Creating an Impact Through TEAM USA

What aspects of your current role at the USOPC do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy helping elite athletes realize their potential for the 50+ sports that we help oversee along with our partner National Governing Bodies. To me, being a part of the USOPC means that we get to impact sport in our country like no other organization can, and that really starts with how we support the full athlete experience across such a diverse sport community. Like so many who are part of Team USA, I also take great pride in representing our country. I think that's why I'm so motivated and inspired to be in this position because it's not just impacting one part of the sports industry – the global impact of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement is much broader and more meaningful.

How do you believe your previous roles prepared you for this job?

I’ve been fortunate to work in professional sports, collegiate athletics and now in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement. When I worked in the NFL, I learned about managing big personalities of the star players at the 49ers and Texans and helping minimize distractions so the athletes could focus on reaching their potential as football players. In Major League Soccer, I gained experience in growing a sport, building sports facilities, and using sport as an avenue to bring communities together. In college athletics, I learned the importance of helping support athletes in their most impressionable time when they are away from their families for the first time and the importance of preparing athletes for life after they are done playing sports. In Olympic and Paralympic sport, I’m learning the importance of international relations and how to allocate resources most effectively. I highly recommend being open-minded about exploring a career in international sports because the global sport industry will see so much growth and opportunity over the next 20 years.

What role did the Sport Management program play in how your career has developed?

I greatly valued my time as a student at USF because it provided me with a holistic view of the sport industry. I was able to apply what I learned during my time at USF to every role I’ve had over the course of my career.

Which skills do you believe students should prioritize during their studies?

I would highly encourage gaining valuable experience while you are getting your master’s degree. You can apply what you learn in class to the workplace. An example of this is a school project I did to analyze and provide a recommendation for increasing corporate sponsorship revenue. The 49ers utilized my research to restructure their approach to sponsorships.

Which experiences during your Sport Management program did you enjoy the most?

I enjoyed being part of a cohort of students that grew together over two years. Learning, problem-solving and critical thinking is such a strong way to build lasting connections, and we still stay in touch more than 20 years later.