Director, Arena Marketing and HEAT Digital Communications
1. What has been your expertise as a girl working in skilled sports activities?
I’ve been blessed sufficient to be working with the Miami HEAT since I used to be a university scholar and acquired my first–ever job provide from this unimaginable group, which is the place I’ve been ever since! I point out that as a result of working at this group has given me a really particular alternative that I’m not certain many ladies in skilled sports activities are all in a position to expertise. As we all know, our league is historically generally known as a really male-dominating business, and one would possibly assume that being a girl working in skilled sports activities supplies obstacles and roadblocks all through our profession. While that’s true for a lot of, I really feel very honored and proud to say that I’ve had solely constructive experiences working at the Miami HEAT. Since I used to be an intern, I’ve all the time felt empowered to have a seat at the desk or have my voice heard. Throughout my tenure, I’ve now had 5 totally different male bosses. All 5 of these people have been mentors to me and helped pave the technique to the place I’m as we speak, 10 years later. I’m fortunate to have had all of them take me beneath their wing and empower me the approach that they’ve all through the years.
2. In your opinion, what function do girls play in our a lot talked about “HEAT Culture?”
This all begins with what I name the “championship workforce” of ladies right here at the HEAT. As we all know, we now have had three championship groups as the Miami HEAT on the court docket, however I believe it’s really vital to acknowledge the championship workforce of ladies who’ve been right here all through these championships. Those girls at the moment are Chiefs, VPs, and Executives at the HEAT and THEY are the ones who’ve paved the approach for the function that all of us play as girls inside the group. These girls usually are not solely badass profession girls, but additionally daughters, mates, sisters, moms, aunts, and extra. These people have taken our HEAT Culture and continued to place in the work to guarantee that the generations of HEAT after them are being arrange for achievement not solely professionally, but additionally personally. The girls of the HEAT have made it some extent to interrupt limitations inside the group and business, not just for themselves however for the technology of ladies we now have coming in behind us. This is essential to all of us, and I believe that is an space the place all of us actually present up collectively as a union.
3. A second in time the place you thought, “Wow, I’ve a cool job.”
Um, OBVIOUSLY once I gifted a customized jersey to the queen herself – JENNIFER LOPEZ!
On a critical word, after 10 years with a company (and successful a championship!), I can go on for days about what makes my job “cool”, however one time really stands out to me. Anyone who is aware of me is aware of that my Abuelita means the world to me. She is my absolute the whole lot and she or he has made everybody round me really feel like she is their Abuelita too! So, when the idea “Cooking with Abuela” got here round in a manufacturing assembly and everybody rallied to have my Abuelita on as expertise, I knew I used to be someplace so particular. Seeing her cook dinner with just a few of our HEAT gamers and her treating them like they had been simply a few of my mates she was cooking for like she usually would, was one among the coolest experiences I’ve had at the HEAT.
4. What’s one thing you’ve accomplished to maintain your psychological well being this yr?
I simply had my child woman in January of 2021 and one thing enormous for me and my psychological well being was ensuring I’m so current in each second together with her. Something I’ve accomplished to actually maintain my psychological well being is focus a lot on household time. Making certain that I disconnect from work whereas I’m with my daughter and my husband permits me to give attention to what means most to me and that’s what fulfills me most.
5. What distinctive features of your function get you excited?
The truth that each single day is one thing new. Anytime somebody asks me what a “typical day in my function” seems like, I can by no means have one set reply. One day I’m planning a shopper x influencer suite night time get together at a HEAT sport, the subsequent I’m working a sold-out Marc Anthony present and the day after that I’m strategizing a HEAT x TikTok creator marketing campaign. (Okay, after which after that I’m processing invoices, organizing budgets, and answering emails – do not be fooled!)
6. Have you had any robust feminine leaders which have “modified the sport” for you?
Lorrie-Ann Diaz. LA. Da Bawse. My massive sis. My mentor. VP of Business Communications and Social Responsibility. I can go on eternally. LA employed me in 2014 for my first full-time job out of school. My interview was HORRIBLE, however I used to be already interning with one other division, so she took an opportunity on me and believed in me. LA is a type of girls I used to be referring to earlier as part of the “championship workforce”. Not solely is she simply unimaginable at her job (a real magician with phrases), when she speaks, individuals LISTEN. She has damaged limitations right here at the HEAT as now the first LBGTQ Latina Vice President in our group. Yep, you learn that proper. Freaking BADASS! This lady has made it her mission to raise and lead the girls beneath her to success. From the day she employed me, she has pushed me to be the finest model of myself each professionally and personally and I’d not be wherever I’m as we speak with out her. I’m so blessed that she has taken me beneath her wing for therefore a few years and actually confirmed me the approach as a girl on this business.
And in fact, my mother. My mother is my rock, my world, and my finest good friend. She has taught me tips on how to be a daughter, a spouse, a sister, a good friend, and, most significantly, a mom to my Allie woman. My mother is the whole lot I attempt to be in life. She has been my steering all through each step of my life, and I’d not be half the lady I’m as we speak with out her. Her constructive power and her fixed smile radiate by each single individual she crosses in life. I pray to be half the lady, spouse, and mom that she is.
7. How vital is it in your function to develop and empower the subsequent technology of ladies leaders? What steps will you’re taking to make this occur?
Extremely vital. Developing and empowering the subsequent technology of ladies is one thing I really feel very obsessed with as a result of it’s what has been accomplished for me. This is a activity I don’t take evenly and think about to be part of my function. My objective is to pave the approach for the youthful technology and inspire them to DREAM BIG and be no matter it’s they need to be inside this business.
8. Is there a quote that resonates with you in your on a regular basis life?
“Let Go and Let God”
9. One piece of recommendation you’d provide to a girl seeking to break into the sports activities/leisure world.
Do not let this business intimidate you! Just as a result of that is sports activities/leisure, doesn’t imply that you must have a ton of sports activities data. We have girls working throughout our group in utterly totally different areas of the enterprise – tech, content material advertising and marketing, public relations, retail, social media, graphic design, broadcasting, safety, company companies, and the record goes on. These are all talent units that aren’t particular to the sports activities business. Trust in your experience, give attention to what you might be good at and let that be your driving power. Our voices are NEEDED in all areas. Take your clean canvas and start drawing out your path!
https://www.nba.com/warmth/information/women-changing-the-game-cassandra-behar-02282022
