Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Gigi Assi is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Prodigy Pathways, a national nonprofit focused on expanding access to elite sports development and mentorship for underserved youth. With a deep commitment to equity and long-term impact, she launched the organization to close the gap between talent and opportunity—pairing professional athletes with aspiring student-athletes to provide structured guidance, financial support, and legacy-driven mentorship.

A first-generation Egyptian-American raised by a single mother in a Section 8 housing community, Gigi's passion for this work is rooted in lived experience. Despite limited financial resources and a lack of institutional support, she found her way onto her high school basketball team, teaching herself fundamentals at local gyms and community centers. At a young age, Gigi experienced what it was like to be denied access to elite programs like AAU, not due to a lack of ability but due to missing infrastructure—no one to help with the applications, no playbook for getting in, no voice to advocate.

That early frustration became a driving force.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UMass Boston and an MBA in Sports Management, Gigi built a career at the intersection of business development and executive recruitment within the sports and entertainment industries. Her work has connected top talent with leading organizations across the NBA, NFL, and global sports brands—giving her a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed, and who often gets left behind.

Prodigy Pathways is the culmination of that journey: a purpose-built platform to support the next generation of athletes—not just with resources, but with relationships, mentorship, and belief. Through her leadership, Gigi aims to reimagine what access, advocacy, and athlete-driven impact can look like for young people across the country.