Twin Cities Member Spotlights

Member Since 2023

• What I find most valuable about being a WISE member: The opportunity to meet and connect with other women in the sports and entertainment industry!
• What major lesson did you learn in the past year?: The importance of saying No to extracurricular events in my personal life. It’s difficult when you work in the sports industry to not book myself with personal events or activities when not working. Understanding that I need rest for myself and saying No to extra-curricular activities was very restful and provided me an opportunity to relax more and prepare for the following day.  
• How do you encourage women around you?: Celebrate their achievements, encourage them to take initiative, and be a voice of encouragement.
• A book, podcast, or blog that has inspired my career is: Be Where Your Feet Are; This book talks about the importance of being present wherever you are.
• In my free time you can find me: At the lake, playing pickleball or checking out a new local restaurant.

Member Since 2021

• What I find most valuable about being a WISE member: The opportunity to connect with and learn from an incredible network of women in sports and entertainment. WISE provides a platform for growth, mentorship, and collaboration that truly empowers women in the industry.
• What major lesson did you learn in the past year?: I’ve learned that resilience and adaptability are key to both personal and professional growth. Change is inevitable, but how we navigate it determines our success.
• What do you hope to accomplish this year (personally or professionally)?: Professionally, I’m focused on expanding DEI initiatives within the Timberwolves & Lynx organization to create even more meaningful impact. Personally, I’m working on strengthening my personal brand and growing as a leader in the sports industry.
• How do you encourage women around you?: I strive to lead by example, advocate for opportunities, and create spaces where women feel seen, heard, and valued. Supporting and uplifting others is key to fostering a strong community.
• A book, podcast, or blog that has inspired my career is: "You've Been Chosen" by Cynt Marshall—her story of perseverance and leadership deeply resonates with me.
• In my free time you can find me: Spending time with my family, mentoring young professionals, and finding new ways to make an impact in my community.

Member Since 2017

• What I find most valuable about being a WISE member: I love meeting professional women (my IRL friends tend to work more in the arts and nonprofit sectors) and hearing our stories, struggles and successes.
• What major lesson did you learn in the past year? That being a manager is a whole other beast! But it’s also a whole world of stewardship and responsibility that’s exciting and full of opportunity.
• How do you encourage women around you? I’m on the planning committee for the US branch of Sportradar’s Women in Tech employee resource group – we coordinate regular events with the purpose of making Sportradar a great place for women to work. Less formally, I just try to have good, supportive relationships with my women workmates – try to remember things about them, seek to support them even in small ways. In our male-dominated industry, I keep a little extra radar spinning for feminine vibes, and I try to speak out against inequities.
• A book, podcast, or blog that has inspired my career is: I just finished The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath – it had some good insights and ideas for building memorable relationships and experiences. I read Brotopia by Emily Chang last year, and it felt like an important warning, especially for tech companies and other fields that trend toward male dominance, about how assumptions and systems, built without the input of women, can continue a destructive cycle.
• In my free time you can find me: In the woods – silent sports are my happy place! Trail running, hiking, and cross-country skiing, and last year I added swimming and mountain biking. I don’t love racing, but am looking at doing a swimrun event this summer.

Member Since 2024

• Given the size of the team and how large the event is and the impact that it has on the Twin Cities alone is massive, how will you get it done with so few staff? We are going to rely on probably around 15,000 volunteers to run this thing. We're gonna have over a 100,000 people on-site at this thing over the course of six days. We need to recruit and train 15,000 volunteers and we’re building the org charts now, even though we only have a smaller staff, we're probably around 25 or 30 staff in all. We will need to get very skilled volunteers, certainly, who are working for free and doing very important jobs. We also have a community of athletes who have intellectual disabilities that we need to protect and we need to ensure they have incredible opportunities to compete and be safe, and have fun at these games. We want them to leave and say these were 100% the best games we've ever been a part of. When you look at our leadership table it’s an incredibly skilled group, and that's purposeful. Our senior leadership team and our CEO knew that we have an uphill battle here from a fundraising perspective, especially in this corporate climate and she put very, very senior people together and who most likely took pay cuts but they want to make these games a huge success. With that determination and their efforts I have no doubt this will be far and away the best USA Games ever.
• What are the key pillars of your leadership style that guide you as you work with your team? I want everyone on my team to feel like they fully and clearly understand their personal goals and our department goals, and how important they are to achieving those. I want people to feel very much a part of the team, so team building is so important to me. I always loved leaders who gave feedback, didn't sugarcoat it and would tell you where you need to improve. That's the leader that I want to be to people too. When you're starting off in your career, you have the opportunity to observe a whole lot and figure out what you like and don't like and learn what kind of leader you want to be. I worked in baseball in the early to mid 2000’s, and there weren't a lot of people that look like me who were in leadership positions in baseball, but I always gravitated to the ones that were there and I would watch them and observe how they interacted. When I got to the LPGA the majority of the C Suite and executive table were women, and that was a huge confidence boost for me. From a communications and leadership perspective, I think starting with clarity is very important. I also know how important it is to share information that you can because the more you silo information, the worse people feel about what they're doing and what we're doing as a whole.
• How can WISE help the efforts of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games?  For now it's spreading the word, and brand awareness. The best opportunities for corporate sponsors or just people getting involved is always networking. So, talk about it, mention it and if you find yourself in a great situation where there's a corporate partner who might even have some dollars to spend, we would love to be connected in some way. There's a lot of companies out there who want to find a great inclusive organization and the Special Olympics is certainly a name that's recognizable, but sometimes people don't think of us. We want to be a good partner for all these corporations who work with us, so spread the word, network and bring some brand awareness!

