What does it take to deliver a compelling talk on stage in front of hundreds, or maybe thousands of people?…. And what goes on behind the scenes in setting the stage for some of the most effective and influential speakers in the world?Since 2015, Mina Sabet has led production for TED conferences, the premier thought leadership platform for “ideas worth sharing.” Mina and her team produce upwards of 20 conferences each year on stages in cities across the globe - including TED Women, TED Countdown and the newly launched TED Tech. Some of the most recognizable names in innovation and thought leadership actually got their start on TED stages.In this episode, Mina talks about her day in the life as head of production for TED. She shares a bit of insight into when and how TED exploded onto the scene, and just what goes into designing and producing the stage experience for some of the biggest speakers in the world. We get into her leadership style and what drives her as an executive managing a global team, and she shares her advice for women in business: “If you deserve recognition for your work, ask for it. It’s not about being humble. It's about justice.”Connect with Mina Sabet on LinkedInThis podcast is produced and distributed by WINS, an executive PR firm exclusively serving women in sports, entertainment and media. To learn more about WINS, visit www.wins.media.

For the past decade, sports betting has emerged as a fair playing field in the United States and globally. It wasn’t until the late 2010s – after states began to legalize gambling – that US sports leagues and media companies got comfortable talking about sports betting, let alone partnering with companies in the space. We’ve all heard of DraftKings and FanDuel… but what do we know about the technologies and businesses that power them?Throughout the duration of her career, Dr. Laila Mintas, CEO of Play Engine, has had a front row seat in the roll-out of legal sports betting. Originally from Germany, she got her start leading FIFA’s integrity division, and from there – with a PhD and a law degree under her belt – made her way into the business of sports betting tech. Now, she owns PlayEngine, a software solutions provider for sports books, alongside a team of Silicon Valley developers. Their mission? Revolutionize sports betting and iGaming technology on the global level.In this episode, Laila shares the story of how she went from PhD student to compliance executive to the sports tech C-Suite to sports tech investor, board member, and now CEO. We talk about the technology trends happening in sports betting, and she gives her advice on how women and all executives should be proactive in their approach to becoming not just someone at the table, but someone with a stake in the business… “You can play a major role”, she says, “Sometimes, in the right moments, you just have to ask for what you want.”Follow Dr. Laila Mintas on Twitter @drmintasConnect with her on LinkedInThis podcast is produced and distributed by WINS, an executive PR firm exclusively serving women in leadership across sports, entertainment and media. To learn more about our services, visit https://www.wins.media.

Get comfortable with the uncomfortable. We hear this all the time… as humans, as founders, as parents, as women and as minority leaders in business. But what does that actually mean… and how can a woman in leadership who is, perhaps, tasked with scaling a startup in a highly competitive market, really live with a steady stream of discomfort and thrive in it?In this episode, Ruchi Desai, CEO and Co-Founder of EIGHT Beer, joins Amie to talk about her mindset and approach to scaling businesses. They discuss how her innate curiosity and active lifestyle – she is a competitive triathlete – has positioned her to show up consistently as her best self as she endeavors to grow a company to scale alongside former NFL star, Troy Aikman. Ruchi describes the realities of startup life with powerful metaphors – like how… running a startup is like holding a plank. At first, it’s frustrating. Then, after some practice, you get used to the pain, and the longer you’re in it… you realize that, while it does hurt, it is building strength and expanding your perspective… and then you master it… the thriving in the discomfort.Ruchi has paved her own way to the C-Suite by prioritizing her education, getting clear on her goals and working at them every day - at work and in her free time. She encourages anyone who is working their way toward a goal to show up consistently, always be improving, always be communicating, work on building genuine connections and trust, and always be true to yourself.Follow Ruchi Desai on Instagram and Twitter at @ruchaluchThis podcast is produced by WINS, an executive PR firm exclusively serving women in sports, entertainment and the greater media. To learn more about our services, visit https://www.wins.media.

