Marble Collective’s Post

Women Leaders in Sports Recap I had an incredible experience attending the Women Leaders in Sports Convention in New Orleans. The convention featured three days of expert panels, breakout sessions, amazing keynote speakers, and countless networking opportunities. I want to thank Texas A&M Athletics for providing this opportunity and continuously creating opportunities for growth and professional development. Here were some of my key takeaways from the three days: 1. Representation matters! It is so important to celebrate and highlight the advances of women in sports so that the next generation of young future women in sports see what is possible for them. Many times we as women may enter a space where we don’t see many people that look like us. The more we see other women succeeding and entering spaces that were previously closed off, the closer we get to equitable representation. Cathie Schweitzer, Nike Lifetime Achievement Award winner said in a panel: “One day we will be able to say we were not the first.” 2. Do the work and don’t worry about who gets the credit. NCAA President Charlie Baker, our keynote speaker on the last day, gave this great piece of advice. He said the best way to get work done is to release the expectation of receiving credit and he emphasized that this was the attitude of the NCAA when dealing with several issue surrounding student-athletes. This resonated with me as I too believe that when there is a common goal, it matters more that the work gets done as opposed to trying to claim credit. 3. Don’t try to micromanage your future. It was inspiring as well as comforting to hear so many women speak on how unanticipated changes set them on a new career path that ended up being a blessing in disguise. Many women ended up working in sports that never planned on that and they are so happy where they are. We had the privilege of speaking with Lynn Holzman, NCAA VP for Women’s Basketball, and she told us about how she had to pivot unexpectedly in her career and that is how she ended up in her current position. When she spoke about the work she does for student-athletes through the NCAA, her enthusiasm and passion was contagious. As a senior in college thinking about my next career steps, it is comforting to hear her advice on allowing yourself to pivot, change your mind, and allow things to fall into place. 4. Listen to understand, not to respond. Many different panels emphasized the importance of intentionality and intentional listening. Especially when leading others, it is important to be inclusive and gather the perspective of every stakeholder. You have something to learn from everyone and you have to be willing to compromise and put your ego and biases aside. There is currency in connections and to gain social capital you you have to build trust with people - and you do this by listing to them. (continued in the comments)

Viewership and investment in women's sports have never been higher. However, women's representation in leadership roles at the collegiate and professional level still presents a significant challenge. The time for change is now. Check out this insightful article from Korn Ferry about the importance of advancing women into leadership positions in sports. Let's work together to make sure that women's sports continue to grow and thrive. #WomenInSports #Leadership #Equality

As we celebrate National Women in Sports day, I would like to highlight Jennifer Lynne Williams and her profound influence on shaping the next generation of sports business leaders! Check out the full article ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eMCzPKs9

“Sport is a microcosm of society. It reflects what’s going on in the rest of the world and in businesses. We know that if you have at least 30% of women on a board, that [margins] go up 6%. We know that 94% of women in the c-suites identify as an athlete,” claims Billie Jean King. Billie Jean King is the incarnation of the fact that the fight for equality, equity, and inclusion… demands to be taken further. Leaders need to demonstrate the business case for investing in DE&I efforts, and Billie argues that women’s sports leaders need to call attention to the financial opportunity of investing in women’s sports in order to make progress. #DEI #DEIStrategy #WomenSports #WomenEmpoweringWomen #BusinessLeaders #BusinessLeadership #InvestmentStrategies

