Speaker Profile

Scott Pioli is a highly accomplished figure in the NFL, with a career spanning over 30 years and a remarkable list of achievements. However, his impact extends far beyond the football field. Pioli is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), dedicating his efforts to making a lasting difference in this area. Pioli and his wife are also investors/owners in the NWSL’s Boston franchise that begins play in 2026.

Throughout his tenure in the NFL, Pioli has consistently initiated and driven change within organizations.  He has held influential executive positions, including General Manager, Assistant General Manager, and Vice President for teams such as the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, and Atlanta Falcons. Pioli's exceptional talent identification and mentoring skills have not only shaped the careers of athletes who reached the pinnacle of the sport but have also guided entry-level employees to become successful executives and head coaches. With five Super Bowl appearances, three Super Bowl championships, four AFC Championships, one NFC Championship, and nine Division titles, Pioli has consistently proven himself a top-tier professional executive.

Pioli’s professional contributions have earned him widespread recognition. He has been awarded the prestigious NFL Executive of the Year title five times and has been honored as the NFL's Executive of the Decade by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and Sporting News. Notably, Pioli still holds the distinction of being the youngest recipient of the George Young NFL Executive of the Year Award, as recognized by his peers.

Currently, Pioli serves as an on-air front office analyst for NFL Network, where he continues to share his insights into the game. In addition, he provides consultancy services to various private companies and the NFL League Office, where he focuses on Football Ops, NFL International, and DEI. Pioli also currently works as a consultant for several FBS football programs and athletic departments advising them through the changing landscape. He has also served as a fellow at Morehouse College, contributing to the development of future leaders. 

Pioli’s long-standing and unwavering dedication to social justice initiatives sets him apart.  He has actively supported minority coaching candidates, scouts, and executives outside of the sports industry, serving as a mentor and advocate. Moreover, Pioli’s work as the founding chair of The John Lewis Institute for Social Justice at Central Connecticut State University demonstrates his commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders striving to address inequality and create meaningful change.

As part of his work, Pioli is involved in various board affiliations that align with his values. He serves on the Women’s Sports Foundation's Board of Directors, where he chairs the Finance and Legal Committee, and contributes to RISE as a board member (Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality) and co-founder of RISE to Vote, actively promoting non-partisan civic engagement. He is also on the National Advisory Council for Women Leaders in Sports, a national non-profit organization that empowers women to advance into positions of influence and transform the world of sports through world-class leadership development, career training, and access to a powerful network. Pioli's commitment to diversity in football is also evident through his involvement with the Black College Football Hall of Fame as a board member and the selection committee and his role as a founding member of the NFL's Bill Walsh Diversity Council. He was recently given the 2024 Black College Football HOF Founders Award by founders James ‘Shack’ Harris and Doug Williams.

Pioli’s educational background includes a master’s degree from S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, as well as an undergraduate degree from Central Connecticut State University.