Women Blazers

In this episode we welcome Janaki Cash, Vice President of Ticketing & Revenue Strategy for the New York Mets in the MLB. Janaki shares her incredible career journey with us. Originally pursuing a path to be a Veterinarian, she decided to switch focus and tap into her other passion, and break into the sports industry. Developing up the revenue vertical with experience working with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Brooklyn Nets, and now the New York Mets she credits her supportive and dedicated leaders for adding fuel to her authenticity. It is her authenticity combined with her confidence that makes this single mother the leader and incredible person she is.

In this episode we welcome Hallie Yavitch, Sr. Vice President of Booking & Marketing for Cyrpto.com Arena, Peacock Theater, and L.A. Live. Hallie shares her incredible and unique career journey with us. Her original path was to become an attorney, in fact she has a doctorate from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and is licensed to practice in her native Ohio. As she was pursing her degree, she worked at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square, the largest performing arts center outside of New York and unknowingly was building the foundation of career that would bring her joy and fill her heart. Hallie now is at the lead of booking and creating amazing and diverse experiences at one of the most iconic entertainment venues and districts in the world.

In this episode we welcome Laura Waters-Brown, Director of The Collective at Wasserman. Laura shares her incredible career journey with us. As a Division 1 Collegiate Volleyball player at South Carolina State University, she explored many potential career paths, but her passion for sports and people guided her path into the industry. With the help of her strong network she gained valuable experiences and built the foundation of her career with the Cleveland Browns and the PGA Tour in Digital Marketing. Laura now serves as a leader with The Collective at Wasserman and contributes to its mission to create equity and fairness for women and athlete's in women's sports, music and culture.

In this episode we welcome Kelly Lewis, Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion and Recruitment for TurnkeyZRG. Kelly shares her amazing career journey with us. As a Detroit native, Kelly obtained an elite education from two of the top institutions in the country and focused in on building a career with purpose and passion. Today Kelly leads TurnkeyZRG’s commitment to the development of people and culture across the sports, media, and entertainment industries, focusing on the identification and magnification of talent from underrepresented groups and driving significant business success for organizations through inclusion.

In this episode we welcome Amber Myczkowiak, Senior Director of Premium & Membership Development for the Detroit Pistons. Amber shares her remarkable journey with us, after surviving cancer in high school, she went on to play varsity softball at Trine University in Indiana where she led her team to three conference championships. Her passion for sports opened the door to a career path that has provided her with experiences of delivering amazing memories for fans, impacting the success of others as a leader, and sharing her love for her work with her beautiful family.

In this episode we welcome Alissa Lieppman, Vice President/Head of Culture & Business Operations for the NFL. Alissa broke into sports during the rise of digital and social media, and built her foundation in the industry consulting and leading all 32 NFL clubs in adopting strategies that created business growth in that space. Her passion evolved at the league, and she now leads advancements in team culture initiatives, internal communications and education, and works in partnership with staff and senior leaders across the League to champion key initiatives that bring people of the NFL together through purpose and impact.

In this episode we welcome Jennifer Martindale, Senior Vice President of Marketing for the Chicago Cubs. Jen built the ultimate career toolbox with 14 foundational years in advertising where she drove brand strategy and led award-winning campaigns for notable brands, gained strategic business skills in the non-profit sector, and added entrepreneurial experience in the restaurant industry. She took her toolbox and brought it to the sports industry where she has now been able to grow historical brands for the next generation.

In this episode we welcome Lara Toscani Weems, Sr. Vice President of Global Communications for Elevate Sports Ventures.

Lara has over 20 years of sports and entertainment communications and marketing experience with NBA, NHL, Top-10 internationally renowned venues, marquee professional sports leagues and properties, and global entertainment brands. She built the foundation of her career in Marketing and Public Relations with Comcast-Spectacor and the Harlem Globetrotters.

Lara has had a record-breaking career, but Lara is most fulfilled in her role as mother to her children Carter and Ellie.  She credits the momentum she has had in her career and life from the response and learnings of her family’s remarkable journey.

In this episode we welcome Jessica Vella, Vice President of Tour & Event Sales for Legends at Sofi Stadium. Jessica shares her career journey, and provides insights from her personal and professional experiences in the industry. Knowing she wanted to work in professional sports going into college, she outlined her plans, established success in each role she held, and she maintained control of her path so that she could establish the life she always wanted to lead with her family and in her career.

In this episode we welcome Jamie Weinstein, Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales & Service for the Milwaukee Bucks. In this episode, Jamie shares her incredible career journey, where she has navigated up the ladder working with teams in the NBA, NHL, and NFL all across the country and with a stop in Canada. Her hard work ethic, openness to explore new opportunities, and her love for what she does has provided her an adventurous and fulfilling career.