Sports Up

Olga Harvey is the Chief Strategy and Impact Officer of the Women's Sports Foundation. She has over 20 years of business expertise and an unquenchable enthusiasm for sports.

Olga's first experience in sports and philanthropy was when she managed marketing, special events, and development at the New York Junior Tennis & Learning.

She participated on the varsity tennis team at Cornell University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in business management and marketing. Olga captained the squad and holds a 21-0 singles record in Ivy League competition. She won the Ivy League Player of the Year Award twice, and in 2006, Cornell put her into their athletic hall of fame.

In the male-dominated world of sports, female athletes are almost always sidelined. There is disparity in the support system, funding, and opportunities between athletes from each gender. However, the expectations are equal — or sometimes even higher — for women.

According to Olga Harvey, it is crucial that girls and women in sports are educated and empowered emotionally, financially, and mentally. Though there has been progress in gender equity in sports, there’s much more that needs to be done.

In this episode of Sports Up, Meredith Syms hosts Olga Harvey of the Women’s Sports Foundation. They talk about philanthropy, gender equity, mental health, and women in the sports industry. Olga shares how she found herself getting into the sports world and eventually working in an organization that focuses on helping women thrive in sports through research, partnerships, advocacy, and community impact.

Julia Schorr is a Social Media Coordinator for the New York Yankees. She has worked in journalism and PR throughout her education and beyond, assuming various roles at Legends, Overtime, and The Daily Pennsylvanian. In high school, she founded her own company, Myumi Designs, through which she created and marketed designs and logos for major organizations, schools, and businesses.

The sports world is versatile, with a wide variety of job opportunities. It’s a highly sought-after career, but only a handful can break into the industry. With so many angles to approach from, it can be difficult to choose one and run with it — but no matter the angle, certain skills and strategies are universally important.

New York Yankees Social Media Coordinator Julia Schorr recommends making yourself a veritable Swiss Army Knife of skills so employers can’t ignore your versatility. In her case, a passion for sports, graphic design and networking paved her way to the career she enjoys today.

On this episode of Sports Up, Meredith Syms talks with Julia Schorr about the many opportunities present in the sports industry. She shares what a typical game day looks like for social media content creation, the key skills that made her attractive to employers, and how her mentors and supporters have helped push her forward. Tune in!

Nona Lee is the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the Arizona Diamondbacks, where she’s worked for nearly two decades. Nona is also a member of Chief, a private membership network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders. Before joining the Arizona Diamondbacks, Nona was the Vice President and Associate General Counsel for the Phoenix Suns and an Associate at Gallagher & Kennedy and Meyer Hendricks. She is active in the sports industry and community, serving on the board of directors for the Sports Lawyers Association. Additionally, she serves on the board of the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, as well as its membership and diversity and inclusion committees.

How has the sports industry evolved over the years, and how can we continue to improve its future?

Nona Lee, who has been in the industry for almost 20 years, has seen firsthand the changes that are shaking up the world of sports. Early in her career, Nona didn’t have the opportunity for professional mentorship — because there weren’t any women in seats of power. As the industry evolves, Nona and other advocates for change are calling for more diverse leaders to foster greater opportunity and inclusion for everyone.   

In this episode of the Sports Up podcast, Meredith Syms sits down with Nona Lee, the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for the Arizona Diamondbacks, to talk about diversity and transformation in the sports industry. Nona discusses the importance of being a continuous learner, how she dealt with unconscious biases throughout her career, and her advocacy for more diverse leadership in the sports world.  

Tracy Sandler is the CEO and Founder of the Fangirl Sports Network (FGSN). FGSN is a network of women providing fans with knowledgeable, passionate, and humorous content about their favorite professional teams. Tracy is a renowned sports reporter who first started blogging about the 49ers in 2015 to bring fans the latest news about the San Francisco team. Since then, she has grown her blog into FGSN and now covers all eight NFL teams across the AFC and NFC West, as well as 15 NBA teams. 

