Marian Rhodes and the Arizona Diamondbacks have generated an employee culture widely acclaimed as one of the very best within sports and among Arizona-based companies at large. Recognized locally as one of the Best Places to Work by the Phoenix Business Journal (a sister publication of SportsBusiness Journal) for five straight years, the D-Backs under Rhodes have created a progressive work environment frequently copied around the game. There are staff meetings structured more as late-night talk shows, complete with high-profile guests, that take full advantage of team President Derrick Hall’s outgoing demeanor; roundtable sessions between management and staff focused on developing team culture; and a staff dress code under which employees are regularly wearing apparel with team insignia.

Formerly with the St. Louis Cardinals, Rhodes also oversees Diamondbacks University, the club’s staff learning and development platform. “What we have sought very hard to do is build a culture where employees are not only encouraged but pushed to try new things,” Rhodes said. “We want to be the case study that others follow.”