By Claudia Villarinho Ramos, Journalist; SIGA Women mentee
The first edition of SIGA Masterclass on Female Leadership in Sport, hosted by Mastercard in New York City, was met with resounding success, marking a significant milestone in advancing gender equity within the sporting world. This pioneering event brought together some of the most influential figures in sports governance, coaching, sales and executives, all united by a common goal: to inspire and foster female leadership across all levels of sports.
The Masterclass was attended by aspiring leaders from a range of multi-industry leading including Arsenal FC, Yale University, Verizon, tcs, NY Red Bulls, EPIC Global Solutions, Mastercard, UN Global Compact, APC Sports Consulting, underdog venture team, Horizon Sports & Experiences, among others.
Katie Simmonds, Global Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director, SIGAWomen, opened the ceremony designed to address the challenges, celebrate the achievements, and outline the untapped potential of female leaders within the sports industry, and how the organization has been working for five years towards the advancement of women in leadership positions. The Masterclass proves the effort SIGA Women are devoting, which translates into tangible progress. She encouraged the young women to follow her lead, seeking the three “Cs”: “be confident, be curious and be a catalyst for change.”
In a safe space where all the speakers were delighted to share their trajectory, Mary E. Davis, Capstone Professor, Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs Yale University supported speakers with moderation, contributing to smoother conversation.
Jennifer Ziemer, Director, Global Sponsorships at Mastercard, discussed Sport Sponsorship 2:0, dissecting some success cases of the company, such as the Priceless campaign. It was enlightening and transformative.
Kate Solomon, CEO, Athletic Cosmetic Company spoke on SESSION 2 – Inclusivity: The Key to Innovation. Her session was enriched by her journeys in huge companies, balancing personal stories, until creating her unique company, that offers specific makeups and cosmetics for athletes and women who have an exercise routine.
As most of the participants were big soccer fans, Juliet Slot, Chief Commercial Officer of Arsenal FC played an important role in the session Together Stronger: The Importance of Purpose Driven Partnerships. She offered insights into effective leadership styles, the significance of resilience and strategies for creating inclusive environments that nurture talent irrespective of gender. She also encouraged that everyone present should have a mentor for guidance.
Networking opportunities were plentiful, with a break allowing attendees to connect with peers and mentors. These interactions underscored the Masterclass role not just as an educational event, but as a catalyst for building a supportive community of female leaders in sports.
In the session 4 – Empowering Girls Now & the Power of Mentorship, Sally Nnamani, Co-Executive Director (United States), PeacePlayers International | SIGA Women Mentor spoke candidly about her journey, the obstacles she overcame, the mentors who guided her along the way that also led her to the crucial work she’s been doing as a Mentor of the SIGA Women Mentorship program.
Finally, in the last session – Self Mastery – Anna Pereira, Chair Soul Ventures, CEO, The Wellness Universe and Alexandra Bowden, Co-Founder, Wellness Universe Corporate conducted the attendees in a practical moment where they could reflect on developing leadership skills. Participants engaged in exercises designed to enhance decision-making, and strategic thinking abilities. This hands-on approach emphasized the importance of continuous personal and professional development in achieving leadership positions.
In closing, the SIGA Masterclass on Female Leadership in Sport was a landmark event that highlighted the current state of female leadership in the industry and paved the way for future generations of women to lead with confidence, integrity, and excellence. As the sports world continues to evolve, the influence of such initiatives is undeniable, promising a more equitable and dynamic future for all professionals in the field who aspire to be great leaders.
A great opportunity and a moment for celebration in the context of Women’s International Day. Stay tuned for future editions!
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ABOUT SIGA
SIGA is the world’s leading organisation for Sport Integrity. We are creating a whole new landscape for the sports industry by delivering independent global rating and certification for world Sport to ensure it is governed and operates under the highest integrity standards: The SIGA Universal Standards.
Funded by our Members, SIGA is a non for profit global independent organisation with one aim: To ensure the sport industry is governed under the highest integrity standards so that the values of sport are protected.
SIGA is the only organisation to bring together sport, governments, academia, international organisations, sponsors, business, rights holders, NGOs and professional services companies, from every region in the world, around a common cause of fostering greater integrity throughout sport.
SIGA is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, as a non for-profit association, and comprises of the following continental subsidiaries: SIGA AMERICA, SIGA EUROPE and SIGA LATIN AMERICA.
For more information on SIGA, including its vision, mission and reform agenda, please refer to the website: www.siga-sport.com and FAQs.
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