TAHLEQUAH -- Angela Lalwani has made history at Northeastern State University, becoming the first woman to serve as Director of Football Operations while also holding the role of Coordinator of Athletics Management.

Lalwani, who was recently selected as a 2025 NFL Women's Forum participant, brings a resume that spans Division I, Division II, and professional sports.

"This is bigger than me," Lalwani said. "It's about creating opportunities for the next generation of women who want to work in football and showing them that it's possible."

Her path to football operations began as a student-athlete in track and field at Virginia State University and Benedict College, where she earned recognition as the Most Improved Cross Country Runner and helped capture an Indoor Track Championship. After her athletic career, she spent five years as a football manager at Benedict, honing her skills in operations, social media and program management.

"That experience really gave me the foundation I needed," Lalwani said. "I got to learn the inner workings of a football program and see firsthand how culture, organization and communication make all the difference."

Her career has since taken her to some of the biggest stages in sports, including the NFL Draft, Super Bowl, Final Four, College Football Playoff National Championship and Chicago Bears Training Camp. She has also played key roles in events like the HBCU Pigskin Showdown, Podyum Bowl and Dream Bowl.

At the collegiate level, Lalwani has served as a Game Operations and Event Management Fellow at Mississippi State University and as a Graduate Assistant for Track & Field Operations at the University of South Carolina.

Colleagues say her leadership extends beyond the field. She is active in South Asians in Sports and is part of the Dream Foundation Cohort, advocating for mentorship and diversity across athletics.

"Representation matters," Lalwani said. "I want to use my platform to open doors and support others, just like so many mentors have done for me."