Member Since 2023

• What I find most valuable about being a WISE member: The connections with colleagues across the industry, both locally and nationally, is incredibly valuable to me both personally and professionally. I think anytime you are able to connect with likeminded people in your industry it gives you a boost and gets the creative juices flowing and being with this group always gives me an energy boost.
• What major lesson did you learn in the past year? I really learned to trust my instincts. We all have the "gut feeling" we get sometimes about certain situations and circumstances and I tended to rationalize the feelings away but this year I really leaned into trusting my gut and taking leaps and well, it brought me to Minnesota!
• Have you ever had a mentor and, if so, how have they helped you? Yes, I have had mentors throughout my life in both a personal and professional capacity and I have a personal "Board of Directors" that I rely on heavily to help me see things from various perspectives. I think the main thing my mentors have helped me with is seeing myself the way that they see me and also serving as my "blind spot". Having people who can push you and hold you accountable to yourself has been key for me on my journey. 
• How do you encourage women around you? I'm a Black woman, solo mom, sports executive which in the sports industry is a bit of a unicorn so I want to make sure that I'm being a resource to those who could potentially come after me. I try to share the wins and the pain points, especially when it comes to being a mother in this industry. I want my example to be an authentic example to those around me and also those who are watching.
• A book, podcast, or blog that has inspired my career is: I am a HUGE fan of podcasts and listen to many and could name so many that have inspired me but Gamechangers Podcast with Molly Fletcher is one that I find to be really amazing. She's an inspiration herself as a sports agent and her story of getting there is just awe inspiring but her podcast is a mixture of leaders in the sports industry, and business leaders and also practical tools for leaders. I listen to it often and I'm always inspired and learn something. She's also a Michigan native like me and although she's a Spartan and I'm a Wolverine, I don't hold it against her! 

Member Since 2023

• What sets MN apart for events for large scale events? Every city is different, but here in Minnesota we put a lot of Minnesota influence and representation into what we’re helping to produce. Definitely the fans set us apart - they’re huge. One thing we try to really put out there in our bids is to show them the revenue they’re going to generate by coming here because money does drive decisions. Competing with some of those bigger markets we can still get them where they need to be financially and do that efficiently and bring this much extra. What kind of experience they want to give their fans and their athletes. 
  
• What are the key pillars of your leadership style that guide you as you work with your team? I believe in leading with empathy and honesty and meeting people where they’re at. Partnership is a key word for me and being supportive and arm in arm with your colleagues. I can’t do my job without everyone else, so we’re all in it together. Having a sense of community means that we’re stronger together so I try to lead that way and make connections between people so we can figure out answers. I like being honest and know that no one has all the answers so keep an open door policy.
  
• Are there any leaders that have shaped your path or helped you learn along the way? Absolutely and I feel so fortunate to have been able to connect with incredibly strong women through every part of my career. Thanks to the women I’m working with right now I continue to learn so much every day. It’s the kind of learning and mentorship that’s hard, but it’s not defeating hard, it’s exciting and you’re tired because you have to use your brain a lot! It’s good learning and good change and involves trying new things and taking risks. Our president (Wendy Blackshaw) has been a huge influence on me in the past three years. I’ve learned so much from her on how to model, how to approach things, how to lead conversations and I feel so lucky….One thing I have learned from women coming after me and those leading the path is the importance of shared institutional knowledge and connections. There’s no value in gatekeeping and or devaluing someone else’s experiences. You only can do better by engaging all around. Always give people the time because you never know what that conversation will lead to.
  
