Women Leaders in Sports Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 110: Dr. Nicki Webber Moore Aug 22, 2021

Show notes

In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares a timely and enlightening conversation with Dr. Nicki Webber Moore, the Vice President and Director of Athletics at Division I Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. Nicki has a unique and powerful lens as an AD. With a doctorate in sport psychology, she is acutely aware of the importance of mental wellness as an essential part of overall health for both student-athletes and her staff. Nicki, a national leader in matters impacting the student-athlete experience, talks about her leadership style and how she upholds the particular needs of student-athletes and promotes the professional growth of her coaches.

Nicki also shares how her career in athletics administration bloomed early—as a student-athlete who jumped into campaigning and fundraising for a new facility. Since that time, she has carried with her and benefitted from two major lessons: no relationship is disposable, and it pays to say yes to new professional opportunities that increase your value.

Nicki is an accomplished and humble leader who will inspire you—don't miss a moment of this conversation! And remember, we are Women Leaders! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.

Episode 109: Sarah Dehring Aug 01, 2021

Show notes

In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares a striking conversation with Sarah Dehring, the Athletics Director at Division III Alma College in central Michigan.

Sarah has a fascinating story about growing up on Mackinac Island near Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This beautiful, tiny island has only 500 year-round residents, requires a ferry or plane ride to the mainland, and has no cars. Sarah's graduating high school class had only eight students! Clearly, her path to becoming a college athlete, coach, and AD is unique! You'll hear how her island upbringing has deeply influenced her choices and leadership style.

On multiple occasions, unexpected circumstances propelled Sarah in new directions and helped shape her career. In turn, she learned to take advantage of opportunities and make sacrifices to get where she wanted to go. She also shares how genuinely and transparently connecting with and relating to others became her leadership superpowers—whether through mentoring her staff or shoveling snow off the bleachers alongside them. Don't miss a moment of this conversation! And remember - we are Women Leaders! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.

Episode 108: China Jude Jul 11, 2021

Show notes

In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares an inspiring conversation with the new Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Denver Broncos, Dr. China Jude. China is the perfect example of writing one's own story. I wasn't aware that China didn't work in college athletics until her 30s—she started with stints in broadcast journalism, community-focused nonprofits, and the Naval reserves. But Her penchant for learning and growth, plus her ability to adjust as needed, allowed her to pivot on her terms when opportunity knocked—including to Division I and II coaching and athletic director positions and, most recently, to the Denver Broncos. A Chicago native who played volleyball in college, China says she was always incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives into her roles long before DEI had a title in the workplace. and she did it even when others suggested she not discuss these issues, that it was too aggressive, and the conversations were too uncomfortable. But, with her goal to be a positive force in helping others, China focused much of her work as an athletic director on DEI issues—and she made an enormous impact. Getting buy-in from leaders and talking candidly about the why of this work are key approaches, she says. China shares how she honed her strengths in creative thinking, storytelling, and resourcefulness, plus her love of football, in shaping her career path. She emphasizes a powerful message of staying true to yourself, especially during temporary detours.

Don't miss a moment of this conversation! And remember - we are Women Leaders! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.

Episode 107: Lisa Goddard McGuirk Jun 20, 2021

Show notes

In this podcast, Patti Phillips share an engaging conversation with the director of athletics at Gannon University, Lisa Goddard McGuirk. Lisa's experience highlights the power of a growth mindset on a career path—including a not-quite linear one. She is a firm believer in figuring things out, and says there is always a solution to everything. Raised on a farm, where helping with chores was imperative—and in a family and community that wholeheartedly supported her love of sports—Lisa learned about being resourceful and believing in herself. That drive has sustained her through an inspiring career spanning coaching, teaching, and being an athletic director at three institutions, with stints in all three NCAA divisions. Lisa humbly shares how she vaulted from coaching to the athletic director's chair—despite never having previously held a position in administration. She emphasizes the importance of transferable skills, a willingness to see various perspectives, and a collaborative work style. She shares that being able to communicate about skills and passion in the interview process can ensure advancement. Lisa also touches on finding an institution that is the right fit and balancing life as a parent, both key elements in her continued success. Don't miss a moment of this conversation! And remember - we are Women Leaders! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.

Episode 106: Dianthia Ford-Kee May 30, 2021

Show notes

In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares an inspiring conversation with the Director of Athletics at Mississippi Valley State University, Dianthia Ford-Kee. Dianthia's energy and zest for life is undeniable. Those qualities, she says, stem from humble beginnings. Growing up playing backyard basketball and softball games with family, she never imagined that her love of those sports would lead to being a dual-sport collegiate athlete, 6-time conference champion Head Coach, AND a Director of Athletics. Her passion for helping others and mentoring young people is palpable, and truly inspiring. The fact that a former colleague became a president and then came calling for her reminds us that we are always interviewing for the next job through our performance every day. And just as important, she never shied away from making a connection or taking the next opportunity when it came knocking. In our conversation, Dianthia opens up about her experience working in all 3 NCAA Divisions, why she has chosen to only work at HBCU's and what her experience was like being the only female administrator in her department for many years. We also talk about her experience taking the initiative needed for department evolution and how being intentional about lifelong learning positions you for impact. Don't miss a moment of this conversation! And remember - we are Women Leaders! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.

Episode 105: Jennifer Heppel May 09, 2021

Show notes

In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares an insightful conversation with the Commissioner of the Patriot League, Jennifer Heppel. Jen's pathway to the Commissioner chair not only included extensive NCAA office and committee work, campus and conference office experience, but also what she calls "becoming an accidental student-athlete." A long-time competitive figure skater turned collegiate ice hockey player, Jen translated her love for the sport and tireless discipline into a long career of leading and impacting the student-athlete experience. In our conversation, Jen opens up about her two stints working at the BIG Ten Conference Office – totaling 12 years, including why she left and why she agreed to go back, We also talk about her belief in why diversity of thought and experience is critical to effective team building and why it should be top of mind in hiring decisions while building your own staff and team culture. Plus, Jen shares best practices for using your voice at the national level, understanding governance structures, and why it's never too late to get involved! Don't miss a moment of this conversation! And remember - we are Women Leaders!

Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.

Episode 104: Sarah Baumgartner Apr 18, 2021

Show notes

In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares a great conversation with the Deputy Director of Athletics at Rutgers University and current Women Leaders Board Member, Sarah Baumgartner. Sarah's impact at Rutgers has not only elevated the institution to competition at the highest level in the BIG10 Conference, but inspired women across the country to pursue a career in development. She is no stranger to bold leadership and has trailblazed record-breaking multi-million dollar fundraising efforts for capital projects at Rutgers in the last 4 years. There is no better advocate for working in external relations than Sarah, as she has her hands full with oversight of the majority of extrinsic touch points for athletics. Her philosophy on relationship building and developing skill sets are just some of the many reasons that she has succeeded in her role. But much of what has prepared her for her current role began when she was handed Men's Basketball as her FIRST sport supervisory role at Mizzou Athletics, and she hasn't looked back since! In our conversation, Sarah opens up how hiring 13 head coaches in 4 years has taught her about the value of surrounding yourself with good people, why flashy resumes don't always get you the job and how remaining present in her work and life helps her to be the best in every moment, no matter where she is. We also talk about why you should always raise your hand if you are interested in taking on new responsibilities, how being a working mom allows her kids to see the very best of her and why collaboration and empowerment allows her to see projects through with excellence and efficiency. As Sarah says, "If you can bring great attitude and great energy to anything, you can lift the world." Don't miss a moment of this conversation! And remember - we are Women Leaders! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.

Episode 103: Jessie Rosa Mar 28, 2021

Show notes

In today's podcast, Patti Phillips shares a great conversation with the Senior Director of Athletics at Auburn University at Montgomery, Jessie Rosa. Jessie's childhood dream was to be the athletics director at AUM and today, she is not only living that dream - but also inspiring the next generation to follow their own dreams. Like many, her journey to the chair did not come without hearing a few "no's" first and engaging in some crucial conversations with herself and others. A former dual-sport student-athlete at AUM, Jessie was dismissed from the basketball team during her freshman year. Despite this often being a taboo topic in athletics, she shares openly about how that experience transformed her philosophy about providing others second chances and why, "it's your responsibility as the leader to set the tone." In our conversation, Jessie opens up about how she used her institutional knowledge as a selling factor in securing her full-time role as AD and how the process of removing the "Interim" tag from her title at AUM influenced the ways she looks at hiring her own staff. We also talk about how transparency and communication are the most critical components of leadership, why evaluating a candidate's career trajectory during the interview process matters more than wins and losses and why it's important for women to "stop considering it and just do it" for aspiring moms in athletics. Don't miss a moment of this conversation and remember - we are Women Leaders! Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member! Follow us at fb.com/WomenLeadersCS, and on Twitter and Instagram @WomenLeadersCS.

Episode 102: Daniella Irle Mar 07, 2021

Show notes

In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares a great conversation with the Director of Athletics at Knox College, Daniella Irle.

Her highly decorated 20-year head coaching career in Division I Swimming and Diving, paired with a masterful 15-year administrative career, has made Daniella a force in this industry and beyond. She is no stranger to defying the odds and when we say resilience changes lives, there is no better example of this than her.

Leaning into self-awareness and committing to personal growth has been the story of Daniella's advancement and prompted a critical pivot in her career to working in Division III athletics - a decision she's made and never looked back.

In our conversation, Daniella opens up about her experience working in athletics during the wake of Hurricane Katrina and how it became the catalyst for her transition from coaching to administration. The skills that she had already spent so many years refining in her coaching career, she says, were immediately transferable and "translate at any level of leadership."

We also talk about shifting your mindset as a decision-maker when becoming an AD, why perfection isn't everything, how the biggest difference in each division is simply the decimal point on your budget.

As Daniella says, "It's always time to be aspiring." Don't miss a moment of this conversation! We hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!

Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!

Episode 101: Cathy Engelbert Feb 14, 2021

Show notes

In this podcast, Patti Phillips shares the highly anticipated conversation with the commissioner of the WNBA, Cathy Engelbert.

Cathy is an innovative and people-first leader who has made an immediate impact on the WNBA in her first 18-months as Commissioner. Cathy is no stranger to leading through crisis and navigating challenges -as she spent 33 years at Deloitte, including 4 years as CEO.

During this conversation, Cathy shares how important it is to do small things of symbolic value to build trust as a new leader. In fact, it was the trust that Cathy intentionally built from day one as Commissioner that allowed her to quickly and successfully negotiate a groundbreaking Collective Bargaining Agreement; and then execute an entire WNBA season in the "wubble".

Cathy dives into the wubble life, and also talk about how WNBA plyers used their platform to drive social justice issues during a time when our country was plagued by racial unrest. And of course, we can't talk to Cathy without discussing the orange hoodie movement – a marketing strategy that became a symbol of more than just women's basketball!

Cathy is a woman who ascended to the highest levels of leadership – but she never chased a title or position - she instead aspired to LEAD. I think that's such an important point for us to remember. Not everyone can be a CEO, she says, but everyone can be a leader! Cathy and Patti discuss all of this and SO MUCH more in this passion-packed conversation – you don't want to it miss!

We hope you enjoy our conversation, and remember, we are Women Leaders!

Head to womenleadersincollegesports.org for more about us and to become a member!

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