If you’re a woman hoping to pursue a career in the sports industry, chances are you’ve received your fair share of doubt and disbelief. But the fact remains: there are many successful women crushing it in the professional sports industry as we speak. So, how did they get to where they are today? 

Tracy Sandler is a prime example of a woman breaking the glass ceiling in sports. She started as a credentialed sports reporter with a “just-for-fun” blog about the 49ers. That hobby has now grown into a thriving media company that produces content for female sports fans. While Tracy found an encouraging team and supportive mentors along the way, she realizes that not everyone has the same support. That’s why she’s here to share her advice for other women trying to make it in the sports industry.  

On this episode of the Sports Up podcast, Meredith Syms is joined by Tracy Sandler, the Founder and CEO of Fangirl Sports Network, to share her advice for women pursuing a career in sports. Tracy talks about the mission of Fangirl Sports Network, why authenticity is at the core of everything FGSN does, and how to let your work and preparation speak for itself.   

Samantha Pickens is a decorated diver and a member of the USA diving team. Samantha started diving at the age of 13 and has since competed around the world — including winning sixth place at the 2020 World Cup in Tokyo, Japan. Samantha majored in psychology at the University of Arizona while she trained under the direction of Coach Omar Ojeda. 

Most young athletes dream of competing in the Olympics, but what does it take to make that a reality? What does day-to-day life look like for competitive athletes — and how do they balance their mental health with the pressure of competition?

Meet Samantha Pickens, a member of the USA diving team. She first fell in love with swimming and competitive gymnastics, but after racking up injuries from the balance beam, she needed to find another outlet. A friend recommended combining her two passions and pursuing diving. After just a few months, Samantha was hooked — and the rest is history. 

On this episode of the Sports Up podcast, Meredith Syms is joined by Samantha Pickens, a decorated diver and a member of the USA diving team. Samantha describes her intense daily practice routine, how she makes her mental health a priority, and what she learned from competing in Tokyo. She also shares her advice for balancing your mind and body as an athlete. 

Marina LeGree is the Founder and Executive Director of Ascend Athletics, a nonprofit organization that has been empowering girls in Afghanistan since 2014. The organization’s athletic-based leadership training gives Afghan girls the tools to discover their potential. Through mountain climbing achievements and community activism, these girls learn how to become leaders and role models. 

How can sports transform lives? What can you do to empower young athletes — especially those who are looking to escape desperate situations?

Meet Marina LeGree, who has dedicated her career to empowering girls in Afghanistan through her nonprofit organization, Ascend Athletics. Ascend uses sports to build leadership skills and teamwork. Marina teaches girls that they’re not property — they deserve to follow their own path. 

On this episode of the Sports Up podcast, Meredith Syms is joined by Marina LeGree, the Founder and Executive Director of Ascend Athletics, to discuss how Ascend is empowering girls in Afghanistan through sports. Marina talks about why she chose Afghanistan to build her program, how Ascend is transforming the way Afghan girls see themselves, and how those girls have been impacted by the recent Taliban takeover.  

Charlotte Brackett is the Assistant Director of Varsity Athletics Communications at Dartmouth College. After serving as the department’s intern, she was promoted to the full-time assistant position in 2015. Before this, Charlotte interned at MIT and worked as the Athletic Public Relations Student Assistant at the University of Richmond, where she received her BA in English and Journalism. She has also been a competitive swimmer her entire life and was a member of the University of Richmond’s varsity swim team.

What is it like being a female sportswriter in 2021? According to Charlotte Brackett, it involves a heavy workload, game-day reporting, and some mansplaining — but that hasn’t stopped her from achieving her dream job in the field of college sports. 

Charlotte was a competitive swimmer her entire life and graduated college with a degree in English, but she never considered blending her two passions together. It wasn’t until she interned in the sports departments at the University of Richmond and MIT that she fell in love with sports writing. Charlotte is now going on seven years as a sportswriter at Dartmouth College, and she’s here to share her advice to other women and minorities looking to join the sports industry. 

