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■ Karen Ashnault: Ski Austin from the NBA. I kind of grew up there, and he taught some things that have carried me.
■ Wendy Bass: My parents. They infused in my sisters and me a love of sports, and they encouraged us to play sports. Having been an athlete has been invaluable for me in my career for a million and one reasons.
■ Pam Batalis: Billie Jean King and Donna Lopiano. As true pioneers in sports, they served as the role models and validation I needed to build my career.
■ Jody Bennett: Nancy Altenburg of FedEx. She challenged and empowered me every day. She would often remind me of the quote, “Sometimes it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.”
■ Kristin Bernert: 76ers, Devils and Prudential Center CEO Scott O’Neil. He brought me into the NBA family and taught me the power of culture and relationships.
■ Tera Black: Most recently, the owner of the team I work for, Michael Kahn. He has provided me the tools and the opportunity to succeed and help make those around me successful. And most consistently, I would have to say my husband. He played hockey professionally, has coached both professionally and at the youth level, has worked in the front office, and he grew up playing the game. He taught me pretty much everything there is to know about the game of hockey. He also gave me honest opinions on every major decision I contemplated throughout my career.
■ Valerie Camillo: Chris Granger, president of the Sacramento Kings. He took a chance on me: He hired me at the NBA despite the fact that I had no sports industry experience. I learned so much about the team business under Chris. He helped me see how to apply the skills and experience I had in a new context.
■ Jen Compton: Amy Latimer, TD Garden president. She was an architect in creating my former VP of marketing role for the Boston Bruins and TD Garden and recently spearheaded the creation of my new innovation role. On a daily basis she serves her team as a teammate, coach and GM: pushing for improvement, planning for the future and encouraging individual development.
■ Keli Cunningham: There have been so many. Gordon Gee, Shane Lyons, Oliver Luck, Debbie Yow, Stan Wilcox — all are examples of the impact you can have on someone by recognizing their potential and empowering them to succeed.
■ Janet Fletcher: Marc Pritchard of Procter & Gamble. Marc invested a considerable amount of time coaching and growing my capabilities to lead the Olympics program and helped create the ability for me to stay in the role doing sports marketing.
■ Jessica Giordano: Jan Katzoff. When he hired me, I had never been west of the Mississippi. Now, I have not only seen the world, but my answers to questions (about working in sports): Jan taught me all of that.
■ Robin Harris: It’s too hard to pick just one. My whole career I have tried to be a sponge and learn every step of the way from a variety of people.
■ Kelly Hyne: The 13 founders of the LPGA. In 1950, they started an organization that would create opportunity for thousands of women to pursue their dream of playing professional golf. Having met and known several of the founders, their encouragement, pride and love of what they’ve seen the LPGA grow into really inspired me to want to continue their work in the same spirit in which they started.
■ Denise Karkos: I’ve had amazing mentors along the way, too many to name just one.
■ Tracy Marek: Cavaliers CEO Len Komoroski. He saw potential in me early on and really encouraged me to have confidence and trust in my ideas and skills. He encourages risk-taking in my role and is supportive of my efforts even if that risk does not pay off.
■ Molly Mazzolini: Many people have had an impact on my career. One particularly memorable individual is the woman who was shopping at the Atlanta stationery store, The Paper Affair, where I was working over Christmas break in college. She worked for the Organizing Committee for the 1996 Olympic Games and told me they were looking for interns. Her kindness and the connection she provided sparked my career and started me on my one-of-a-kind Olympic movement as I earned the opportunity to intern there in 1995, and then work for the Games the following year. This simple act by a stranger influenced my 20-year career in the sports industry and, although I don’t know her name, I would love for her to know that I still do the same for others in her honor.
■ Carla Williams: Andy Landers, my college coach, because he crystallized many attributes I needed as a young person to lay the necessary foundation for my career: passion for my job, care for student-athletes, a high level of competitiveness, attention to detail, tenacity and compassion.
■ Denise White: Tom Condon of CAA has had a tremendous impact on my career. He took me under his wing when I was young in the business and really taught me the ins and outs of the sports industry. From negotiating contracts to dealing with men in the industry, he really showed me the ropes.
■ Priya Narasimhan: Dave Soltesz of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Dave introduced me to the industry, believed in an academic’s dreams, and helped me to make those dreams a reality. More than anything else, he encouraged me to push the envelope and to take risks and to always put the fan first.
■ Deanna O’Toole: Sean McManus, CBS Sports chairman. For almost 20 years, Sean has given me countless opportunities to grow professionally, take on new and varied responsibilities and expand my role within CBS Sports. I always will appreciate the trust he placed in me.
■ Michelle Palmer: Ray Clark, founder/CEO of The Marketing Arm. He hired me 17 years ago. All along the way, his coaching was always to improve daily, think bigger and maximize fun.
■ Katie Pandolfo: Dan Beckerman. He is an excellent role model both professionally and personally. Dan has built a culture where ideas are heard and valued. He embraces innovation and has given me the tools to make thoughtful, strategic decisions.
■ Diane Pelkey: Kevin Plank. He’s an incredible visionary, and his drive and passion are contagious.
■ Sallie Sargent: Bruce Skinner and John Junker at the Fiesta Bowl: both great writers and leaders.
■ Susan Schandel: Bill France Jr. He was a great leader with incredible vision. He had confidence in me early in my career, which gave me confidence in myself.
■ Kathryn Schloessman: In 1995, Ed Roski and John Semcken (of Majestic Realty) gave me the opportunity to be a part of their team to garner public support for building an arena (now Staples Center) in downtown Los Angeles. I didn’t know the difference between an arena and a stadium at the time, but they taught me and included me in the whole process. That is what led to me being offered my current position.
■ JoAn Scott: Early on, Tom McGrath at USA Basketball during the Dream Team years, who said, “Just sit there and learn and ask me questions afterward.” As I’ve gotten older, I’d say Tom Jernstedt, Jim Delany and Bob Bowlsby. They give me advice, and I watch the way they work.
■ Tina Shah: My dad. He emigrated from India and was able to forge a successful career in corporate America at a time when there weren’t a lot of executives that looked or sounded like him. He taught me to have a strong work ethic, build relationships and have perspective.
■ Debbie Spander: My father, longtime sportswriter Art Spander, who started bringing me to sports events as a toddler and instilled my passion for sports. And Casey Wasserman, who has built a dynamic company that empowers agents to serve clients first and provides me the perfect platform to grow our division.
■ Carol Stiff: John Wildhack always had an open door. He listened. I could talk to him about anything in the business. He was a great mentor of mine. I have the utmost respect for him.
■ Kerry Tatlock: My mother. As the daughter of Irish immigrants, she continually defied the odds. After attending college on full scholarship, she rapidly ascended the ranks of a Fortune 500 company. This was due in part to the fact that she couldn’t type well and was therefore given more advanced work, and in part due to her perseverance in completing her master’s in economics. Along the way, she remained a loving, involved and fully devoted mother. Though she never sat me down and told me to work hard, treat every experience as an opportunity for growth, or be passionate about not only your self-development but that of your family and local community, she definitely led by example. These are all attributes I learned from her and carry with me.
■ Sarah Tourville: My father, Tim Dorsey — not only from his parenting advice, but also from his experience working in the media business. He has always encouraged me to be myself, avoid being too analytical and to trust my instincts. I remember preparing for my first job interview and I was asking him what he thought I should study and read. His response was, “You are interviewing for an entry-level job. Your experience thus far as a kid with enthusiasm and passion should be your focus.” He has taught me to have perspective on what is important and to live with integrity and a good sense of humor.
■ Amanda Vandervort: Emma Hayes, manager of Chelsea Ladies FC of the FA Women’s Super League. We met very early in our soccer careers and have championed each other’s professional aspirations ever since. Her friendship and support have given me the courage to believe anything is possible.
■ Jaime Weston: I can’t boil it down to just one person — from every head of marketing at the NFL, who have constantly challenged us to do things differently, to the commissioner himself, who has empowered us to be bold and take risks.
■ Xan Young: Dan Meis. He taught me everything I know.
