Women Blazers

This is our 50th episode!! In this episode we welcome Ashley Galbraith, Senior Director of Membership Services for the LA Dodgers. Ashley shares her career journey starting out as a collegiate at athlete at Ohio State University, which is where her passion for sports inspired her to launch a career in the industry. Since breaking in with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015, she’s been on an accelerate...

In this episode we welcome Carolyn Kindle Betz, President & CEO of St Louis City SC. Carolyn shares her incredible career journey that led her to lead the development and launch of the 28th Team in the MLS that is set to kick off their inaugural season in 2023. Carolyn is a savvy and authentic civic, charitable, business leader who is at the forefront of ensuring St. Louis is respected as a world...

In this episode we welcome Nicole Metzger, Sr. Vice President of National Sales for JMI Sports. Nicole shares her incredible career journey where she has navigated a successful path in Partnership Sales & Marketing, with experience working in both professional and collegiate sports, and within leagues and teams. As a leader who specializes in securing jewel assets, Nicole enjoys taking on new chal...

In this episode we welcome Shani Tate Ross, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Shani shares her amazing experiences and insights from her incredible career. As someone who has always had a love for sports & entertainment, she made her passion her purpose. Now, over a 15 year span with the T-Mobile Center, she has been able to create lasting memories for man...

In this episode we welcome Erin Miller, Sr. Vice President of Operations and Events for the National Basketball Retired Players Association. Erin shares her incredible career journey, starting out on a path to become a FBI Agent, but ultimately followed her gut which led her back to her roots in sports. Today, she celebrates 10 years of incredible experiences and valued relationships created at th...

In this episode we welcome Mel Raines, President & COO for Pacers Sports & Entertainment of the NBA and WNBA. Mel shares her incredible career journey, spending a significant portion of her career in politics with experiences working for US Senators, at the White House for the US Vice President, and running significant events - including multiple Republican National Conventions and the 2012 Super...

In this episode we welcome Kareeda Chones Aguam, Sr. Vice President of Partner Strategy and Management for the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA. Kareeda grew up in a basketball centered family where she learned the values of desire, determination, and dedication. It was those values that led her to become a Division 1 athlete at Marquette, and opened doors to not only launch her career with the Bucks bu...

In this episode we welcome Chelsea Drobnick, Vice President of Premium Partnerships for the New Jersey Devils of the NHL . Chelsea shares her remarkable journey launching her career in ticket sales, where she found her calling in leadership amongst some of the best in the business. From season-to season, she challenged herself by taking the path where she would face adversity and established a str...

In this episode we welcome Marissa Daly, President & General Manager of Media for the LA Rams. Marissa shares her incredible journey, where she trades in her finance career in the big apple to pursue a new path in the sports industry. Thanks to her hard work and saying yes regardless of qualifications, she has had the honor to grow and create impact at two incredible organizations - Yahoo Sports a...

In this episode we welcome Katrina Palanca, Vice President of Global Partnerships for the San Antonio Spurs, as our featured guest. Katrina shares her incredible journey, born and raised in Guam, as a fan of the game of basketball she wrote her NBA career hopes in the stars and set forth a path that led her to that moonshot goal. Now, an SBJ 2021 New Voices Under 30 honoree, Katrina is focused on...

In this episode we welcome Meka White Morris, Chief Revenue Officer for the Minnesota Twins of the MLB. Meka shares her incredible and diverse career path, starting out with the Cleveland Cavaliers and taking a journey that gave her the experience of working in NFL, college, music, attractions and for a tech start up before completing the full circle back with a team. Now the Chief Revenue Officer...

In this episode we welcome Maya Mendoza-Exstrom, Sr. Vice President of Legal and External Affairs for the Seattle Sounders of the MLS. Maya shares her remarkable experiences and journey, rooted in the heart of Seattle, she fell in love with the game of soccer thanks to her parents. It was that foundation and her decision to lead forward with her heart, that has given her the opportunity to be a di...