Professional women athletes are shattering stereotypes, taking pride in "throwing like a girl." 🏀 Thank you to all who joined last week's "Her Moment" event as we explored the future of women's sports. The discussions were eye-opening and filled with optimism for the future of women's athletics: 📈 Unprecedented Growth: Women's elite sports revenue is projected to surpass the $1 billion mark. The WNBA Atlanta Dream reported significant increases in staff, game attendance, and viewership. 💼 New Opportunities: Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals have opened doors for female collegiate athletes. Interestingly, women's sports have attracted nearly twice as many sponsorship deals as men's sports in some cases. 🤝 Authentic Partnerships: Brands are moving away from the "pink and shrink" approach. There's a growing focus on creating authentic connections with athletes and developing personalized content for target audiences. 📺 Media Impact: Increased media coverage and distribution have played a crucial role in growth. Star athletes like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are driving audience engagement. ⚖️ Equal Pay as a Catalyst: Initiatives for equal pay, especially in soccer, have become a significant driver for growth and visibility in women's sports. 🎯 Dual-Team Approach: Many organizations are now supporting both men's and women's teams in their sponsorships, recognizing the value in a more inclusive strategy. Special thank you to our panelists: Jen Johns Morgan Shaw Parker Shelby Wright Alyx Wynn Chris Bigda And of course, a special thank you to our board: John Levinson Nick Schittone Paul Carpenter Courtney Tierney Kevin Planovsky Rich Nobliski, MBA Jamal Harris Kim Englehardt Miller Sarah Tourville Kari Hiner Joe Koufman Guy R. Powell Nina Norris Hines, BBA Aaron Gill Karen Phillips Liz Farquhar Jenny Reineck Kiera Wiatrak Andy Leonard Kellye DeMott Gardner Sequoyah Glenn, MBA Warren Davis, MAcc Christina Steiner Kim Pollard Meghan Irwin #AMAAtlanta #HerMoment

"The conversation examines the unique role sports play in providing opportunities for underserved communities, and why women are more likely to foster a positive and inclusive work environment." Read How Does Prioritizing Diversity Reshape the Business & Culture of Sports below. #business #diversity

Louise K. Allen, your message is powerful and underscores many important topics. As my mentor over the last 2 years, your guidance has been instrumental in shaping my career. Your leadership transcends gender boundaries. Your perspectives have helped shape me, and I am incredibly thankful for that. You're not just a role model for aspiring female leaders but a role model for all leaders. #Leadership #Mentorship #BreakingBarriers

💯💯#womenleadership #womenleaders #partnershipsystems. We lead with our values that put people, planet, and purpose first. Community first. Leading by thinking about the impact on others.

TAYLOR SWIFT ON THIS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2024 Today is the 8th of March, International Women's Day! Congratulations to all! A couple of weeks ago we all enjoyed #SuperBowlLVII, that had a global audience of 62.5 million viewers who witnessed #patrickmahomes lead the #kansascitychiefs to their third Super Bowl Championship. But watching the broadcast of this sports event, there was another key figure in the 2024 Super Bowl - #TaylorSwift, TIME Magazine's Person of the Year. And today, on March 8th, we celebrate how this American woman and cultural icon exerted her Midas Touch to this year´s Super Bowl. Taylor Swift's relationship with Travis Kelce, tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, had a surprising impact on the National Football League (NFL) and the 2024 Super Bowl. Here are some numbers to illustrate that: 🏈 BRAND VALUE BOOST: Reports estimate Taylor's presence generated a whopping $331.5 million in brand value for both the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL itself. This surge likely came from increased media attention and fan engagement due to the celebrity connection. 👕JERSEY SALES SKYROCKET: Travis Kelce's jersey sales reportedly saw a near 400% increase after Taylor was spotted wearing it at a game. This demonstrates the power of her influence, even outside the music industry. 🏆 GLOBAL AUDIENCE: The Super Bowl had a 10% increase in global audience, and although difficult to estimate the “TAYLOR SWIFT EFFECT”, industry experts predicted it probably increased viewership because of the massive and dedicated fan base she has and the fact that some fans likely tuned in specifically to see her performance. As we celebrate International Women's Day, let's celebrate the influence of women in shaping not just entertainment and sports, but society as a whole. ✨ Taylor Swift's ability to transcend industries underscores the power of women's voices and the importance of recognizing, amplifying and celebrating their contributions everywhere. 🏅 #success #internationalwomensday2024 #taylorswift #superbowl #nfl

Is your business investing in women's sports or hiring women who played sports in college? If not, this article provides some compelling reasons why you should. According to the article, companies that invest in women's sports see a 63% increase in brand favorability, and those that support women in sports have a 19% higher likelihood of being recommended by their employees. Additionally, hiring women who played sports in college can lead to a more diverse and inclusive workplace with improved teamwork and leadership skills. Check out the article to learn more about the benefits of investing in women in sports. #womeninsports #diversityandinclusion #leadershipskills