EUGENE, Ore. -- O Heroes Director Judy Sheldon and the University of Oregon recently participated in a Global Sports Mentoring Program affiliated with the Center for Sport Peace Society, the U.S. Department of State and espnW.

Seventeen different women from all over the world were identified as emerging leaders in sports. Each traveled to the United States where they were paired with leading U.S. women who work in a sports-related field.

Hongxia Wei from Beijing, China, was the emerging leader who traveled to Eugene for the mentorship program. Wei works with China's General Administration of Sport where she is Director of Law and Regulation. Wei was paired with Sheldon, who was selected as a leading woman in U.S. sports.

Specifically through the O Heroes program, Wei was exposed to a comprehensive community development program led by elite level athletes. Through her work with the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center in the Lundquist College of Business, Wei had an insider’s look at the sports industry, including management, media, and marketing.

Wei -- who spent three weeks in Eugene -- also worked with the many different departments within Oregon Athletics (administration, compliance, athletic communications, marketing, facilities).

The mentoring program was originated as part of an effort to empower women and girls through sports. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and ESPN President John Skipper announced in June 2012 the creation of the U.S. Department of State and espnW Global Sports Mentoring Program.

- Full recap of Hongxia Wei's stay in Eugene

- More about the Global Sports Mentoring Program