In this episode we welcome Iris Diaz, Chief Marketing Officer for the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA. Iris brings the energy in this conversation as she shares her remarkable journey, a journey with humble beginnings, a no quit mentality, and an inspiring determination rooted by her family to lead the life she imagined for herself.

In this episode we welcome Jessica Smith, Head of Revenue for one of the the newest clubs in the NWSL, Angel City FC. You’ll hear Jess share her incredible journey, sparked by self determination and built on the foundation of a strong work ethic, commitment to her vision, and by differentiating herself as she climbed the industry. As the Head of Revenue for Angel City, she is one of the key leader...

In this episode we welcome Emily Maguire, Vice President of Ticket Sales & Service for the Denver Nuggets. You’ll hear Emily share her career journey, starting out in inside sales and working her way up through the challenges and personal breakthroughs. Emily’s dedication to her growth and commitment to her team has led her to be one of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment’s key and impactful revenue le...

In this episode we welcome Carley Knox, President of Business Operations for the Minnesota Lynx. Carley started out as a Division 1 soccer player with the goal to coach the game she loves, but she ultimately took a path beyond the field and that would allow her to live out her passion of fighting for women’s equality. Through the power of sports and the platform of the WNBA, Carley has been leadin...

In this episode we welcome Allie Dicken. Allie serves as the Director of Brand Marketing for the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL. Allie started out knowing she wanted to work in professional sports while in High School and that vision helped drive her forward to make that dream a reality. Focused on contributing to the brand purpose, she left no stone unturned as she continues to make an impact in...

In this episode we welcome Erika Swilley, Vice President of Community & Social Responsibility for the Detroit Pistons. Erika shares her career path, which has been a journey of serving communities and making an impact in the lives of others through the power of sports. Never settling, never stopping, just focused to create a life of purpose by leading a life of service.

In this episode we welcome Lisa Walker, SVP of Business Development College Athletics for Eventellect. Lisa shares her career journey, starting out on a path to become a lawyer with the pursuit of a role in politics, but ultimately followed her passion to work in Collegiate Athletics - energized by the game and strengthened by the people who supported her along her path. A path where she followed...

In this episode we welcome Emily Jaenson as our featured guest. Emily serves as the General Manager for the Reno Aces of Minor League Baseball and was the first women to hold this position in Triple-A ball. Emily shares her career journey, starting out in the Chicago Bulls sales internship program which led to a path where she discovered a passion for partnership development and leadership. Emily...

In this episode we welcome Molly Wurdack-Folt as our featured guest. Molly serves as the VP of Corporate Partnership Activation for Olympia Entertainment which includes the Detroit Tigers of the MLB and Detroit Red Wings of the NHL. Molly shares her incredible experiences and learnings leading and growing in the sports industry. Powered by passion and by the incredible people she is surrounded by...

In this episode we welcome Krystle Hogan as our featured guest. Krystle serves as the VP of Ticket Sales & Service for the LA Clippers of the NBA. Krystle shares her incredible journey breaking into the sports industry and growing into the leader she is today. She pursued her curiosities, displayed perseverance and patience, and has been surrounded by leaders who have championed her growth through...

In this episode we welcome Catherine Carlson as our featured guest. Catherine serves as the SVP/Revenue & Strategy for the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL. You’ll hear her amazing journey, which started 30 years ago in her home country of Australia where she fell in love with sports. As a student of the industry, she came to the states to earn her Masters at UMass and instead of heading back home,...

In this episode we welcome Elizabeth DiLullo Brown as our featured guest. Elizabeth serves as the SVP/Chief Marketing Officer for Little League Baseball. You’ll hear Liz share her amazing journey as she has knocked her career out of the park growing from agency life to becoming Little League’s first female senior executive. Her impressive path is the product of a strong work ethic, expanded experi...

In this episode we welcome Vanessa Scott as our featured guest. Vanessa serves as the Director of Accounting for Houston Dynamo FC, Houston Dash, and BBVA Stadium. You’ll hear Vanessa share her incredible journey, starting out as a track athlete at Tulane University where she had to evacuate after her third day on campus due to Hurricane Katrina. That experience followed by many others taught her...