Amy Sprangers, Seattle Seahawks

Saskia Potter Photography

Soccer legend Abby Wambach said something earlier this year that reminded Amy Sprangers of her career’s big leap forward: “Winners are grateful for what they have, but they often don’t demand what they deserve.”

Sprangers was heading into her 14th season with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014 and thought she was ready for a promotion. She delivered a tight 20-minute presentation on her qualifications and vision to then-President Peter McLoughlin. It worked. He made her vice president of corporate partnerships.

“I came so prepared, I came so ready, I knew I had seen so many different things here over my career that I could execute and be the best leader for the team,” said Sprangers, who was promoted last year to senior vice president of revenue.

Under her leadership, the Seahawks have consistently delivered revenue growth and creativity in sponsorships. They’ve boosted the number of sponsorships worth $1 million or more to 15, sold out every suite in her tenure while adding 15 units, and consistently rank in the top quarter of the NFL in revenue.

On the field, the Seahawks made the playoffs in six of the last seven years and won a Super Bowl. But Sprangers’ job is to sell the future, not the win-loss record, as she successfully did when she re-signed CenturyLink to a stadium naming-rights deal through 2033 at a big increase. “I don’t think successful sales teams are successful if they just ride on what they’ve done in the past, so we’re always looking for what’s next.” — Ben Fischer