In this episode, Mollie Cahillane, Sr. TV Reporter for Adweek, joins Amie to talk about the trends in convergent TV, how the media rights landscape has become overcrowded and cluttered, and what may be on the horizon for sports streaming services like ESPN, Hulu and Apple TV. They discuss her role as host of Adweek’s Most Powerful Women in Sports podcast, some of her most memorable guests, and she shares the story of how she was selected by Lisa Granatstein to be the one who would carry the program forward. They get into it on the topic of women’s sports, what’s helping, what’s hurting, and what she believes needs to happen to level the playing field with sponsors and investors.Mollie has built a brand and reputation for herself as an expert in convergent TV and women’s sports by writing compelling articles, reading a ton of content, owning her voice on Twitter, creating a lane, and staying highly focused in it. HER advice for aspiring leaders who want to have influence: learn everything you can about your area of focus, ask questions, study your niche, don’t be afraid to brag about yourself, and make yourself the GO-TO person.Twitter: @MollieCahillaneIG: @mollkcThis podcast is produced by WINS, a public relations agency exclusively serving women in sports, entertainment, and the greater media. Learn more about WINS.

Elisa Padilla is a brand builder who has had a hand in the design and marketing execution of iconic brands like the Miami Marlins, Apple, and Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment. HER brand, Kick it by EP, brings her voice to the forefront as she shares day in the life stories in snackable bites across platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram. HER brand serves as the backdrop for her business, where she builds brands for the likes of Tin Building NYC, a 60,000 square foot dining and entertainment experience in NYC’s Seaport District.In this episode, Elisa and Amie talk about not only HOW to build authentic brands, but also what it takes to show up and be consistently authentic in today’s hybrid environment. The bottom line is that perception is STILL reality, and the way you show up, in person OR virtually, matters greatly to your reputation and your success in business.Elisa on LinkedInIG: @kickitbyEPKick It by EP This podcast is produced by WINS, an executive PR firm serving women in sports, entertainment and the greater media. To learn more, visit https://www.wins.media.

Cynthia Soltero joined Amie Sheridan on Episode 28 to share her story and her expertise as the Director of Partnerships and Acquisitions for One Team Partners – a joint venture between the NFL Players Association and MLB Players Association that represents the collective licensing rights for over 10,000 athletes in an effort to maximize the value of their name, image and likeness. Cynthia is a truly incredible human who has bravely achieved some amazing firsts – the first in her family to graduate college, the first to get a masters degree, one of the first Latina women to hold an executive leadership position in the sports and entertainment industry… her courage and determination are inspiring, to say the least.In this episode, Cynthia and Amie get into the parallels that exist between HER personal journey and the journey of many of the athletes she represents – like how the journey to elite status, whether in sports or in business – can be a lonely one.... how to present yourself authentically to attract the right opportunities... how she managed to navigate the structural obstacles that could have very well kept her out of the executive suite... and what women and people of color can do to move past their fears with grace and embrace the uncertainty of the journey.This podcast is produced and distributed by WINS, a PR agency exclusively serving women in sports, entertainment, and media. To learn more about WINS, visit https://www.wins.media.

How do women in business get tapped for paid corporate board seats when there is no regulated recruiting process, no guide, no manual, no good old gals club?Over the years, so many of my clients have expressed that they would like to apply their skill set and expand their business expertise into corporate board advising. They've got the experience, the acumen, the "stuff" that so many boards and businesses need, and yet, these women are not being discovered. They aren't being sought out. And at the end of the day, the process of board placement is so "grey" that they aren't really sure how to position themselves to be tapped as a candidate. In this conversation with Heather Wolf, managing director of Trewstar Corporate Board Services, I set out to uncover the inner workings of corporate board recruiting and how a woman in leadership with or without board experience can go about positioning herself as a sparkling candidate. We talk about trends in the space, what needs to happen to achieve gender parity in the boardroom, and dig into her world as a board recruiter serving corporations of all types.Just for the record, Heather and her team at Trewstar have placed over 250 individuals on corporate boards since they founded the company. 88% of those placements were women. Newsflash: This is someone you’re going to want to add to your network immediately.

Jen Zudonyi is the Senior Director of Brand & Consumer Marketing in the Sports Division of Warner Brothers Discovery. She leads marketing across Turner Sports and Bleacher Report specific to the company's NHL property and partnership. Throughout her career, Jen has made it her mission to build and execute marketing strategies that reach new audiences, online and off, for marquee sports and entertainment properties. She is passionate about sports as a vehicle for driving conversation around social progress and an advocate for mental health and wellness in the workplace.In this episode, Jen and I talk NHL playoffs and what she and her team do to differentiate the NHL on TNT and B/R Open Ice products from other hockey outlets. We discuss the importance of future proofing brands by offering content that showcases the magic of the product - in this case, hockey - and playing that magic up to wider audiences. We also discuss the difference between marketing a cause and driving a cause-related initiative to impact. Jen’s advice for women in business? Don’t be complicit. If you see an opportunity to take a stand for a cause, big or small, take it… This interview was produced by WINS, a PR agency on a mission to influence gender equality in the C-Suite across sports, entertainment, and the greater business landscape. To learn more about WINS, visit https://www.wins.media.

Kareeda Chones-Aguam is SVP of partner strategy and management for the Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum. In her role, she oversees the team that serves as the relationship managers for 70+ Corporate Partners for the organization. She is also a talented voice artist and the "Official Voice of Fiserv Forum". In her work, Kareeda focuses her energy on building long lasting relationships and developing good people. She is a wife, a mom, and, after 20+ seasons with the Bucks, the proud owner of an NBA championship ring.In this episode, Kareeda shares her perspective on how the Bucks have built their business on solid corporate partnerships. We get into a discussion around the “team as a real estate developer” trend as the Bucks organization looks to onboard a naming rights partner to the Deer District Plaza outside Fiserv Forum. She shares a few stories from her life in the biz and as for her legacy? Kareeda says that she wants to impart on all up and coming sports industry professionals that it is key to learn how to grow your network the right way, and always ask for what you want.This interview was produced by WINS, a PR agency on a mission to influence gender equality in the C-Suite across sports, entertainment, and the greater business landscape. To learn more about WINS, visit https://www.wins.media.

Katrina Palanca is the Vice President of Global Partnerships for Spurs Sports & Entertainment, where she oversees international sponsorships for the San Antonio Spurs and the AT&T Center. Originally from Guam, Katrina has paved a path for herself in sponsorship, having held roles at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn Nets, New York Islanders and Twitch before landing her current role. Katrina brings a unique perspective to her work… and, she is one of the few women I’ve spoken to who has broken into the management suite… AND won awards for her work… before the age of 30… In this episode, Katrina and Amie discuss the idea of eliminating boundaries on fandom, literally and figuratively. She shares the incredible story about her decision to leave her parents home to build the life that she wanted… which ultimately led her to New York City where she got her start in the business. We discuss the importance of investing time and energy into your personal brand…. Katrina is walking the walk. She has a blog and a weekly newsletter coaching women up on how to be unapologetic. Her personal mission? Katrina says that by sharing her stories, she wants to help other young women believe in their greatness.This interview was produced by WINS, a PR agency on a mission to influence gender equality in the C-Suite across sports, entertainment, and the greater business landscape. To learn more about WINS, visit https://www.wins.media.

Cydney Dodson is a social media publisher at Dapper Lab’s NBA Top Shot, a blockchain-based platform that allows fans to buy, sell and trade numbered versions of specific, officially-licensed video highlights. In her role at Top Shot, Cydney creates content intended to promote and celebrate new NFTs as they become available in the marketplace. She is a passionate supporter of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the workplace, and a proponent of bringing a greater awareness to mental health for athletes.In this episode, Cydney and Amie dig into NFTs, what they are… how you get them… and what the NBA marketplace looks like right now. It might surprise you that some of these digital assets sell for tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. They talk about her passion for DE&I, her growing appetite for travel, and how, when you push yourself outside your comfort zone, you are rewarded with confidence. Her advice for women passionate about a purpose? Keep taking the small steps toward making an impact.This interview was produced by WINS, a PR agency on a mission to influence gender equality in the C-Suite across sports, entertainment, and the greater business landscape. To learn more about WINS, visit https://www.wins.media.

