Place the Ladder | Spurs Leaders & Legends

Place the Ladder and Pound the Rock

“Place the Ladder” is a conversation series between dynamic Texan leaders and Holdsworth’s president, Dr. Lindsay Whorton. The talks explore people’s lived experiences based on the idea that leadership is not a skill people are born with—it can be learned, explored, and studied.

Tickets to "A Conversation with Spurs Leaders and Legends" are $30. With an additional $100, a limited number of guests will attend a meet-and-greet breakfast reception with speakers before the program. Proceeds benefit The Holdsworth Center and Spurs Give, the official nonprofit of Spurs Sports & Entertainment, and their efforts to create safe places to play in Austin through the  Play ATX initiative. 

Spurs training facility | Photo courtesy ZGF

David Robinson Sr.

David Robinson was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history and was a ten-time NBA All-Star. He led the San Antonio Spurs to 1999 and 2003 NBA Championship Titles. He is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and was inducted into the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Hall of Fame in 2013.

In addition to his decorated career in the NBA, David and his wife Valerie created the David Robinson Foundation in November of 1992. David has raised close to $40 million for The Carver Academy (TCA), an independent school designed to serve pre-K through eighth-grade students in San Antonio, Texas.

In 2007, David Robinson and Daniel Bassichis, formerly of Goldman Sachs, founded Admiral Capital Group. Built around Robinson’s long-standing values and integrity, the framework for Admiral’s sustainable business model brought together an interest in private equity and a desire to make a positive impact. Robinson and Bassichis have been working together since 2002 on philanthropic and investment activities.

David Robinson Sr.

David Robinson was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history and was a ten-time NBA All-Star. He led the San Antonio Spurs to 1999 and 2003 NBA Championship Titles. He is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and was inducted into the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Hall of Fame in 2013.

In addition to his decorated career in the NBA, David and his wife Valerie created the David Robinson Foundation in November of 1992. David has raised close to $40 million for The Carver Academy (TCA), an independent school designed to serve pre-K through eighth-grade students in San Antonio, Texas.

In 2007, David Robinson and Daniel Bassichis, formerly of Goldman Sachs, founded Admiral Capital Group. Built around Robinson’s long-standing values and integrity, the framework for Admiral’s sustainable business model brought together an interest in private equity and a desire to make a positive impact. Robinson and Bassichis have been working together since 2002 on philanthropic and investment activities.

David Robinson Jr.

David Robinson Jr. serves as Development Manager at Weston Urban, where he is focused on real estate development in downtown San Antonio. He joined Weston Urban from Blueprint Local, a firm investing in real estate development to promote long-term, inclusive economic growth. Prior to Blueprint Local, David led Admiral Capital Group's efforts to make a strong social impact in the cities where the firm invests and scale the firm's philanthropic work.

Before Admiral Capital Group, David worked for sports and education technology startups in Austin and New York. David was born and raised in San Antonio and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. He holds a master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

David Robinson Jr.

David Robinson Jr. serves as Development Manager at Weston Urban, where he is focused on real estate development in downtown San Antonio. He joined Weston Urban from Blueprint Local, a firm investing in real estate development to promote long-term, inclusive economic growth. Prior to Blueprint Local, David led Admiral Capital Group's efforts to make a strong social impact in the cities where the firm invests and scale the firm's philanthropic work.

Before Admiral Capital Group, David worked for sports and education technology startups in Austin and New York. David was born and raised in San Antonio and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. He holds a master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Dr. Kara C. Allen

Kara serves as Spurs Sports & Entertainment's Chief People, Impact, and Belonging Officer, where she supports the teams driving impact through the organization's People and Culture, DEI and ESG commitments. She also serves as Executive Director of Spurs Give, SS&E’s official nonprofit organization.

Kara trusts that communities have the answers to even the most seemingly intractable problems and is an unapologetic believer in young people and the adults that uplift them. She is lucky to be called “mom” by some beautiful humans; her oldest is at UC Davis Medical School and her youngest is loving elementary school. She also really likes donuts, biking and getting people what they need to be great.

Dr. Kara C. Allen

Kara serves as Spurs Sports & Entertainment's Chief People, Impact, and Belonging Officer, where she supports the teams driving impact through the organization's People and Culture, DEI and ESG commitments. She also serves as Executive Director of Spurs Give, SS&E’s official nonprofit organization.

Kara trusts that communities have the answers to even the most seemingly intractable problems and is an unapologetic believer in young people and the adults that uplift them. She is lucky to be called “mom” by some beautiful humans; her oldest is at UC Davis Medical School and her youngest is loving elementary school. She also really likes donuts, biking and getting people what they need to be great.

Spurs Give is the official 501c3 nonprofit organization of Spurs Sports & Entertainment. Since its founding in 1988, Spurs Give has invested $28 million in the community. Through players’ passions, grants and impact programs, Spurs Give is changing lives and leaving a legendary impact. Learn more at spursgive.org.

Driven by the belief that teachers and students thrive with great leadership, The Holdsworth Center builds stronger leaders for Texas public schools. Founded as a nonprofit in 2017 by H-E-B Chairman Charles Butt, Holdsworth provides world-class leadership development programs and services within districts and at its Campus on Lake Austin, a one-of-a-kind place dedicated to the idea that public education holds worth. Learn more at holdsworthcenter.org.