• Can you talk about your involvement in WISE? What do you hope fellow women in sports and events are able to get out of WISE? I really love WISE, it’s so fun to see it grow over the past few years with what Anne has done and now what Kara has taken on. It’s been really fun to connect with all these different women that I wouldn’t have otherwise. I was originally advising on the Events Committee now I’m shifting onto the Advisory Board to help from that angle and it’s fun to support and watch the upcoming leaders really get their feet wet.
• Any words of advice for WISE members? Believe in yourself and your instincts - know when something is working and when it’s right. Be honest with yourself and with those around you about what’s going on because that’s how you can get help and learn and grow. You know what you're doing so take big chances!

Member Since 2023

• For anyone pursuing, or currently in the marketing and content field, can you talk about recommendations you have? Use the things that are at your fingertips and always say yes! The biggest things that helped me were doing different training sessions and going to the learning events. On LinkedIn there’s always training that talks about strategy and digital marketing and those are at our fingertips and super easy to do. I wish I would have done more of those while at college. There’s also webinars with really successful and knowledgeable people and you might get the chance to ask them a question. Attending those have helped me so much. In my job I’ll learn something and bring it to my boss and it’s really helpful. Get a friend to join them with you, that way you can make it fun and create conversation about it afterwards.
• Have you received any coaching or had a great mentor through your career so far? If so, what has that looked like for you? I haven’t had any formal mentors but my current boss Janette Fernandez has been a big mentor for me. When I stepped into this role I was shy, not trusting of myself, I had imposter syndrome, and she helped me by inviting me to events with other women in the marketing industry, finding professional development, and giving me a lot of her time. We’ve worked on my goals and every week she checks in to make sure I’m taking one more step towards them.
• What have you seen set women apart in sports and events? Are there any common skills, values, etc. you see among women you respect throughout the industry? I think women are just so helpful and that was the thing I loved about WISE when I went to my first event.  Everybody wants to connect, people want to chat, they want to talk and they want to be a resource for me. I’m so appreciative of that. Sometimes men can withhold information for power and I think women find power in being helpful and that’s so important to me. I would never want to feel embarrassed for asking a question or asking for help or to connect. Helpful, that’s my word for this question!
• How can WISE Twin Cities members get involved with The Sanneh Foundation? The biggest thing you can do is volunteer. We are always looking for volunteers and we have so many opportunities between our nutritional food service distribution on Tuesday and Friday in the Conway community in St. Paul and the South Minneapolis community. We also have opportunities with our after school programme as well as volunteers for our soccer leagues as referees and coaches. Volunteers are how we serve our community the best and so getting more people to learn about our foundation, to value our mission and to feel connected is a big thing. All of our volunteer opportunities are listed on our website.

Member Since 2022

• What I find most valuable about being a WISE member:  In addition to making new connections, I love hearing from such successful women on how they have broken down barriers and really have been pioneers in their field. I especially love when I can hear from a woman who is wildly successful and is also an amazing mom. Having a 4 year old myself, I still struggle trying to give my all to my family and to my job so seeing how other women balance it and crush it, gives me so much motivation.
• Have you ever had a mentor and, if so, how have they helped you? I’ve never had a professional mentor, but I’ve always consistently reached out to my mom as she is a former business owner. I grew up doing odd jobs in her office and she was a “Boss Lady” before that was even a term. Because she owned and operated her business for decades, she’s been an amazing resource should I have any questions about my career or need any advice on how to approach a situation or opportunity.
• How do you encourage women around you? I think my mindset has really changed in the last few years. I used to feel this overwhelming sense of competition or comparison between myself and other colleagues or other women in the industry. When I started working at my last job, my counterpart was like my other half and that’s when my mindset shifted. It became more of a collaboration and a “how can we do this together?” “how can we succeed as a team?” type mindset. With other colleagues in the industry it became a sense of community of women just cheering each other on versus trying to be Queen of the mountain. I’ve carried that into my current role and I think it not only creates a much better culture but it helps me to be better and perform better.
• A book, podcast, or blog that has inspired my career is: Simon Sinek is my guy! Every time he speaks I feel like I have a revelation. His view of the corporate workplace, mindset and life as a whole is just phenomenal. I really think everyone should have to listen to him speak!

