Inaugural symposium April 10 explores issues facing women in sports & events industry

The Syracuse University Chapter of Women in Sports and Events (WISE) will present “A Word to the WISE: Leveling the Playing Field,” the first annual symposium that will examine the obstacles and issues that students entering the professional world will have to face, along with the skills and lessons necessary to
overcome them and maximize their college experiences.

The event will take place Tuesday, April 10, 2-4 p.m. in Syracuse University’s Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium, located in Newhouse 3, with a reception to follow. The event is free and open to both students and the greater Syracuse community. Parking is available in SU pay lots.

SU alumna Laurie Orlando, senior vice president of talent and development at ESPN, will return to her alma mater to moderate the inaugural WISE symposium. Panelists include:

• Michelle Berg, executive vice president, Team Epic;
• Jessica Gelman, vice president, customer marketing & strategy,
Kraft Sports Group;
• Donna Lopiano, president, founder, Sport Management Resources;
• Julie Nemeroff, SU alumna, NBA hospitality coordinator and global
marketing partnerships;
• Sage Steele, Sports Center co-host, ESPN, and;
• John Walsh, executive vice president, executive editor, ESPN.

Gina Pauline, assistant professor, Department of Sport Management, will open the symposium with the results of a qualitative research study that examined the working conditions of senior-level executives within the sport industry. Pauline will discuss the gender differences stemming from socio-cultural, organizational and individual factors, and how these pieces impact many areas including job satisfaction, turnover, family friendly culture, policies and gender composition. The research was supported by WISE, along with the Falk College Research Center.

Information about the event will be shared via Twitter, @WISE_SU and Facebook.

WISE is a resource to professional women in the sports and events industries. Through meetings, special events and mentoring programs, WISE offers members the opportunity to gain insight and make connections that can help women receive a competitive advantage in their current and future positions. The organization works to be the definitive source for businesswomen seeking information about issues,
challenges, and opportunities impacting all points of their career as well as career transitions. WISE now has chapters all over the country and has branched out with its first collegiate chapter at Syracuse University. WISE at Syracuse was founded by the Department of Sport Management in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.

Website: falk.syr.edu

Contact Person: For more information regarding the event, please contact Kate Veley at 315-443-9816 (koveley@syr.edu) or Taylor DeBolt 315-521-8093 (tmdebolt@syr.edu).