First Full-Time Female Referee in the US Working in MLS; FIFA Match Official

Live Event: Please Contact Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

Tori Penso Biography

Tori Penso is a soccer referee whose career progression from part-time official to international figure has contributed to the evolution of officiating in the sport. Penso began her refereeing career with the United States Soccer Federation, working in women's collegiate tournaments and later in the National Women's Soccer League. After the Generation Adidas Cup, she joined the Professional Referee Organization's PRO2 development program, serving as a fourth official at Major League Soccer matches and as a referee in USL Championship and NWSL matches. While studying marketing at university and playing soccer, Penso did not initially consider refereeing as a career, noting the absence of full-time female referees in the United States at the time.

Transitioning from a background in digital marketing, Penso became the first full-time female referee in Major League Soccer and the first woman in two decades to officiate an MLS match. FIFA selected her to lead an all-women referee crew in the Women's World Cup Final, where she became the first referee from the United States to officiate a FIFA World Cup final and the first Women's World Cup final referee from the Americas. She also officiated a semi-final and three earlier matches in the tournament, as well as the opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Penso's international assignments have included officiating at the Olympic Football Tournament, FIFA Club World Cups, and multiple MLS matches. She led the first all-female on-field officiating crew for the U.S. Open Cup Final, working alongside assistants Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt.

Off the field, Penso advocates for diversity and inclusion in sports officiating. She has served as managing director of the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association, supporting the development of future female referees. Penso has emphasized the importance of representation in gender and racial equality. She has also taught "Social Media in Sports Marketing" as an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida. Penso's experience in high-pressure environments has contributed to her skill set both on and off the field, making her a prominent figure in soccer officiating and sports leadership.

BOOK Tori Penso

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 04/16/2026.

Tori Penso Videos

Unveiling the Obstacles Faced by Female Referees: Insights from Tori Penso | Attacking Third

Unveiling the Obstacles Faced by Female Referees: Insights from Tori Penso | Attacking Third

Tori Penso joins Morning Footy on Women in Sports Day to discuss the obstacles faced by female soccer referees. Christina Unkel then joins us to chat...

Tori Penso on being selected to officiate the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Final

Tori Penso on being selected to officiate the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Final

Tori Penso on the moment she found out that she would be officiating the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final. "There's nothing better than this...

  • How do I book Tori Penso to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Tori Penso for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Tori Penso, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Tori Penso or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Tori Penso

    Speaking fees for Tori Penso, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Tori Penso are available upon request for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Tori Penso, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Tori Penso speak about?

    Tori Penso is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Communication, Human Resources, Inspirational, Motivational, Soccer, Sports, Sports Motivation, Teamwork & Teambuilding
  • Where does Tori Penso travel from?

    Tori Penso generally travels from an undisclosed location, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Tori Penso’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Tori Penso for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Tori Penso for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Tori Penso or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Tori Penso is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Tori Penso for your event is available upon request. Tori Penso generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Emily Sonnett, Rose Lavelle, Briana Scurry, Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Tori Penso for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.
Please Select Event Budget
Please enter your message
Please Enter Your Name
Please Enter Your Email
  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP