Being Senior Manager of Events at Concacaf didn’t stop Latoya Dacosta to search personal and professional new skills. She joined last year’s SIGA Global Mentorship Programme edition and is more than happy to do it. Latoya didn’t hesitate when asked for insights and answering a few questions, Latoya didn’t hesitate. Strong advocate of #SIGAWomen programme, she explains why…
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Why did you decide to participate in SIGA’s mentorship programme?
As a female sports professional, working within our regional governing body for football at Concacaf, it was an invaluable opportunity to participate in the SIGA mentorship Programme. Committed to being a positive female influence, I knew this great global programme would help me gain more exposure to various leadership skills, practical experiences and networking. All these are vital to enhancing opportunities for women in sports in the Caribbean and wider North American region.
What is your assessment of participation?
Participation provided valuable insight and personal stories on a range of topics. Tools, resources and knowledge to generate open-minded and authentic conversations were provided. These discussions helped us to better apply the information to bolster our own success by diving into a topic of interest and growing our understanding. Learning from several mentors’ experiences made it more personal for me. From this SIGA Mentorship programme, you can go into further and deeper discussions with your own mentor. Learning from each topic is valuable for a mentee to support their larger, long-term goals. I am able to widen my network of contacts and use this mentoring programme as an opportunity to explore the wider sporting world to bring the best practices into football. Katie Simmonds, SIGA’s Global COO & #SIGAWomen Managing Director, went beyond my expectations!
Who was your mentor, and how was the connection between the two?
The mentor-mentee relationship with Christine Franklin (Executive Vice-President, Octagon) fostered the ideal space for diverse and vulnerable conversations. There was an instant connection, and I felt motivated to thrive and achieve each goal. We shared our experiences and conversations, which encouraged creative and innovative thinking. As mentor and mentee, we were able to form a mutually beneficial partnership.
What was the best thing the programme brought you?
The programme gave me added focus and motivation whilst meeting the day-to-day challenges of this ongoing covid-19 pandemic. It was a means to share, enhancing my personal and professional development, and helping me to assist those women across the region with whom I interact daily.
Interacting with my mentor Christine Franklin, particularly in these challenging times, afforded me a clearer view of the future I strive to achieve. My time management, interpersonal, communication and critical skills were all improved. It helped me to be more confident in my job. It enhanced my performance and contribution to my team. It empowered me to provide similar opportunities to many other young females to aspire and achieve in their chosen career path.
Do you advise other girls to enter the programme?
Without a doubt – Mentoring definitely matters! I do advise more girls to participate in this programme. It will definitely help them gain opportunities and cultivate their confidence and professional development to excel in the often still male-dominated business and sporting environments. I strongly think mentoring is one of the top strategies to help us close the gender gap in business leadership. #SIGAWomen Global Mentorship Programme is a must!
Do you believe this programme will help create more opportunities for women in the sports industry?
This programme undeniably creates more opportunities to network with a diversified network of women in the sports industry. It also allows participants to improve skills, develop new ones, gain knowledge and generate new ideas as new ways of thinking are explored. The Global Mentorship Programme is a platform that ensures professional development and advancement through the relationship with the Mentors. The programme increases visibility and recognition within any sports organization.
Did the programme change your professional life in any way? If so, how?
I feel highly motivated to achieve my personal goals and be equipped to give back, be supportive, and encourage girls and women to reach their full potential as leaders. My experiences continue to assist me in honing my leadership and management skills that will be invaluable to contributing to women’s football development, even beyond this mentoring partnership.
Positively influencing the business culture of the various sporting organizations with which I interact is very important to me. The value-added benefits of good mentoring position me to achieve this.
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Katie Simmonds, SIGA Global COO and Managing Director #SIGAWomen, invites women from all corners of the world to #StandWithSIGA and join the programme, either as a mentor or as a mentee. “It is a pleasure, passion and duty as a female in the sports industry to lead the SIGA Global Female Mentorship Programme for Aspiring Female Leaders in Sport. The high calibre of Global Mentors, from a diverse cross-section of the industry, shows that this movement is not only gaining traction but is needed. The current status quo of gender balance in the board room of sports organisations is simply not good enough. If we are to increase this, as women working in the industry, we have a responsibility to help the next generation of female leaders. Networking, exchanging valuable practical lessons and tips, as well as offering reassurance and confidence to the next in line is exactly what the programme is about. If you have smashed the glass ceiling g, take a step forward and join us!”
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Related news
SIGAWomen Global Mentorship Programme 2023/204 – Apply Now!
What makes #SIGAWomen mentors special? Find out and apply “I recommend SIGA Mentorship Programme to any woman who aspires to lead in sport” – Taylor Green “My mentor, SIGA leaders and SIGA have taken me under their wing” – Tarryn Horner “The SIGA Mentorship Programme changed my perspective on some subjects” – Inês Alves Caetano “#SIGAWomen Global Mentorship success stories include mentees gaining employment” – Katie Simmonds “SIGA Mentorship was an incredible opportunity to meet women who inspire” – Karla Valdez
Check out some confirmed Mentors and stay tuned for future announcements
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SIGA is the world´s largest coalition in the field of sport´s governance and integrity. Supported by more than 100 international multi-industry supporters, SIGA is an independent and neutral organisation whose mission is to bring about meaningful reforms and enhance the integrity of all sports through a set of universal standards operated by an independent and neutral body. 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.
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