WISE Twin Cities Advisory Board

Jessica Poole has been an industry leader in athletics for over 20 years. She believes that sports can change the world and has enjoyed seeing the opportunities created and lives changed when people have the opportunity to participate in sports. While the bulk of her career has been spent in a college setting, Poole has spent time working in professional tennis and the opportunity with Minnesota Aurora FC provides her an opportunity to return to her first sport of soccer. 

“The mission and vision of Minnesota Aurora FC is unique and rare in today’s athletic landscape and culture. The idea that we are able to center all that we do around values steeped in community, equality and boldness is a game changer for our organization. I am grateful to have a front row seat for all that we will accomplish now and in the future.” 

Prior to taking on her role at Minnesota Aurora, Poole served as the Deputy Athletic Director at Chicago State University and also served as Interim Director of Athletics. Poole provided leadership, vision, strategy, direction and management over professional and support staff with oversight of business operations, human resources, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), facilities, events, campus engagement, and capital engagement.  Poole also led in the oversight and management of policy development and strategic planning.  

Poole also served as Senior Associate AD for External Operations at Florida Atlantic University where she oversaw FAU's communications, marketing and corporate sponsorship areas while serving as a member of the athletics leadership team. 

A communications specialist by nature, Poole served in athletic communications capacities in athletic departments in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) at Vanderbilt and Ole Miss, in the Big Ten at Michigan and also in the Ivy League at Dartmouth College. 

When not out and about representing Aurora, Poole is active on the Board of College Sports Communicators (CSC), where she recently completed service as Board Chair and was the first Black woman to hold the position. She is also a member of the Black College Sports Information Directors and serves as a member of the executive team while also serving on the NCAA's Women's Basketball Final Four Media Coordination Committee.

She is also mom to her son William and enjoys spending time with friends and family. As an Ann Arbor, Michigan native, you can also always catch her cheering on her beloved Michigan Wolverines.

Kristin Gow is a sports tech product leader, working as a Senior Delivery Manager for Second Spectrum. In her role, she works closely with business development, engineering and operational teams to track partner data delivery requirements across a variety of sports leagues.

Kristin graduated from the University of Minnesota (Go Gophers!) with a major in Communication Studies and a minor in Journalism & Mass Communication. After graduating, she landed her first job in sports as a community relations intern for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx. Kristin went on to work in television as a floor director for a local TV station and started hosting and producing backstage features with guests of their lifestyle show. In that role, she discovered her love of storytelling and decided to pack up and move to Austin, MN to pursue a job as a television reporter. During her time in Southern Minnesota, Kristin reported on a large tornado outbreak, covered numerous state high school tournaments, hosted a weekly high school sports show and interviewed some of Minnesota’s top professional athletes. Kristin returned home to the Twin Cities in 2012 and moved behind the camera to work in the business side of broadcast sports. During her career in the sports industry, she has held leadership roles in both sales operations and product management. She loves working on projects that allow her to work cross-functionally between business and technology teams.

Kristin lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys running, drinking iced coffee, listening to audiobooks, traveling with her family and volunteering with her daughters’ sports teams.

Martin Nance serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the club, where he's responsible for developing fan engagement strategy through marketing, content and brand initiatives. Nance manages multiple departments, including marketing, sponsorship activation, events, premium services, creative, sales analytics & engagement and Vikings Entertainment Network.

Nance joined the organization in 2020 with over 10 years of leadership experience in strategic marketing programs, advertising, branding, fan engagement and customer relations for PepsiCo/Gatorade, previously serving as the Senior Director of Marketing and Sports Intelligence. Prior to his move to senior director, Nance served in a number of roles for PepsiCo/Gatorade from 2011-20, including Director of Marketing and Head of Gatorade Athlete Activation (2018-20), Senior Marketing Manager of Gatorade Brand Strategy (2015-18), Marketing Innovation Manager (2013-15) and Marketing Associate Manager (2011-13).

Megan Gunderson is the Vice President of Marketing with Minnesota United, focused on leading the strategy surrounding club-wide marketing and events. During her tenure, she helped transition the club through its inaugural season into Major League Soccer in 2017 and opened Allianz Field in 2019.

Prior to joining Minnesota United, Megan spent ten years at creative agencies working with clients from telecom to the Minnesota Twins.

Megan is a proud graduate and former Women’s Soccer player of Gustavus Adolphus College. Currently, Megan likes to spend her free time with family and friends, enjoying the outdoors as much as possible.

Sianneh Mulbah is in her 11th season with the Timberwolves and Lynx and third as Chief People Officer. Mulbah is responsible for the development and execution of the organization’s comprehensive human resources strategy. During her tenure, Mulbah has played a crucial role in the transformation of the organization’s culture, using human resources to develop business strategies, guide decisions, and meet the needs and goals of the organization and its employees. 

In 2019, Mulbah became the first Timberwolves and Lynx employee to receive the prestigious Sports Business Journal “Game Changers” award. Mulbah was one of forty women across the nation who were honored for their work transforming the sports industry and leading the next generation in sports business. In 2018 Mulbah was named to Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s prestigious “40 Under 40” list, which recognizes high-achieving business leaders in the community. Most recently, Mulbah was named a Twin Cities Business 2021 Notable BIPOC Executive for her leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Mulbah leads the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Women in Sports Leadership Council, which focuses on the professional growth and development of women in the workplace. She serves on the board of directors of the Twin Cities chapter of Women in Sports and Events (WISE) and is secretary of the Native American Parent Council – School District 196. 

A graduate of Bemidji State University, Mulbah received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She received a double Master’s degree in Organizational Management–HR and Business Administration from Concordia University St. Paul. Mulbah resides in Burnsville, Minn. with her son and daughter.

Professionally: Tami Hedrick spent decades in the professional sports industry, as Director of Women’s Initiatives, Strategic Development and Cheerleading for the Minnesota Vikings (NFL).  She also worked for over seven seasons with the Minnesota Swarm (NLL) when the Minnesota Wild brought them to the Twin Cities. She served on the Minnesota Vikings Innovation Committee, and her professional experiences include work in sales, marketing, event management, operations, and production. 

Now, Tami is the Executive Vice President of External Engagement at MATTER, a global non-profit.  She is focused on expanding their MATTERbox volunteer and food supply program nationwide, in addition to assisting with strategic growth around the world. She is leading the MATTER Pro initiative, building a portfolio of working with professional athletes to launch projects that improve communities.  Tami is also a real estate agent in the south metro area with eXp Realty and the Property Geeks.

Additionally: Tami’s passion for dreaming big, seeing those dreams realized and building something from nothing have served her well!   Tami served as the President of the Women in Sports and Events Twin Cities chapter since its inception and is now honored to be serving on their Advisory Board. Tami was named one of the Top 50 Women in Business by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal and is active with several local professional women’s groups.  Tami has been a volunteer with the American Heart Association for over a decade, even being named volunteer of the year in 2009-2010. Tami was a home shopping network television on-air host for nearly four years with ShopNBC and ShopHQ. Her motto is “Work hard. Trust God. Do good.” As a former Mrs. Minnesota America and International, Tami has experience turning goals into realities.    

Personally:  Tami is a proud wife to her husband Matt, a Sergeant in the police department.   They have a blended family with seven children, plus a “fur baby” – a Yorki-poo, who is the princess of the house.   They love to go boating and traveling, fishing, kayaking, reading, attending their kid’s events and eating out at new places.