.”
Tamsyn Stonebarger: “For me, the challenge has been dealing with people questioning my credentials and my place in the room. It’s a challenge many women in sports face—proving that we belong and have earned our seat at the table. But I think the sports world is shifting, and it’s amazing to see so many women making strides. I’m proud to be part of that change.”
Having women in leadership positions is so important. How does it feel to have women like Danita Johnson, D.C. United President of Business Operations, to look up to?
Tamsyn Stonebarger: “It’s incredibly empowering. Having women in leadership positions shows us that we can rise to the top as well. It’s inspiring to see her succeed, and it gives us a visual representation that we belong here. I’ve never been in a workplace where women made up such a significant portion of the team, and it makes a huge difference.”
Morgan Presley: “It’s a reminder that there’s a place for us at all levels. Having leaders like Danita here makes it clear that we can make it too. Plus, the access we have to these leaders is invaluable. They’re always approachable, and that’s something I’ve really appreciated.”
Let’s talk about the women who inspire you. Can you name some important women who have had a major impact on your life?
Morgan Presley: “For me, it’s my mom. She’s had three different careers in my lifetime—she was an educator, then a nurse, and now she is both a nurse and a real estate agent. Seeing her navigate those transitions and being so driven really showed me that there’s no limit to what you can do.”
Tamsyn Stonebarger: “I would have to say my mom too. She worked incredibly hard to provide for me. She’s always been authentic and true to herself, which has been such an inspiration. She never let anything hold her back. She continues to rise through her career and watching her succeed motivates me every day.”
What advice would you give to the next generation of girls who want to break into the sports world?
Morgan Presley: “My advice would be to try everything and take risks. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, whether it’s networking or cold messaging someone on LinkedIn. The worst that can happen is they don’t respond. But more often than not, people want to help. The world is full of opportunities, and the more you put yourself out there, the more you’ll learn and grow.”
Tamsyn Stonebarger: “I completely agree. It’s all about networking and trying new things. Don’t feel pressured to have everything figured out at 18. Give yourself time to explore and figure out what works for you. Take every opportunity to learn from others and don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
Morgan Presley: “Yes! Be the resource you wish you had when you were starting out. That’s been so important for me as I’ve navigated my career—helping others and sharing what I’ve learned along the way.”