Member Since 2021

• What are the lessons you learned early on in your career? You have to be tenacious, and also being the only woman in the room, you have to make sure that you are really smart on your toes and that you know everything inside and out. My goal whenever I get in front of a brand is to know as much, or more, about that brand than the person I'm in front of, because I want it to be like I'm their employee already. I have taken my expertise with the KAS Group Inc. and I go and I help other agencies or whoever needs help getting in the door, and building that rapport and those relationships very quickly. I make it look easy and I get called back because I can open up those doors. It's nice that people genuinely trust and like me, but I also have Chicago guts so I can handle a lot.
• Tell me about #SheHer? About seven years ago I ended up going out to New York for an event and I connected with someone who turned out to be Shelley Zallis of #SeeHer and the Female Quotient, which is about empowering women and helping women empower other women. So I ended up working with them to help bring on board new brands. The goal was by the year 2020 we would have a 20% increase in representation of women. We reached our goal early in 2019, and I still will keep in touch with Shelley. I go to a lot of the Female Quotient events and they've exploded. They went from about 5,000 followers on LinkedIn. Now, they have over half a million people. If you have not got involved yet then you should! It's been incredible and it's on a global level. Shelley has really made my career even more impactful because I was in a room full of change agents and change makers, and it makes you realize you can do anything and change anything, because as Shelley says, a woman alone has power, collectively we have impact.
• For those who are looking to enter the industry or those that are seasoned professionals, what do you hope fellow women in sports events are able to get out of WISE? Just like anything else, you get what you put into it. If you put in 5%, you get 5%. If you want to learn something new, if you don't understand digital well, or you don't understand ticketing or you don't understand event activation, go and volunteer. It's a great way to learn and when you go back to the office, you can say, I picked up this new skill set. I also want to say, don't just network inside your WISE network in the Twin Cities. It's a national program.  I've never worked for a team or a league, but I’ve done a lot of different roles and we are all sellers. You sell yourself every single day and I don't think people realize that. If you're just brand new, just getting in, it’s a good way to network, but if you're a seasoned person it's a great way to help give back too. I think if you're not giving back one way or another in the community, you're not doing what you're supposed to be here for. You’ve got to share your gifts.  I didn't climb the corporate ladder, I built my own career. I've had a really interesting dynamic career and whatever you want, you can make it happen. It's just belief in yourself and getting that imposter system out of you and, even before Nike said, just do it! What have you got to lose, go open that door!

Member Since 2022

• How have you helped make Minneapolis and the US Bank Stadium a destination that artists want to come to? This all goes back to our staff and they excel at the experience portion of hosting events. It is important to everyone here that whoever comes into the building, whether it’s the artist, tour staff, guests, we want it to be the best experience they can possibly have. Our goal is always to have the tour staff say ‘that was our best stop yet’. That’s what keeps shows coming back and we’re starting to see that and the shows we’re booking is all due to the relationships and the experience that we’re providing. We have to build trust and the promoters have to feel like the most important person on the planet and know that you and your team are going to go above and beyond across all areas. That means getting the ticketing right, welcome gifts for the artist - there’s so many things that go into it. Our team all have a competitive nature and that’s how we work together to focus on that common goal. We want everything to be the best and we’re all on the same page with that.
• As your career has grown, how have you seen your leadership style change and who has helped you develop that along the way? I’ve been really lucky to have some great role models and mentors that have invested in me. Hopefully I’m doing that now to pay that forward through mentoring and coaching others. For me, no matter where you’re at in your career, you should always be learning and at every stage. I’ve had people that I’ve really learned a lot from. Even as recently as a couple of years ago, our company merged with another and I was exposed to new leaders in that space and that was a great experience. 
• What does being involved in WISE mean to you? It’s all about connections. Having been in the market for a long time I know a lot of people and it’s a good reminder and excuse to get together and reconnect. This is a great community where we can come together with others that understand what we do. It takes special people to work in our industry so it’s important to be together with them.
• For people that want to advance in the events industry, are there specific values or skills that set people apart? Dedication and a lot of hard work, as well as a willingness to put your job ahead of personal needs. But it also can be a lot of fun so it doesn’t always feel like work. Even though we’re running around doing all kinds of stuff on an event day, at the end of the day we’re at a concert or an event. I can’t complain! -- I appreciate the opportunity to be able to share my experiences and hopefully it helps somebody else who’s out there who may want to get into some craziness in their life and get into this insane business that we’re all in.

