In this episode of the Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience: Women in Sports series, host Kate Foley sits down with the Director of Player Engagement for the Atlanta Hawks, Ericka Hill. Ericka has worked in various roles in the sports industry, including community relations manager for the Miami Heat and Director of Community Affairs/Braves Foundation for the Atlanta Braves. Hill is committed to giving back to the community and serves on the board of several local organizations.
In this episode, Kate and Ericka discuss:
- Where Ericka gained her passion for giving back to the community
- Tips for students looking to follow Ericka’s career path
- The evolution of women joining NBA roles
- What an average day looks like for Ericka
Ericka has over 20 years of experience as a Community Impact Executive, implementing fully-planned corporate-wide brand engagement programs and communications that drive impact within the business of professional sports. Ericka has a track record of increasing brand value and delivering positive outcomes via strategic business planning, cultivating long-term and mutually beneficial partnerships, and project execution. Her experience in community outreach, sustainability, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, project management, and leveraging partnerships has led her to achieve demonstrable results.
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SHOW NOTES
- What was Ericka’s introduction to the world of sports? (2:20)
- At what age did you realize you wanted to pursue a career in sports? (4:20)
- How does Ericka compartmentilaize her relationships with the players and families that come and go, not letting it effect her day-to-day job (5:50)
- Where did Ericka gain her passion for giving back to the community? (7:36)
- How important is it to make sure the families feel included, and understand the process of being a part of an NBA organization? (8:45)
- Has Ericka found a healthy balance between work and play? (12:13)
- What does an average day look like for Ericka? (14:00)
- Who were Ericka’s strong female role model’s while growing up, who did Ericka look up to? (18:00)
- Are there any tips you have for students who want to pursue a career similar to you? How should they be preparing now? (19:00)
- Did Ericka ever have an “Aha” moment where she felt leadership stood up for her and gave her confidence in a male-dominant industry? (22:30)
- The evolution of women joining NBA roles (25:35)
- Have you ever experienced a situation at work where you felt discriminated against due to your gender? (27:00)
- What advice do you have for someone who doesn’t get their dream job, or a job they really wanted? (25:30)
- Throughout the 14 years that Ericka worked for the Braves (as Director of Community Affairs/Braves Foundation), what was her favorite philanthropic fundraising event the team put on? (31:28)
