Meredith Hudson

Meredith Hudson is the founder and CEO of Sideline Bags, a company that creates backpack organizers designed specifically for female athletes. The business was born from her own frustration as a lacrosse mom, watching teenage athletes struggle with chaotic backpacks, lost gear, and last-minute searches for essentials on the sidelines.

Before launching Sideline Bags, Meredith built a corporate career after graduating from Yale University, where she played Division I field hockey. That combination of elite athletics and professional experience gave her a unique perspective on what student-athletes really need—not just another bag, but a system that keeps everything organized and accessible during intense competition.

She started developing the product from her kitchen table, prototyping and iterating based on real feedback from players and parents. The brand has since grown to serve over 18,000 female athletes nationwide, with team orders from D1 programs and a passionate community of users. Today Meredith continues to lead the company while also hosting the "Raised by Sports" podcast, where she explores the real-world challenges of parenting and playing youth sports.