Olivia Dunne looks beyond gymnastics with a new mission to uplift and empower female athletes

After turning heads as one of the most recognizable faces in collegiate athletics, Olivia Dunne has officially moved on from gymnastics, but she's not stepping out of the spotlight. Instead, she's stepping into a new role: advocate, entrepreneur, and mentor.

Dunne announced her retirement from gymnastics in April after a decorated career with the LSU Tigers, closing a chapter that began when she was just a child. For years, she successfully juggled a rigorous athletic schedule with a thriving social media presence.

Between TikTok and Instagram, she's amassed more than 13 million followers combined, catapulting her into the highest tier of NIL earners.

While her athletic career has ended, Dunne's ambitions are just getting started.

From viral gymnast to vocal advocate for women in sports

Speaking to Rolling Stone, Dunne revealed she's turning her attention toward creating opportunities for female student-athletes-many of whom still face major hurdles in navigating the world of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals.

"I'll always advocate for women's sports - they're so important," she said. "I have a fund at LSU called the Livvy Fund, and it's to help provide NIL deals for female student athletes. I'd like to expand that to other schools and keep helping women and educating them because it is harder for women to get NIL deals and to know what to do. Because there's not a lot of knowledge or opportunity in that area. That's so important to me."

Her ion for championing women in sports comes from lived experience. Dunne built a powerful personal brand while maintaining her status as a Division I athlete, something few have managed with as much success.

She signed deals with major companies like Vuori and American Eagle, all while balancing coursework and competition. Now, she wants to use her platform to help other women do the same.

Earlier this year, Dunne hinted at her future plans during a GQ interview, where she revealed she's pursuing a graduate degree in technology management. When asked what that entails, she replied with her signature humor.

"Managing technology. I don't know. It's mostly presentations. I'm learning about AI and the benefits of it right now," Dunne said.

Her academic path, paired with her real-world NIL expertise, positions her uniquely to straddle the line between influencer culture and tech entrepreneurship.