WINS and Wealth

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 Sheridan

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 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.