Member Since 2021

• What I find most valuable about being a member of WISE: The sense of belonging that comes from being surrounded by so many inspiring women.
• What major lesson(s) did you learn in 2022? The importance of prioritizing self-care. Facing the fact that I am never going to be “caught up” and that I need to take time for myself once in a while without feeling guilty about it (although this is still a work in progress 😊).
• What do you hope to accomplish this year? Personal – to travel someplace new. Professional – I love to learn, so each year I look for new learning opportunities. In 2023, I plan to evaluate leadership coaching certificate programs and complete one in the calendar year
• Who is your mentor and how have they inspired you? I am fortunate to have a number of mentors who share their knowledge, vulnerabilities, candid feedback and encouragement. The most inspiring aspect of these relationships is learning about other people’s journeys and challenges they faced along the way. Too often we have unrealistic perceptions of other people’s leadership journeys and when we experience challenges/failures on our own journeys we tend to internalize these experiences and fill our minds with self-doubt.
• How do you encourage other women around you? By celebrating their WINS no matter how big or small. As women we tend to be so hard on ourselves which can be exhausting, it’s important to give ourselves credit once in a while! 
• One of my favorite books, podcasts or blogs is: Anything from Brené Brown – Books, Podcasts, etc. If I had to choose one, it would be Dare to Lead.
• In my free time I'm: Spending time with family and friends, in the winter someplace indoors and in the summer OUTDOORS in the sunshine. 

Member Since 2021

• What I find most valuable about being a member of WISE: I have honestly valued this network of women to connect with as I entered the sports & entertainment industry. In my short time I have enjoyed the opportunities to share our stories, learn together, and simply grow a supportive network.
• What major lesson(s) did you learn last year? Take time to recognize the small wins. Remember it is okay to lean on and reach out to your networks for support. Take the time to listen to your own advice – we are the hardest on ourselves but we too deserve the grace we try to afford to others. Take a deep breath. Take that day off, sis!
• What do you hope to accomplish this year? In 2022, I hope to make a positive impact personally and professionally. That may be by creating space for others, leading work or community initiatives, or simply holding conversations. It will take shape as the days continue, but that is one thing I hope to accomplish, creating a positive impact.
• My first job was: My first job in high school was as the drive-thru queen at Arby’s. After college, I worked as a front desk receptionist at a local non-profit, the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery.
• Who is your mentor and how have they inspired you? Bernice Lamkin at Xcel Energy; she has been in my corner cheering me on, being a sounding board on projects I’ve lead, and inspired me through her own career growth as a black woman. Her words of reassurance and feedback ring through my mind on most days when my nerves or anxiety feel insurmountable.
• How do you lift up other women around you? I find it really important to advocate for other women in meetings they may not also be at. Recommending to pull someone into a project or discussion while highlighting how beneficial it will be to have their input or viewpoint will be.
• In my free time I'm: watching any one of our Minnesota sports teams, crocheting another scarf, or on a patio in the warmer months.

Member Since 2022

• What I find most valuable about being a member of WISE: The connections and learning opportunities with such inspirational and accomplished women.
• The best career advice I've received: No matter who is in the room - do not be afraid to ask questions.
• I'm currently intrigued by Book/Podcast/Blog/Journal: The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them Now by Meg Jay
• In my free time, I'm: Running, at the beach, fishing, or spending time with family & friends.
• If I had a walk-up song, it would be: Brand New by Ben Rector
• What is your biggest accomplishment this year? Being part of and contributing to the continuous growth processes of Premier Sport Psychology.
• Name an athlete who inspires you: Coworker and former Olympic swimmer, David Plummer - His story is INCREDIBLY inspiring and I'm fortunate to work alongside him every day!

