Columbia University’s acting president, Claire Shipman, is headed down the aisle again — this time with a sports twist. The 62-year-old journalist and author is engaged to Kati Jo Spisak, a 41-year-old former professional soccer goalkeeper turned coach and sports agent.
The pair first crossed paths in 2021, when Shipman was promoting her book The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance — What Women Should Know. She spoke at a Washington Spirit event, where Spisak, then working in the team’s front office, immediately hit it off with her.
Friends say the connection was instant and grew into a committed relationship that now has them planning a wedding before year’s end.
A New Chapter After Public Service
Shipman, a Columbia alumna, assumed the role of acting president in March. Her career has spanned nearly two decades in broadcast journalism, including 15 years as a senior correspondent and substitute anchor on ABC’s Good Morning America and prior stints as a White House correspondent for NBC.
She was previously married to Jay Carney, the former Obama White House press secretary who now leads global policy and communications at Airbnb. The two share two children and, according to insiders, maintain a cordial relationship with each other’s new partners.
From Goalkeeper to Agent
Spisak, a Missouri native, had a standout career as a professional goalkeeper, playing for the Washington Freedom, Saint Louis Athletica, and Boston Breakers. She later served as head coach for the Washington Spirit Reserves before transitioning into sports management. Today, she runs her own sports agency, representing athletes across multiple disciplines.
Balancing Two Worlds
Shipman and Spisak split their time between New York City and Washington, D.C., seamlessly balancing academic leadership with sports business. Friends close to the couple describe them as grounded, supportive, and excited about the future.
“They really complement each other,” one insider said. “Claire brings this incredible intellectual depth, and Kati Jo brings energy and a team-oriented spirit. Together, they’re unstoppable.”
The engagement underscores how the acting president has embraced both her professional responsibilities and a personal renaissance, finding love and partnership later in life.
As Columbia University prepares for the challenges of the academic year, its president is also preparing for a personal milestone — one that brings together academia, journalism, and the world of professional sport in a uniquely modern love story.