JoAnn Neale serves as President & Chief Administrative Officer of Major League Soccer (MLS), where she leads Strategic Planning, Human Resources, Administrative, Information Technology, Social Responsibility and Player Engagement.

Neale is responsible for the strategic oversight of all aspects of the Human Resources Department, including employee relations, talent acquisition, diversity and inclusion, succession planning, benefits, talent development, compensation, human resources information systems, culture and core values.

As the architect of MLS WORKS, the League’s social responsibility platform, Neale spearheads its overall strategy. Under Neale’s direction, MLS WORKS has established a commitment to social responsibility through national programs, charitable giving and by undertaking grassroots initiatives in underserved communities.

In addition, Neale oversees programs to support player education and engagement, and assists with off-field career development and transition.

Neale sits on the Board of Directors for the U.S. Soccer Foundation, was named a SportsBusiness Journal Game Changer, and was honored by the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women for her leadership in social responsibility.

Prior to joining MLS in 1998, Neale spent four years as an attorney at the law firms of Latham & Watkins and Duval & Stachenfeld, where she focused on corporate finance and real estate transactions. Neale earned her law degree from New York University’s School of Law, graduating cum laude, and received a Bachelor’s of Science degree, with distinction, from Cornell University.

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