Member Since 2018

• What I love about being on the WISE Twin Cities Board of Directors: The opportunity to learn from women with varied experiences across the industry and the possibility of offering support in return.
• The best career advice I've received: Talk to everyone! Relationships are key. 
• Book/Podcast/Blog/Journal I'm currently intrigued by: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Robert Sapolsky
• In my free time, I'm: updating and working on my home. 
• If I had a walk-up song, it would be: Like This by Kelly Rowland and Eve
• What are you working on? I am working on an online resource system that supports and connects amateur sports organizations and stakeholders in effort to make recreational opportunities more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable across the state. 
• Name an athlete who inspires you: Maya Moore. 
• What I find most valuable about being a WISE member: So far it has been a great way to meet and fellowship with women across the industry. It has been great to learn about other roles and opportunities that exist in the event space. I have also had the opportunity to reconnect with people from past roles and see where their work journey has taken them. 
• Have you ever had a mentor and, if so, how have they helped you: I have had a few mentors throughout my career. I think one of most important things I have gained was the ability to take time and see things from another perspective. Realizing just how much your past experiences influence your decision making and interactions has helped me develop more empathy.  It really goes a long way in assuming positive intent when you are able to take a minute and put yourself in someone else's shoes and see the other factors that are affecting the way they are reacting to a situation.
• How do you encourage women around you: I make it known that I am always available as a resource to bounce ideas off of as well as being vocal about celebrating successes big and small. I have realized that women on teams try to downplay their contributions, so I try to make a point to bring forward their ideas in project planning meetings and give them space to expound on ideas within the group.  It is also about being an advocate and making sure to speak well about them and give them credit even if they aren't in the room. 
• A book, podcast, or blog that has inspired my career is: True North, it was a book that I had to read for a leadership class. It had the added benefit of helping to determine and define my internal perspective and a framework moving forward with my career. Understanding my internal motivations helps ensure that I am alway moving authentically through any environment or situation

Member Since 2018

• What I love about being on the WISE Twin Cities Board of Directors: Serving on the board has allowed me to build a close network of strong women across the sports industry. My fellow board members inspire me every day, and I have learned so much from them. I also love attending our events to meet new people and connect with our membership base.
• The best career advice I've received: 1. Bring your authentic self to everything you do. 2. Don't be afraid to ask for what you want.
• I'm currently intrigued by Book/Podcast/Blog/Journal: I'm kind of a money nerd. So I rotate between a few personal finance podcasts and audiobooks.
• In my free time, I'm: drinking cold brew coffee, chasing after my kids, and exploring the Twin Cities with my family.
• If I had a walk-up song, it would be: Don't Stop Believin' by Journey.
• What are you working on? I'm working on being more intentional with my time to slow down, create balance and enjoy the little moments in life.
• Name an athlete who inspires you: My daughters. Watching them try new sports, learn new skills, make friends, and gain confidence is one of my greatest joys in life.

Member Since 2023

• What I find most valuable about being a WISE member: Getting a glimpse into all the different types of professions that make up the sporting and entertainment industry. 
• What major lesson did you learn in the past year? Listen. Learn. Lead. 
• What do you hope to accomplish this year (personally or professionally)? This year I have been focusing on intangible goals in all facets of life: dealing with challenging situations,  having difficult conversations when needed, and understanding how the people around me work. 
• Have you ever had a mentor and, if so, how have they helped you? Yes, many, although they might not all realize it. I'll talk specifically about one mentor. I was fortunate enough to meet her early on in my career and she opened up my eyes to the world of data science. She has encouraged me to take jobs that push my limits and talked candidly about negotiations and valuing myself properly.  
• How do you encourage women around you? I encourage them to self-advocate and know their self-worth, provide a sounding board when needed, and celebrate their successes!
• A book, podcast, or blog that has inspired my career is: Honestly, I don't have one. For me, inspiration comes from within and from the people around me doing amazing things! 
• In my free time you can find me: Playing sports, traveling, reading, and spending time in nature. Currently, my main sport is Australian Rules Football. I play locally for the MN Freeze and nationally with the USA Freedom. Upcoming trips include Banff and New Zealand.

Member Since 2023

• What I find most valuable about being a WISE member:  I am a very new member and it is exciting to see the number of Women in this arena!  I look forward to the connections with the talented women of this group,  
• What major lesson did you learn in the past year? This year has been a testament to the importance of challenging my beliefs. It's easy to become complacent, holding onto ideas simply because they're familiar or comfortable. Yet, when we actively question and scrutinize our beliefs, we open ourselves up to growth and understanding. One of the key lessons learned is that beliefs are not static; they evolve as we gain new experiences and knowledge. By challenging our beliefs, we invite critical thinking and introspection into our lives, leading to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
• Have you ever had a mentor and, if so, how have they helped you? I have had some amazing mentors.  Having a mentor who has inspired me to look beyond my potential has been transformative. Their guidance, wisdom, and unwavering belief in my abilities have not only propelled me forward but also expanded my horizons. Through their mentorship, I've learned to challenge self-imposed limitations, embrace new opportunities, and strive for excellence. Their influence extends far beyond professional growth; it's a testament to the profound impact mentorship can have on one's journey of personal development and fulfillment. I am deeply grateful for their support and commitment to helping me reach heights I never imagined possible.
• How do you encourage women around you?  I think that recognition of accomplishments even seemingly smaller ones is such an important part of encouraging women when they feel that no one sees their effort and work.  The day-to-day tasks and doing them at a high level are as important in encouraging progress and leadership at a higher level.  Also, encouraging women when there are challenges and failure is a part of the process of recognizing that every opportunity provides learning and growth.
• A book, podcast, or blog that has inspired my career is:  Present not Perfect   
• In my free time you can find me:  Enjoying live music with my husband, time with my 4 daughters and traveling! 