Courtney Altemus is founder and CEO of TeamAltemus, a consulting firm that provides financial advisor due diligence and financial literacy education to athletes of all levels. Formerly an investment banker and private wealth manager on Wall Street, Courtney identified a need in the marketplace and founded an unbiased business that does not manage money nor is it associated with any companies that do. Outside of her professional life, Courtney is a marathon runner and a mother of four.In this episode, Courtney and Amie discuss the importance of protective education for athletes as they explore revenue opportunities via Name Image and Likeness. We get into the pros and cons of social media as an endorsement tool and she explains how the socio-economic background of a family has proved to have little to no impact on the financial literacy of their children. Courtney’s mission is to ensure that the majority of the stories we hear about athletes and money are positive ones. As a founder, advisor, and a mother, SHE is changing the narrative.This interview was produced by WINS, a PR agency on a mission to influence gender equality in the C-Suite across sports, entertainment, and the greater business landscape. To learn more about WINS, visit https://www.wins.media.

Lorien Parry Luehrs is President and Chief Operating Officer of HomeTown Ticketing where her team is bringing professional level ticketing to the K12 space. Since joining the company in 2019, Lorien has helped grow her team from 10 to 180 employees… and her customer list from 77 to over 12,000 K12 schools. She is also an equestrian and a movie buff.In this episode, Lorien and Amie talk about the latest trends in the digital ticketing space… and how her work is influencing the future of game day in athletics programs of all sizes. We discuss how the word integrity sets the tone for her personal leadership style…. And she shares the story of how she got back on the horse, literally, after a life changing injury in her career as an equestrian. Her advice for anyone working through a setback personally or professionally? If you’re struggling, go back to where it’s comfortable, and start again.This interview was produced by WINS, a PR agency on a mission to influence gender equality in the C-Suite across sports, entertainment and the greater business landscape. To learn more about WINS, visit https://www.wins.media.

“Be so good that they won’t forget you.” is the mantra that Emily Jaenson, sports industry executive and host of the Leadership is Female podcast, lives by in work AND in life. The first woman to be GM of a Triple-A minor league baseball team in over two decades, Emily spent 4 years at the helm of the Reno Aces AAA baseball club before intentionally deciding to take a breather and focus her energy on her growing family. In this episode, Emily and Amie get real about the juggle of parenting and being a sports industry professional on the team side. We talk about what it means to HER to be one of the FIRST women to hold a specific role in a male-dominated business, and how she owns that title in her approach. She shares some incredible stories from her journey to date… and leaves behind some stellar advice for women in leadership: “Kick ass, support your team, and give other women permission to shine.”This interview was produced by WINS, a PR agency on a mission to influence gender equality in the C-Suite across sports, entertainment, and beyond. If you loved this interview and want to become part of our mission, join us in our membership community for women influencing sports and entertainment. Learn more at https://www.wins.media/community.

Jahaan Blake is a professional Sports Executive turned Career Coach who helps high achieving women in the Sports and Entertainment Industry shatter glass ceilings and take their seat at the table. In addition to her coaching business, Jahaan consults with high profile organizations in sports and entertainment, like the Superbowl, on their fan experience strategy. In this episode, Jahaan and Amie get into her WHY… who inspired her to found her own company… and exactly what her approach looks like in coaching aspiring executives in sports and entertainment to reach their full potential. We also dive into the question of why women leave their jobs and how HER work is impacting the trajectory of women, and ultimately, the future of gender equality in the C-Suite. - with Amie SheridanThis podcast is produced by WINS, a PR agency on a mission to influence gender equality in the C-suite across sports, entertainment and the greater business landscape. To learn more about WINS and the services we provide to woman-owned and led businesses, visit https://www.wins.media.

