At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Cleveland Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry received the Buddy Teevens Forward Progress Award. This honor, presented during the 10th annual NFL Women’s Forum, acknowledges Berry’s dedication to increasing opportunities and fostering inclusion for women throughout football operations. The recognition highlights Berry’s leadership in creating a more diverse and inclusive environment in the NFL.
Legacy of the Buddy Teevens Forward Progress Award
The Buddy Teevens Forward Progress Award was founded in 2023 to celebrate the legacy of Buddy Teevens, former Dartmouth College head coach and a trailblazer for women’s inclusion in football. Teevens gained national attention in 2018 by hiring Callie Brownson, the first full-time female Division I coach in college football. Brownson later made history in the NFL as the first woman to coach a position group during a game with the Browns in 2020, and she served in leadership roles including Chief of Staff and Assistant Wide Receivers coach for the team.
Berry’s Commitment to Inclusive Leadership at Cleveland Browns
Since his appointment as general manager in 2020, Andrew Berry has embraced Buddy Teevens’ vision by intentionally assembling a football operations team rich in diverse perspectives. By prioritizing talent and inclusivity, Berry has established the Browns’ organization as a leader in employing women across team operations, more than any other NFL franchise. The Browns actively use the NFL Women’s Forum as a strategic avenue for identifying and recruiting female talent within the sport.
I really just want to say how proud and appreciative I am of all the fantastic women we have at the Browns organization across football operations,
Berry stated upon receiving the award.
They help us push for greatness and excellence every day. And I’m so blessed and thankful to have coworkers and teammates that are like the ones who are in this room.
Role and Impact of the NFL Women’s Forum
Now in its tenth year, the NFL Women’s Forum serves as a vital platform for scouting and developing female leaders from college football to professional roles. The invite-only event, held during the NFL Scouting Combine, connects promising women candidates with top decision-makers including owners, general managers, and head coaches. It offers a comprehensive agenda featuring panel discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities that span coaching, player personnel, team operations, and football administration topics.
Andrew Berry has been an active participant in the Forum for over five years, contributing as both an attendee and panelist, reinforcing his commitment to the advancement of women in football.
Organizational Support from Browns Ownership
The Browns’ leadership has publicly praised Berry’s intentional hiring practices and inclusive vision. Dee and Jimmy Haslam, managing and principal partners of the Haslam Sports Group, remarked on the cultural impact of Berry’s approach to team building.
Andrew has always been intentional about hiring the best and creating pipelines for talented individuals from all backgrounds is a big part of that,
said Dee and Jimmy Haslam.
It contributes to the culture we’re committed to building at the Browns – one that values a variety of perspectives, while fostering talent to build a winning organization. We’re proud to have him leading our football operation.
Expanding Opportunities for Future Female Leaders in Football
The recognition of Andrew Berry through the Buddy Teevens Forward Progress Award underlines a growing momentum within the NFL to cultivate diverse leadership. By leveraging the Women’s Forum as a talent pipeline and emphasizing inclusive hiring, Berry and the Browns set an example for other franchises to follow. This ongoing dedication to equality and development is likely to enhance the presence of women in coaching, operations, and executive roles across the league in the coming years, transforming football culture and leadership dynamics.