Member Since 2024

• What I find most valuable about being a WISE member: The networking opportunities to engage with other women in sports and events. It has been so valuable getting to know others in the industry and the events WISE puts together does an amazing job enabling it.
• What major lesson did you learn in the past year? So many great lessons in starting my company – the main ones is that Leadership is all about influencing and bringing value – and the best way to do that is to give value first. You get what you give.
• What do you hope to accomplish this year (personally or professionally)? I just started my studying for the NASM CPT I am so excited! All my life I am been very interested in sports and coaching – this brings both of those loves together and I am excited to add this service to my company and work with individuals, athletes, and corporate athletes (executives).
• Have you ever had a mentor and, if so, how have they helped you? I have been blessed to have many great mentors in my life. What sums all of them up is just hearing their stories, them being vulnerable with me about their life journeys – the good and the challenges – and what they have learned from them. All of my mentors have a growth mindset and I have learned so much from them about how to tackle all life situations as learning opportunities. There is so much growth to endure from them if we let ourselves.
• How do you encourage women around you? First and foremost, I pay it forward from my mentors and share my life story and what I have learned from it in hopes of it inspiring others. Secondly, I am very active in several women-led associations in the Twin Cities – WISE being one of them – I think it’s important to always be building that network & create amazing connections, and lastly, being a mentor myself to many female entrepreneurs providing consulting and coaching to them as they continue to grow both personally and professionally.
• A book, podcast, or blog that has inspired my career is: The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John C. Maxwell
• In my free time you can find me: at the soccer field I am a HUGE MNUFC fan and have played soccer all my life😊

Member Since 2018

• What I find most valuable about being a WISE member:  Meeting so many smart, hard-working women with similar passions.  I’ve been inspired by so many women in the industry and have built wonderful networks and friendships. 
• What major lesson did you learn in the past year?  It’s ok to change your goals as your life changes.  Life is so fluid and unpredictable.  You’re not quitting; you’re re-aligning. 
• What do you hope to accomplish this year (personally or professionally)?  I hope to quit comparing myself to others and also to focus less on my past mistakes and more on my future opportunities.
• Have you ever had a mentor and, if so, how have they helped you?  My former boss of ten years has been my greatest teacher and supporter of my career.  He listened when I told him my goals and helped me achieve them by teaching me about the business, giving me the exposure and responsibility, and letting me fail and succeed.  Even after he left the company, he reaches out to check in and catch up.  It’s a relationship I’ll forever be grateful for.
• How do you encourage women around you?  I am a working mom of three kids and I am a huge supporter not only of work-life balance but also supporting new parents.  I advocated for a better pumping room in our office as well as a better parental leave benefit.  Working parents should feel supported in order to do their best work.
• A book, podcast, or blog that has inspired my career is:  Anything and everything by Brene Brown.  I think about her books and podcasts daily.
• In my free time you can find me: Watching/coaching my kids’ hockey, playing broomball, running, attending stand-up comedy show

Member Since 2023

• What I find most valuable about being a WISE member: The ability to network with such a diverse and strong group of women in the industry.
• What major lesson did you learn in the past year? That sometimes it is ok to say no to the things (meetings, events, obligations) that do not bring added value to your life, personally or professionally.
• What do you hope to accomplish this year (personally or professionally)? Continue to drive revenue across my accounts. Find new ways to elevate the fan experience with food and beverage and develop future leaders of this business.
• Have you ever had a mentor and, if so, how have they helped you? Yes. My former GM. He believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. He believed in me when others did not think I could commit the time it would take to grow in this industry while also raising children. He always reminded me to focus on the quality of work that I was doing, that the rewards would follow. He was right.
• How do you encourage women around you? I try to extend the same grace I was given. Remind them that the sky is limit. That we can have it all, just in various ways and moments. And in my office and in the way that I lead my team, it is family first. The rest will work itself out.
• A book, podcast, or blog that has inspired my career is: Not so much books or podcasts. I would say I am visually inspired. I spend a lot of time on the web or Pinterest looking for new ways to push the envelope in food creativity.
• In my free time you can find me: With my family at our home, relaxing.