On this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms chats with Charlotte Brackett, the Assistant Director of Varsity Athletics Communications at Dartmouth College, about how she launched her career in sports writing. Charlotte discusses her background in swimming, the gender gap in the sports industry, and how she avoids burnout while reporting on multiple teams at once. Stay tuned for more! 

Anne Doepner is the Director of Inclusion & Employee Investment for the Minnesota Vikings. As the first person dedicated to diversity and inclusion for an NFL team, Anne strives to create a culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging. She has been involved in sports for most of her career, previously serving as the Director of Football Administration for the Vikings. Anne also founded the Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter of Women in Sports and Events (WISE) and serves on the Board of Directors. She has been featured on NBC Sports and has received many accolades for her work. 

Why does diversity and inclusion matter in sports? What does it take to create a more welcoming sports industry for women and minorities? And, how can we continue to pave the way for equality in sports in 2021 and beyond?

As the Director of Inclusion & Employee Investment for the Minnesota Vikings, Anne Doepner is paving the way for marginalized groups in the sports industry. In addition to being the first full-time person dedicated to diversity and inclusion in the NFL, Anne has also launched the Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter of Women in Sports and Events (WISE). Today, she’s here to share her story and explain the importance of diversity and inclusion in sports — especially now. 

On this inspiring episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms sits down with the Director of Inclusion & Employee Investment for the Minnesota Vikings, Anne Doepner. Anne discusses how she came to work for the NFL, what diversity and inclusion means to her, and how she is championing other women and minorities in the sports industry. You don’t want to miss this episode!

Kelsey Parks Smith is the Coordinator of Programs for Student Athlete Development and Enhancement at Smith College. In this role, Kelsey develops, plans, and facilitates programming for student athletes in the areas of diversity and inclusion, mental health and wellbeing, and student leadership. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Smith College and her master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Loughborough University. Kelsey is also a former competitive equestrian and has been riding for over 22 years.

What role does psychology play in sports? How does a person’s gender, race, or sexuality impact their experience as an athlete? These are the questions on Kelsey Parks Smith’s mind. 

Kelsey is the Coordinator of Programs for Student Athlete Development and Enhancement at Smith College. As a former equestrian, she translated her love of riding horses into her passion for helping college athletes gain confidence and improve their performance. With a master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Kelsey is interested in how gender, race, and sexuality impact athletes — and what she can do to empower the next generation. 

On this exciting episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms talks with Kelsey Parks Smith, a former competitive equestrian and the current Coordinator of Programs for Student Athlete Development and Enhancement at Smith College. Kelsey discusses her background in sports psychology, the role that gender, race, and sexuality play in athletics, and how she is working to empower female and minority college athletes. Stay tuned!

Kristen Smith is the Assistant Director of Athletic Integrated Communications at The University of Memphis. She graduated from Florida State University in 2020 with a master's degree in Sport Management. Before that, Kristen interned at a variety of organizations, including NBC Sports Group, Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl, and the University of Kentucky. She also recently launched her own boutique PR agency, KTS Consulting, where she works with minority-owned and women-owned businesses.

What does a typical day in the life of a college Athletic Director look like? What about for a woman looking to break into the typically male-dominated sports communications industry? Kristen Smith knows firsthand.

Kristen is the Assistant Director of Athletic Integrated Communications at The University of Memphis. However, landing this position wasn’t easy. As she says, women still face their fair share of challenges when entering a career in sports—but, with grit and determination, nothing is impossible. After persisting and landing a job in her dream industry, Kristen is now focused on helping other women and minorities do the same.

In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms talks with Kristen Smith, the Assistant Director of Athletic Integrated Communications at The University of Memphis, about what it means to be a woman in the sports communications industry. Kristen discusses why she decided to pursue a career in sports communications, the challenges she faced along the way, and the women who inspired her journey. You don’t want to miss this exciting episode!