Hiro Ueno/Los Angeles Rams
Molly Higgins
Vice President of Community Affairs and Engagement, Los Angeles Rams
Born: Pocahontas, Iowa
Education: University of Northern Iowa, public relations
At first glance, Los Angeles looks like an impossibly vast metropolis. But Molly Higgins discovered that it’s really a collection of tight-knit communities led by devoted nonprofit and civic dynamos — many of whom she’s met as she finds ways for the Rams to give back.
“I learned really quickly that L.A. is a huge city, but it’s a small community,” said Higgins, who started with the team when it still called St. Louis home in 2002. “For me, it was an incredible process of discovery, and from a professional standpoint it was very reinvigorating.”
In the four years since the club moved west, she has worked tirelessly to leverage the Rams and the NFL to improve the lives of Angelenos — a worthy goal in its own right, but also critical to making the entire relocation strategy a success. Some of her projects include a virtual “Te‘LA’thon” with TV station KABC that raised $2.2 million for pandemic relief in Southern California, and funding the Watts Rams, a youth football team created by LAPD officers to build relationships with residents. She also spearheaded RISE with the Rams, which connects football teams from high schools of different social classes.
“At the heart of our community efforts is social justice,” Higgins said. “That’s something everyone talks about right now, but that’s what we’ve been living and doing for years. It’s about fighting for equity and access and opportunity, things that too many in our Black and brown communities lack.” — Ben Fischer
More about Molly
Biggest work/life adjustment in quarantine: Eliminating the two-plus-hour commute has actually allowed me to better maximize my minutes and become more productive in many ways.
Guilty pleasure: I am a proud sup-porter of the California wine industry.
Attribute I look for when hiring: If you are going to be successful in being a change agent and fighting for social justice, a compassionate heart is the ultimate prerequisite.
Woman in sports business I’d most like to meet: Megan Rapinoe. She’s unapologetically bold in her conviction to fight for what’s right, challenge thinking and champion equality. Her authenticity is refreshing.
Change I’d make related to women working in sports: We need to be intentional about providing access and opportunity. Most people now recognize the strength of having a diverse team and diverse thinking and life experience, so it’s time to move beyond diversity to true inclusion. And as women, we need to make sure we are each other’s biggest fans and advocates as we work together to provide access and opportunity to the next generation of female leaders.
