DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Nov. 13, 2025) – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) announced today the election of four new members to its Board of Directors. The new members include Deborah Majoras and Sean Bratches as Independent Directors, and Lindy Duncan and Lauren Coughlin as Player Directors.
The LPGA would like to thank John Veihmeyer, who will be retiring from the Board after six years of service at the end of 2025. Veihmeyer has served as Board Chair since 2023. He’ll be succeeded by Madeleine Kleiner, who will serve as Board Chair beginning in 2026. Kleiner joined the LPGA Board in 2020.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Deborah, Sean, Lindy, and Lauren to the LPGA Board of Directors,” said LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler. “Each brings unique experience, perspective, and passion for the game, and I know they’ll make an immediate impact as we continue building the future of the LPGA. We’re also deeply grateful to John Veihmeyer for his six years of service on the Board, including the past three as Chair. John’s leadership has been instrumental in strengthening the LPGA and elevating women’s golf globally. And I want to extend a sincere thank-you to Gemma Dryburgh and Elizabeth Szokol for their dedication and leadership as Player Directors — they’ve made a lasting impact on their fellow members and our organization.”
Deborah Majoras, the former chair of the Federal Trade Commission, joins the LPGA Board as an Independent Director. In addition to her time with the FTC, Majoras served as an executive with Procter & Gamble from 2008 until her retirement in 2022. She served as P&G’s Chief Legal Counsel and Secretary from 2010-2022. A graduate of Westminster College with a Bachelor of Arts degree and of the University of Virginia School of Law, graduating with Order of the Coif honors. Majoras serves on the Board of Directors for American Express, Brunswick Group, and Valero Energy. She recently concluded six years of service on the USGA Executive Committee and serves on the First Tee Foundation Board.
Sean R.H. Bratches, elected as an Independent Director for 2027, will serve as a Board Observer in 2026. Bratches worked at ESPN for nearly three decades and served in a number of executive roles, including Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing and was on the Board of Directors. Subsequent to ESPN, Bratches served as the Managing Director of Commercial Operations for Formula 1, the first Chief Commercial Officer for LIV Golf, Chairman of Relevent Sports and is currently on the Board at Moto GP.
Additionally, Lindy Duncan and Lauren Coughlin have been elected to the LPGA Board as Player Directors, succeeding Gemma Dryburgh and Elizabeth Szokol. Duncan, a Tour member since 2014, is having a career season with six top-10 finishes. Coughlin, who joined the LPGA Tour in 2018, broke through after winning twice in 2024 at the CPKC Women’s Open and ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open. She has 14 additional career top-10 finishes and was a member of the U.S. Solheim Cup Team in 2024.
The LPGA Board of Directors oversees strategic planning, directs general policy matters, and provides guidance to the management of the Association. The Board is comprised of six independent directors; six player directors; the player president; the national president of the LPGA Professionals; and the LPGA commissioner.
The full 2026 LPGA Board of Directors includes Madeleine Kleiner, President Vicki Goetze-Ackerman, LPGA Professionals National President Louise Ball, Richard Drucker, Chris Halpin, Deborah Majoras, Michele Meyer-Shipp, Steve Mills, Ashleigh Buhai, Lauren Coughlin, Lindy Duncan, Hannah Green, Andrea Lee, Stephanie Meadow, and LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler.
About the LPGA
The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) is the world’s premier women’s professional golf organization. Created in 1950 by 13 pioneering female Founders, the LPGA, whose Members now represent nearly 40 countries, is the longest-standing professional women’s sports organization. Through the LPGA Tour, the Epson Tour, the LPGA Professionals, and a joint venture with the Ladies European Tour, the LPGA provides female professionals the opportunity to pursue their dreams in the game of golf at the highest level. In addition to its professional tours and teaching accreditation programs, the LPGA features a fully integrated Foundation, which provides best-in-class programming for female golfers through its junior golf programming, and its LPGA Amateurs division, which offers its members playing and learning opportunities around the world. The LPGA aims to use its unique platform to inspire, transform and advance opportunities for girls and women, on and off the golf course.
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Media Contact
J.D. Sterba, VP of Communications
jd.sterba@lpga.com