Member Since 2022

• How can the WISE community help bring attention to the 3M Open? Social engagement is a huge win for us. It’s something we always encourage volunteers, 3M employees and any other communities to do. That’s a great way that WISE can help us!
• What are the key pillars of your leadership style that guide you as you work with your organization? I always like to tell my interns that I’m not a micromanager. We really value our interns here and I always tell them that we’re never going to let you fail because if you fail, we all fail. No matter what we’re here to guide. I’m big on questions and I want them to ask me anything they need to, and I’ll figure out a way to answer it.
• Are there lessons you learned early in your career that helped shape how you operate in your role today? One thing I learned early on working with 1200 plus volunteers is to learn people’s names. It matters to them and it makes them want to show up. I say to everyone on my team, learn five names and learn a little bit about their story. Truly getting to know people, asking them questions and just being a human goes a really long way, especially with loyalty. Volunteerism is declining so for us to be able to embrace those humans is important for us as a tournament.
• How have women helped you along your career path (any particular mentors, advice, etc.)? There is a woman I work with in our HQ and she oversees our corporate events and she’s always been a great sounding board for me and someone who’s challenged me and taught me a lot about management. She always says ‘I’m never going to give you a task that I haven’t done’, which I think is important in events. She takes the time to understand every aspect of an event so she can speak to it. I think that’s really powerful to understand what’s on other people’s plate.
• What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone trying to get a role like yours? Get involved! Go and volunteer at an event like the Twin Cities Marathon. You never know who you’re going to meet. Understanding the back end of sports events is invaluable experience. Also, don’t say no to opportunities, you never know where it will lead.
• Can you talk about your involvement in WISE? What do you hope fellow women in sports and events are able to get out of WISE? One of my favorite things about WISE is learning about other opportunities and positions. The Sportradar event is an example - I learnt so much from that and it really blew my mind. I’ve also learnt that working in sports is not just working for a team - there’s so many other avenues and I think WISE really opens your eyes to that.

Member Since 2022

• What I find most valuable about being a WISE member: So far it has been a great way to meet and fellowship with women across the industry. It has been great to learn about other roles and opportunities that exist in the event space. I have also had the opportunity to reconnect with people from past roles and see where their work journey has taken them. 
• Have you ever had a mentor and, if so, how have they helped you: I have had a few mentors throughout my career. I think one of most important things I have gained was the ability to take time and see things from another perspective. Realizing just how much your past experiences influence your decision making and interactions has helped me develop more empathy.  It really goes a long way in assuming positive intent when you are able to take a minute and put yourself in someone else's shoes and see the other factors that are affecting the way they are reacting to a situation.
• How do you encourage women around you: I make it known that I am always available as a resource to bounce ideas off of as well as being vocal about celebrating successes big and small. I have realized that women on teams try to downplay their contributions, so I try to make a point to bring forward their ideas in project planning meetings and give them space to expound on ideas within the group.  It is also about being an advocate and making sure to speak well about them and give them credit even if they aren't in the room. 
• A book, podcast, or blog that has inspired my career is: True North, it was a book that I had to read for a leadership class. It had the added benefit of helping to determine and define my internal perspective and a framework moving forward with my career. Understanding my internal motivations helps ensure that I am alway moving authentically through any environment or situation

Member Since 2024

• What I find most valuable about being a WISE member: Having the awareness about the tremendous strides women are accomplishing in sports and having the opportunity to network with other accomplished women.
• What major lesson did you learn in the past year? Slow down. Pause.  
• What do you hope to accomplish this year (personally or professionally)? Provide broader programming for a more diverse community.
• Have you ever had a mentor and, if so, how have they helped you? There have been many amazing and a few really not so amazing leaders throughout my career. Important lessons were learned from both sides about work ethic, awareness, organization and culture.  
• How do you encourage women around you? Empower with knowledge and guidance. Support with flexibility, understanding and kindness.
• A book, podcast, or blog that has inspired my career is: Passion for the sport has been the inspiration not so much a specific book, podcast or blog.
• In my free time you can find me: At the ice rink watching the Wild, college hockey, the PWHL or my children.