Kerry McGovern got her start in the sports and entertainment business as a music tour publicist, and from there, broke into sports… securing high profile roles at the Detroit Pistons, the National Hockey League, Drizly and Under Armour before taking her experience into big corporation executive communications roles at RE/MAX and now Power Home Remodeling where she holds the post of SVP of Marketing and Communications.In this episode, Kerry shares stories from her experience and imparts her wisdom on the topics of carefully curating your career, cultivating trust and respect in the sports biz, and overcoming the dreaded imposter syndrome… something I call “brag anxiety.” Her advice for young sports industry execs trying to make a name for themselves? Show your team that you’re curious by never being afraid to ask questions. If you’re thinking it, ask it.This interview was produced by WINS, a PR agency on a mission to influence gender equality in the C-suite across sports, entertainment, and the greater media. To learn more about WINS and the services we provide to woman-owned and led businesses, visit https://www.wins.media.

Erika Austin is the newly appointed director of licensing at Michigan State University. She brings years of experience and a specific expertise in brand protection and product promotion to the role from both the collegiate and professional sports arenas.In this episode, Erika shares her take on Name Image and Likeness in collegiate athletics…how it’s going so far and where she thinks it’s headed. Spoiler alert: It’s not playing out the way we all thought it would. She talks about NFTs, taking an education-first approach to student-athlete endorsement deals… and she shares a bit about what SHE is doing to promote INCLUSION for underrepresented students, athletes, families and fans…by working with her partners to offer licensed merchandise and apparel made just for them.This interview was produced by WINS, a PR agency on a mission to influence gender equality in the executive suite across sports, entertainment, and the greater media. To learn more about WINS, visit https://www.wins.media.

Ally Melendez is a TV & Multimedia Host, a certified fitness instructor, and the founder of the On-Air Institute. She is the in-arena host for the NBA G-League’s Long Island Nets AND Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls…  She is also the sideline reporter for the National Lacrosse League’s New York Riptide. In addition to all of that, Ally interviews professional athletes on YES Networks’ BetOnline All Access and will host a NEW show called Well Life NYC debuting on the YES Network app later this year.In this episode, Ally and I dig into her mindset, the connection between physical health and mental health… and how taking care of both your mind & your body increases your chances of success in ANY field, but specifically, in setting the tone for a lasting career in on-air broadcasting. She shares a story of when things didn’t go as planned during a live show at the Heisman Awards, and provides her insight for aspiring talent who want to navigate the business the right way. Her main nuggets of advice? Be genuine, know what you want, and nurture your relationships.

Joanne Pasternack is Founder & CEO of Oliver Rose, a sports philanthropy and social impact consultancy focused on connecting athletes and properties with brands and non profits to spark real and sustainable change. A trained lawyer and former competitive figure skater, Joanne’s resume is impressive… including high visibility roles at the San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, and Special Olympics as well as advisory roles with Figure Skating in Harlem and the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee.Joanne joins Amie in this episode to discuss how athletes should approach their transition into retirement, why athletes should NOT create their own non-profit, the dark side of Name, Image and Likeness in college sports, and how, with a little bit of up front work, athletes at all levels can build wealth, design their legacy AND leave their mark on society… by sharing their voices.This podcast is produced by WINS, a PR agency on a mission to influence gender equality in the C-Suite across sports, entertainment, and the greater media. Learn more about WINS at https://www.wins.media.

Melanie Strong is a founding partner at Next Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on empowering passionate founders to set a new pace in human optimization. Prior to becoming a full-time VC and advisor, Mel spent her career building high-performing teams at Nike, where she held titles like VP of Global Brand Marketing for Nike Women and GM of Nike Skateboarding. In 2019, Mel co-founded NEXT VENTŪRES with Lance Armstrong with the intention of helping founders innovate quickly in the health and wellness space. In this episode, Mel discusses the importance of investing in disruptive technologies and FOUNDERS who will have a broad and positive impact on the future of human health and wellness. She shares that only 3% of venture capitalists in the US are women… a bleak statistic… and why it is important for women to embrace the conversation around growing their personal wealth. We share a few laughs about her propensity for WORK… and finally, Mel shares that, while leading your life with gratitude is not easy, it is the ONLY way to be truly fulfilled.This interview was produced by WINS, a PR agency on a mission to influence gender equality in the C-suite across sports, entertainment and the greater media. WINS services are designed exclusively for woman-owned and led businesses. To learn more about WINS, visit https://www.wins.media.